The Ethical Travel Guide: How to be a conscientious tourist

Being sensitive to the following ideas means getting more out of your travels - and giving more back to the people you meet and the places you visit.

* Learn about the country you're visiting

Start enjoying your travels before you leave by tapping into as many sources of information as you can. Reading books on the culture, religion, environment, history and politics of a country can be rewarding, and knowing a few basic words of the language is always appreciated.

* The cost of your holiday

Think about where your money goes - be fair and realistic about how cheaply you travel. Try and put money into local people's hands; drink local beer or fruit juice rather than imported brands and stay in locally owned accommodation rather than international hotels. Haggle with humour and not aggressively. Pay what something is worth to you and remember how wealthy you are compared to local people.

* Culture

Open your mind to new cultures and traditions - it will transform your experience. Think carefully about what's appropriate in terms of your clothes and the way you behave. You'll earn respect and be more readily welcomed by local people. Respect local laws and attitudes towards drugs and alcohol. Think about the impact you could have. For example, the effect on the local community of travellers taking drugs when visiting the hill tribes of Thailand can be devastating. People become trapped into selling drugs to travellers and become addicted themselves, especially young people who want to be like the travellers.

* How big is your footprint?

Minimise your environmental impact. Think about what happens to your rubbish - take biodegradable products and a water-filter bottle. Be sensitive to limited resources like water, fuel and electricity. Help preserve local wildlife and habitats by respecting rules and regulations, such as sticking to footpaths, not standing on coral and not buying products made from endangered plants or animals.

www.tourismconcern.org.uk; 020-7133 3330

Why travel ethically?

An ethical holiday makes sense for the host because:

* It can alleviate poverty and boost the self-esteem of marginal communities

* Community projects such as schools and clinics benefit

* Women have a greater role

* It stems urbanisation

* It is eco-friendly

An ethical holiday makes sense for the tourist because:

* You get closer to other cultures

* You feel better about the "footprint" you leave

* It can be simple or luxurious

* It benefits your hosts

* They safeguard destinations

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