Summer here in Vegas is definitely difficult: its gets close to 100 degrees by the middle of May. It makes people think about getting out of town before it feels like you’re going to cook on the sidewalk like an egg. If having a staycation isn’t a option, or perhaps your budget is a little bigger for an actual trip out of town, there are still some tips to keep in mind as you’re figuring out vacation plans:
Research, research, research. If you’re looking to do some eco-traveling, the Internet is a wealth of information about what places are best for eco travelers. Eco tourism companies are great resources for helping you plan a planet-friendly trip anywhere in the world. They can give you information on what kind of impact you can have on the area you’d like to visit. If you have the choice of travel options, pick the one that’s best for your budget. Being unprepared can end up killing your budget.
Don’t buy animal souvenirs. Think twice before picking up items made of leather, ivory, turtle shells, or other animal products. You might not be able to bring them back because of customs rules, and more importantly you’re encouraging poaching.
Respect the local plant and animal life (including coral). Rather than picking petals off, take a picture. Like the joke goes, “It’ll last longer!” Plus you’re removing one more beautiful thing to inspire the next visitor. If you’re somewhere close to animals, leave them be. Feeding them human food will not only mess up their digestion, they may end up learning to depend on humans for food, leading to starvation down the line. And if you’re going to be snorkeling in the water, admire the coral from a distance. Touching them is akin to giving a human being road rash. Ouch.
Watch your waste. It’s easy to get caught up in hanging out at the beach and leaving stuff behind because nobody else is paying attention, but animals and plants need the beach too. And not picking up trash not only harms the environment, it can also raise the costs of trying to get rid of it, making destinations more expensive.
The world is full of beauty, and it’s possible to enjoy it without wrecking it. What other kind of responsibilities should you take when traveling this summer?
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