At Responsible Travel.com, they list several helpful travel tip articles for those looking to get away this summer (or next winter) and want to take advantage of environmentally friendly practices.

Here is their 6 quick tips for responsible travel:

• “Buy local produce in preference to imported goods
• Hire a local guide – you’ll discover more about local culture and lives, and they will earn an income
• Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artefacts
• Respect local cultures, traditions and holy places – if in doubt ask advice or don’t visit
• Use public transport, hire a bike or walk when convenient – its a great way to meet local people on their terms and reduce pollution and carbon emissions
• Use water sparingly – its very precious in many countries and tourists tend to use far more than local people
• Remember that local people have different ways of thinking and concepts of time, this just makes them different not wrong – cultivate the habit of asking questions (rather than the Western habit of knowing the answers)”

I especially like tip #2 on using a local guide, not only will you get the best information and sight seeing spot low downs, but you will support the locals directly and that is what eco-travel is all about.

For more useful tip ideas on sustainable travel visit here.