Did you know the word tourism comes from the Hebrew “Tora”, which means “to study”?

Ecotourism is a newly coined word which means tourism focussing on local cultural heritage, personal development, adventure, volunteer work, nature and the environment, in a sustainable way.

You don’t have to be a fully blown ecotourist to make a difference! Some simple considerations can improve the environmental impact of your holiday and start to change the way tourism affects the planet.

• eat in locally owned restaurants

• buy local produce

• do as they do, and show respect

• spend your money with local people, not international operators

• use the local transport system

• choose small operators with a local knowledge, rather than big tour operators

• ask if your hotel buys local food, or imports it from far away or abroad

• conserve water in areas where it is even more precious than it is at home

• conserve fuel and power, in areas where this is an issue

• re-use your towels

• try to recycle, just like you would at home

• try the local wine

• find out the environmental concerns of local people

If you end up in a big flashy hotel in the middle of an otherwise poor area, chances are that pressures have been put on the local community to enable the development to happen, and that environmental damage has been done in the area. It is also not a given that the local economy has benefited from the development: the money generated may go straight into the pockets of international developers and holiday companies.

If you want to know more about Ecotourism, or make more of a change to your holiday habits:

Responsible Travel are a holiday company who provide a more authentic holiday experience, as well as trying to ensure that the maximum benefit to local people and the local environment is achieved.

Tourism Concern is a charity working to reduce environmental and social problems associated with tourism.

Friends of World Heritage will help you to get involved with visiting and protecting World Heritage sites.

The Good Travel Company have a range of hotels and holidays that practice responsible tourism.

The International Ecotourism Society promotes responsible travel that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

The Guardian have plenty of ideas for eco-holidays.