Traveling Responsibly

Traveling responsibly means protecting and respecting travel destinations around the world by following some simple and cost-effective tips. Signing the Pledge means you will come home with more than the usual album full of photos and memories, you will also leave behind a lasting legacy for future travelers and the local communities who depend on World Heritage sites for their livelihoods.

What does it mean to travel responsibly? Sign the Responsible Traveler Pledge and commit to:

• Discover the natural and cultural beauty that makes World Heritage sites so unique before you leave on your trip.
• Share your commitment to World Heritage sites by asking hotels and tour operators about their sustainable tourism practices.
• Preserve the natural and cultural value of World Heritage sites by reducing your environmental impact and respecting local customs.

These three things are easy to do. And they help protect World Heritage sites such as the Great Barrier Reef, Machu Picchu and the Grand Canyon.

TRAVELING RESPONSIBLY IN ACTION

• Responsible Travel Tips: Want some more easy ways to travel responsibly?  We've gathered some pointers for before you leave home, while you are traveling, and after you return.
• Community Tour Operators: Booking with a locally-owned and operated tour operator not only benefits the local economy, but give you an insider's view of your vacation destination.
• Expedia Employee Service Program: Our partner Expedia, Inc. is committed to helping community tour operators improve their services and infrastructure.  Each year, a group of Expedia employees travels to a World Heritage community to volunteer their time and expertise towards improving community-owned and operated tours.
  • Expedia employees from the 2007 trip to Dominica, an eastern Caribbean island, shared their experiences and insights with us.  Read the interview.
• Managing a World Heritage site isn't easy.  Cindy Orlando, Superintendent of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, gave us an inside look at park management.
• Sam Walker was the Grand Prize Winner of the 2007 Friends of World Heritage Photo Contest.  He won an 8 day trip to the Yucatan Peninsula.  Sam reported back to us with photos and how he traveled repsonsibly.  You can see his award-winning photo here.

RESOURCES

• More tips on traveling responsibly.  Download a wallet card with handy tips.
• Find a community tour operator.