Take Action: How to Be a Responsible Tourist

1. Support the Local Economy
2. Think About Animal Welfare
3. Responsible Ecotourism
4. Report Endangered Species Products You See
5. Help Us Spread the Word

1. Support the Local Economy
If you really want to buy souvenirs, why not choose locally made handicrafts that benefit local communities?  Beaded jewelry, wood carvings, paintings-- items not made from animals - are good choices.  And you might consider donating to, or visiting, projects that conserve habitat and protect endangered species, such as animal sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitation centers.

Use your purchasing power to protect animals: Buy locally made, non-wildlife souvenirs

     
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2. Think About Animal Welfare
Don't take part in any activity that is cruel to animals or promotes the poaching of wild animals. Examples include hunting, having your photograph taken with chimpanzees or other performing animals, visiting circuses or bullfights, or taking rides on sick, over-worked or badly treated horses, donkeys, elephants or camels.  They may look harmless, but activities like these can inflict cruelty to individual animals and encourage the over-exploitation of wildlife.
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3. Responsible Ecotourism
Ecotourism is tourism that has the least possible impact on the environment.  It's the responsible way to see the world's wonders.  But be careful - some tour operators and hotels use the label "ecotourism" because it's fashionable when, in fact, their operations leave much to be desired.

If possible, try to stay in a hotel or lodge that employs local people, uses local food and other products such as building materials and/or contributes to the local community in some other way.  The resort should also have minimal environmental impact and use water and other precious resources wisely.

Learn as much as possible about the culture, language and wildlife of the country you are visiting. Be respectful of local folkways and traditions.  Embrace the experience while expanding your view of the incredible, diverse world we all share.
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4. Report Endangered Species Products You See
If you suspect you have seen or been offered an endangered species product:

When on Holiday
Notify the local police, your hotel management, tour operator or the local tourist board – and warn your fellow travelers.

Take pictures of items you think are made from animals.  Send them to www.ifaw.org and we will post them on our site so future travelers will know what to watch out for.

At Home
Notify your local police.  

Explain the dangers of buying products made from endangered species to your friends and family.

Ask friends and family to set an example by giving any endangered species products they may have bought in the past to the proper authorities to be destroyed.

Explore the Web site to learn more about endangered species and IFAW's various campaigns and projects to protect them around the world.
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5. Help Us Spread the Word
Help IFAW spread the message: Think Twice, Don't Buy Wildlife Souvenirs.  Working together we can stop the illegal trade in wildlife.  Working together, we can ensure that wildlife are left in wild where they belong.  If we don't buy, they won't die.

Check out our resources page to download posters, pamphlets and other information.  Hand out the material to fellow travelers and friends, take a poster to a local travel agency and ask them to hang it in their shop and ask them to contact IFAW to find out how they can help.

Do you have a Web site?  Host one of our banners to help spread the word.  Click here to download one of our banners!
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