Sustainable tourism: 5 tips for responsible tourist
Valorizar a cultura e a comunidade local, preservar os ecossistemas e contribuir para a economia regional constituem ações primordiais para um turismo sustentável.
If you are planning to visit the Autonomous Region of Madeira, pay attention to the five tips we suggest to enjoy a more comfortable, thrilling and environmentally friendly trip.
Remember that individual responsibility should always be seen as primordial, since it is up to everyone, and to each one individually, to be part of the change. A sustainable tourist is a tourist who is more responsible and aware of his impact on the destination, willing to strengthen new ties and live new experiences that make him more complete.
1.Choose services and activities that take Sustainability into account and apply strategies to this end
Spaces that have sustainable, environmental or social responsibility certifications, should be favored, whenever possible. Certifications are excellent mechanisms to select services that present good practices in terms of sustainability and that, therefore, guarantee a safer, more transparent and responsible service.
2. Do not disturb the local community, avoid noise, and waste pollution
Noise pollution, caused by nocturnal disturbances and inappropriate waste disposal, are behaviors that should be avoided as much as possible at the destination.
Regarding solid waste, the Autonomous Region of Madeira has at its disposal numerous structures and means for waste disposal, which are available throughout the territory and in strategic points.
3. Consume local, traditional and organic products
Whenever possible visitors should choose to consume local and traditional products, contributing for the local economy and, enjoy the destination´s culture. Besides choosing local products, you should also take into consideration if they are organic and have any certification, so as to verify the origin and the production methods.
4. Choose reusable bottles
Whenever possible, the use of single-use plastic bottles should be avoided, as they are a source of waste and high pollution.
The use of reusable bottles is a viable solution for the transportation of water and other liquids, as they can be washed and used more than once.
Besides this, visitors at the RAM have at their disposal drinking fountains, proper for consumption, distributed throughout the territory.
5. Encourage the use of public transport, bicycles, scooters, or walking
Both in Madeira Island and Porto Santo, it is possible to find a good range of public and/or collective transports, some of them electric, offering a fluid experience to all visitors and reducing GHG emissions. However, there are many other mobility options such as bicycles, scooters and footpaths. These options also provide a different visit and a highly attractive way to get to know the whole territory, at your own pace.
