HOW TO BE A CONSCIOUS TOURIST

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM has been the buzzword for a few years now, and evident geoclimatic changes have shown us repeatedly why it’s more than just a trend. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only put our priorities in perspective, but also shown us that the Earth can actually heal—if we start treading lightly. It’s important that when we start exploring again, we are aware of the impact our travel choices have on the planet. But too many people use the terms ‘responsible travel’ and ‘ecotourism’ loosely. In order to set the record straight and filter facts from hashtags, we spoke to field experts for tips on acting responsibly on different terrains.

MOUNTAIN ESCAPES

MANDIP SINGH SOIN, a mountaineer, founder of Ibex Expeditions (), and founder of Ecotourism Society of India (now RTSOI, ), states that the golden