Going green

PLANET FRIENDLY TRAVEL NEWS BY

Pack a bit more sustainability into your next break with a new guide from tailor-made holiday firm Audley Travel.

The company says individual behaviour changes on your getaways can make a real difference and also offers advice on interacting with local communities and protecting the environment.

Your changes…

Purge that plastic – use reusable water bottles, recycle packaging and take items home that can’t be recycled locally (for example batteries).

Turn off lights, aircon and electrical equipment when not needed and keep water usage to a minimum.

Where possible, choose locally sourced food and if meals are buffets, try small samples first to reduce waste.

Low season travel means fewer crowds, shorter queues and better availability of the top accommodation. It also gives local guides year-round work.

With communities…

Respect local cultural sensitives, ask permission before taking pictures and don’t photograph children.

Support the local economy by eating and shopping in community-run and locally owned businesses.

Take a light-hearted approach to bartering and remember that small amounts can mean a lot to the vendor.

The environment..

Stick to paths when visiting nature reserves and national parks, take notice of destination specific recommendations such as rinsing hiking boots to avoid the transfer of invasive species.

Use local guides who adhere to strict animal welfare guidelines to avoid disrupting natural habitats. ■■More info at audleytravel.com

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.com are boosting their summer flights and packages to the Canary Islands, Turkey, mainland Spain and Portugal’s Algarve from Belfast International, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Glasgow and

Newcastle. The increased capacity kicks in ahead of the Early May Bank

Holiday.