London, UK, Wednesday 7th February 2018: Adventure travel specialist Explore has announced today the findings of a study* into Brits' behaviour when travelling overseas. With conversations about issues like plastic use and energy consumption intensifying, responsible tourism is a hotter topic than ever. And, while our habits at home are increasingly being adapted to conserve energy and minimise waste, it seems that these habits are being neglected once we're on holiday.

We're 50% Less Likely to Recycle on Holiday
While most people (77%) frequently recycle at home, only 38% do so when on holiday. We're also 60% less likely to reuse towels for more than a day or two, or to turn off lights and appliances when we're abroad.  

Explore consciously strikes to reduce wastage and minimise environmental impact via its small group trips. The company's new Responsible Tourism Pledge asks customers and staff to travel with a reusable water bottle, to reuse towels and sheets and turn off lights and water when not in use; just like at home. Explore strives to minimise single-use plastics, both at its UK office and on all of its trips.

We're Not Always 'Keeping it Local'
28% of those surveyed prefer a British guide on holiday. But it's by travelling with a local leader that visitors can get under the skin of a destination and better understand the place they're visiting. Explore trips include local hotels and homestays, and recommend local restaurants, meaning a more authentic experience for the traveller and direct economic benefit for the communities visited. Win-win.

We Love Our Wildlife – Even Out of its Natural Environment
30% of surveyed tourists would enjoy a zoo visit to see wildlife; 23% would take an elephant safari and 28% would like to swim with dolphins.

Explore is raising awareness of the dangers of visiting animals in unnatural environments. The company works hard to ensure the wildlife we love is preserved – by visiting sanctuaries, where important conservation work is done, rather than zoos and banning elephant rides. The company works closely with wildlife charities to promote education and conservation, which always go hand in hand. And of course, anywhere that sells shark fin soup or ivory is absolutely off limits.

John Telfer, Managing Director, Explore comments: “Unfortunately this research of the broader British travelling public shows that our second-nature behaviours at home aren't always translating to our holidays, and that there's still a real lack of understanding about which activities and behaviours could be considered unethical or not sustainable.  We're used to turning lights off, using recyclable bottles and reusing towels when we're at home; why does this all go out the window on holiday?

As a tour operator, Explore has a responsibility to tackle these issues, and we take a public stand against activities like elephant rides and visits to schools and orphanages. It is crucial to us that we and our customers are always welcome back in the destinations we visit, and we strive to make sure that holidaymakers and locals get the maximum benefit from our trips.  

Crucially, travels need to be enjoyable, fun and fulfilling in order to be sustainable. In travelling with local guides, visiting local restaurants and hotels, you're having a more real, more authentic experience of the places you're visiting. The fact that you're also putting money into the heart of the community you're visiting is a fortunate by-product. We always want to be welcomed back to the places we visit.”

Explore has created a 12-point Pledge, outlining a few little tips for travellers to minimise any negative impact on the destination they visiting, and to ensure they're always welcome back.

Read more about Explore's Responsible Tourism initiatives, and take the Explore Pledge, here:

For more information, watch the responsible travel guide here: (raw file available on request)

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* Explore commissioned a OnePoll survey with 2,000 British consumers who have travelled abroad

About Explore

Explore is an adventure travel tour operator with 36 years' experience in organising small group, tailor-made and self-guided trips to some of the world's most fascinating destinations. Wherever your passions lie, whether wildlife, culture, walking and trekking, a voyage to the Polar Regions, cycling or a family adventure, Explore takes you far beyond the tourist spots into the heart of the country you're visiting. With over 600 trips in 130 countries, Explore's breadth of choice, combined with award-winning tour leaders and commitment to responsible travel, ensures an exciting and authentic travel experience.

Responsible tourism is - and always has been - one of the driving principles of Explore. We care deeply about travelling in a way that positively impacts the people and places we visit. To us responsible travel means that:

• We ensure people who work for Explore are treated fairly and paid a fair wage
• We learn about and respect the customs and culture of the country we are visiting
• We ensure that local people benefit economically by employing them as leaders, guides and drivers - and by eating in local restaurants and using locally owned hotels where possible
• We minimise our impact on the environment by travelling in small groups, offsetting our carbon emissions, reducing waste and supporting conservation projects

We've worked hard at these things to ensure we are welcomed in the places we all love to visit, meaning local people benefit and our groups enjoy a better trip. It could be through some of our great community based tourism experiences, meeting local people or experiencing the pristine wilderness and leaving it untouched.