Travelling is great for expanding your horizons, raking in more likes on Instagram, but it might not be that great for the planet or local communities and the country’s heritage. It’s no wonder that more folks are becoming aware of the need to travel sustainably. Adopting eco-friendly practices even when you’re on vacay, protecting the host country’s culture and heritage, as well as giving back to local communities are all part of sustainable travel, which is gaining traction among globetrotters. The point here is to minimise the negative impact of tourism, and to protect and preserve the natural and cultural environment. For the uninitiated, here are some tips on how you can make a difference on your next holiday.

Planes are among the biggest reasons for CO2 emissions in our environment, which is why eco-warriors advocate eschewing flights. But that doesn’t mean you can never take another holiday again. Instead, reduce your carbon footprint by choosing another mode of transport — the train, bus or car — where possible.

Luckily for us in Singapore, it's just a ferry ride to a quick beach getaway in Bintan and Batam, where new resorts are popping up all the time, with a plethora of options ranging from family-friendly resorts to the sort of barefoot luxury you'd normally find in Bali or the Maldives, like the recently-launched Cempedak Island (pictured).

More airlines are ramping up their environmental efforts. While some offer to offset the carbon footprint by donating to environmental causes, airlines like Emirates and Qantas have cut down on single-use plastic items on flights, and have pledged to go plastic-free in the next one to two years. Travellers can go the whole nine yards and pack your own reusable cups and bags in your luggage for your next holiday to reduce the amount of single-use plastics that you use on your trip.

According to the World Tourism Organisation’s recent studies, only five out of every 100 dollars spent in a developing country remains in the country. Why not fill your itinerary with activities that benefit the local communities instead? Don’t know where to start looking? Non-profit association Bee+Hive is all about spreading awareness about travelling responsibly, and has launched a booking platform and offers a curated list of hotels and experiences that shares its values. What you’ll find here: experiences that preserve the local environment and wildlife, contribute to the local economy as well as preserving the local culture around the world, from Brazil (main pic) and Sweden, to the Philippines and Australia.

Among Bee+Hive’s growing pool of properties is the Nay Palad Hideaway in the pristine island of Siargao Island. You can choose to do nothing and just lounge by the beach, or go snorkelling, island hopping and even take up surfing and stand-up paddle-boarding if you so wish. Besides water sports, there are also activities like hiking, birdwatching, cave tours and even yoga sessions and cooking classes. The best part? You know you’re doing your part to preserve the local economy and area, all while you’re having fun. More info at http://beeplushive.com.

Photos: Cempedak Island, Bee+Hive, Unsplash