Environmental issues are no longer just a trend. The importance of everyone’s continued efforts cannot be stressed enough. From buying “environmentally friendly” products, to active recycling programs. No matter where we are in the world, no matter how far or remote we journey, we can all do our bit.

Today, we are all responsible for our communal residence, our home: Planet Earth.

Going on holiday is a wonderful experience and a time to enjoy yourself. However, we would ask you to consider a few simple tips to help care for the environment whilst you are in the Dominican Republic.

Often people may forget that local goods or products may not always confirm to Western standards. We are all ambassadors whilst abroad, and should take care to select products such as aerosols and chemical products that do not contain harmful CFC’s or other potentially harmful products.

Going shopping on holiday is of course great fun, but please try to avoid products derived from ivory, reptile skin, tortoise, turtle shell, exotic feathers or coral. Trade in endangered species is prohibited under international law. It is better to leave animals and plants to thrive in their natural habitat. Please do not upset the balance of nature by removing them.

Respect your host country. Dispose of your litter carefully. Discarded rubbish such as bottles, plastic bags and wrappers not only look unpleasant, but can attract vermin and can be potentially dangerous to wildlife and people.

Energy for lights and heating water is usually produced by burning fossil fuels which in turn release gases into the atmosphere that can contribute to the global warming process, acid rain and the greenhouse effect. Please do your bit, by turning off lights, electric items and water taps when not in use.

Everyone has different reasons for going on holiday. For some it may be to “live it up”, party all night and sleep by day. For others, it may be a long deserved rest with early nights being number one priority. Please then, try and keep noise levels down at night so that other guests (particularly young children) can enjoy their holiday too.

Normally, in countries with hot climates (like the Dom Rep) water is a precious commodity, due to very little rainfall or lack of the infrastructure to collect and preserve water supplies. In addition, a great deal of water is used for swimming pools. Please help by using water sparingly, turn off dripping taps and use a basin of water with a plug, rather than running a tap. If you don’t feel your towels need washing, then tell the maid or cleaner. Every little bit helps.

Please remember that in the Dominican Republic the sewer systems are not Westernized and toilets, WC’s, bathrooms, loo’s cannot take paper or other manmade articles flushed down them. Put all waste in the bins provided next to them.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, never believe that your contribution cannot help. Every little bit you do, will help to preserve the environment in which we all live.

Thank you for taking time to think about the environment during and after your stay in the Dominican Republic.