You can barely open a newspaper or switch on the radio these days without coming across a debate on climate change and the effects of air travel on the planet. Just this week, the Liberal Democrats set out plans for environmental taxes. So the First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards, launched today, have never been more important.

The debate over carbon dioxide emissions from aircraft is currently grabbing headlines. But while there are numerous reasons to take the train, as Anna Shepard, The Times “eco-worrier”, makes clear in her feature in the Green Travel section, the case for flying is still strong, as Times associate editor Anatole Kaletsky explains in News and Comment.

But there is a broader point to consider here. Tourism that is well thought through can do a huge amount of good for the communities that we visit overseas — if we treat local people with respect, ensure that our spending money goes directly to them, and visit with open minds. This is what I mean by being a “responsible” tourist. It’s a notion that encompasses both the important, but somewhat dated, idea of “eco-tourism” (respect for the wildlife and environment) and the more modern concept of supporting the people you’re visiting.

During a recent visit to Zambia, I saw how tourist money is supporting the livelihoods of local staff who work in the safari lodges, in areas where there are few other sources of employment, and is also directly funding several local schools.

So what makes you a “responsible” tourist? Here are suggestions to get you started:

Finally, nominate a project for this year’s Responsible Tourism Awards, which gives you the chance to win a fabulous trip for two to Antarctica. Every visitor who makes the journey comes away from this continent passionately concerned about protecting our fragile planet.

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