As we become increasingly aware of the impact our actions have on the environment, more and more people seek ways to reduce their carbon footprint. This approach is important both in our everyday routines and during the times when we deviate like when were on vacation.

Fortunately, there are ways to travel more sustainably and minimize the negative effects of our tourism on the environment. Its all part of a growing lifestyle movement called green travel.

HuffPost spoke to experts in tourism and sustainability about the growing world of green travel and how to incorporate this approach into your next itinerary.

What is green travel?

Green travel is traveling in a way which is more sustainable than conventional travel, said Anna Dacam, environment program manager at the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance . Its about minimizing the negative impacts on the natural environment as much as possible.

She noted that taking a green approach to travel might entail curbing your carbon footprint, the amount of water you use, the waste you generate or any impact on local species and ecosystems.

At its best, green travel goes beyond just minimizing harm, to actively contribute to the prosperity of people, planet and place, Dacam said.

Indeed, this type of tourism is about thoughtfulness. Its seeking to lessen your environmental footprint while positively impacting the local communities you visit during your travels.

Travel can negatively impact local communities in destinations by driving up costs of living, promoting cultural commodification, or causing congestion at popular sites, said Kaitlyn Brajcich, senior manager of communications and training at Sustainable Travel International . Sustainable travel aims to minimize any negative impacts and maximize the positive by improving career opportunities, promoting the equitable distribution of tourism benefits, improving local quality of life, ensuring respectful interactions and celebrating the local culture.

Make sure your tourism dollars go to the people and ecosystems most impacted by your presence. Focus on how your travels can help fund conservation efforts, raise environmental awareness and support the restoration of vulnerable habitats.

There are many words to describe sustainable tourism these days, noted Rachel Dodds , a sustainable travel expert and professor at Toronto Metropolitan Universitys Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Green travel is one of them.

She explained that terms like regenerative travel or sustainable travel have come into popular usage in recent years, as experts emphasize going beyond reducing harm and actually benefiting the environment and locals during your visit. But nomenclature aside, the message of highly conscious, eco-friendly tourism is consistent.

Green travel should really be thought of more holistically as responsible travel, taking into account not just the environment but also the local community, the economy, and travel culture, said Brian McMahon, travel curator at Scenset . Theyre all interconnected, so you cant talk about one without discussing the others. Thankfully, travel is trending more and more in this direction and its now commonplace to see hotels, airlines and travel companies proudly show off their sustainability commitments. The hard part for travelers is sifting through all of that information and deciphering between real action and lofty language.