Eco-travel isn't just for environmentalists. The travel industry is the fastest growing industry in the world according to the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Unfortunately, travel is part of the problem. Carbon emissions related to tourism have been on the rise in the past few years.

Still, you can have a great vacation while protecting the environment at the same time. We want you to make sustainable choices.

Here are top 5 tips to help you reduce the carbon footprint of your trip and enjoy an eco-friendly lifestyle:

1. Avoid plastic bags

Make sure to take a re-useable shopping bag with you when visiting shops and markets.

Plastic bags take lots of time to biodegrade and have a significant impact on animal life in many areas of the world. The vast amount of plastic trash that we, the population generate is particularly noticeable in Southeast Asia and Egypt. Plastics are handed out with no limitation and littering and dumping are common and obvious.

2. Choose public transport

Private transport usually entails creating additional carbon emissions. On the other hand, public transportation eases congestion, reduces emissions, and gives you plenty of quality time to people watch. Take the bus or subway instead, because metros and subways produce 76 percent lower emissions. 

Write to your city representatives to request that your community upgrade their diesel buses to fleets of electric buses. Electric buses feature batteries or fuel cells and produce 70 and 50 percent fewer emissions. 

3. Bring a tumbler or aluminum water bottle

Ditching water bottles is one of the first moves you can make to be eco-friendly. Without a tumbler, you'll no doubt go through 20-30 cups or equally harmful plastic water bottles that could fill up at least a garbage bag.

The Guardian said a million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute. Think: a million per minute. Shifting to a reusable water bottle will help lessen our plastic dump.

4. Be at home in your hotel

Be as practical as you are in your home as in your hotel.

Avoid getting clean towels every other day, conserve water and limit the airconditioning and heating. Reuse towels by hanging them up to dry, unplug unused appliances, share one bar of soap for the sink and the shower and open the curtains to naturally heat the room. You also don't have to use the laundry and cleaning service every day. These simple practices can help you protect the environment.

5. Eat and drink locally

Eating and buying seasonal, locally grown food is much better. Seek out the best in local produce. This is possibly the best way to lower your carbon footprint. The food will be fresher than the food shipped across the globe. Buying the local produce also encourages local businesses.

Drink "near beer" or drink the beer that's made nearby.

Trying traditional food and drinks is largely connected with experiencing the local culture. They are strongly rooted within the memories of the local people.

These are the things to remember before immersing yourself in the local culture. Have fun.