Responsible Choices When Travelling

• Good choices take the journey, accommodation and activities into account.
• Reliable local information matters more than general rules.
• Consideration for people, culture and nature go hand in hand.
• Waste, water and energy can all be considered in everyday decisions.
• Small choices suited to the destination make planning more manageable.

Thoughtful trip planning starts by asking which route and type of stay suit the destination. For longer distances, direct routes, sensible connections and a longer stay in one place can help avoid unnecessary extra journeys. The specific connection should still suit the destination.

When choosing accommodation, clear information about its location, facilities and local rules is helpful. For hotels, apartments and holiday homes in Eastern Europe, location, facilities and local rules matter. Water, energy and waste can be managed in ways that suit the facilities and conditions of each stay.

Marked trails, visitor rules, photography bans and notices at religious or sensitive sites should always be observed. Consideration applies to people as well as landscapes: not every private setting is a photo opportunity, and not every open space is a suitable place to stop.

Travel in Eastern Europe and Central Asia passes through a variety of natural and cultural landscapes. Sustainable travel planning takes everyday life at the destination and resource consumption into account; destinations in the region differ in their routes, climate and visitor practices.

For longer distances, you can plan connections, travel within the destination and length of stay together; fewer changes of location can help avoid extra journeys. The energy impact of a trip includes both getting there and getting around locally. In water-scarce destinations, water needs and local use belong in the plan, alongside the protection of sensitive landscapes.

According to the foundation, five daily prayer times are held at the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo. During prayers, visitors give worshippers space and put their cameras away. At nature destinations, follow marked trails and use designated access points; visits to natural landscapes and cultural sites can be planned around walking distances and available daylight.

At your destination, follow guidance from local communities, protected-area authorities, accommodation providers and transport operators. Treat people respectfully and do not photograph them without asking. Respectful encounters with local culture and people include consideration for privacy and religious practices. The economy, tourism and environmental protection are connected to residents’ everyday lives and infrastructure.

When planning leisure time and activities, include an accessible starting point, equipment and the return journey in your day’s plans. Dispose of waste in designated places and use water and energy sparingly. In protected areas, stay on marked trails and use designated access points.

How long have people been praying at the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo?

The foundation describes a continuous call to prayer since the mosque was built in 1530/31. Prayer has therefore been part of its use as an active religious site for almost five centuries.