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As an Advanced Open Water (AOW) diver with almost two decades of diving (in about 15 countries) under my belt, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a great diving destination, not to mention a great diving operator. It’s also good to know a little bit about the key diving certification companies: PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and SSI (Scuba Schools International). It’s Thailand’s most popular learn-to-dive spot, but Koh Tao (which is easily accessed by boat from the mainland and neighbouring islands Koh Phangan and Koh Samui), remains the best both for its diversity and accessibility of dive sites, and its sheer volume of dive schools. Where you’ll be diving: At some schools you’ll practice basic scuba schools in a pool, while others train in shallow, sandy sites in the ocean before graduating to beginner-friendly sites such as Japanese Garden.

Named for Captain James Forsyth, one of the first Europeans to explore and fall in love with the wilderness area now known as Satpura National Park, Forsyth lodge isn’t just a luxurious base for exploring the nearby tiger reserve, but a conscious business committed to conservation and empowering the local community. Morning drives held in the park’s core zone offer the best chances of spotting an elusive tiger, leopard or sloth bear along with several deer species, langur, jungle cats, gaur, owls and more, though an evening drive in the buffer zone can be similarly rewarding. Walking safaris in the buffer zone and canoe safaris on the reservoir that borders the core zone of the park are also available, but while both offer a nice change of scenery, the wildlife spotting doesn’t compare to that on a jeep safari. Among India’s more accessible safari lodges, Forsyth lodge is 200km south of Bhopal airport (about four hours by car), just a few minutes drive from the reservoir where small boats ferry visitors across to the core zone of the park for jeep drives.

Last December, I was lucky enough to return to Nepal for the first time in nearly 20 years to hike the Everest Base Camp trek with Encounters Travel, and was surprised by the volume of trekkers I encountered making irresponsible decisions in the mountains. Keep your luggage to a minimum Most international operators heed the International Porters Association’s recommendation that Nepal’s porters carry a maximum of 30kg, advising their clients to keep luggage to a maximum of 12.5kg. While hiring a guide is not compulsory for all but Nepal’s most serious treks, doing so not only contributes to the economy, but comes with myriad advantages – most guides have an incredible knowledge of the mountains, and their altitude sickness management training might just save your life. Don’t forget to tip your guide and porter at the end of your trip if you’re pleased with the service provided – the standard rate is US$3-5 per person per day for your guide, and US$2-4 per person per day for your porter.

A must-watch before a trip to Africa, the film exposes the truths of the canned hunting industry, which typically begins with lions raised in captivity for tourist experiences before being sold on to canned hunting farms to die horrible deaths. While the global travel industry has largely turned against elephant rides due to overwhelming evidence that the activity is harmful to these gentle giants, it hasn’t stopped a handful of African operators (particularly in South Africa) offering the experience. While a handful of African countries (including Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya) have banned plastic bags, plastic (and general) pollution remains a huge problem in Africa, and there’s nothing like stopping for a bush toilet break to find a mountain of toilet paper and wet wipes to remind you of the role tourism plays in contributing to the issue. You can find out how responsible your preferred operator is by reading the company’s responsible tourism policy, which can typically be found on the company’s website.