When Lynn Englum of New York City visited the Republic of Palau in February as part of a travel project exploring places imperiled by climate change, she received an elaborate stamp in her passport. The full-page stamp featured a 59-word promise, addressed to the “Children of Palau,” to “tread lightly, act kindly and explore mindfully.” She was required to sign the stamp, known as the Palau Pledge and adopted in December 2017, as a condition of entry designed to promote respect for the country’s natural resources.

Though the procedure was rushed, given the immigration lines, Ms. Englum, 37, later wrote in an email, that “it did make me aware that Palau is very concerned about its environment, especially for the sake of future generations, and they are asking me to be equally concerned as I visit their country.”

In recent years, tourism pledges have proliferated as destinations from Iceland to Hawaii seek to train travelers in sustainable practices and cultural awareness. Largely voluntary, these multipoint pledges cover a range of responsible travel vows, from not littering on trails to parking legally, minding safety cautions and respecting local communities.

Iceland claims to be the first country to introduce one. In June 2017, the popular destination launched the Icelandic Pledge through an online portal, with vows including “ I will take photos to die for, without dying for them. ” and “When nature calls, I won’t answer the call on nature.” Tourists can sign the pledge online at InspiredbyIceland.com, a tourism site, after which they are encouraged to share it on Facebook.