10 simple rules for the Responsible Tourist
I probably don't need to tell you why travelling is one of the most enriching experiences of life: we all need to understand though that travelling in a responsible way is possible, easy and doesn't require any compromise.
You might be wondering though, what you can do concretely, in your own small way, to be a responsible tourist anytime you travel.
Here it's the answer: these are my personal 10 rules to follow before and during your travels.
1- Read, study, do your homework! It doesn't take much to be prepared when traveling: read a book, rent a travel guide at your city library or watch a documentary about the country you're going to visit, then learn some basic words of the local language (hello, please, thanks...trust me, people will thank your effort with huge smiles!) . Also, look online for the local tour-operators organizing excursions and day-trips, and go for one operating in a responsible way.
On site, try and talk to some locals about the culture and the country traditions: you will treasure these encounters years later.
2- When possible, take a train or a bus rather than the plane. If you can't, do you know that some airlines are more sustainable than others? Here it's a list you can consult before booking your plane.
At destination, avoid as much as possible taxis and cars: local buses, bikes and simply walking are eco-sustainable transportation solutions, inexpensive and often more fulfilling.
3- Respect the environment and don't destroy it: do not pick up 'souvenirs' from national parks, game reserves or archeological sites (in other words, don't act like this tourist!!). Don't abandon your garbage: keep it with you until you find a trash can and recycle, when possible.
4- Water is such a lacking resource in many parts of our planet: don't waste it, always close the faucets. When you get out your hotel room, make sure you have switched off all of the lights and the air-conditioning.
5- Protect the fauna: don't buy items or accessories manufactured with leathers, furs and animals' parts. Don't eat meat of endangered animals, even if it's considered a local delicacy.
6- Respect the customs and local traditions: for example, in a conservative country dress adequately and if necessary cover your head. Recently in Morocco I found out that Berber women really appreciated me covering my head, and were more willing to talk to me. In the poorest countries, moreover, avoid showing off your wealth (avoid wearing watches, jewelry and designer bags).
7- Now more than ever 'volontourism' has become fashionable, especially among young travellers. To leave and help a far away community is a beautiful idea, but unfortunately there are companies profiting of this kind of tourism and of travellers with a big heart.
It's not uncommon for associations to ask volunteers thousands of dollars to participate in a program, and where does this money go? Not always to local communities.
Then, how do I choose the right program? Check out the Ethical Volunteering Guide to help you choose the right program and website, and ask questions to the associations! If they are a serious company, they won't have any problem giving you all kind of informations.
8- If your next destination is a third world country, with economical problems, you will be surrounded by children begging for money, and it will be difficult to say "no": it may sound cruel, but avoid giving money to kids, because what for us might me a very small amount, will contribute to them leaving school. We all know how important is education!
If you want to donate some money, do your research and donate through recognized humanitarian associations that will make sure your money will go to those more in need.
9- In developing countries it's easy to feel you need to give a handout: better than this, though, is to contribute to the country's economy by buying some gifts for friends and family: of course choose handmade goods made by local artisans!
10- During your travels, to near or far away countries, you will want to capture a moment or a smile with your camera. Do it, but always remember that locals aren't animals in a zoo: before snapping the picture ask for permission.
Loved reading this piece, spot on!! Exactly the things I try and practice in our travels - we do overland trips when we can, great to know about those airlines that are more sustainable. Being from Bangladesh, can't emphasize enough how it makes things so much worse when we give money to beggars, especially children. Buying local products is the best way to help them. All the other points here really good and correct to the T 🙂
It's so good to hear that you try and travel responsibly, it's so important! Keep promoting it to the world, we need it 🙂
I totally agree with #1 - to do your homework! If you learn a couple of words of the language, you can connect with locals on a more personal level. I remember how people positively responded to me in Taiwan when I could say just 'thank you' and 'hello' in Chinese!
I know, right? And it's so easy 🙂
I really like these rules, especially #8 & #9. I've been trying to teach these to my kids, too, whenever we travel. As a parent, it's really hard for me to ignore the child beggars, so I pick out my charity before the trip so that I can mentally tell myself that I am in fact helping someone.
This is a great idea Michele, I like that! It is hard for me as well to ignore the kids, but We need to remember that we are doing the best thing for them, and that maybe that will help them get a proper education...keep teaching these things to your kids, we need more people like you 🙂
Common sense rules, but as we know common sense is rather rare. Speaking of homework, I am at WTM from Far West Texas awaiting our meeting. Looking forward to a chat.
You are totally right Mike, these are simple and common sense rules, but as you travel around the world you do understand how many many people have to learn these things yet! That is why we need to keep promoting a responsible way of travel on a regular basis. By the way, it was great meeting you and the rest of your team, and I definitely hope to meet you again in Texas. Have a great day!
Great guidelines here. Further to children, I try to support companies in the travel industry who have signed on to The Code of Conduct to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation. This organization is working hard to get tourism workers trained in recognizing child sexual exploitation (and reporting it) and owners to put policies and initiatives in place to prevent child sex tourism and exploitation.
You are doing a great and important job here Deb, please keep doing what you do!
Hi Steph,
Many very good points!
I would add to this list: eat in places owned by locals and where locals go, and stay in places owned by locals (living in the very city, not some rich people from the capital city). That is a very strong way to support the local economy.
I cannot agree more on point #7, and saw through many countries, especially in Africa and South America, how young people are being used by ruthless companies making a LOT of money on "Volontourism" never heard that word, but it describes well the situation.
Point #8 is also crucial, even giving pens away (we did it during our first trips to Africa but completely stopped) is a very bad idea.
Environmentally friendly airlines seem to be a bit of a marketing strategy, though...
Cheers
Gilles
Very well said. And thank you for the airline list. We try to travel by train or bus as much as possible, but of course for some destinations it's harder 🙂 Not all is bad with travelers but I still see many who couldn't care less about the culture or the customs. In India I witnessed two kinds: the respectful in Ahmedabad where I was living at the time (it isn't a popular tourist destination so people who visit it go there for the experience and not to collect another stamp), and the "very typical tourist" in Delhi where I was briefly for a weekend. I didn't stand Delhi and it had nothing to do with the city, it was the tourists, their attitude. Maybe it's me who needs to be more tolerant...
fantastic post Steph!! I totally agree with most of them and i try to be as much responsible as i can!!! My favorite is N.4!! water is so important and we must not forget it!!
Great tips! I've learned many of these during my travels, some you don't realize until you are traveling!
Yes, absolutely true about the asking for permission to take photos! I don't like having my photo taken without someone asking first, and I would do the same for another person!
Ciao Stef!!
Great post...everybody should read this and try to be more responsible during their trip 🙂
The best for me? No.3 "Don’t abandon your garbage"
Such a great post with so many true points.
For me, #1 and #6 are such important parts of travelling. When I visit a new country, I make sure I understand as best I can their culture to ensure that I do not cause offence while travelling - wearing head scarves in Indonesia, dressing respectfully at religious sites, not leaving chopsticks in my rice in Japan, not facing my feet towards people in Thailand. Its not difficult but some people just don't seem to understand the importance of respecting local culture and beliefs.
#1 is a huge one for us. Just learning a few words in another language makes a huge difference. We shop locally as much as we can weather it's buying handicrafts/art or even buying groceries. It's important to spread your money out.
Here, instead of giving money to the kids (who are often offering a service like polishing shoes or selling peanuts), we buy them a snack. Share a cookie with them, offer a piece of mango, something they wouldn't normally get.
If you really care about green tourism, then stop promoting activities like swimming with turtles and whale sharks. Any time there is a great concentration of wildlife (especially in the ocean) it means there is an imbalance in nature. The Akumal turtles are getting tumors from too many tourists. The whale shark industry is rent with abuse.
The other abuse is drones. It's disruptive and not green at all. It's selfish.
Hi Mark, I didn't know about the turtles in Akumal, I visited a few years ago and the situation at the time was OK for what I could see. I will research the topic and make any necessary edits to my content.
Regarding drones, I don't know where you read that drones affect wildlife. I'm yet to find an article that highlights this aspect - in fact, most associations say that the use of drones can help the environment in multiple ways. I personally only use a drone in areas where it's allowed by the law of the visiting countries. I wouldn't use a drone over a national park or a place where it was specifically not allowed (for example, over some hotels for privacy reasons):
Regarding the whale sharks, swimming with them is not inherently bad, I'm not sure why you have that idea. It can be absolutely done ethically by respecting the distances and by choosing the right tour operator. It's actually encouraging conservation by eliminating the illegal fishing that happened before the tourists arrived.
Tourism that involves wildlife is not necessarily bad - in fact, even some zoos can be ok. I only recommend tour operators taht actr in sustainable ways and respect the rules that were made to protect the environment. Would you say taht riding horses is unethical? What about camels? It's not black or white, it can be good or bad depending on how the animals are treated and respected.I suggest you research the topic a bit more.