How to Travel Responsibly

Everyone has a right to see the world. Travel broadens the mind, increases goodwill and enriches your life. Unfortunately, too much of it can also have negative impacts on the places we think are so wonderful.

Responsible travel is a way that international travellers can minimise these negative impacts and instead create a positive experience for both visitor and host. It’s not difficult; simply behave in other places as you would wish travellers to your country to behave.

Before you go

Choose your travel provider and accommodations carefully. Make sure they practise responsible tourism. Do they conserve resources? Employ locally? Before you book with a hotel or organisation, make sure you ask them what they are doing to contribute to community economic and conservation efforts. 

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Most irresponsible travellers do so out of ignorance rather than intentionally. The more you find out about a place before you go, the more responsible you’ll be once you arrive there. Before you depart, learn all you can about the culture, religion, traditions and appropriate behaviour and dress. If you know what is considered offensive in a foreign culture, you will be more respectful of these cultural differences.

You are fully aware of what you consider to be rude behaviour in your own culture, but are probably not as familiar with the customs in other countries. For example, the “OK” sign is an offensive gesture in Brazil and in Egypt salting your food is considered an insult. In some countries, you always take your shoes off before entering a home and in some you always leave them on. Many countries consider the left hand unclean or think that pointing is rude.

Learn the language

This sounds like an enormous task, but the truth is, a little will go a long way. It’s amazing how many people go to a foreign country and can’t even say “hello” in the host language. Learning  just a few words shows that you are making an effort. Key words like hello, please and thank you show respect and will be greatly appreciated. Learning the local language also bodes well for you. You will be able to communicate more effectively and will be more confident at the time of your departure. Just picking up a phrasebook or a language CD can make you a more responsible traveller- and give you something to do on the plane.

Think local

A huge part of responsible tourism is a financial contribution to the local community. Many hotels are owned by multi-national corporations or private foreign investors and they keep all the profit. To make sure that the people in the community prosper from your visit, try to purchase locally produced handicrafts, artwork and souvenirs. If you seek out locally grown produce, eat at locally owned restaurants, hire a local guide and shop at village businesses, you’ll make a difference in the community and you’ll leave a favourable impression.

Be respectful

This is a critical part of responsible tourism. Always treat local people with respect and courtesy. Practice good manners and be open minded about their culture and beliefs. Don’t assume that your viewpoint is right; instead, try to understand how they think. Even if you don’t agree with their beliefs, don’t criticise them. Don’t treat the local people like animals in a zoo. Always ask permission to enter someone’s home or to take pictures of them or their family. 

This is particularly relevant in places of worship. Many churches and temples welcome visitors as a way to share their spirituality and take pride in their place of worship. It is a very generous offer to open such a sacred place to a crowd of visiting strangers, so it is important that you honour such generosity. Many places will request that you keep quiet, dress modestly and refrain from photography. In Buddhist temples you will have to remove your shoes. These places may seem glamorous and exotic to you, but to the people who worship there, it is a central part of everyday life. Your visit is a privilege, not a right. 

Conserve Resources

It’s likely that as a paying tourist, you may actually have more access to scarce resources than the local people do. Water and electricity are in limited supply in developing countries, so be considerate and try to use as little as possible.

Read more about making your trip as environmentally friendly as possible.

Try to blend in

This is impossible in some places if you’re white (and especially blond) but it’s the idea that’s important. It’s a strategy that sums up the main idea of responsible tourism. Mingle with the local people, try their local dishes, dress appropriately for the culture and try not to stand out   Constantly snapping photographs is a dead give-away that you’re new in town. If you look like you belong, and not like a tourist, you’re doing something right. 

Responsible travel is about respect and courtesy. If you travel responsibly you will have a positive impact on the community and help to leave a positive image of visitors. And if you travel responsibly, you’ll have a better experience as well. Responsible travel allows you to get closer to a culture and see what’s really there, making it a much more eye-opening and memorable experience. 

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