Your Guide to Responsible Tourism
- Read up on the countries that you plan to visit - the welcome will be warmer if you take an interest and speak even a few words of the local language
- Think about where your money goes when booking a holiday - for example bed and breakfasts, village houses and locally owned accommodation benefit local families.
- Ask to see your tour operator's responsible travel policy.
- Help the local economy of developing countries buy buying local produce in preference to imported goods.
- Haggle with humour and without aggression. Pay what something is worth to you and remember how wealthy you are compared to local people.
- Realise that the people in the country you are visiting often have different time concepts and thought patterns from your own, this does not make them inferior, only different.
- Ask questions rather than assume you have all the answers beforehand.
- Use public transport, hire a bike or walk where possible - you'll meet the local people and get to know the place better.
- Use water sparingly - it is precious in many countries and local people may not have sufficient clean water.
- Don't discard litter. Waste disposal is a major expense in poorer countries.
- Have respect for local cultures, traditions and holy places. For example, ask permission before you photograph local people and dress appropriately at all times.
- Spend time reflecting on your daily experience in an attempt to deepen your understanding.
- Don't buy products made from endangered species, hard woods, shells from beach traders, or ancient artifacts ( which have probably been stolen)
- Pack small gifts from home for your hosts - get your tour operator to ask the local community what would be of most use to them.
- Use your guide book as a starting point rather than as a bible - following it slavishly will close you off to new or unknown experiences or attractions.
With thanks to responsibletravel.com Ltd and to Tourismconcern on whose respective guidelines the above has been based.
