How to be a Responsible Tourist?
Ethical tourism, green tourism, responsible tourism; What is the difference and how can you go on vacation without damaging the planet?
Choosing the destination of your dreams usually comes down to things like weather, accommodation, nightlife and activities. But what about the impact your vacation will have on the local community, the environment or even more important issues such as global warming? With a greater number of cheap flights, more and more of us are flying in search of beautiful exotic beaches, adventures full of adrenaline or just weekend weekend getaways. But we can do everything possible to ensure that our escapades do not end up damaging the environment, leaving destinations intact for future generations to enjoy.
But first, a brief guide to some of the terms:
Responsible tourism: being responsible for your choice of destination, how you get there, how you handle the economic, political or cultural experiences you may have during your vacation, and the greatest impact on the environment.
Sustainable tourism: a journey that limits the impact on local communities and surrounding environments, fosters economic prosperity by creating jobs and fostering greater social cohesion.
Ecoturism: a pillar of sustainable tourism, ecotourism (or ecotourism) focuses on the preservation of the natural environment – flora and fauna, as well as the cultural heritage of the place you are visiting.
Ethical tourism: travel to a country or a country where you can encounter ethical problems, such as injustices in human rights and animal welfare problems.
Ecotourism instead of hiring a private jet or a 4WD vehicle, eco-tourism simply means that you use environmentally-friendly means of transport. Traditionally, green tourism has not dealt with social or economic factors, but now it is used in this broader context.
Now we have it clear, here are 7 tips to be a responsible tourist:
- Buy locally: Buy your souvenirs at local stores and craft boutiques. The same goes for eating out; try to find delicious home cooking and try the local cuisine. This will encourage cultural artistic traditions, help local businesses and you will have a truly authentic and unique gift to take home with you.
- Do not give money to beggars: While you can pull the strings of your heart, give money to street children, or any kind of beggar you can find abroad, it only fuels social inequality, providing immediate relief and No long-term solution to your difficult situation. If you want to make a real difference, consider donating to a charity when you get home or before you leave.
- Choose an Ethical Travel Operator: If you are concerned that the money spent on organizing your trip goes exclusively into the pockets of travel agents without benefiting the community, then do your homework before you book. This is particularly important if you plan to volunteer. While it is commendable to offer time and money for a worthy cause, not so much if the volunteers keep the local workers out of work or if they force the institutions with few resources to spend money updating the facilities for the tourists. Many tour operators will create customized travel itineraries for you and will ensure that a considerable amount of expenses will be used directly to support the development.
- Make the most of public transport: Do you visit a city and want to save your poor feet from excessive hits on the pavement? Be sure to find out what your public transportation options are; ask at your hotel, they can usually provide maps and explain the costs. Visit the nearest stop and get on board! Besides being super cheap and respectful with the environment, you can also enjoy a part of everyday life and hang out with the locals on their daily commute.
- Take a set of wheels: The best way to discover a new place is by foot or by renting a bicycle. Take off at your own pace and explore all those beautiful streets, stop for a coffee or refresh in a cafeteria. Not only is it better for the environment, but it will also help burn some extra calories after feasting with all local products and meals.
- Investigate your destination: Make some inquiries about the country you are visiting, beyond the number of pristine beaches or sunset spots that you will find, although these things are also very important! If you are anxious to find or encourage any ethically dubious activity, make sure you have a realistic idea of the political, economic and social situation in your chosen destination. Learn a little about local customs and attitudes before taking off.
- Leave the wild life where it is: As tempting as it is to wear a bright shell or a colorful piece of coral as a souvenir, being a responsible tourist means leaving nature alone. Avoid buying products made from materials collected as a result of illegal poaching, such as ivory or certain animal skins. Even some tropical hardwoods, like sandalwood, should be left where they belong and should not be taken back in your suitcase.
