Responsible Travel
There is so much talk nowadays about sustainability and ethical tourism - which is a great thing! - but it can definitely feel...overwhelming. It sometimes feels like you can't do anything without making a mistake or being judged, and finding reliable intel on what is ethical can take you down a massive rabbit hole. I get it! Once you start pulling at that thread...where does it end? Can't I just go on vacation without feeling like a terrible person?!
Yes, yes you can.
Both are possible, and it's actually not that hard to do once you know what to look for. That's where I come in.
It is my personal belief that most people want to be a responsible and ethical tourist, but many don't know what that actually means. And researching it is crazy daunting - especially since businesses have caught on to the fact that people actually do care about these things, so they have 'green-washed' their websites to make it seem like they are eco-friendly without any substantial evidence to back it up. As if planning a trip to a foreign place isn't daunting enough as it is.
Lucky for you, responsible travel is my jam. I've traveled enough to learn a lot - through talking to locals in a given location, to other travelers, and yes, from making plenty of mistakes that I didn't feel so great about. I've dedicated hours upon hours of research time into this topic, so you don't have to.
All of my travel guides take this into consideration - the booking recommentdations I provide are ones I believe are ethical choices (companies managed by locals, wildlife experiences that are fully ethical, activities that do not exploit their workers, etc.). Additionally, whether you download one of my premade guides or I create a custom itinerary for you, I will always include quick, easily digestible information about the local culture, customs, and any ethical considerations you should be aware of when arriving as a tourist in that location.
Being a responsible trouist should not be difficult, but I have found that in a lot of cases it is - because there's just so much information out there it's easy to get lost in it all and feel defeated. I want to make it easy for travelers - and that's what my travel guides and custom itineraries are meant to do.
Wildlife & Animal Encounters
Whether on safari, volunteering in an animal sanctuary, on a hike, or even in the middle of a city - it is important to pay attention to the animals and wildlife around you and understand the impact your prsesence has on them and the role you play in the greater ecosystem.
A few basic tips to guide you in ethical wildlife encounters:
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It is never a good idea to feed wildlife; this changes their natural behaviors, associates humans with food (which can be dangerous for both humans and the animals), and disrupts their usual feeding patterns/is not healthy for them. It can also assist the illegal exotic pet trade, by making animals unafraid of humans and willing to approach any human thinking they will get fed.
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Do not touch wildlife, and avoid facilities (such as zoos, 'sanctuaries', or voluntourism opportunities) that allow human contact with wildlife.
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Avoid any facility that advertises wildlife in human settings (in a home or office) or performing tricks.
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Do not support social media channels that promote photos of any of the above.
Local Economy
It's important to understand how your tourism plays into the local economy. There is more and more talk these days about 'overtourism', which can have very harmful effects to the local community. Here are some simple tips to help ensure you are getting to travel where you want to without inadvertently contributing to the deterioration of the local economy or culture:
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Visit lesser known cities, avoid tourist 'hot spots'.
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If visiting a high touristed area, go during off-peak season to avoid overcrowding spaces and overtrafficking tourist sites (which can lead to site degradation). Traveling to overtouristed areas, especially during high peak season, puts a greater strain resources and infrastructure that locals are left to repair.
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Book locally owned accommodation. Stay away from big, mutli-national chains and AirBnBs owned and managed by foreigners. Opting for foreign-owned accommodation (including AirBnBs if not owned locally) leads to higher housing costs for locals, squeezing them out of their homes to acocmmodate more tourists.
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Choose tour operators owned and managed by locals.
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Purchase souvenirs made locally.
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Respect local customs (i.e. dressing appropriately if touring a sacred or religious area) and local areas. If you are fortunate enough to share in a true local experience, do not publicize it on social media - keep local spots local.
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Do not complain if a city, hotel, tour operator, restaurants, or souvenir shops add a tourist tax, or require tourists to pay higher prices than locals for the same service. This helps cover the maintenance costs of infrastructure that is put under greater strain due to high tourism.
Following these guidelines will help to ensure your tourism dollars are funnelled back in to support the local community, and that popular sites can be preserved for future guests to enjoy.
Environment
Oftentimes one of the most enticing aspects of traveling somewhere are the beautiful sights a specific place offers. We must care for our environment if we want to continue to enjoy the natural beauty this world holds, and allow others who come after us to enjoy it, too. Some simple guidelines to follow:
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Stay on trails! Always heed posted signage in any national park, on any hike, nature walk, beach or in other natural landscapes.
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'Pack out what you pack in.' No matter where you go, be sure to not leave anything behind and always dispose of trash or anything you no longer want in appropriately labeled disposal containers.
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Reduce and reuse - travel with refillable toiletry containers and reusable water bottles. This will help reduce the waste that the local community needs to manage.
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If you see garbage, pick it up - plastic water bottle on the beach? Grab it. Granola bar wrapper on the side of the trail? Stick it in your side pocket.
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Do not trample plants or disrupt the local ecology in any way. If scuba diving or snorkeling, do not step on or touch coral reefs.
Human Rights
From choosing tour operators to taking photos of villages, there are many human rights related aspects to consider as a tourist. It is impossible to travel and not have an impact on the local people. Here are some points of consideration:
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Always respect the local culture - learn the basics of local etiquette and act/dress/speak accordingly. Don't expect Americanized meal options, try traditional foods and opt for local restaurants rather than large, international food chains.
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Learn a few simple phrases - greetings, please & thank you - in the local language; a few words go a long way in demonstrating respect for the local community.
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Do not take pictures of the local people without their consent, particularly those dressed in culturally traditional clothing - they are not costumes.
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Avoid 'slum tours' - these are voyeuristic and do more harm than good to the communities that live there (your tourism dollars in these cases do not go to them). If you are interested in supporting those in poverty, find and support a local organization that donates to or employs people from low-income neighborhoods.
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Choose tour operators that offer fair wages and insurance to their guides - if you are booking a cheap tour, it may be a red flag that the guides are not paid fairly. Always be prepared to tip your guides well.
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Do not give money to begging children - in many countries, parents/adults will exploit their children to get money, and even maim them to encourage greater sympathy from tourists. Offering money to begging children promotes this exploitation and abuse.
