Responsible Travel
There is a popular travellers saying "take only photos, leave only footprints"
Having spent the past 20 years travelling through Asia (and other destinations too), I believe that travel can have positive effects for both the traveller and the local alike; but it is important to respect the local cultures and natural environments of the destinations you travel to.
You can do this in a number of ways:-
- By learning about the culture of a country you are visiting both before you arrive and through immersing yourself in the culture once you are there - you get a better understanding of the country and I believe you then gain a more enriching travel experience.
- Learn a few words of the local language - even just attempting hello, goodbye and thank-you can be met with a big smile by a local.
- Respect local customs, practices and beliefs.
- Treading lightly - especially when trekking or on adventure trips - ensuring no litter is left behind.
- Staying at Eco friendly resorts or hotels, I can recommend some great properties in Asia, Africa and other destinations who do a great job at not only being 'green' but also giving back to their communities.
- Support local charities - many NGOs now have training restaurants or fair trade shops - like KOTO in Vietnam or Friends in Cambodia and Laos.
- Community based tourism is where there are tours or other projects set up which spread some of the tourist dollar to the poorer or more remote communities - these can easily be included in part of your bigger travel itinerary.
- Using local transport from rickshaw to dugout canoe, many of these are environmentally friendly but also provide income for a local.
- When buying gifts or souvenirs - don't always buy in the major towns - try and spread your purchases around to some of the smaller communities.
- Eating local cuisine is a great way to keep traditions alive. After 8 visits to Cambodia, I am so glad that there has been so many Khmer food restaurants opening over the last few years serving Amok, Khmer curries and Bok L'hong (green papya salad). These now sit alongside restaurants specialising in tourist classics found around the globe like pizza, hamburgers and pancakes with banana and chocolate sauce.
- Take a good quality over the shoulder type shopping bag with you - rather than accepting plastic bags with every purchase.
As an MTA consultant and through our Virtuoso onsites based in each country, we are utilising operators who are locals, who give back to their communities through local charities or their own foundations, operators who are very much hands-on and can provide the sort of one on one experiences like I had in Myanmar (see my Travel Diary entries.)