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Responsible
tourism. It’s basically doing business well and travelling with a mind
to how it affects the places we are going. To us it means that;
* We learn about and respect the customs and culture of the country we
are visiting so that we do not offend local people
* We ensure that local people benefit economically from tourism by
employing them as leaders and guides, eating out in local restaurants
and using family-run hotels where possible
* We minimise our impact on the environment by travelling in small
groups, offsetting our carbon emissions, reducing waste and supporting
conservation projects
We’ve worked hard at these things to ensure we are welcomed in the
places we all love to visit, meaning local people benefit and you get a
better trip. It could be through some of our great community based
tourism experiences, meeting local people or experiencing the pristine
wilderness and leaving it untouched.
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Just a few ideas:
Before you go
Language:
hello, thank you & goodbye!
Know some lingo! Learning a few words of the local language is a great
way to break barriers: greet shopkeepers, waiters, drivers, clerks, etc.
It is equally important to say your 'thank yous' and 'goodbyes'.
Local Customs: another time, another place
Religious customs and local traditions vary enormously around the world
and play a large part in the local way of life. It is important to
familiarise yourself with the local people's dress codes and thought
patterns, and recognise them; the local concept of time is also likely
to be less hurried than your own. Remember - you are the visitor, and by
showing respect you will be respected and appreciated yourself!
Packing
Keep your packaging down to a minimum and avoid disposable goods as
these often can't be disposed of or recycled overseas. Eco-friendly soap
gets our thumbs-up.
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Presents
You may make special friendships and experience generous hospitality
when abroad. Gifts that are evocative of your home country such as
postcards and photographs make ideal presents - check your dossier for
any specific tips about the area you are visiting; once on tour, your
tour leader will also be able to advise you on the appropriate
circumstances to give.
On tour
Water: pollution & usage
If it is necessary to wash in streams or rivers, do not use detergents
or other chemicals. There are a number of eco-friendly soaps available
for travellers. Remember, it may be someone's drinking water further
downstream. Use water sparingly in dry countries. (For more on Drinking
Water, see 'A good drink' below.)
Souvenirs & shopping
Avoid buying souvenirs that exploit wildlife or threaten endangered
species. Buying local souvenirs helps the local economy; whilst it is
often customary and even fun to haggle, stop once you have got a
reasonable price: the low price you achieve may only be due to the
desperation and poverty of others.
Did you know that it's illegal for travellers to bring all meat and meat
products, and milk and dairy products, plus some fish and plant products
into the UK from non-EU countries? This is because they could carry
pests and diseases, such as Foot and Mouth or Colorado Beetle, which
might harm British livestock and crops.
So before you bring back souvenirs from your trip, make sure you know
the rules. You can find more information online at the defra website. If
you are not able to check, or you're still not sure, there's only one
way to be safe: don't pack it.
Wildlife
Avoid disturbing wildlife and damaging their natural habitats. Take care
not to touch coral reefs and do not feed or touch animals or fish. Stay
quiet when viewing animals on safari.
Plants & shells
One of the joys of travelling is the spectacular variety of wild plants
and shells you will see. These should remain in their natural
environment, so avoid picking any. It is also illegal to import some
plant species.
Artefacts
Items from ancient civilisations may still be found or bought in
countries such as Peru and Turkey. Although they may appear discarded or
available to buy, leave them where you find them.
Transport: big, small, new or old?
Transport fuels the local economy and provides a livelihood for many.
Sadly it also pollutes. Be sure, however, not to discriminate against
those who can't afford some of the newer, energy-efficient technologies,
yet may have a lower ecological impact than the wealthier competitor.
Many of Thailand's humble tuk-tuks, for instance, are old but run on
methane gas, which is relatively clean.
Begging
Don't give out sweets, pens or money, especially to children. Giving to
children will only teach them that begging is rewarding and can
undermine parental authority. It is far better to interact with
children. Cat's cradle, frisbees or simply exchanging drawings or photos
can be more fulfilling and fun for both you and the children. Donating
to a worthwhile charity will ensure longer term benefits to a greater
number of people.
Litter
To state the obvious, the world is full of it and you don't want to add
to it yourself! Beyond that, however, it's up to you to decide how
strongly you should feel about other people's litter: many walkers, for
example, are happy to pick up litter along the trail. It's your call.
Remember, however - many countries do not have adequate litter
collection, never mind recycling or waste reduction schemes; so the less
you create, the better.
A good drink
Where plastics are not recycled, you might consider taking a water
bottle or filter and purifying your own water. Wiith this in mind,
Explore Trader in association with Nomad Travel Store are offering an
additional 5% discount on 6 selected products to encourage you to make
the swap.
Photos: think before you click
People in colourful local dress always make good subjects for
photographs, but think before you snap. Many people, for whatever
reason, do not like being photographed. Always ask permission before
taking photographs.
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