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Responsible tourism is a topic that’s gaining a lot of attention. More travelers than ever are looking at the impact their trips have on local communities and taking action to make sure they leave places better than they found them. That doesn’t mean it’s difficult to find irresponsible tourism; the opposite is true. Most destinations struggle with unsustainable practices and unethical businesses. Anyone who travels knows this, as well as the fact that responsible travel can also be cheaper, easier, and more fun than most people think. The best way to be sure your travels are responsible is by doing your research beforehand so you know exactly what to look for when you get there. Read on for some tips on how to make sure your next trip is responsible and sustainable so you can feel good about where you travel from now on.
Plan Your Responsible Travel Trip And Have a Responsible Tourism Experience
The first step towards responsible travel is to plan a responsible trip. As with many things, prevention is much easier than cure. Most people think about destinations, itineraries, and transport, but there are a few other things to consider before you jump on a plane. First, are you including local experiences in your itinerary? How will they impact the community around you? And how can they help make your trip more sustainable? Second, do you have the right insurance policy? Some countries and activities require special insurance, and others are best covered by insurance tailored to visitors. Finally, have you factored in the cost of your trip? Some destinations are more expensive than others, and some modes of travel are more expensive than others.
Research the Location and Operators You’ll Be Travelling With
Knowing the impact a place has on its environment and what struggles locals face can help you decide whether or not a place is worth visiting. The sad reality is that there are many destinations that don’t have a sustainable tourism industry. You can use a tool like the Ethical Tourism Rating System to see how various destinations rank and how their industries are affecting the environment, wildlife, and communities around them. The same goes for the operators you’re travelling with. You should understand the impact your tour company or hotel is having on the local environment, as well as the benefits they’re bringing to local communities. Responsible Tourism is key to the environment.
Check Out the Environment Beforehand
One of the easiest ways to make your trip more sustainable is by checking out the environment before you travel. Some destinations have specific challenges that make them less sustainable than others, and others have specific ways travellers can help alleviate the impact of their visit. For example, many Caribbean islands struggle with marine plastic pollution. This is caused by litter being washed into the sea and then being broken down into small pieces by sunlight. Don’t just check to see if your destination is facing this issue. Condense what you’ve learned into one or two sentences and share it with your fellow travellers. They might not have thought about this, but you can make a big difference by educating them.
Take Action During Your Stay
If you’ve done your research and know what challenges the destination you’re visiting faces, you’re in a great place to take action. One of the best ways to make your visit a positive one is to make sure you support local businesses and buy goods made by the people living there. There’s a difference between buying goods manufactured by locals and buying goods manufactured by tourists. This is known as artisanal goods, and they’re often made in small batches with traditional techniques. You can also get involved with volunteer programs to help restore environments and create sustainable practices in your host communities. Many tour companies now offer these kinds of activities, but there are also plenty of organizations you can volunteer with independently. If you want to help but don’t know where to start, this article can help.
READ: The Impact of Travel Marketing on Tourism in the Digital Age
Don’t Forget to Go Off the Beaten Path
Finally, make sure you experience the real places you visit. Travelling responsibly means doing your best to balance your impact on the environment and communities with your desire to experience the place as authentically as possible. This means getting off the beaten path and into local communities as much as you can. This also means taking public transport whenever you can. Sure, flying around the planet isn’t good for the environment, but flying is the least sustainable way to travel. At the same time, don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re not perfect. No one is, and the journey is just as important as the destination.
Tourism is a powerful industry, and it can have a positive impact on the places that receive visitors. To make sure your travel is sustainable, make sure you plan your trip in advance, research the places you’re visiting, and take care of the environment. When you travel responsibly, you ensure that tourism benefits everyone involved.
Everyone has a role to play through Responsible Tourism.