Alex O'Brien
International Travel

10 ways you can be a more responsible traveller

Sometimes we get so caught up in the intricacies of planning a holiday that we forget about our responsibilities as a traveller. Travelling is one of modern life’s great privileges, and we have a responsibility as travellers to look after the places we visit.

Contrary to popular belief, being a responsible traveller doesn’t mean sacrificing your holiday for a lesser experience. It's about leaving as small a mark on the world as possible will help preserve these beautiful locations for generations to come.

Here are 10 ways you can be a responsible traveller:

1. Once you’ve booked your trip, try to learn as much as you can about the culture, religion and values of the place you’ll be visiting. This will ensure that you don’t make the mistake of rocking up to the destination and make a massive cultural faux pas.

2. If you’re headed to a non-English speaking country, try to read up on a bit of the native language. While there’s no need to become fluent, getting your head around a few basic phrases is a mark of respect that will show the locals you’re trying.

3. When you’re making purchases, try to buy local wherever possible. Spending your money in local shops, markets, restaurants, hotels and businesses ensures your tourism dollars are having a direct, positive impact.

4. Try to avoid activities and experiences, if you suspect they’re promoting cruelty of exploitation of animals. A good rule of thumb is to avoid an experience if you see an animal with a human handler doing something it wouldn’t in the wild.

5. Always be cautious when giving money to beggars. While it can be hard to say, particularly in areas of great poverty, often your money can be better spent by contributing to the community through a school, clinic or development project. 

6. Be mindful of clothing choices and dress respectfully when appropriate. Ensure you’re always dressed modestly when visiting religious sites and check swimwear expectations.

7. Waste management is a huge problem around the world, particularly in developing countries, so little measures like saying no to plastic bags from shops or carrying a reusable water bottle around can make a huge difference.

8. If you want to take a picture of the locals, ask them and see if it’s okay. Some locals may expect a small fee for taking photos, or refuse if given the chance to do so.

9. Make sure you are careful when shopping for souvenirs. Try to avoid any products if you feel as though they are made out of endangered species or plants. 

10. Remember, when you’re overseas you’re a guest of that country. Try to be open-minded, and respect their way of living so you can learn and experience.

Related links:

What not to wear when travelling abroad

Woman gets banned from airline for life for getting up too often on flight

Hippo stuns guests by taking a swim in the pool

Tags:
travel, International, Culture, respect, responsible