Are You a Responsible Traveller?
What does responsible travel mean to you? I think it is easy for the terms “responsible” and “sustainable” to be used interchangeably when discussing travel. But when talking about sustainability, most people think of environmental impact – waste, single-use plastic, natural resources. But what about responsibility? As a tourist and a guest in somebody else’s home country, I have a responsibility to help further the economic and social prosperity of that place and its people. So what can we do to be responsible travellers?
• Learn about your destination and engage in local culture • Buy local products and services and pay a fair price – leave the aggressive bargaining at home if your purchase is providing someone with their livelihood • Respect the natural environment – make wise choices when it comes to transport and tidy up after yourself • Tell everyone! Share your positive experiences and photos when you get home. Opening others' eyes to a new destination is helping that place to grow and prosper.