Do you ever wonder what ethical tourism is all about and then worry about being a responsible traveller? One thing we have learned is that making ethical travel decisions is not a cut-and-dry topic.
There are many ways to travel ethically, and every decision helps. Traveling responsibly is not an ‘all-or-nothing.’ We hope that this guide can be a base point to think about through our decisions, implement what we can, one small step at a time. If certain advice doesn’t work for you, that’s ok, do what you can.
In this guide, we discuss what ethical tourism is, and how to make ethical travel decisions that benefit people in the communities we visit and the environment.
” . . . do what you can . . . “
What is Ethical Tourism?
Ethical tourism involves traveling in a sustainable and responsible way that protects the environment, sustains and respects the communities and cultures being visited, and protects the local economy.
Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism focuses on how travel impacts local communities and their economy. In order to travel responsibly, we should support small businesses that are based locally. Also, support businesses that benefit the local community. And consider how visits could impact the area, and if the trip is ethical.
‘. . . benefit the local community . . .’
Education
Education is the first step to becoming responsible and to participate in ethical tourism. To learn more, interact with other cultures and explore the world, read books, listen to podcasts, and follow ethical bloggers from around the world. Doing this helps gain a deeper appreciation for the people and places we interact with. When researching a destination to visit, try to find informational sites that teach about the cultural traditions and history of a place.
‘…deeper appreciation for people and places…’
Indigenous Wisdom
Indigenous people were the original stewards of the land and often passed down the best practices for protecting the environment and living in harmony with the land. Concepts like permaculture which seem new and innovative are long-passed-down in these communities. We can learn about the history of an area by connecting with the native people who will eagerly share their history.
‘…living in harmony with the land…’
Be Courteous and Curious
Listen to the locals. Official tourism offices do a lot of great work, and travel advisors love to share about the many places they’ve visited. However, there’s always opportunity for travellers to listen to the residents who speak about their own home. It’s important to take their voices into consideration when making ethical travel decisions.
Learn the language. Learning a language helps us to learn about the culture of a place. The concept of time, relationships with each other, and the importance of food are just a few examples of things to learn about when learning a language. Of course, it’s impossible to completely learn a new language every time you travel, but it can be helpful to learn some useful phrases.
‘…listen to the locals, learn about their culture…’
Be Polite
Photograph respectfully. It may be tempting to take photos of unique and unfamiliar experiences when travelling, but it’s important to always photograph respectfully. Ask before taking pictures of an individual, and make it clear if the photo is being used for big audiences.
Don’t over-haggle. It’s important to not over-haggle just because you can.
Try to live like the locals. A great way to show respect and curiosity is to adopt the local way of life. Dressing modestly, conserving water use, and even greeting a shopkeeper are just a few examples. Of course, in order to learn about the locals, you can’t simply show up without doing any research. This is why we recommend doing a bit of research and learning about a place before visiting.
‘…to show respect and curiosity…’
Protect the Environment
Here are a few key guidelines you can follow to protect the local flora and fauna when traveling:
- Stay on the designated path.
- Don’t touch or pet wildlife.
- Don’t touch coral reefs or sea stars. Be careful with fins when snorkelling.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen, and rinse off any bug spray before swimming in natural waters.
- Don’t feed wild animals, even if others are doing it.
‘…people and cultures are not set in stone…’
When you drink local you get a taste of the place that you’re in. Whether that’s at home or on the road, most craft makers love to showcase the local ingredients and flavours in their drinks. This also means you We hope this guide will help start conversations that cover ethical travel. Whether making more sustainable travel decisions, being more responsible, or somewhere in-between, our decisions help make a difference in the communities we travel to.
Is there anything you’d like to add on ethical tourism? Tell us in the comments!
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