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Responsible Travel Tips & Practices
Responsible travel is about benefiting the local people and their
environments when we visit and to enjoy a more authentic holiday which
enables you to get a more out of your travel experience and to back the
local people. Here are some tips for your responsible travel experience:
Before you travel:
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Find out as much as possible. The more you know about the
destination you are visiting, the more the destination will come
alive. Look into the destination's history, culture, natural
environment, customs, legends, advisory notices, and more.
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Learn a few words in the local language. Make an effort to speak the
local language. Simple words like “Hello,” “Please,” and “Thank you”
can go a long way to help you communicate with the people who know
the site best—they'll appreciate your efforts and your interest in
learning.
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Pack light. It’s tempting to pack everything you think you might
need, but remember to be smart about your necessities. Packaging
items like the plastic wrapping of your new toothbrush simply
consume space in your bag and can create excess trash for the World
Heritage site.
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Choose lodging thoughtfully. Look for hotels that have written
procedures for environmental impact, employment, and cultural
policies.
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Explore transportation options. Traveling affects the environment.
Wherever possible, try to minimize your impact by looking to
alternative transportation and off-setting your carbon emissions.
During your trip:
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Engage in local culture. The saying, “When in Rome do as the Romans
do” still applies today. Your trip provides a unique opportunity to
explore a new culture and to see the world through a different
perspective. Enjoying local foods, shopping in local markets, and
attending local festivals are all part of experiencing the culture.
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Buy local products and services. Choosing to support locally-owned
businesses, community tour operators, and artisans means that you’ll
have a one-of-a-kind experience and your money will go directly to
the community. Before purchasing goods, ask about their origin.
Avoid buying products made from threatened natural resources and
report poaching and other illegal activities to the local
authorities.
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Refrain from aggressive bargaining. It’s often difficult to know
your limits in bargaining, so if you’re not sure, ask your hotel for
tips. Remember that the purchases you make directly affect vendors’
livelihoods, so decide if you really need to hang onto that extra
dollar.
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Hire local guides. Enrich your experience by choosing local guides
who are knowledgeable about the destination. Ask local tour
operators and hotels for recommendations.
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Tread lightly. Your destination is exceptional for its natural or
cultural splendor. Do your part to keep them that way by following
designated trails, respecting caretakers, and not removing
archaeological or biological treasures from the local sites or
attractions you might visit.
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Respect the natural environment. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Even
though you are just visiting and not paying the utility bill,
disposing of your garbage properly and minimizing your consumption
of water and energy will benefit the overall destination.
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Think of the Big Picture. While it is important to support local
economy, certain tourist activities and souvenirs can damage a
fragile ecosystem, cultural or historical sites. Say “no” to a
souvenir that's a piece of the site itself, and to tourist
activities that may be harmful to a site’s longevity.
After returning home:
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Share tips about responsible travel. In addition to telling family
and friends about the wonderful memories you made, also consider
sharing tips on how they too can positively impact cultural or
historical sites while having an amazing journey.
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Explore more. Travel is just the start of learning. Once you return
home, continue exploring and being involved with the issues or
region that captured your attention.
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Give back. Traveling often opens our eyes and our hearts. Help
continue to preserve inspirational sites for generations to come by
making a donation to one of our charitable causes.
Responsible Tourism Links:
Additional Links:
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