Responsible Tourism - Practical Tips

chillibreeze writer — Aarthi Ananthakumar

The definition of responsible tourism according to The International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRI) is rather lengthy. In a nutshell, it benefits the local communities by minimizing negative economic, environmental and social impacts. In today's world, where green energy, global warming and climate changes are buzzing topics, it is no wonder to find eco-tours popping in every corner of the web. Responsible tourism and ecotourism are two different entities which are not mutually exclusive. While they share similar ideologies, the latter is confined only to nature destinations.

At a first look, responsible tourism might seem perfect for professional backpackers. After all, they get their hands dirty to be a local, talk local, eat local and contribute to the community. The question is, how can you travel responsibly as a young couple on a romantic getaway or a middle aged on a spiritual journey or a usual corporate finding solace in his precious weekends? The answer is surprisingly simple and perfectly doable.

Research Your Destination - This is the simplest of all and is essential for an enjoyable trip. By familiarizing yourself with the culture and environment, you get a fair idea on the do's and don'ts. This will also help in avoiding the infamous tourist traps.

Find a Responsible Tour Promoter - If you choose a travel operator for your tours, make sure they practice responsible tourism. Find the list of their activities that enhances the growth of local communities.

Get Local – Most of us cannot afford doing community work during our travels, but sure we can compensate by other means. Here are some of the simple changes that could make huge differences,

Plan your stay at a bed and breakfast or a home-stay. Apart from being the best way to experience the culture, it greatly promotes local businesses. Luxury chain of hotels and resorts must be the least of your preferences, however, if you choose one, let it be eco-friendly.
Eat at local food outlets. For once during your stay, forget the candle light dinner and be adventurous. Don't miss the opportunity to try the ubiquitous street food.
Respect local culture and traditions. To avoid negative attention, adhere to appropriate dress code. Learning a few words in local language will be highly appreciated by the locals.
Buy local produce and handicrafts. This will help sustaining the cottage industries. When buying souvenirs, take care not to buy the ones that had affected the environment in a negative way. In other words, no fur, tusks, horns or other animal skins.
Hire a local guide. Enjoy local folklore and mystical stories that no guide book can get you.

No Littering and Graffiti Please - You wouldn't litter at home, there is no reason why you shouldn't follow it elsewhere. Ensure to properly dispose cigarettes, chocolate wrappers, bottles, plastic bags and other garbage. You may wish to proudly show your name carved on a tree or a monument to your offsprings in the future, but think twice before falling for the irresistible urge. It is a shame when timeless scripts and kitschy graffiti equally fight for attention.

Go Green

Use cloth bags or jute bags instead of plastic ones.
Energy and water are precious resources, hence must be used wisely.
By using public transportation and recyclable materials, you're one step closer to environment-friendly travel.
Cycling is another great option for a green travel, not to mention its cost effectiveness.

Never Disturb the Flora and Fauna - In National parks and wildlife sanctuaries, take necessary precautions and follow the safari guidelines for your own safety. While you might want to capture the animals with your expensive camera, do not step out of the safari jeep to get closer or shoo the animal or worse, throw a stone at it. Save yourself the trouble, there are many wildlife photographers out there to get a copy from. The exquisite flowers might lure you to grab one of them. Again, think twice. For what you know, it might be an endangered one. The same rule applies for the highly sensitive corals.

Good Manners are the Key – Politeness is the way to go when asking for directions or help. Remember, you're in a different country where the cultural beliefs are different from yours, if you happen to see something unfamiliar, be quiet and walk away. Rude comments and stubborn behavior are open calls for trouble. Begging should not be encouraged, donate money or volunteer at organizations instead.

After every responsible vacation, you will find yourself enriched and different from your experiences. As the American novelist Henry Miller aptly puts it, One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.

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Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in January, 2012. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.

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—About our writer:

Aarthi Ananthakumar is an engineer and has worked for two of the major IT giants in India, TCS and Infosys. After calling her successful corporate career quits, she freelances full time now. Traveling and reading are her passions. An eco-conscious individual herself, she finds her niche in writing about green living, conservation, responsible travel and so on.. Crocheting, cooking and blogging are her other interests. She lives in Copenhagen, Denmark with her better half.

Responsible Tourism - Practical Tips

chillibreeze writer — Aarthi Ananthakumar

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