When I was 20 years old I made my first “great” trip: 2 weeks in Spain with some friends from the university. So my existential concerns were to choose whether to wear the pink or blue bikini, learn to order a pizza with ham in Spanish, remember what time the plane was back ... (Ok, the plane back is a lie, I would have stayed in Granada lifetime!). Concerns, of course, have changed trip after trip. It will be because I have understood that blue is fatal, or because I already know how to order pizza with ham even in Vietnamese, but I like to think that I have grown and matured as a person and as a tourist-traveler.
I remember the first time that, in Myanmar, we saw poverty with our own eyes. Or when in Thailand organized tours proposed visits to villages of local tribes as if it were a zoo. There we realized that as tourists we have responsibilities.
Be a responsible tourist it means first of all travel with awareness and respect, trying to positively influence the cultural, sociological and ecological situation of the country that is welcoming us. In this article we have tried to group the 10 commandments of the responsible tourist, unpretentious but with the idea of publicizing a way to travel in a sustainable and respectful way. These are small things that we can all do on trips and that will help maintain a fair and balanced system.
1. BE INFORMED
The first rule seems obvious, but it is not. There are many tourists who travel to Thailand, for example, to participate in the Full Moon Party, nothing against. But there are a few who ONLY engage in this type of activity without worrying about knowing a minimum of the history, values and culture so rich of a country like Thailand. Getting informed about a destination helps to avoid unpleasant situations and understand a little bit why it happens, but above all it offers us the possibility of traveling before the trip. And to be, culturally, richer.
2. POSITIVELY IMPACT: ENVIRONMENT
When possible, avoid motorcycle, taxi, cars and use public facilities, bike or better yet, your feet: ecological and free! Remember that the Water, a normal element in our day to day, is a luxury in many countries of the world: contributes to your savings. Avoid buying plastic bags and reduce the amount of trash you generate. We have traveled a lot in Asia and in this continent the problem of plastic is something VERY present and TOO real. Try to reduce your use of plastic as much as possible: today there are many options to do so (soap and shampoo tablets, stainless steel bottles, order drinks WITHOUT straws ...) And of course keep clean and respect theenvironment.
3. POSITIVELY IMPACT: ANIMALS
Protect natural ecosystems and their fauna. Exotic animals are not an attraction available to tourists. Denigrant shows are offered in many businesses for animals that are treated like puppets: don't visit them! The only place they should be is in their natural habitat. Do not buy exotic animals, or try the meat of animals in danger of extinction: not only is it not ethical, in many cases it is a crime! Remember that NOT everything goes for a photo and that many of the supposed “sanctuaries” are “zoos” that hide behind a facade of good intentions.
If you have any questions about an animal shelter, it is best to look for information on the FAADA website.
4. POSITIVELY IMPACT: PEOPLE
Consume typical products of the place: you will help the local economy and you will see that your stomach will be delighted. Buy typical crafts and try to favor a solidarity trade. Choose restaurants, hostels and private shops and distribute your purchases To favor the micro-economy of the place, do not spend all your money in a single business (if you are already paying for the accommodation, try as much as possible to go to dinner at the restaurant next door, not at the accommodation itself).
5. ADAPT AND RESPECT
There are no foreign lands: the guest is you and as such you have to adapt to the place where you are. You cannot pretend to sunbathe topless on Indonesian beaches where the majority of the population is Muslim and bathes dressed!
It is true that everything we see, when we travel to exotic sites, seems extraordinary and worthy of being remembered ... but one thing is to pay interest to someone, another is to treat local people as if they were part of a circus: if you want to photograph That old lady so nice you just have to ask permission with a smile!
Do not go over the bargains either: trying to lower the price of something is an unwritten rule in many countries, but one thing is to haggle in a healthy way and another is to mount shows for a few cents. We saw people argue for 10 cent.
6. LEARN LANGUAGES
It is not about learning to speak perfectly all the languages of the world. But if you travel to a distant country, try to learn some basic words: Hello, goodbye, thank you, how are you, my name is ... you will see that the local people will have a few laughs with your pronunciation but they will be flattered by this simple gesture!
7. RETURN
They say that the money you spend traveling is the only one that makes you rich. We totally agree: traveling gives you a lot ... why not try to return something to a place that has made us so happy?
In each city there are possibilities to do volunteering, donations or solidarity shops and NGO restaurants. Small gestures make a difference!
8. THE GUIDE IS NOT THE BIBLE
Too many times travelers take what is written in the bible ... guide ups as if it were the absolute truth. If everyone did it within 1 year there would be only the businesses that appear in them. Give a vote of confidence to that restaurant at the bottom of the street, it does not appear in the guide, but the lady who manages it seems so friendly! You will see that you will not regret it!
9. PATIENCE
The unexpected are part of even the 5-star tours ... imagine when you go free and with a backpack! If the bus had to leave at 10, but at 12 you are still waiting for the driver to appear… don't worry! Take it with philosophy: Talk to the local people, try rare dishes, take pictures: many times the best anecdotes take place the least expected place. I said: pack light but don't forget a good ton of patience at home 😉
10. COMPLAINT
There are places that are a mecca of the most horrible tourism: child-sex tourism. If during your trip you notice tourists in suspicious attitudes do not stay without doing anything: Contact the local authorities. For more information: www.childsafe-international.org
Being a responsible tourist is easier than it seems, it only takes common sense and a little will. What other recommendations would you give to enjoy a sustainable trip?
