The easier way to be a responsible tourist

‘Responsible travel’ is likely a phrase that you’ve heard by now, and while its meaning appears self-evident, it can easily degenerate into a buzzword tossed around arbitrarily.

You may wonder if a single individual or family can really have much impact on an area, or perhaps the obligation to consider ethical implications feels like a heavy burden to bear amongst the other hassles of travelling.

To decode this assumption, we must first ask: what is responsible tourism? In its simplest form, to travel responsibly is to have a positive impact wherever you visit.

Sound simple? Well, luckily it is – being conscious of your impact won’t break the bank, nor should it stress you out, and booking with a responsible tourism operator like Odyssey World alleviates the effort by considering many aspects for you. If anything, it should make your getaway all the more enjoyable!

Here are some of the best ways to travel in a more sustainable, eco-friendly way:

Support the local community

The easiest way to incorporate this practice is to buy local – whether it’s paying directly into the pockets of shop owners, taxi drivers, hosts etc, you’ll be contributing to the local economy you may otherwise be straining.

Moreover, the products are likely to be more authentic, higher quality and ethically sourced compared to the distilled, corporatised variant catering exclusively to tourists.

Odyssey World chooses to work with independently owned accommodation and local ground partners wherever possible so more of your money can stay within and benefit the region.

It also pays to be mindful and respectful of other cultures. This may sound straightforward enough, but it’s easy to disregard a custom you’re unaware of. Therefore, prior research is necessary to understand the culture – including traditions, customs and norms.

It’s okay to be a curious, if respectable, guest – guides will happily explain why certain customs exist and how you can avoid causing any offence in religious and historic places.

You’ll also want to be sure you’re not eating endangered animals or purchasing animal souvenirs from illegal traders or poachers, as you may be contributing to unethical and harmful practices.

Furthermore, it may be tempting – and encouraged – to barter while shopping in local markets. Haggling is often expected, so while it’s acceptable to barter in good nature, it’s best to refrain from bargaining excessively, as the money you save will likely have a negligible impact on your finances, yet could make a significant difference to a local vendor.

After all is said and done, sustaining a living can be a challenge for small, independently-run businesses, and for that reason, it’s always beneficial to promote and share places that you’ve enjoyed!

This can be achieved via social media posts, reviews or simply word of mouth, and doing so could be transformative to the success of the establishment.

Be mindful of the environment

You may be aware of the detrimental effects of the overuse of plastic. Most of us have seen images of horrific landfill sites and sea life being compromised by errant plastic packaging.

Many countries have issues with waste disposal, and tourists tend to create a lot of it. From single-use takeaway packaging to water bottles, products that create unnecessary waste are consumed with overlooked regularity.

If you’re peckish, try eating-in at a restaurant and imbibing the atmosphere and culture. If you’re on the move, favour vendors using biodegradable packaging. And instead of repeatedly purchasing water bottles, perhaps invest in a reusable one with an in-built filtration system.

Our tours are supplemented with local guides who provide water fuelling points wherever possible. Remember to fill your bottle in the hotel each morning and where available in local restaurants. Just ask if the water is safe to drink before filling from a tap.

Speaking of water, the average hotel guest uses 200 litres of water every day! You don’t have to forego showers or stop using the tap, but being mindful of the quantity of water you’re using will go a long way.

Another unmissable feature of the environment is the wildlife. You may want to get up close and engage with these beautiful creatures but one must be aware of the nature of the attraction.

Always do your research to ensure that no harm or exploitation is being suffered by the animals. We actively discourage elephant riding, wild animal cuddling or feeding, or paid photography with animal street performers, as these seemingly innocuous activities can often cause a lot of untold suffering.

Make sure to listen to your wildlife guide with regards to safety around animals and ask before touching or picking up anything alive – there are lots of fragile ecosystems you’ll encounter and it’s up to us to tread lightly.

Go ‘off the beaten track’

While some of the most famous tourist destinations in the world have rightfully earned their merit, there can be a distinct tedium in visiting places that are rigidly predictable.

Not only that, finding yourself in a sea of likeminded tourists can ruin the immersion of travelling, reminding you that you’re a spectator witnessing the culture rather than absorbing yourself into it.

The experience you receive may be specially tailored towards vacationers, with expenditure flowing towards travel companies and corporations instead of enriching the local economy.

By deviating from the tourist mainstays, you can become engulfed in an authentic picture of the country itself, turning your holiday into an adventure of exploration and discovery – you have no idea what you might find!

Do you think tourists to your country automatically gravitate towards the most rewarding attractions? Once they leave, have they seen it all? We all know hidden spots of grandeur in our own area, and by breaking the mould and inciting your adventurous side you can find spectacular gems that would have otherwise remained unseen!

Odyssey World has lots of ‘off the beaten track’ tours and although we do offer many of the country’s highlights, if you really do want to get away from it all, mention this to your travel specialist – they’ll surely have something up their sleeve they can suggest for a unique adventure.

Hopefully, you can now incorporate responsible practices into your travel and reap the rewards. While you don’t need to hold yourself to faultless dedication, simply being mindful of the impact of your visit will likely pay dividends.

Not only will you have a positive effect wherever you go, you’ll likely have a lot more fun while you’re there!