The Idea Behind Sustainable Travel
At the end of the day, all sustainable travel is about doing no harm (to yourself or anyone else) to have a great holiday. This requires low carbon living, protecting biodiversity and respecting local culture. Sustainable travel has an increasingly redeeming factor, which is helping local communities and consists of having a beneficial effect both economically through job creation or in the opposite manner keeping established economy alive due to tourism income.
So, why does it make virtually no sense to support local communities of “color”.
Economic Benefit – When you spend your money at these local businesses the economic benefits of tourism are kept within the community, helping with all kinds of things like job creation and new investment.
Aid in Cultural Preservation: Being able to connect with the customs and traditions helps maintain the cultural roots of a place.
Local environmental protection: Local communities generally have their own methods of protecting the nature surrounding them.
Social Equity: Tourism that positively impacts local communities also helps alleviate poverty and serves to enhance the quality of life for residents.
How To Travel Sustainably And Support Local Communities
- Choose Local AccommodationsBy residing in local accommodations like guesthouses, bed and breakfasts or boutique hotels you are keeping your money within the community. These places tend to offer a more boutique feeling, and will give you amazing insights into really good local business selling culture & traditions.Research and Book Direct with Platforms Such as Was option like Booking com or Airbnb, but for the best deal try to book directly on the accommodation website itself. This helps to make sure that more of your payment goes towards the local business instead going off in intermediary fees.
- Eat and Drink LocallyEat Authentic – Choose to eat at restaurants that use ingredients imported from the area and local dishes This not only supports local farmers and food producers, but also provides a more unique dining experience.Shop in Local Markets: Instead of buying from branded stores, try to shop at local markets where you can buy unbranded clothing and by doing this indirectly supporting farmers and small vendors. It’s also a chance to get your hands on some new, local produce and hand-crafted merchandise.
Stay Away from International Chains: This is a no-brainer, opt not to eat at international chains whenever you can. Instead, ask the locals for hidden culinary gems.
- Take Part in Responsible Wildlife TourismBy walking with our feet Avoid Animal Exploitation Sanctuaries and attractions using captive animals e. g: elephant riding, tiger temple… Instead, you should aim for ethical wildlife experiences such as guided game drives in national parks or visits to animal sanctuaries designed around welfare and conservation.This includes but is not limited to these ideas: contribute and support conservation project – local projects protecting wildlife and natural habitats; This, for example turtle conservation, coral reef restoration or forest protection.
- Buy Handcrafted SouvenirsBuy Locally Produced Crafts: By purchasing artisan souvenirs you directly support the livelihoods and traditions of craftspeople. Find locally crafted wares, like textiles, pottery, jewelry and artwork.Fair Trade: Make sure that you are only purchasing items which have been made through fair trade. This ensures that practitioners are paid a fair wage and working conditions.
- Always pay due respect to the culture & tradition of that region.Take care of local customs: before travelling, study what is normal and practical in your target destination. It gives you respect and almost ensures that locals will not take offense in case of insulment.Culture: Dining with music food and shows/music dance performances etc Cooking workshop craft workshops It will make your travel experience more profound and also help out local artists, craftsmen.
Appropriate Dress: Keep in mind local dress codes, particularly when visiting religious or cultural sites. This way of dressing respects the local customs helping us to appreciate their traditions as well.
- GO LOCAL: ENGAGE WITH YOUR OWN TOUR OPERATORS AND GUIDESUse Local Guides: Non-local guides will never know the same information about a place as local ones do so try to find them. They lead you to the off-the-beaten-path spots and give an in-depth cultural and historical context.Opt for Responsible Tour Operators: Select tour operators who practice sustainability and contribute a good overall impact on the welfare of society. Local guides are used and local projects supported so they try not to destroy the environment within their activities.
- Serve your time with Local OrganizationsGet Involved in Community Projects Volunteering your time and skills can have a great impact on the lives of others within communities. You can find opportunities that suit your experience, background or any interests like – teaching, healthcare, environmental conservation and other activities for community service projects.Volunteer responsibility: Be sure the organization you are volunteering for is on the up and up, with your help making society better. Say no to voluntourism opportunities that do not actually help the community.
- Reduce Environmental ImpactReduce Waste: Use a refillable water bottle, bring reusable bags to the grocery store or farmers’ market and carry your own silverware instead of using plastic. Clean up after yourself – throw your trash away, ideally in a recycling bin when possible.Save Water and Energy: savefor rain, hot dry areas of the world are thirstily eye water or liquid and energy. Shorten showers, switch off lights and electronic devices when not in use, book eco-friendly stay options that are sustainable.
Reliable Public Transportation: Use public transportation, walk or bike in place of renting a car as much as possible. While on the trip if you avoid renting a vehicle, this will lower your carbon footprint and also help support local transit systems.
- Back your local social enterprises!Social Impact Businesses: Find businesses that strive to make a social change this could be for example cafes who provide training and jobs for marginalized community members or cooperatives that assist women. Helping these businesses strengthens the fabric of our communities.Microloan Projects: Support or invest inprojects that make small loans to local entrepreneurs. These projects enable people to start or expand their businesses, providing jobs and enabling economic growth and self-sufficiency.
- Educate and AdvocateTell people about it: let your wonderful husband, wife or partner hear all the shit you learned on sustainable travel. Urge peers and kindred spirits to follow sustainable travel policies.Support Sustainable Policies: Encourage policy and initiatives that support sustainable tourism. That can mean policies that help with preservation of environment, benefit local economy, get workers in tourism industry are paid and treated fair.
Conclusion
Traveling to local communities in a sustainable way is one of the most effective ways we can help support travel destinations. Staying, eating and shopping locally; paying due respect to the cultures you encounter on your travels, adopting sustainable tourism practices or anything else we do that helps our fellow human beings retain their livelihoods while keeping alive natural resource bases which are crucial for identity-based local economies is what responsible travel conveys.
Responsible travel enhances your own experiences, leading to more thoughtful and genuine interactions with the places you visit. With these points in mind, you can do your part to make sure that tourism physically and economically supports communities on the ground while also building a more sustainable world for everyone.
Additional Resources
If you want to learn more about How To Plan Sustainable Travel this will list similar excellent resources as above for those at an intermediate or professional level:
Global Sustainable Tourism CouncilCriteria and certification for sustainable tourism.
Sustainable Travel International: Resources and programs on sustainable travel.
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES): Devoted to promoting ecologically responsible travel.
Fairtrade in Tourism: Encourages tourism consumers to participate responsibly and ensures a fair deal.
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics -Proven guidelines to minimize human impact on the environment while traveling.
By incorporating these sustainable travel practices and resources into your plans, you can be a catalyst in how home we live sustainably creating ripples where our footprints wander.
