How to be a responsible traveler - Part 2

Almost all of people in the world love travelling. However, each person can choose to make their travel different from others by choosing the way they act differently. Every single traveler can create the world of change to the place they visited, and imagine how it could be when billions of people doing the same?

Consequently, choosing to put positive or negative impact on the destinations is what makes the travel distinguished. There was a sharing about how to become responsible traveler, and now the ultimate version will be revealed:

Lower the graffiti

Most of modern travelers have the habit of leaving their graffiti wherever they put their steps on. Graffiti mentioned here are not only marks, carvings, personal objects,… but also the waste they left behind after their trip. Managing waste has long been a struggling issue in every country in the world, especially developing countries where the tracks of the poverty are still so heavy. Specially in those countries, the level of education about recycling and minimizing waste is not as high as developed countries. Thus, each traveler should mind the way they behave in which they will not unknowingly contribute to the problem and make it worse.

Such small thing like not buying take-away coffee can contribute positively to the environment

Various ways can be found for a traveler to contribute positively to the environment, from tiny things such as throwing trash into right place, using cloth bags instead of plastic ones, carrying individual and reusable bottles that can be filled up in any hotels, houses, restaurants rather than buying water on the way, drinking coffee in shops instead of buying a take-away,…to bigger action like join volunteer jobs relating to cleaning and recycling waste from NGO or local organizations…

Let the land remembers your footprint

One of the great ways to reduce negative impact on the environment is decrease the time of using private vehicles namely taxis, motorbikes,… Instead, travelers can take the bus to go from A to B, or they even can walk if the distance is not so far. Walking not only helps to lower the gases from using vehicles, but also generates closer connection with the destinations, in which travelers can have time to explore, witness the place, and simultaneously improve health. Another ideal way if travelers really want to discover a destination, explore the environment is to use or rent bicycles.

Put your sympathy in the right place

Everybody has compassion, and most of the people will feel their heart broken whenever there are miserable people, especially children, begging in front of them. However, most of the people also do not know that their generosity may cause the problem worse as that encourages those local people to continue asking and relying on visitors’ money. As a result, there have been numerous destinations have ended up with people pretending to be miserable than they really are with the aim to extort money from others, leads to the consequence of there are a large deal of people become passive and lazy.

The issue is more controversial when it comes to children, as their parents tend to send them out to the streets to beg rather than take them to schools. In the worse case, those people and children may involve in network run by dishonorable characters who would exploit the miserable and keep the money for themselves.

As a responsible traveler, think about chance for children to go to school rather than out to streets for begging

The begging may appear in various forms. Beggars may come directly to travelers in pitiful outlook and ask for money, or foreigners can see a mother carrying one or many children sitting in the corners with a can or bag, or travelers may also catch the image of disables difficultly move around and beg. There is higher and also more deceitful level of begging called “tout”. This happens when travelers come to a place and there will be a group of people following them. They would talk and ask friendly at first, but when the tour ends, they will insist travelers to buy their products or directly ask for money as the fee of guiding although travelers did not ask for.

Be aware about the touts

There are better ways than giving money to the beggars if travelers really want to help out. Instead of money, travelers can buy local people some food or water. Visitors also can spend little time to seek out and contact with local organizations and ask if there is any assistance needed.

Spread the Spirit

Some are naturally born to be responsible travelers, but many still unintentionally create negative impact on the environment and the community when they travel. Most of travelers are not aware of the implications their actions can have on the locals, so the help from responsible ones are highly appreciated.

That through education is one of the best way to spread out the spirit of sustainable tourism

Whenever there is any inadvertent action is found, it must be warn and educated in a friendly way. Travelers who are responsible and highly aware of sustainability can discuss with those who travelling with, staying in the same hotel, or meeting in the journey. If a tiny action a of traveler can create a huge impact to the environment, community and culture, a thoughtful mind also can change a world of thinking of other travelers.

Experience Sustainable Tourism with Vietnam Homestay!

How to be responsible traveler - Part 1

Instead of travelling in traditional path as mass tourists, many travelers nowadays choose themselves better practice. The ways of travelling, how travelers spend their money and time, their behaviors toward destinations and residents decide a lot on how their visit will impact on the communities and bring the change to the destination. Once they decided to bring positive influence to the communities, they engage in what we call “responsible travel”.

Travelling can bring amazing things to the world

There is an idiom says “Travel broadens the mind”. Indeed, travelling is the best way to open up the doors to the world which is both amazingly joyful and desperately unfortunate. Whilst most of the people choose to concern more about their daily basis, how much money they can earn, when they can update smart phones,… somewhere in the world there are a lot of tragic lives happening.

Various ways can be found for travelers to help make a big difference to the people’s lives in the world. By simply open their minds, be more hearted and educated, travelers can bring remarkable changing wind to the destination visited.

Here are some ways to become responsible travelers as well as contribute to the improvement of others’ lives:

Volunteers

Spending some of the travelling time for volunteering jobs can create a world of change

Spending some of the time in travelling period to do volunteering jobs is really meaningful and also amazing, which bring one’s trip with memorable moments and wonderful experiences. There is a whole multitude of choices for volunteering jobs for both those who skillful and who are not highly qualified. Travelers with health care experiences, social care, or technical background such as engineering or architecture can find a lot more ways to use their expertise in good use to help the communities. Those who are not familiar with those aspects can also have many beneficial ways to contribute their time, for instance, teaching English in rural schools, helping locals with their jobs, repairing and decorating houses, or engaging in natural conservation projects available in visited destinations. Contacting local NGO is another good idea if travelers pursue to help.

Such small act can bring a huge difference

In general, volunteering at the local is weighty and worthy, but travelers also should consider the purpose and effectiveness of the jobs they commit to do. If spending money to pay for the high cost in NGO in engage in community-based job is more effective than directly donate that amount to the local?

Localize the travel

Most of rural and mountainous areas are still suffered by the poverty and residents there have few options for the job to improve their living standard. Thus, choosing how and where to spend the money can create massive impact to the local community. Simply buying local products, staying in local houses and having dinner in homestays of traditional shelters, travelers are helping to inject money into the local economy. This is way which not only generates benefits to the community, help local people improve their lives, but also help to create travelers with authentic and fantastic experiences.

Traveling positively will help bring the bright light to the community 

Choose sustainable suppliers

Deciding where to put down the head and which operator to take out for incredible experience can bring a world of change. There are thousands of options available for travelers to choose. They can find in almost all of places they visit businesses working with local communities and having sustainable practices in helping to protect wildlife and the environment. It may take a little bit more time for researching those organizations, but the efforts are worthy. One of the great examples of this ideal business model is Vietnam Homestay in Vietnam. This organization was established based on the idea of building a culture bridge that enables travelers to access authentic and interactive experiences while visiting the country. This homestay network also aims to connect guests to homestay owners to help local people access income and employment from tourism while also contributing to local economic development. As any other community-based organizations, Vietnam Homestay only works with local residents as being hosts and guides for visitors, and also provides extra training to improve local people with basic background and skills. By working with such those businesses, travelers indirectly give a hand to local communities for better livings.

Respect local wildlife and culture

Many travelers before their trip may always dream about riding elephant, swimming with dolphin, or taking picture with a tiger. However they do not recognize how those activities put burden on wild animals which deserve to be preserved and protected. If a traveler desire to visit animals, he or she would come to one that is registered NGO which is transparent in its business.

Mind how travel behavior may impact on the wildlife

Wildlife is not the only thing a traveler must respect at the destination visited. All of us know that one of the greatest rewards in travelling is the opportunity to witness different cultures and customs all around the world which are diverse and full of amazement. Each country, each region and land has its own cultures, customs and traditions required to be respected. For example, some of Asian counties have strict principle in outfit worn when visiting spiritual monuments, or gestures in different regions have different meanings in expressions. Do take a little time to learn a bit about the local customs can help travelers make sure they will not offend anyone, and also create closer connection with the destination they will pay a visit.  

Each region built its own cultures, customs and traditions need to be respected