There is a lot of debate around tourism’s impact on the world. While it is a fun activity which brings revenue to various communities, it often has its dark sides as well. You may be unintentionally participating in exploitative or environmentally hazardous activities on vacation. Therefore, you need to be more aware of how to be a better tourist who actually has a positive impact on their destination countries.
As you need to watch out for environmental, cultural, and ethical concerns in all spheres of life, tourism is no different. If you really want to have a positive contribution to this industry, you need to look into ethical tourism and embody its practices.
Defining Ethical Tourism
Ethical tourism basically refers to thinking about the impact you’ll have on the environment, culture, and economy of where you’re vacationing.
While tourism is often the main source of income for some communities, it may involve the exploitation of people and resources. You need to be vigilant about such practices and not encourage them by participating.
In addition, you really need to watch your environmental impact, with littering and fuel consumption being two major concerns. So, you should figure out more environmentally-friendly ways to travel, especially in vulnerable communities.
To sum up, ethical tourism is just considering the consequences of your actions as a tourist and doing your best to leave behind positive rather than negative consequences.
What Makes a Bad Tourist
There are a few practices you absolutely must avoid. These actions are harmful for your tourist destination, and you should do your best to discourage them.
Disregard for Local Culture
Many tourists tend to disregard local culture and behave inappropriately. Every country has its own set of rules and social mores, and you need to respect them. For example, if you wear revealing clothes in the Vatican, that would be frowned upon.
Lack of Environmental Consciousness
In some countries, littering has become a major concern in tourist destinations. Places which were previously pristine have lost their beauty because tourists tend to leave behind trash and create air pollution with traffic. If you do not consider environmental preservation as a tourist, you participate in the degradation of that place.
Participating in Exploitation of People & Resources
Many tourist practices involve exploitation and issues such as child labor. For example, if you agree to buy carpets made by underaged weavers, you are encouraging that exploitative practice.
Fetishizing Communities
Tourists often make the mistake of glamorizing or fetishizing different communities. This is a dehumanizing practice and also drowns out the community’s actual voices. Tourists should not presume expertise over local issues and interfering in them.
What Makes a Good Tourist
On the other hand, there are a number of practices that make you a conscientious tourist. You must embody these to have a positive impact on the world and show your respect for different cultures and the environment.
Preserving the Environment
You need to take care of the environment wherever you go. Do not leave litter anywhere, and make sure you dispose of it properly. In addition, try to use travel methods that do not consume too much fuel or affect the environment extensively.
Respecting Cultures
You should respect the cultural norms of the place you’re visiting. Therefore, dress accordingly, interact with people appropriately and make sure you don’t do anything offensive. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but do not be disrespectful.
Avoiding Exploitative Tourist Traps
Avoid buying souvenirs or tourist experiences that have an exploitative element. For example, many tourist destinations have people who let you pose with wild animals for photos. This is an exploitative practice and you shouldn’t contribute any money to it.
Learning the Language Basics
If you know the basics of the language, you can communicate more clearly and show your respect for the country you’re visiting. You just need to know a few phrases to make things work, and this will also put you in the local community’s good books.
How to Become an Ethical Tourist
It’s not that hard to adopt ethical tourism practices. You just need to have the will and conscience to do it, and you’ll be okay. Here are a few things you must do.
Do Your Research
The first thing you should do before you land in a country is conduct some research. Find out about its cultural practices, learn a few language basics, and figure out an itinerary which has the least negative impact.
Try New Experiences
Do not just use your vacation to do the typical tourist activities, which are often exploitative. Instead, try new experiences which are more localized and help you get a new perspective on the community.
Travel Sustainably
Lastly, look for sustainable ways to travel, and do not leave behind any litter. Try to use transport methods which do not pollute the environment. Bicycles, carts, and public transport are better ways to get around than hiring vehicles.
In conclusion, all tourism should be ethical tourism. It’s a simple matter of respect, and a way to protect vulnerable communities from exploitative tourist activities.
