Issue

Responsible travel

Explore the world in all its facets, learn about the cultures, people and environments that you visit, respect and celebrate differences in customs, beliefs, and ways of life—become a responsible traveller!

Submitted 10/11/2005 By Lindy Views 278033 Comments 8 Updated 31/07/2006


Photographer : Adam Gaston

Young Australians like you and me are heading overseas in increasing numbers. Whether it’s a trip to Fiji over the summer holidays or a year-long stay in the United Kingdom, it’s something many of us have done or are thinking about doing.

But, how many of you have thought about the impact your travel will have on the places you visit? Have you ever heard about the concept of responsible travel?

Responsible travelling means ensuring that your visit to a country doesn’t have a bad effect on its heritage and environment. Sound like a hefty responsibility? Really it’s not. It just means taking a few simple steps before you travel and being aware of the things that you do while you are overseas.

Some people argue that NOT travelling is the most responsible form of travel as it guarantees minimum impact. However, others disagree with this suggestion, believing instead, that travel has the potential to enlighten both the traveller and the people in the country visited. The United Nations believes that tourism is ‘a basic and most desirable human activity, deserving the praise and encouragement of all peoples and all governments’.

Below are a few tips for responsible travel…

1. Never, ever litter! Find a bin or recycle it. Find out from your hotel or hostel the most efficient way to recycle your waste. Try not to take any extra containers or packaging that you do not intend to bring back home.

2. Eat in local restaurants and cafes as much as possible—western imports selling the staple burgers and chips can threaten the livelihood of local restaurants. For example, you will be doing more to help the local economy if you eat at a locally run food outlet, instead of McDonalds or KFC!

3. Rather than stay in a hotel or hostel, look into alternative accommodation options, such as a home stay. Home stay means staying with a family in the country that you are visiting. This experience can prove more enriching than staying in a hostel with other travellers and is an ideal way to learn more about the culture of the country you are visiting. It’s also an excellent way to learn the local language. If you are organising a home stay, be sure to use a reputable organisation that can assist you if you encounter any problems.

4. Make sure you respect local laws, rules and regulations—this is an essential component of responsible and ethical travel. Oh, and don’t forget to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade when you go travelling and take note of any travel advice. This can be found at http://www.smartraveller.gov.au.


So, if you do travel, be aware that the choices you make do have an impact! Travelling responsibly is easy—it's about acting in a way that respects the people, culture, laws and environment of the country you are in. It's about being aware and behaving ethically. Travelling responsibly increases your experiences, can bring added enjoyment to your travels and open up some amazing opportunities. Are you a responsible traveller?

How do I know this?

International Student Travel Confederation, http://www.istc.org/sisp/index.htm

Responsible–travel.org, http://www.responsible-travel.org

Responsibletravel.com, http://www.responsibletravel.com

Discuss Now

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TanR16 15-Apr-2008

I agree but we also need to think about responsible travelling when we arent getting on a plane and jetting off overseas, I know what its like living in a remote region in Western Australia and how frustrating it can be when "tourists" dont respect and appreciate the areas that they are visiting, many people do the around aus trip or just a trip up north or whatever and think that just because they too live in this rich country of ours they can treat it like shit and it wont be their problem, think again buddies, when you litter our pristine beaches, throw rubbish in our beautiful bush or dont respect the religious or cultural sides to a place you are doing not only a dishonour to our country but a dishonour to our people, you wouldnt want someone coming to where you live and disrespecting you so dont do it to the hundreds of people who choose to live in the beautiful and very remote areas that our country is lucky enough to have!

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Rita 19-Dec-2007

There is nothing more that I love to do than to travel, explore cultures and encourage other young people to travel. Be curious, adventurous, passionate…. but also remember you are no longer home, so also be respectful, and travel responsibly. It doesn’t matter where you’re heading, you being in that country will make an impact. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel at all. By travelling, you are helping the local economy…just keep in mind to do it responsibly. Treat other countries the way you’d like a stranger to treat your own home/bedroom/personal space. Developing nations can be difficult to adapt to, as culture, customs, habits are so different, however it is these places where travelling responsibly and respecting the local people and their culture is the most important.

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Millina 13-Dec-2007

Take only photos and leave only footprints...

I definitely believe that more people need to be educated about the impact they will be having on a foreign place. I guess some people don't realise that they are guests and so need to remember to treat people as they would like to be treated (I know that's a cliche, but it's a pretty good one).

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dan 12-Sep-2007

After travelling extensively throughout Europe I believe that this is a very important issue. It's an issue that I think is nothing more than common sense, but it can be lost in the whole carefree approach that exploring a foreign country can bring.

There are some great tips mentioned in the article and to reiterate:

1) Treat the country you’re exploring like meeting a future boyfriend or girlfriends parents! You'll be on your best behaviour and the respect you receive from the locals will mean you enjoy yourself and get a lot more out of your experiences. Smiling, making an effort to speak their language and genuine courtesy goes a long way.

2) Definitely check out the local restaurants because then you'll have a feel for how things are done differently there and it will give you the most authentic experience to come home and brag about to friends and family! C'mon guys, you can't be telling your mates how good the cheeseburgers taste in Rome!

3) Bed & Breakfast accommodation is fantastic. It again provides you with the most authentic experience whilst at the same time giving an insight into the local way of life. Staying with locals will also provide you with tips on where to go and what the best times to visit certain areas, etc.

4) DO YOUR RESEARCH! It’s important to check websites like http://www.smartraveller.gov.au as mentioned so you know the risks of the places your travelling to. Lonely Planet guides are also a handy little 'bible' for the avid traveller for great tips and reviews on accommodations and attractions.

Whilst all the above is good to know for acting responsibly yourself its also very important to have your wits about you whilst travelling as there are plenty of shady people who thrive on taking advantage of cashed up tourists. Common sense is again the key.

Happy travels people!

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ethicool 07-Sep-2007

it's sooo great that we have the privilege to explore the world, that we are encouraged to live and travel in different countries & we must try not to take it for granted. This article has some great info on how to make sure you travel in a respectful way. I also think it's important to chat to the locals, when I look back on my experiences the places I have the fondest memories are when I built rapport with the locals and explored the places they suggested rather than a tourist map. When shopping try to consider who you are buying from. If you have time check out through the internet before as many places have local shops which support local foundations, are fair trade accredited or ethically produced. This way you know the money is going back to the people who make the products rather than buying from a giftshop.

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