Things to Remember As a Responsible Adventure Traveller

Responsible adventure traveller

When travelling abroad it’s far too easy to simply look for the best deals available online without much thought for how your trip will affect the countries you’re travelling to. After all, as long as you’re saving money, it’s all good, right? But stop and think for a minute.

How to be a responsible adventure traveller:

Would you really be happy if that idyllic, pristine Thai beach that was your paradise for a few months became a graveyard of glass bottles and stained Styrofoam food containers? What if that thriving, unique local market that introduced you to spices and aromas beyond your wildest culinary dreams was knocked down to make way for yet another McDonald’s? Would you feel proud that you’d got to see it before it became ‘too commercial’, or would there be a part of you left feeling sorrowful and guilty that your trip may have contributed to this mess?

Everything that’s enjoyable in life comes with its own responsibilities, and adventure tours are no exception. If you want the fantastic places you visit on your travels to stay unique, culturally diverse and beautiful, it’s important to think carefully about who you’re travelling with, and find out if they are a reputable and responsible travel company. If not, you may find the paradises of the past are ruined. Not just for the next generation, but for that retirement trip round the world that you’d been looking forward to.

So here are some important points to remember when travelling which should help ensure the fantastic places you visit can be enjoyed by future generations, and you’re not left with a nagging sense of guilt when you return.

Supporting the Local Economy

You are travelling as a guest in someone else’s country so you should do everything you can to support the local economy. Whether you’re searching for gifts to take home, a little keep-sake for yourself or just a bite to eat, make sure you do it locally. The local people will welcome you with open arms and will be grateful for your custom. As tourism increases within the country, it is only fair that the local economy should benefit from it as well. Plus, experiencing the local cuisine is one of the main reasons to visit another country, and you’ll be amazed at the variety of exquisite flavours on offer. After all, what’s the point in travelling to the other side of the world and ordering a Big Mac?

Participating Within the Local Community

This goes hand-in-hand with supporting the local economy, and will give you a fantastic insight into the country you are visiting. From checking out amazing festivals like Holi or Mexico’s Día de los Muertos to learning some new moves in the local bars and dancehalls, making the effort to integrate with the local culture is well worth it. Also, by working closely with the local community you can get great insider knowledge about the best places to go and see. After all, no one knows their country better than the locals.

Adventure traveller

 

Minimizing Your Impact

Safari holidays are a great way to experience the sights and sounds of a world you would not normally be able to enjoy. While exploring these areas of natural beauty you need to remember that you and your tour operator are responsible for protecting it. You should try to minimise as much waste as possible. This includes CO2 emissions and general waste, and you should make sure that any litter you end up with is taken back to your travel agent’s office to be disposed of correctly. Water can be very scarce in many countries where safaris are popular, so make sure you only use what you need. Most importantly, leave everything as you found it so others can enjoy it for years to come.

Using Porters and Guides That Are Paid Fairly

If while travelling abroad you use the services of a porter or guide, make sure they are being adequately paid and treated well. Ask your prospective tour operator some important questions about your porters before travelling with them.

  • Enquire about how much your porters are being paid.
  • Ask if their pay includes food and water.
  • If your porters are carrying loads for you, try carrying the weight yourself. This will allow you to work out if they are being asked to carry too much.

Travelling abroad is certainly an amazing experience but it’s important to think carefully about who you travel with, and if possible do some research before you leave. Don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions and find out exactly how your travel company operates. Remember, take only photos and leave only footprints.

John is an avid adventure traveller with a strong passion for protecting the environment.


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