When we visit beautiful places it’s natural to want our holidays to have a positive impact on local people and their environments.
Ethical travel is about more authentic holiday experiences that enable you to get a little bit more out of your travels, and give a little bit more back to destinations and local people.
All holidays have positive and negative impacts locally.
Ethical travel maximise the benefits, and minimises the negative effects of tourism.
Tips for ethical travel
Before you book your holiday:
- Plan your route to minimise carbon emissions – travel by train and public transport where possible, and minimise internal flights.
- Minimise flying time and stopovers – the worst carbon emissions are emitted during take off and landing.
- For the flights that you cannot avoid, trekSA will offset the carbon emissions of your flight .
- That way the money is invested in carbon reducing initiatives in South America and/or South Africa.
Before you travel:
- Read up on local cultures and learn a few words of the local language – travelling with respect earns you respect.
- Remove all excess packaging – waste disposal is difficult in remote places and developing countries.
- Ask Treksa for specific tips for responsible travel in your destination.
- Ask Treksa if there are useful gifts that you could pack for your hosts, local people or schools.
- Ask Treksa whether there are local conservation or social projects that you could visit on your trip, and if/how you could help support them.
While on holiday:
- Buy local produce in preference to imported goods.
- Hire a local guide – you’ll discover more about local culture and lives, and they will earn an income.
- Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artefacts.
- Respect local cultures, traditions and holy places – if in doubt ask advice or don’t visit.
- Use public transport, hire a bike or walk when convenient – it’s a great way to meet local people on their terms and reduce pollution and carbon emissions.
- Use water sparingly – it’s very precious in many countries and tourists tend to use far more than local people.
- Remember that local people have different ways of thinking and concepts of time, this just makes them different not wrong.
- Cultivate the habit of asking questions (rather than the Western habit of knowing the answers).
When you get back:
- Write to Treksa (try our journal) or accommodation providers with any comments or feedback about your holiday.
- And especially include any suggestions on reducing environmental impacts and increasing benefits to local communities.
- If you’ve promised to send pictures or gifts to local people remember to do so, many are promised and not all arrive!
- Enjoy the memories, reflect on your experience and start planning your next trip.
