25 Ways to Be a Responsible Traveler

by Alex Temblador
Last updated:: 7:00 AM ET, Thu July 9, 2020

Senior tourists. (photo via Geber86/Getty Images) (Getty)

Young woman wearing a mask at airport check-in. (Photo via iStock/Getty Images Plus/Kiwis)

Passenger airplane sitting on the tarmac. (Photo via iStock/Getty Images E+/guvendemir)

Colombian Culture, Caribbean & Lost City (Provided by GAdventures)

Travel agent holding a heart. (photo via takasuu/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Antoine Wilson is the owner of A.D. Elite Travels in Miami, Florida. (photo via Antoine Wilson)

PHOTO: Eco Friendly Biodegradable Forks, Spoons, Knives. (mirrorr/ iStock / Getty Images Plus)

A doctor checking a patient. (photo via Rawpixel / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Colorful regalia at a Native American Pow Wow. (photo courtesy of bpperry / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: ChangChill in Thailand (Courtesy World Animal Protection)

The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club Reef-Safe Sunscreen (Photo via The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club)

Tourists on a crowded bridge in Venice, Italy. (photo via Bumblee_Dee / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: The Curvy Kili Crew promotes adventure travel for plus-size women. (photo via WHOA Travel)

Maracas beach in Trinidad and Tobago (Photo via Altinosmanaj / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: A sick French bulldog. (photo via damedeeso/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

PHOTO: Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo via southtownboy / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Group of people volunteer at construction site. (photo via E+ / Hispanolistic)

PHOTO: Intrepid porters, Inca Trail, Peru (Courtesy Intrepid)

A man shopping through a market in Belize. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / Jodi Jacobson)

PHOTO: young couple on laptop. (Photo via Royalty-free) (Peopleimages / Royalty-free)

Protest signs that support trans rights. (photo via E+ / shaunl) (E+ / shaunl)

The Plains of Africa (Provided by Collette)

PHOTO: Lusumpuko Women's Club (photo courtesy G Adventures (G Adventures)

A group of women smile at the camera. (photo via iStock / Getty Images Plus / Ridofranz)

Judge's mallet and the scales of justice. (photo courtesy of Michal Chodyra / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Meeting new friends at Ivvavik National Park. (Photo via Colin Field)

Be Better Travelers

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Traveling is fun and exciting... but like anything in this world, there's more to it than what's on the surface. In this slideshow, you'll learn various ways that you can be a more mindful, conscious, and better traveler. By following these suggestions, you'll discover richer travel experiences that give back to communities and the world in which you're exploring.

In the Era of COVID-19, Wear a Mask

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During the time of COVID-19, the most responsible thing you can do while traveling is wear a mask. Wear your mask on the plane and in public spaces. A mask doesn't just protect your health, but also the health of those who work in the travel industry and local communities who could be more adversely affected by the virus.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

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Traveling produces a large carbon footprint and it's hurting our environments. Protect the world for future travel by offsetting your carbon footprint. You can pay to offset the carbon footprint of flights through various online programs like Gold Standard or booking sites like flyBARBARA. You can also plan a trip in a way that minimizes the production of carbon emissions, whether that's taking fewer flights or cruises, carpooling, walking, or recycling.

Buy From Locals

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One of the most responsible things you can do while traveling is to put your money into the local economy. This may mean staying at a small locally-owned bed-and-breakfast, shopping at local stores or markets, or buying locally-sourced souvenirs from local artisans.

Support Travel Businesses That Give Back

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Some travel companies like hotels or tour companies give percentages of their profits to local communities and initiatives. While it might take some research to find out how various travel companies give to local non-profits or communities, it's well worth it in the end. Take Volcano Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. A percentage of their safari bookings has gone toward donating water tanks and sheep to local communities and helping displaced tribal families settle and thrive in new communities.

Hire a Black or POC-owned Travel Company

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The travel industry has struggled with inclusivity, which has made it difficult for black and people of color to succeed in the industry. So-support them. Hire a black travel advisor to plan your next trip, stay in a POC-owned hotel, or book an indigenous tour guide.

Travel Green

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There are so many simple things that travelers can do to be more eco-conscious when they travel. Bring your own reusable water bottles rather than purchasing water bottles. Recycle all that you can, walk or bike in a destination, and refrain from having your sheets changed or towels replaced in your hotel room. Stay at a LEED-certified hotel that has green practices, and look into how the tour company you've booked with implements green-friendly policies on their tours.

Get Your Shots

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Before you travel, make sure you take the necessary medical precautions. This may mean getting vaccines recommended by the CDC or taking a preventative prescription while on a trip. It will protect both yourself and local communities from the spread of disease and viruses.

Respect Indigenous People and Children

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Various communities have been exploited by the travel industry in the past, particularly children, women, and people of indigenous heritage. Respecting these communities can occur in various ways. Don't take photos of local children, orphans or otherwise, or of tribal members without their permission. Make sure that the tour companies you utilize are respectful of these communities and don't exploit such groups financially for the sake of tourism.

Say No to Animal Abuse

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Though wild animals are intriguing, be wary of supporting animal experiences that are harmful to animals, such as elephant rides or tiger breeding centers. Make sure you don't contribute to animal abuse by paying for shows or experiences in which animals are drugged, abused, or paraded for the amusement of travelers.

Protect Our Oceans

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Travelers can protect our oceans by refraining from using plastic or straws and picking up trash and recycling at beaches. Don't forget to protect the coral reef by only wearing eco-friendly and coral-safe sunblock.

Oh No to Overtourism

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Popular destinations and attractions have been struggling under the weight of overtourism. As a traveler, you can refrain from contributing to overtourism by visiting lesser-known attractions and destinations around the world. Spread your tourism dollars to places that could use it and try not to contribute to the stress overtourism brings the local economy.

Support Women-Owned Travel Companies

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Like many industries, the travel industry could do better when it comes to gender equality. You can do your part by supporting women-owned travel companies. Research has shown that when female entrepreneurs receive support, it boosts the economy and well-being of those who live in that society.

Off-season Travel

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Leave the crowds behind and travel in the off-season. Not only will this help fight overtourism but by visiting a destination in the off-season, you'll be contributing to the local tourism industry during a time in which they might really need it.

Don't Travel If You're Sick

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Feeling sick? Got a cough? Stay home. You don't want to spread illnesses to others on your trip, especially to local communities that could lack the health resources that you can afford. Plus, if you're feeling sick, you might have a compromised immune system which could make you more susceptible to catching other things and finding yourself stuck in a hotel room your whole trip-or worse, in the hospital with growing bills.

Respect Local Customs

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When traveling, remember that you're entering a community not your own and to respect the local customs. Educate yourself on local traditions as it relates to clothes, manners, and interactions. Remember that you are a guest in the destination you're visiting and a good guest is one in which follows local customs set by those who live there.

The Problems With Voluntourism

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Volunteering can be a great thing, but unfortunately, when it gets wrapped up in the travel sphere, it can sometimes do more harm than good. Voluntourism has been linked to loss of jobs for local communities, and sometimes puts children and other at-risk groups in harm's way. Other times it promotes white savior concepts and if not structured correctly, can allow for misappropriation of funds and scams. Before you take a voluntourism experience on, do a lot of research to see how it truly impacts local communities.

Respect Porters

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Porters are individuals hired to carry luggage and supplies for hikers. They have essential jobs, but unfortunately, they've been taken advantage of in the past. Make sure that the tour company you work with treats their porters properly, and that you do too. Speak with porters and don't ask them to carry more weight than is set. Also, make sure that you tip them personally rather than through a company.

Haggle Respectfully

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Haggling is fun and in many cultures around the world, it's expected. However, keep in mind that locals selling items to tourists make their living from those sales. While you might want to go home with a great story about getting the cheapest price, remember that those vendors need those sales to feed their families. With that perspective in mind, haggling may not always be worth it.

Do Your Research on Travel Companies

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Dive deep into the travel companies you're supporting and find out if they have the same responsible travel ideals as you. Ask yourself some of these questions: Is the hotel privately-owned or is it owned by the military? Does the company care about the environment or have they been fined for illegally dumping waste into the ocean? Do they have diverse employees, leaderships, services, and marketing materials? Do they give back to local communities or do they exploit them?

If it all feels a bit overwhelming, remember that travel advisors have a lot of knowledge about responsible travel companies and they could be a phenomenal source in booking the best travel companies for you.

Choose Ethical Destinations

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When traveling, try to pick ethical destinations, or in other terms, destinations that are doing right by their citizens in terms of social issues. Look up the human rights violations occurring in the country you're interested in visiting. Is there a genocide occurring or are there laws that jail people for being LGBT+?

You have power as a tourist in choosing where you spend your money, and governments pay attention to that. When you use your power for the betterment of people in destinations around the world, it matters.

Understand Local History and Culture

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A good traveler is one in which takes the time to learn the local history and culture, before and during the trip. It will provide you with a better understanding of how the community operates and various things you should be aware of as a traveler. Plus, it can assist you in refraining from unethical and unconscious negative tourism pitfalls like cultural appropriation, stereotyping, or participating in colonialist or oppressive activities.

Support Local Non-Profits

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In some destinations around the world, non-profits have partnered with the tourism industry to better the lives of locals. When visiting a destination, find ways to support local non-profits. Some examples of this may include taking cooking or artisan classes with a non-profit led by local women or eating at a restaurant that employs those who have been incarcerated.

Be an Ally to Other Travelers

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We don't all travel equally. Some travelers experience prejudice, racism, or discrimination based on how they look, where they come from, what they believe, who they love, or who they are. Be an ally for your fellow travelers. Report instances of harassment or racism that occur in the travel sphere, or speak up when you see an injustice occurring. When we band together and help one another out, we can create a better travel world for all.

Follow Local Laws

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The world is a vast place and every destination has its own laws and regulations. As a traveler visiting that destination, you must follow local laws, no matter if you agree with them or not. Remember that most local laws are put in place for the safety of the people who live there.

Engage With the Locals

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A true responsible traveler will make a concerted effort to engage with locals. Not only will this expand your world view, but it's a travel action full of respect for the place you're visiting and the community that lives there. Perhaps it's as simple as learning some of the local language, following their customs, or speaking to locals about their life experiences. Overall, it will make for a better travel experience.

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