By Marilena Kagkaraki,
As far as we know, we are slowly overcoming the pandemic and, consequently, people seek freedom, whether it is entertainment or travelling. It is a way to restart our previous way of living. As we are preparing to travel again, I would like to point out some ways that travelling can become more conscious and ethical, while we head into the future. The Earth needs us to start preserving it and so, being a tourist does not mean we are off the hook. We leave our mark in every place we visit and, most likely, we do not want it to be a negative one. Here are five ways for us to travel more sustainably and leave a positive footprint.
- Be mindful of the culture
On your way to a destination, you come in contact with a lot of people: the cabin crew, hotel staff and, of course, the locals. They all go about their days so, if they try to help you, you should smile and be kind. You can also try to learn some greetings in the local language; it makes an interaction with a local more pleasant, since they can feel that you have made an effort and that you want to know more about their home country. That goes hand in hand with understanding that, in every place, the language that people speak is different and is not necessary for them to speak a dominant one. Lastly, the habit of “tipping” at restaurants and cafes is also something to bear in mind and be aware about, as it is important to respect those who spend their time in our service and for our relaxation.
- Be mindful of local nature
We, as travellers, should respect the local flora and fauna and avoid intervening in the wildlife and habitat of the place we have visited. Responsibly disposing of the plastic we use, not leaving any trash behind when visiting a park or a beach is one thing. We also must not partake into riding animals or any other act that may cause any kind of harm to them. The same apply for marine life and sea expeditions. In all of these situations, we should visit these places in ways that are as respectful to the wildlife and nature as possible. For instance, safaris, where you can observe animals in their natural habitat, are a good way to explore local wildlife. It is also important to be mindful of what you are eating, avoid things that are known to cause harm and support local products.
- Stay off the tourist trail
Try to avoid tourist attractions and popular locations, especially in peak hours. Visiting places that are less touristic can help take a load off the “nature” of the area and do less harm in the local ecosystem. As previously aforementioned, taking care of our surroundings is a “must-do” wherever our visit is. You also contribute to the local wealth being spread to different areas and not just the main tourist attractions. Either way, exploring off the beaten path can lead to the discovery of lots of hidden gems.
- Stay at an eco-friendly accommodation
There is a lot of talk and dedication around ethical tourism and so there are places you can stay at which are eco-friendly, using natural resources, recycling and eco-disposing. It is a great way to support this kind of travelling by searching and staying at those places. After this decision, you cannot help but feel you have supported an ethical way of living.
- Walk more, use less public transport
Sometimes we may feel tired when visiting a place. However, it is a game-changer for the preservation of the places when we do not commute, but instead choose the options of walking or cycling. Our carbon footprint is minimised and can help significantly reduce pollution to many areas. Thus, using less of the public transport and driving vehicles could have a significant impact to the area.
I think that going somewhere with a mindset of respect, determined to leave a place as you found it and to not contribute to its pollution -be it noise or air pollution- is the key to ethical travelling. Hence, when we travel again this could be a new way for us to start making an impact on local environment, and by extension to our home: the earth.
References
- Twodustytravelers 8 ethical travel tips for your next vacation. Available here
