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| Page Views: 264 | Profile of a Responsible Tourist by monina_c - last update: Jul 26, 2009 |
In February of 2009, I attended at free-wheeling discussion on being a responsible traveler. The moderator, one Cherie McCosker of Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade, Inc. listed down the profile of a Responsible Traveler.
:) I am glad to say that, unknowingly, I have been practicing being a responsible traveler but sadly, I sometimes also fall guilty of violating a couple of the items below but I do resolve to do better each time I travel.
To quote Cherie:
1. The responsible tourist is of no specific age, sex, occupation, race, class, religion or other demographic.
2. The responsible tourist comes to the country armed with background knowledge and understanding of the complexities surrounding the political climate and social issues.
3. The responsible tourist supports human and animal rights.
4. The responsible tourist supports the local community and economy in every way possible.
5. The responsible tourist views travel as an educational experience for themselves and for their host communities and as an opportunity to share information and engage in a true cultural exchange.
6. The responsible tourist doesn’t support any form of sex tourism – especially child sex tourism, instead the responsible tourist speaks out against it.
7. The responsible tourist has a firm commitment to the environment.
8. The responsible tourist supports the value of local customs and cultures, which includes being sensitive in their own actions and dress code.
9. The responsible tourist tries to make a positive impact in each and every action.
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|  | Responsible Travel Code
Be prepared
– Learn as much about your destination before you go and try to learn a few basic words of the language
Think local
– Stay in locally owned accommodation
– Buy locally produced food and drinks in preference to imported goods
– Choose locally made crafts and souvenirs, preferably fair trade
– Hire a local guide – you’ll discover more about local culture and lives, and they will earn an income
Think about where your money goes
– Be fair and realistic about how cheaply you can travel
– Haggle with humor and not aggressively, but always make sure you pay a fair price. Keep in mind the skill and work that went into the craft and pay according to value
Embrace culture
– Open your mind to new cultures and experiences
– Think carefully about what’s appropriate in terms of your clothes and the way you behave. You’ll earn respect and be more readily welcomed by local people
Consider your ecological footprint
– Help preserve local wildlife and habitats by respecting rules and regulations
– Avoid buying products made from endangered plants, wild animals, shells or hard woods. Instead buy products made from renewable materials
– Be mindful of resource usage. Switch off lights and turn off appliances. Use water sparingly, tourists tend to use far more than local people
– Reuse plastic bags, take used batteries home, and refill your water bottle or use purifying tablets so you needn’t buy bottled water
– Get closer to people and places by using public transport, bicycles and walking
– Consider offsetting carbon emissions for your flights
Outdoor adventure
– Seek out local guides, but do check their safety standards
– If diving or snorkeling, never touch or step on coral or any other marine creature
– If trekking with the option of a porter, it’s always better to hire a porter and pay a fair price
– Avoid washing in streams, rivers and springs. If there are no bathroom facilities, bury toilet waste away from water source and dispose of toilet paper properly
Photography
– Always ask before taking photos of people. Some people don’t wish to have their photos taken and you should respect that. It is best not to pay people (especially children) for taking their photograph
– Sometimes you might be offered to have your photograph taken with a ‘wild’ animal (eg tarsier, snake or eagle). It is best not to encourage this behavior
Guidebooks
– Guidebooks are a great source of information, but use them only as a guide. Talk to the local people, do your own research, discover your own adventure!
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 Comments for monina_c about World | | | | |
olitrac Wed Nov 11, 2009 13:37 UTC
hello monins, ok lang kami dito sa davao.. kaya lang sobrang init dito..walang ulan. ganun din sa baguio..hehehehe | Eggboy Wed Nov 11, 2009 03:03 UTC
Buenos noches muchacha :-) Nice pic Bromo. | jumpingnorman Tue Nov 10, 2009 04:56 UTC
Nakakatawa naman si Isa,hehehe....Sayang, I am still a Facebook Virgin, hehe - forgot my account there...but hopefully Isa will send the funny failed attempts for the "Failed jumping attempts gallery" | RobKSA Sun Nov 8, 2009 09:33 UTC
I saw ur comment on Aida's page re: once you learned... about biking. Well, I thought so too so when I was teaching my child to bike, I said, look this is how you do it... Short story suminplan ako. :) |
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