Top Tips for Being an Ethical Traveler
Cultural Considerations
- Always be mindful of cultural differences in your destination country. When booking your holiday, we can discuss these with you.
- Etiquette varies from country to country. For example, in many southeast Asian countries, it is rude to point or sit cross legged with your feet pointing in someone’s direction.
- If you are visiting a religious site, be sure to check the dress code. As a general rule, men and women should cover bare skin when entering a religious site.
- Did you know that in Japan, having a conversation in a lift when others are sharing it is considered bad manners?
- In some countries tipping is accepted and even expected, whereas in others it is not. The same goes for bargaining.
Being mindful of cultural differences will ensure your holiday is much more enjoyable, and allow you to better connect with locals. And if they seem like they are being rude to you- don’t be too quick to get offended. Perhaps they don’t realise what is considered bad etiquette in your culture.
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Children
In come countries you will see children begging or selling trinkets. While it may be tempting to give them money, you are inadvertantly encouraging parents to continue using thier children in this way.
You may even be asked to visit an orphanage to give donations. This is usually detrimental to the children and their families, as some children are taken away from their parents to be put there, so please avoid.
Photography
Always ask before taking someone’s photo, or a photo of their house or children- It’s the polite thing to do. And remember the locals are not attractions.
The Environment
While holidays are wonderful for mental health and well-being, if we are not careful, they can have a negative impact on the environment. Always look for ways to be environmentally friendly at home and while you are away.
- Take a reusable water bottle. Some have built-in filters so you can refill them with tap water.
- Eat and buy locally when possible.
- Ask about eco-friendly accommodation and tours.
- Offset your carbon emissions to reduce the impact from your flights.
These are only a few ideas to get you started. You can have a fantastic holiday while minimising your negative impact on the planet.
Voluntourism
There are pros and cons of going on holiday to volunteer in helping a community. Be very mindful if you are thinking about this, and always do your research to consider the pros and cons on the local community.
Animal Encounters
It’s tempting to want to experience encounters with animals and even have the opportunity to take a selfie with one, or hold one and pet it. However, it is important to remember that wild animals should be just that- wild. Animals in captivity are taken away from their families, and as a result, their lifespan is usually a lot shorter than animals in the wild. Please consider the welfare of the animals when visiting an attraction. If you are not sure, feel free to ask us for advice. It’s important to work together to end animal cruelty.
Instead of swimming with dolphins…go on a dolphin tour to spot dolphins swimming in the vast oceans and seas. Dolphins travel in pods and if you are lucky, you will see dozens of dolphins doing flips and twirls from the water!
Instead of going to a zoo or circus….visit a rehabilitation centre to learn more about animals and have the chance to get up close and personal. Some even offer volunteer opportunities.
Instead of riding an elephant….visit a place that gives you the opportunity to see elephants in the wild. Elephant conservation centres offer a closer look at these majestic creatures.
Never visit a place that holds animals in captivity for entertainment or photo opportunities. Often these animals are treated cruelly, and forced into submission for the entertainment benefit of guests.
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