Most people want to visit new places, but how many of them think about the consequences of their actions on the local environment? Every day millions of people travel to different countries or cities for vacation or business. While it is normal and not necessarily harmful to leave an impact behind, there are some who go overboard with what they do during their stay.
If a person is planning to go on a trip somewhere soon, here are some steps that can help them be more ethical with their activities while traveling:
Research beforehand
Before buying tickets or packing suitcases, learn as much as possible about the place one will be visiting. Find out where is located geographically in order to plan transportation routes accordingly; one should make sure they know if public transport is available; find out what to see and do in the area.
Pro-tip: plan the trip around a festival or an event that will be going on during the time of year they go, chances are they’ll have a great experience.
Find a sustainable accommodation
Tourist spots tend to be filled with hotels and hostels to accommodate everyone, but not all of these places are created equal when it comes to ethics. Choose one that uses solar energy for heating water or electricity; make sure any food served is organic and local; always ask if there is recycling done in the area before throwing anything away. In addition, look for lodgings that have zero waste policies, they usually separate trash so it can be recycled or given away for free.
Make sure the activities are ethical
Activities can also be very harmful or provide benefits to the local community. For example, some tours only take people to places where they will buy things (and not necessarily of high quality either). There is nothing wrong with shopping, but any souvenir one brings back home should help preserve the culture and not destroy it. Always do research on any tour one goes on; if something seems suspicious, look for another alternative. Another thing to watch out for are certain attractions that keep animals in captivity (zoo, aquariums…) or give rides to them (safaris…). These places only seek profit without thinking of the well-being of their animals. If a person really wants a picture with a tiger or a dolphin, think of going to a rescue center instead.
In conclusion, every trip has a purpose. Sometimes it is to relax, sometimes it is to learn or experience things that are new. As long as one does their research and plan accordingly, they can make sure they leave a positive impact on the place they visit without harming its environment in the process. For more information click here.