5 Tips for travelers who want to see the world responsibly

By now, most of us are aware that we have responsibilities as travelers. We know that we shouldn’t ride elephants. We donate extra money to offset the carbon footprint of our flights. We opt out of daily clean towel service in hotels to minimize water usage. We understand travel carries an environmental footprint, and we make changes to help mitigate it.

But, responsible tourism goes beyond environmental considerations. Recent protests in Barcelona highlight the hardships that overtourism can have on local communities. Those who are mindful of the ecological footprints of their travels must consider their social and economic impacts, too.

The three pillars of sustainability

To be a sustainable traveler, you must first understand its principles. There are three pillars of sustainability, which are equally important. Modern sustainists understand that we must care for people as well as the planet, and this is especially true for those who are guests visiting a new place. To be responsible, sustainable tourists must practice all three pillars—not just the environmental bit.

Environmental sustainability

The most popular principle, environmental sustainability, encompasses ecological considerations. In travel, this will include things like your carbon footprint, plastic consumption, and interaction with wildlife. 

Although environmental sustainability is important, it constitutes only one-third of what it means to be a responsible traveler. 

Social sustainability

The second pillar concerns your impact on people. In travel, this comprises things like adherence to local customs and norms, supporting businesses and tour companies that offer fair treatment to their workers, and avoiding experiences that negatively impact the community.

Economic sustainability

The final pillar is your impact on the local economy. It’s the most overlooked principle in sustainable travel, but it’s just as important as the other two. In short, it requires you to be mindful about how you spend your money.

To be economically sustainable, you should buy local, support tour companies that employ local community members, and spend money in areas that are a bit off the beaten path.

Beyond eco-friendliness

If you’re the type of traveler who brings their reusable water bottle and pays extra to offset their carbon footprint, take additional steps to ensure that your responsible travel extends to the people and communities you visit. Travel does amazing things to expand the mind and help you grow and become a better person, but it shouldn’t be enjoyed at the expense of others.

Here are some ways you can practice social and economic sustainability when you travel.

1. Travel at non-peak times

If you’ve ever been to major European destinations in the summer, you know it can be pure hell. The city centers are nearly impassable, public transportation is overcrowded, and lads on stag-dos, drunk at noon on a Tuesday, yell at you in the streets.

When you’re just passing through these places, overcrowding is annoying. For the residents, it makes their cities unlivable. Do your part to alleviate overcrowding by visiting at non-peak times.

There are additional benefits to traveling outside of peak times: hotels are cheaper, you often don’t have to book ahead of time, and you can enjoy some of the world’s greatest monuments without the crowds. Most importantly, if more people staggered their visits to the top tourist destinations, it would allow the locals to enjoy their own cities, too.

2. Avoid Airbnbs in areas where there are housing crises

Airbnbs tend to raise housing costs and steal housing opportunities. It’s become a major problem in some cities. A 2020 study found that a 1% increase in Airbnbs results in 0.018% higher rents and 0.026% higher housing prices. When Airbnbs are prevalent, locals are priced out of prime locations or unable to find housing at all.

As with everything, this issue is not black and white, and Airbnb can still be a good option, depending on your circumstances. For example, it can be helpful for those staying in an area for a couple of months, and it may be one of the only options in areas with few hotels. To ensure your Airbnb stay doesn’t contribute to a larger problem, do your research before booking. If it’s problematic, reserve a hotel room instead.

3. Explore beyond the tourist areas

Issues like overcrowding are often concentrated in small areas. In many cities, once you explore slightly outside the city center, tourism drastically drops off. Going beyond the tourist areas can be great for you, as you have more room to breathe, and it can help the community as you spread your tourist spending beyond the main thoroughfare.

While going off the beaten path can provide a look into what life as a local is really like, you must do so responsibly. Remember, people actually live in these neighborhoods. You may be on a trip of a lifetime, but for them, it’s just a random Wednesday afternoon. Pretend you’re a local, and act as you would on your afternoon lunch break rather than wandering into people’s gardens for a photo op.

4. Shop local

Tourism can benefit the local economy, but only if you’re supporting the local community. Unfortunately, many souvenirs in major tourist areas are mass-produced and might not even be created in that country. Furthermore, if you stay at a resort and don’t leave the premises, your money might only be supporting a global corporation rather than funding anything local.

Be mindful of what you buy and where you buy it. Try to find local shops for gifts and souvenirs. If possible, support little mom-and-pop outfits with actual local items rather than stopping by the dime-a-dozen souvenir stands.

5. Be kind and adhere to local customs

Travel is a privilege. If you cannot adjust your behavior to align with local laws and customs, you should not travel internationally. 

Travel responsibility often comes down to a single factor: Don’t be an asshole. If it’s expected that you dress modestly, dress modestly. If custom dictates that you tip 20%, tip 20%. If customer service norms differ from what you anticipate back home, adjust your expectations instead of complaining. You are the guest, and it’s up to you to adopt behavior acceptable to the locals, not the other way around.

World travel opens our minds, creates unmatched experiences, and reminds us that, despite cultural differences, we’re all human. But, there can be a dark side to travel. To ensure our global explorations only result in positivity, we must go the extra mile to ensure we’re responsible, not just to the planet but to the people who inhabit it.