| Responsible Volunteering |
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What is Responsible Tourism and Responsible Volunteering? What is a Responsible Traveller?Responsible Tourism and Responsible Volunteering is about bringing the volunteer closer to local cultures and environments by involving local people in tourism. It's about doing this in a fair way that helps ensure that they will give you an even warmer welcome! For example, a local guide from the destination will open your eyes to their cultures and ways of life far better than an expat guide could ever do – they will also earn a much needed income from you.The responsible traveller prefers smaller groups, and to meet some local people (as well as fellow travellers) rather than be surrounded by 1000's of people from back home. They don't like being herded about in a large crowd like nameless faces and understand that travelling in smaller groups makes local people and cultures more accessible. The responsible travellers wants to get a little bit more out of their travels, and to give a little bit back to the special places and people that they encounter. They want deeper and more real travel experiences. The responsible traveller values authenticity – experiences integral to local people's traditions, cultures and rituals - rather than those created for tourism, or those whose existing meanings and uses have become lost as they have been packaged up for tourism. At the same time the responsible traveller understands that some cultural experiences are best kept private, and that their visit would be an intrusion. They believe that travelling with respect earns them respect. They would rather get out on foot than sit in a big bus, and are determined to leave no physical evidence of their visit but their footprints.The responsible traveller understands local peoples relationship with environments, and that income from tourism can be a powerful incentive for conservation. The responsible traveller values diversity – diversity of people, cultures and environments. They believe that they can grow as individuals through these experiences, and that their trip can make a positive contribution towards conserving global diversity. The experienced responsible traveller knows how difficult it can be to do the right thing – and is humble and learns from their mistakes. Whether they travel independently, or through a leading responsible travel operator, the responsible traveller makes and experiences a difference.We may not all be responsible. We are often not responsible in the same ways. We might not be responsible all of the time, but we all have a responsibility! However, lets not get too worthy about it - being responsible is about getting a little bit more out of your travels and about putting a little bit back. A few thoughts for the Responsible Traveller…· Read up on the countries you plan to visit – the welcome will be warmer if you take an interest and speak even a few words of the local language · Think small when booking a holiday – for example bed and breakfasts, village houses and locally owned accommodation benefit local families · Travel like Ghandi - with simple clothes, open eyes and an uncluttered mind (Rick Stevens)· Ask to see your tour operator's responsible travel policy · Help the local economy of developing countries by buying local produce in preference to imported goods· If bargaining to buy an item, bear in mind that a small amount to you could be extremely important to the seller · Realise that often the people in the country you are visiting have different time concepts and thought patterns from your own, this does not make them inferior, only different · Instead of the western practice of knowing all the answers, cultivate the habit of asking questions and discover the enrichment of seeing a different way of life through others eyes · Use public transport, hire a bike or walk where convenient – you'll meet local people and get to know the place· Remember that man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it (Moore 1916) · Use water sparingly – it is precious in many countries and the local people may not have sufficient clean water· Find out where the locals go when they have time off. Visit the main sites but get off the tourist trail too · Don't discard litter, take it home with you. Waste disposal is a major expense in poorer countries · Respect for local cultures, traditions and holy places earns you respect. For example, ask permission before you photograph local people – in some countries it can cause offence· Spend time reflecting on your daily experience in an attempt to deepen your understanding. It has been said that what enriches you may rob and violate others · Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods, shells from beach traders, or ancient artefacts (which have probably been stolen)· Pack small gifts from home as gifts for your hosts - ask your tour operator to ask the local community what would be of jost use to them · If you really want your experience to be a 'home away from home' it is foolish to waste money on travelling· When you get home drop your tour operator a note to let them know how you got on Enjoy the memories! (Extracted from Responsible Travel.com)
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 July 2010 10:33 |