Responsible Travel and Tourism - What you can do

So that’s us but what about you?

No lectures…we want you to relax and enjoy yourself whilst you’re on holiday. No-one would want their enjoyment at the expense of others or to damage the beautiful places they are travelling to though so we’ve thought of a few small things you can do which will really help the people and places you are travelling to. 

Explore is committed to the enjoyment of our beautiful but fragile planet, whilst keeping the environmental and cultural demands upon it as low as possible. Here are some simple but effective tips designed to help you support our objectives.

Before you go

Language: hello, thank you & goodbye!

Know some lingo! Learning a few words of the local language is a great way to break barriers: greet shopkeepers, waiters, drivers, clerks, etc. It is equally important to say your 'thank yous' and 'goodbyes'.

Local Customs: another time, another place

Religious customs and local traditions vary enormously around the world and play a large part in the local way of life. It is important to familiarise yourself with the local people's dress codes and thought patterns, and recognise them; the local concept of time is also likely to be less hurried than your own. Remember - you are the visitor, and by showing respect you will be respected and appreciated yourself!

Packing

Keep your packaging down to a minimum and avoid disposable goods as these often can't be disposed of or recycled overseas. Eco-friendly soap gets our thumbs-up.

Presents

You may make special friendships and experience generous hospitality when abroad. Gifts that are evocative of your home country such as postcards and photographs make ideal presents - check your dossier for any specific tips about the area you are visiting; once on tour, your tour leader will also be able to advise you on the appropriate circumstances to give.

On tour

Water: pollution & usage

If it is necessary to wash in streams or rivers, do not use detergents or other chemicals. There are a number of eco-friendly soaps available for travellers. Remember, it may be someone's drinking water further downstream. Use water sparingly in dry countries. (For more on Drinking Water, see 'A good drink' below.)

Souvenirs & shopping

Avoid buying souvenirs that exploit wildlife or threaten endangered species. Buying local souvenirs helps the local economy; whilst it is often customary and even fun to haggle, stop once you have got a reasonable price: the low price you achieve may only be due to the desperation and poverty of others.

Did you know that it's illegal for travellers to bring all meat and meat products, and milk and dairy products, plus some fish and plant products into the UK from non-EU countries? This is because they could carry pests and diseases, such as Foot and Mouth or Colorado Beetle, which might harm British livestock and crops.

So before you bring back souvenirs from your trip, make sure you know the rules. You can find more information online at the defra website. If you are not able to check, or you're still not sure, there's only one way to be safe: don't pack it.

Wildlife

Avoid disturbing wildlife and damaging their natural habitats. Take care not to touch coral reefs and do not feed or touch animals or fish. Stay quiet when viewing animals on safari.

For more information see www.bornfree.org.uk

Plants & shells

One of the joys of travelling is the spectacular variety of wild plants and shells you will see. These should remain in their natural environment, so avoid picking any. It is also illegal to import some plant species.

Artefacts

Items from ancient civilisations may still be found or bought in countries such as Peru and Turkey. Although they may appear discarded or available to buy, leave them where you find them.

Transport: big, small, new or old?

Transport fuels the local economy and provides a livelihood for many. Sadly it also pollutes. Be sure, however, not to discriminate against those who can't afford some of the newer, energy-efficient technologies, yet may have a lower ecological impact than the wealthier competitor. Many of Thailand's humble tuk-tuks, for instance, are old but run on methane gas, which is relatively clean.

Begging

Don't give out sweets, pens or money, especially to children. Giving to children will only teach them that begging is rewarding and can undermine parental authority. It is far better to interact with children. Cat's cradle, frisbees or simply exchanging drawings or photos can be more fulfilling and fun for both you and the children. Donating to a worthwhile charity will ensure longer term benefits to a greater number of people.

Litter

To state the obvious, the world is full of it and you don't want to add to it yourself! Beyond that, however, it's up to you to decide how strongly you should feel about other people's litter: many walkers, for example, are happy to pick up litter along the trail. It's your call. Remember, however - many countries do not have adequate litter collection, never mind recycling or waste reduction schemes; so the less you create, the better.

A good drink

Where plastics are not recycled, you might consider taking a water bottle or filter and purifying your own water. Wiith this in mind, Explore Trader in association with Nomad Travel Store are offering an additional 5% discount on 6 selected products to encourage you to make the swap.

Photos: think before you click

People in colourful local dress always make good subjects for photographs, but think before you snap. Many people, for whatever reason, do not like being photographed. Always ask permission before taking photographs.

For more information taking photographs on holiday, download our "Photography Guide" produced by the University of Surrey

Once back home

Continuing support

Why not consider contributing to the many projects and organisations you may have come across on your tour.

You can also really help us by giving us your feedback. Got something to say? Maybe you have a question about your tour or our policies. Whatever it is, you can email us - Explore Responsible Tourism

Lastly, you can help support many of the charitable initiatives we are involved in to really help people and the environment in the countries you are travelling to.