Travel Tips
When we visit beautiful places it's natural to want our holidays to have a positive impact on local people and their environments.
Responsible travel is about more authentic holiday experiences that enable you to get a little bit more out of your travels, and give a little bit more back to destinations and local people. All holidays have positive and negative impacts locally.
Responsible travel maximizes the benefits, and minimizes the negative effects of tourism.
Below you can find our tips for responsible travel before you book, before you travel, whilst on holiday and when you get back...
before you book your holiday
Choose a responsible operator
Ask to see the tour operator's policy for responsible tourism. All responsible travel companies should have one. Make sure it explains how they minimise environmental impacts and support the local economy.
Ask your hotel/accommodation to see if they really are eco aware!
Reduce your carbon emissions
We believe you should reduce the amount you fly, rather than flying the same as before and offsetting.
Simple ways to do this -
Take fewer and longer holidays
Take some holidays closer to home
Travel by train and public transport where possible
Book direct flights avoiding transfers
Use public transport in destinations where possible
When you fly, make it count
When you do fly, make it count by booking a responsible holiday that increases benefits to local communities and environments
before you travel
Read up on local cultures and learn a few words of the local language - travelling with respect earns you respect
Remove all excess packaging - waste disposal is difficult in remote places and developing countries
Ask your tour operator for specific tips for responsible travel in your destination
Ask your tour operator/hotel if there are useful gifts that you could pack for your hosts, local people or schools
Ask your tour operator whether there are local conservation or social projects that you could visit on your trip, and if/how you could help support them
while on holiday
Buy local produce in preference to imported goods
Hire a local guide - you'll discover more about local culture and lives, and they will earn an income
Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artefacts
Respect local cultures, traditions and holy places - if in doubt ask advice or don't visit
Use public transport, hire a bike or walk when convenient - its a great way to meet local people on their terms and reduce pollution and carbon emissions
Use water sparingly - its very precious in many countries and tourists tend to use far more than local people
Remember that local people have different ways of thinking and concepts of time, this just makes them different not wrong - cultivate the habit of asking questions (rather than the Western habit of knowing the answers).
when you get back
Write to your tour operator or hotel with any comments or feedback about your holiday, and especially include any suggestions on reducing environmental impacts and increasing benefits to local communities. You will find reviews from travellers on our website.
If you've promised to send pictures or gifts to local people remember to do so, many are promised and not all arrive!
Why not donate to a local project in the area you’ve visited? Take a look at our travel pledge community and environmental projects around the world.
Enjoy the memories, reflect on your experience and start planning your next trip with Inspiring Africa
www.inspiringafrica.com. Email tours@inspiringafrica.com
When we visit beautiful places it's natural to want our holidays to have a positive impact on local people and their environments.
Responsible travel is about more authentic holiday experiences that enable you to get a little bit more out of your travels, and give a little bit more back to destinations and local people. All holidays have positive and negative impacts locally.
Responsible travel maximizes the benefits, and minimizes the negative effects of tourism.
Below you can find our tips for responsible travel before you book, before you travel, whilst on holiday and when you get back...
before you book your holiday
Choose a responsible operator
Ask to see the tour operator's policy for responsible tourism. All responsible travel companies should have one. Make sure it explains how they minimise environmental impacts and support the local economy.
Ask your hotel/accommodation to see if they really are eco aware!
Reduce your carbon emissions
We believe you should reduce the amount you fly, rather than flying the same as before and offsetting.
Simple ways to do this -
Take fewer and longer holidays
Take some holidays closer to home
Travel by train and public transport where possible
Book direct flights avoiding transfers
Use public transport in destinations where possible
When you fly, make it count
When you do fly, make it count by booking a responsible holiday that increases benefits to local communities and environments
before you travel
Read up on local cultures and learn a few words of the local language - travelling with respect earns you respect
Remove all excess packaging - waste disposal is difficult in remote places and developing countries
Ask your tour operator for specific tips for responsible travel in your destination
Ask your tour operator/hotel if there are useful gifts that you could pack for your hosts, local people or schools
Ask your tour operator whether there are local conservation or social projects that you could visit on your trip, and if/how you could help support them
while on holiday
Buy local produce in preference to imported goods
Hire a local guide - you'll discover more about local culture and lives, and they will earn an income
Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artefacts
Respect local cultures, traditions and holy places - if in doubt ask advice or don't visit
Use public transport, hire a bike or walk when convenient - its a great way to meet local people on their terms and reduce pollution and carbon emissions
Use water sparingly - its very precious in many countries and tourists tend to use far more than local people
Remember that local people have different ways of thinking and concepts of time, this just makes them different not wrong - cultivate the habit of asking questions (rather than the Western habit of knowing the answers).
when you get back
Write to your tour operator or hotel with any comments or feedback about your holiday, and especially include any suggestions on reducing environmental impacts and increasing benefits to local communities. You will find reviews from travellers on our website.
If you've promised to send pictures or gifts to local people remember to do so, many are promised and not all arrive!
Why not donate to a local project in the area you’ve visited? Take a look at our travel pledge community and environmental projects around the world.
Enjoy the memories, reflect on your experience and start planning your next trip with Inspiring Africa
www.inspiringafrica.com. Email tours@inspiringafrica.com