Avoiding a Guilt Trip
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Limit your environmental impact and give something back to the local community |
It is that time of the year when
we are all planning our Summer
holidays. With more of us
travelling abroad than ever
before, and especially to areas
such as Africa, Asia and Latin
America, ethical tourism is
becoming increasingly popular.
The Methodist Relief and
Development Fund (MRDF) is
funding Tourism Concern to set
up a network of advocates to
ensure that our holidays are as
good for people living in tourist
destinations as they are for us.
As part of this project they have
developed some useful advice for
people holidaying overseas.
Firstly, think about the
environmental impact of your
flights; perhaps travel less often
but stay longer once you arrive.
Ask your travel agent about their
responsible tourism policies – if
their answers are not
satisfactory, consider travelling
with another company.
Once on holiday, try to be
aware of local customs and
cultures. After all, it may be your
holiday, but it is someone else’s
home. Do be adventurous –
talking to the locals will offer new
opportunities that aren’t in any
guidebooks.
Think about putting something
back into the local community.
You might be tempted to give to
begging children but a donation
to a local project, or an
international agency such as
MRDF, is more likely to ensure
that your money is well spent in
the long term. When you are
shopping, try to put money into
local hands so that people in the
area will benefit from your stay,
for example by booking activities
locally.
Above all, as you flick through
the travel brochures dreaming of
sun, sea and relaxation, consider
how your trip can benefit rather
than burden those whose
countries you will be visiting.
MORE INFORMATION
Tourist Concern’s website is at
www.tourismconcern.org.uk.
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