How to Be a Responsible Tourist in Every City You Visit
The expression ‘when in Rome, act like the Romans’ applies heavily when you travel. And not just to Rome but everywhere. It’s easy to forget that while you’re on vacation and taking a break, others are not. They are going about their regular daily lives and so your vacation should not hinder others from living fully or going about their businesses smoothly.
Here are six practical ways to improve your stay abroad and ensure you remain on the good side of the locals and authorities.
Research your destination
Whether on a group trip or traveling solo, it helps to have some research in your arsenal. All the information you need for a particular destination is just a google click away. So open your app and get some research done. You don’t have to overwhelm yourself with too information but knowing the basics is better than not knowing anything. Ask people who have visited your destination before you for firsthand information too. Research your destination before planning your trip so you know what is expected of you in terms of dressing, tipping, bargaining and public gestures.
Read about the culture and respect it
The farther you move away from your familiar environment, the more different things will be. Understand this as a natural phenomenon and respect it. Don’t do anything that’s prohibited as you’d risk being penalized. Understanding the culture is a significant mark of respect and can make the locals friendlier.
Read signs and adhere to them
If you plan to do a lot of moving around on your own, then you need to do this skillfully as it will save you from accidents and nasty stares. Adhere to the traffic signs and public signs as much as you can. If you’re given tourist handbook, ensure to read it contains information that can come in handy during your stay.
Keep an open mind and your opinions to yourself
When traveling abroad, you could occasionally encounter something that doesn't quite fit your tastes, either in a restaurant or at the market. And that's good, but you probably don't need to say it out loud. Enjoy the fact that you are in a foreign country with a different culture instead.
Learn some common phrases in the local language
To avoid awkward situations, learn some common phrases in the local language. This will require some effort on your part but it will make a difference in your travel experience. Phrases like hello, how are you, how much, thank you, will help you communicate effectively with the locals and reduce your gesturing and pointing. You can also use a translator app to guide you through.
Support the local community by dining out and buying souvenirs
You didn’t travel halfway across the world to visit Starbucks or KFC. Valuing the local foods, arts, crafts and customs often shows an appreciation for the place you're visiting, altogether improving your travel experience.
As you’ve already thought, being a responsible tourist takes effort but it’s all worth it and put you a step closer to making the world a better place. Apply these tips on your next trip and rate your experience afterwards. Our trips for 2023 are open. Explore our full destination list here.
