When on your gap year or backpacking adventure it’s important to make sure that your travels impact positively on the world.
In this current climate we all have to ensure that we travel responsibly and to think about how our travel has social, ethical and environmental implications.
Even on volunteering gap years where our aim is to help, we still need to be aware of the impact we have.
So, here are out top tips on how to be a responsible traveller.
1. Research travel companies
If you choose to go on a trip with a company that organises everything for you, make sure you research to find out what their ethical and environmental policies are or if they have any. Many of these companies charge thousands of pounds so don’t be afraid to ask where your money is going. If most of it will be spent in the country you’ll be going to and it will go directly to the local community, this is far more ethical than volunteering with a company with a company who will spend most of your money on the people sitting behind the desks here in the UK, their new website or new advertising campaigns. View our top rated gap year organisations for our recommendations.
2. Find out what the locals need
If you’re going to volunteer abroad, try to find out before you go what the community actually needs. It may be great that you’re going there to help them build a house or teach in a school, but maybe what they really need are simple things like nails, tape measures and pencils. If you are bringing things for the community try to give them to the people who need them yourself. Often corruption occurs if you give them to someone in charge and the items will be sold for money before they even reach the people who need them the most.
3. Stay at local guesthouses or hostels
It’s better to stay at locally run hostels and guesthouses rather than ones owned by big companies or big chains. This way, your money will go directly to the local people, instead of big corporations. Better still, try and stay and an eco-hostel, where carbon emissions should be less and building materials will be environmentally friendly.
4. Hire local guides
If you’re going on any tours or treks during your gap year make sure that you hire a local guide, this way you make sure that you money stays in the country and goes to the people who need it the most. You will also be providing the locals with jobs and you’ll probably discover more about the local culture and history this way too.
5. Buy local produce
Don’t buy imported goods when you’re abroad, it’s important to support local businesses so in turn they can support themselves. Plus, you’ll be adding to global warming problem by buying products that have large carbon footprints and may have travelled here by plane.
6. Use public transport
It’s more cost efficient and better for the environment. You’ll get to interact with the locals and you’ll probably have some more interesting stories to tell when you get back home!
7. Be respectful of other cultures
Learn about social etiquette in the countries you’ll be visiting and try not offend people. Have a look at our articles on body language and eating etiquette around the world for some tips. Also be aware of what your actions will mean for the local population and culture. For example, the Aboriginal people from Australia don’t like tourists climbing on the famous red Uluru or Ayers Rock, to them this is a sacred and religious place and it is disrespectful to walk on top of it. Research the places you want to visit and think carefully about the impact mass tourism has on a place. Decide if your actions are helping the local population or not.
8. Learn the local language
If you plan to travel somewhere where English isn’t the first language pick up some words and phrases, even if just the basics like hello, please and thank you. You might like to book gap year language courses if you really want to immerse yourself in another country/culture.
9. Think before buying products
For example, check what shampoo , conditioner and sunscreen you use – try to find ones without chemicals than can be harmful to marine life and the environment.
10. Think about waste disposal
Try not to bring too much packaging into countries you’re visiting. Many countries don’t have waste disposal facilities or recycling plants and many people just burn the rubbish in their gardens and reuse what they can. Make sure you leave natural places exactly the way you found them and don’t take anything either.
11. Be aware of your carbon footprint
Consider how your trip may impact the environment and how much you will be flying. Why not do some overland travel instead of flying everywhere? If you do fly long-haul then you should try to offset your miles. You can do this by visiting the government’s website Act On Co2.
12. Don’t give up long-haul travel altogether
Many people are now saying that we should give up long-haul travel because of the impact it has on the environment. While we think that maybe people should fly less, we don’t think that you should give it up altogether. If tourism to some countries dropped significantly or even stopped altogether it would have a devastating effect socially and environmentally. For example, loggers in the Amazon turned to tour guiding when this provided them with a better and more stable income, as well as better working conditions. If tourism to the area stopped completely then these people would have no choice, but to return to logging. Many other people around the world also rely on tourism for their livelihoods.
So, remember to keep these things in mind when planning your gap year. These small changes to your trip could have a big impact on the local people and their country. If we all do our bit, things will begin to change and we can minimise the negative effects of tourism. If you enjoyed this article, view our gap year travel blog for more.