Respecting boundaries: ethical tourism practices

The ethics surrounding travel and tourism are complex and nuanced, and it’s impossible to get it right 100% of the time. As a company, we strive to make ethical choices on every level, but we are bound to miss the mark sometimes. The same goes for individual travelers. Making ethical tourism choices will always be a work in progress. Figuring out how to make these choices will remain open to interpretation and debate.

Having spent many hours researching and discussing where we stand on tourism ethics, we honestly believe that ethical travel is achievable. Travel done well can benefit individuals, communities, wildlife and the world. We don’t claim to get it right every time, but we try. In this article, we’ve put together some advice, guidelines and food for thought on some of the pertinent issues around ethical travel. We hope you continue the conversation with your travel companions, friends and family.

Animal welfare and ethical encounters with wildlife

When it comes to animal welfare, we steer clear of any tours or experiences where the traveler can touch or interact with an animal. If a wild animal’s natural behavior is altered as part of a tourism offering, alarm bells ring. Things like elephant rides or getting too close to wild animals in their natural habitats are firmly no-go areas.

Encounters with wild animals must be respectful and take the form of subtle observation from a distance. Seeing the amazing creatures of our planet is a huge part of travel, and nothing beats the thrill of observing wild elephants on the African savannah, gliding over a busy reef or peeping at primates between the jungle trees. In these instances, we seek out and are steered by passionate naturalist guides who have the best interests of the wildlife and their habitats at heart. If you’re not sure, ask questions. If something feels off, listen to your gut.

Respect for local cultures

When we travel, we are a guest in someone else’s home. As such, we need to be flexible and adapt to different ways of doing things, alternative priorities and unfamiliar house rules. The key here is research. Take some time to find out more about the country you are visiting, their religion, language and customs. Respecting a local culture sometimes looks like removing your shoes and covering your arms to enter a religious building, or it could be learning a few words of the local language so that you can greet people politely. But it is always in your attitude. Showing interest and asking questions about cultural practices shows respect and cultivates connection.

Your travel destination choices

It’s not just about how you travel, but also where you travel. It’s well-documented that many destinations around the world are suffering the effects of over-tourism. Too many visitors to a destination put stress on services and infrastructure and can price out locals from their home communities or make it uncomfortable for them to live there. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t visit at all, but consider traveling in the low season or opting for somewhere similar nearby that doesn’t get the same level of footfall. You’ll likely feel much more welcome and enjoy a more authentic experience.

Indigenous interactions

Interacting with indigenous people and communities can be a positive and culturally enriching experience. Meeting the locals in any given destination will give you a deeper insight into a place and its culture. However, respect and consideration for the place and its people are paramount. Indigenous communities should lead the interaction and be comfortable and engaged in the process. When an interaction is mediated through a tour operator, the indigenous communities must be active partners, benefiting from it economically and socially. If interactions are reduced to simply standing for pictures in traditional dress, then it could border on exploitative and is almost certainly inauthentic. As always, take an honest look at the situation, and if it doesn’t feel right, act on that instinct.

Shop local: support small businesses and ethical wages

Where you choose to spend your cash has an immediate impact on those around you. Opting to stay in locally-owned hotels rather than large chains supports the community you are in rather than an international company. Buy your coffee from a local vendor instead of a chain café, look beyond the in-your-face restaurants to seek out a hidden gem, and find a local guide to show you around rather than a large tour company. By thinking about your spending choices and supporting small, independent businesses, you’ll make a real difference to local communities, families and individuals.

Ethical dining practices

Ethical tourism applies to consumption on every level, so our dining choices are very much a part of it. Many of us practice sustainable eating habits at home but might take a little ‘time off’ from this continuousness when we travel. However, if we want to up our ethical traveler credentials, our eating and drinking choices can be a straightforward and tangible win.

Some simple changes when you travel are to take a refillable water bottle (with a water purifier kit, depending on your destination), reusable hot drink cups and reusable shopping bags. Coffee cups, plastic bottles and bags are some of the worst culprits for pollution and littering, so this practice should be an ethical travel staple.

One of the worst places for single-use plastics when you travel is on the airplane. Some airlines are working on improving this, so if it’s a priority for you, seek out these companies and spend with them. Once you’re in a destination, similar guidelines to those you follow at home work well, such as eating less meat, choosing local and seasonal produce, and if you’re eating street food, buying from vendors with reusable or biodegradable packaging – you could even pack a reusable food box and cutlery.

Practice ethical tourism by volunteering with organizations

At first glance, volunteering your time and energy to help those in need might seem ethically unambiguous. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Most volunteering opportunities overseas involve a monetary contribution from the participant, and this leaves the door open for unscrupulous practices. Sadly, there have been instances of orphanages being set up in popular areas when there may not be a need for them, and for conditions to be kept at a low standard to garner further donations or funding. Working with vulnerable children is a particularly problematic area when it comes to volunteering overseas and should be approached with real caution. The same goes for animal charities that may use dubious practices to gain monetary benefit.

There are, of course, many charities and organizations doing brilliant and much-needed work around the world. If you are considering volunteering, the best thing to do is research, ask lots of questions about the organization, and request to be put in touch with past volunteers. You could also talk to our local experts to help find the right match for you and your skills.

Make it happen

Explore more insights and ideas on how to travel ethically, and as you seek to plan your next trip, reach out to our local partners for advice on ethical tourism practices in your chosen destination.