Becoming a Better Traveller

Dr. David Ermen is a passionate tourism consultant, speaker, and trainer based in New Zealand. He guides destinations and businesses along their sustainability journey and helps them develop strategies and act on them. In the first of a series of regular features, David shares a practical guide on how to become a better traveller.

Travel has bounced back much faster than anyone predicted as the world continues to recover from the global pandemic. This is great news for destinations and communities that depend on tourism. Unfortunately, the past challenges of tourism are also returning. Some communities realised that having fewer visitors was actually quite pleasant and are now looking to find better models – balancing their economic needs with social cohesion and environmental and cultural protection.

Travellers play an important role in this dynamic and can help to reduce negative social and environmental impacts while ensuring communities benefit from our visit. Here are four ways that all of us can help destinations to build back better by making more responsible travel choices.

1. Travel to less crowded destinations

Choosing less crowded destinations is a great way to connect more deeply with the destination and improve your impact while travelling. You can avoid the crowds by stepping off the beaten path or by travelling outside the peak season. This will give you a more authentic and peaceful experience and reduce the strain on the local operators, making it a more pleasant exchange for everyone. Remember that you are part of the crowd when you are in a crowded place. Choosing the path less travelled is a win for you, your fellow travellers, and the host communities.

2. Support local businesses

When you travel, supporting local businesses can positively impact the environment and the local community. Environmentally, you help reduce your travel’s carbon footprint, as locally grown or produced items and services have a shorter supply chain. Additionally, supporting local businesses helps to support the local economy – both through the direct tourism dollars, the local suppliers they support, and the people they employ. The more of your spending that stays in the local economy, the fewer visitors the destination needs to welcome to achieve its economic tourism goals.

Markets in Hoi An, Vietnam

3. Choose responsible operators

When booking accommodations or tourism experiences, look for operators that are taking positive and responsible actions within their communities. Initiatives can include eco-friendly practices, support for social or community projects, or protection of local culture and heritage sites. By choosing operators that make a positive impact, you embolden them and strengthen their business case for responsible and sustainable actions. If you are worried about greenwashing, sustainability certifications can help you identify serious operators.

4. Respect local cultures and traditions

Wherever we travel, it’s important to be respectful of local cultures and traditions. This means avoiding behaviours that might be offensive or disrespectful, such as taking inappropriate photographs or engaging in culturally inappropriate activities. Respecting local cultures and traditions helps preserve the destination’s social and cultural heritage while promoting intercultural understanding and respect. This ensures that the destination remains a great place to live and that the local community will want to continue to welcome visitors.

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

So as you plan your next trip, remember that you have an important role to play in creating more sustainable tourism destinations. Your choices directly affect the lasting impact of tourism on the destination – for better or worse. By choosing less crowded destinations, supporting local businesses, choosing responsible operators, and respecting local cultures and traditions, you can reduce the negative impact of tourism on the environment and the local community while also having a more authentic and meaningful travel experience. That sounds like a win f or everyone.

Hoi An, Vietnam