Intro
This blog will discuss tips on how to be a respectful traveler. Read this blog before your next trip to learn how to do so. Being a respectful traveler is more than just respecting the people you interact with. It is also about respecting other cultures, the environment, and societies.
Some ways to be respectful include: leaving no trace when traveling, supporting local economies, being kind to people you meet when traveling, and being open to new cultures even if it is unfamiliar to you.
Tip 1: Leave No Trace
The first tip to be a respectful traveler is to Leave No Trace. If you are a hiker, or enjoy the outdoors, you have probably heard the term “Leave No Trace” before. This term refers to leaving the outdoors and wherever you go as you found it. You may have also heard the sayings “leave nothing but footprints” or “take nothing but photographs” which are also referring to leaving no trace. Whether you are hiking, camping, biking, going on walks, or traveling, it is necessary to leave no trace and be respectful of the environment and places you travel to.
Leave no trace has 7 main principles which are: Plan Ahead & Prepare, Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces, Dispose of Waste Properly, Leave What you Find, Minimize Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife, Be Considerate of Others.
Plan Ahead & Prepare
Planning before your trip can help prepare you better for your trips. This allows you to know what to expect, where you are allowed to camp, where the trail is, and what to bring. Being prepared can help you reduce your waste and keeping an area clean.
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
Traveling, hiking, and camping on durable surfaces is extremely important because it helps to protect vulnerable landscapes and ecosystems. It is always important to follow signs. Signs outdoors tell you if the landscape is fragile, if an area is closed for restoration, if you are allowed to camp there and so much more.
Dispose of Waste Properly
This one is super important when hiking and camping, but also important when traveling. If you have to go to the bathroom outdoors, know how to properly dispose of your waste. Some ways to do this is by packing out your waste or digging a hole 6”-8” deep and fully covering the hole with dirt to hide your waste. Covering it helps to protect the cost stem and stops any waste from getting into waterways. Additionally, anything you bring with you, make sure to pack out including fruit peels, nut shells, and so much more.
Leave What you Find
This is a good reminder to not take anything in nature when traveling, hiking, or camping. This can disturb the ecosystem or disrupt food chains depending what you take. Additionally, make sure not to carve on trees or graffiti in any way in nature.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Minimizing campfire impacts are important because they can be detrimental to an environment or ecosystem. Think before burning or starting a campfire while camping or hiking. First, look if there is a fire ban, then make sure the weather is suitable for fires i.e. no high winds, and also make sure to make a fire in a designated area if permitted. Don’t forget to always put your fire out completely before leaving the site or going to sleep to minimize the risk of fire spreading.
Respect Wildlife
This one is extremely important and seems obvious, but unfortunately, it is not. Respect animals in the wild, leave them alone, keep a safe distance, and always remember that when you are in the outdoors, you are in their home. Additionally, remember that animals are always around even if you don’t see them. Be prepared for any type of animal interaction.
Be Considerate of Others
Another one that may seem obvious. It is so important to be considerate of other people and respect their homes and cultures. Also, when you are in outdoor spaces or public spaces, be aware of your noise level, your surroundings, and act in an appropriate manner. When traveling somewhere with a different culture to what you are familiar with, or different social norms, it is important to be respectful.
Tip 2: Support Local Economies
Supporting local economies, and locals in general, is a great way to be a respectful traveler because this is helping you immerse yourself in another culture and society, helps you to support the people living in that space, and helps you increase the economy of a place by keeping it circulating.
Tip 3: Be Kind to Other People
I touched on this when saying to be considerate of others, however, I can’t stress this enough. Be kind to people abroad, and just in general, but it is extra important when traveling somewhere new. New cultures, new social norms, and new ways of lives can be different or even ‘strange’ to you but that doesn’t mean it is wrong, so it is important to be kind to people regarding their differences. Politeness also breaks the language barriers, smile, use manners, and just be polite to people you may come across when traveling.
Tip 4: Be Open to New Cultures
When traveling, you will often come across many different cultures that you may have never experienced before. Different cultures can have different social norms, lifestyles, traditions, religions, clothing, languages, and foods. It is important when you experience these new cultures not to disrespect them by being rude, not being open to trying new things, conform as much as you can when appropriate, and not look down on their traditions or lifestyles. Some places have strict religious traditions which may include the way people dress in that place, so it is important when visiting to make sure to dress appropriately when visiting that place. Some people may also be disrespected when you turn down food or drink offers, so be open to trying new foods, and immersing yourself in new cultures. This can be difficult when you have dietary restrictions, like myself, so just remember to be polite if you turn food down.
