With travellers still feeling the effects and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of travelling responsibly has never been greater.
Planning a responsible trip, however, requires thorough research—and it remains particularly challenging to find information on responsible tourism in remote destinations and developing countries. Therefore, it is wise to engage with an operator who can navigate these complexities.
Editor’s note: please check local travel restrictions and business opening hours before planning your trip and always follow government health advice.
“By travelling with a tour operator that is genuinely committed to operating responsibly, the fundamentals of supporting local communities and limiting your environmental footprint will have already been built into your trip,” explains James Thornton, CEO of a small-group tour company noted for its responsible tourism strategies.
If you prefer independent travel, you will still likely engage with operators for short excursions along the way. Here’s how to ensure that the companies you choose minimize your impact on the destinations you visit.
What does it mean to travel responsibly?
“Travelling responsibly is about demonstrating respect for the people, culture, and environment you’re visiting,” states Thornton. Responsible travel helps to fund environmental and cultural conservation, providing locals with a reason to preserve their heritage.
“When you take a responsible holiday, you ensure that your expenditures benefit the local community,” adds Justin Francis, CEO of a UK-based company that sells tours from specialized operators worldwide. “This might mean staying in family-owned lodges instead of multinational chains, discovering local eateries celebrating local cuisine, or going kayaking with a local guide.”
Is responsible travel possible everywhere?
While it’s widely accepted that travelling to countries your government forbids (typically for safety reasons) is not responsible—due in part to the strain it can put on local services—it is still possible to travel responsibly to places with poor ethical records, as most professionals in responsible travel assert.
“Travelling responsibly is less about the destination and more about what you do when you arrive,” states Francis. “It’s possible to travel in an extremely damaging way in countries with even the greatest commitments to human rights and the environment.”
Adrienne Lee, Director of Development at a well-known non-profit organization, concurs. “By experiencing various places and cultures in the most responsible way possible, travellers can become advocates for maintaining and improving our world when they return home,” she explains. “Responsible travel operators are key in connecting travellers to business owners who create job opportunities at the grassroots level.”
Responsible travel vs sustainable tourism
The distinction between these terms is often debated. Some experts assert that responsible travel encompasses more than the World Tourism Organization’s definition of sustainable tourism, ensuring that tourism addresses the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities while also investing in future sustainability. In essence, a responsible company should already operate sustainably.
Identifying responsible travel operators
In recent years, many operators have revamped their offerings to emphasize responsibility. Checking an operator’s website for a responsible travel or sustainable tourism policy is one of the most straightforward ways to evaluate their credibility.
These policies typically align with the World Tourism Organization’s principles and often incorporate additional initiatives based on the operator’s or third-party research. For instance, after removing elephant rides from its tours, one operator has taken significant steps to ensure the safety of vulnerable children in visited communities.
“We want to create the best experiences for our travellers while ensuring positive impacts on the places we visit,” explains Thornton. “Instead of including visits to schools or orphanages—which pose risks to children—we focus on dining and shopping at social enterprise restaurants and stores, with earnings that fund programs to keep families together.”
Sustainable tourism certification is gaining traction. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) approves various certification bodies to recognize highly sustainable operators. Travellers can identify certified tour operators and accommodations by seeking out the GSTC logo.
Nonetheless, not all organizations can afford the necessary improvements to qualify for certification. Randy Durband, CEO of the GSTC, advises consumers not to overlook operators that are committed to sustainability and transparently share their strengths and weaknesses.
Responsible tour aggregators are also emerging. The world’s largest aggregator carefully evaluates the tours it offers against strict criteria, while smaller companies curate bespoke itineraries using vetted responsible travel operators.
Common responsible travel practices
Several key practices employed by responsible travel operators include:
- Avoiding the use of wild animals for entertainment—such as riding elephants, walking with lions, or swimming with captive dolphins—in favor of low-impact wildlife experiences.
- Ensuring cultural visits primarily benefit local communities while providing value to visitors.
- Avoiding interactions with vulnerable children and practices that promote begging and child labor, instead prioritizing sustainable community tourism that protects children and supports families.
- Partnering with local providers rather than large hotel chains for accommodations.
- Prioritizing local produce and cultural traditions in dining experiences.
- Employing local guides who are well-trained and fairly compensated for their services.
- Implementing measures to minimize environmental impact, offering reusable alternatives to single-use plastics.
- Giving back to the destinations visited, such as supporting local schools or renewable energy initiatives.
Beware of greenwashing
Many travel operators worldwide (especially in developing regions) market themselves as responsible or sustainable without the backing to substantiate such claims. When in doubt, it is prudent to ask questions.
“Inquire whether they have a written responsible tourism policy—if not in writing, it likely isn’t taken seriously,” advises Francis. “You can also ask how they quantify their contributions to local conservation efforts, which charities they collaborate with, and details of the operations at the hotels and guesthouses involved.”
Tourist attractions should also be scrutinized; be cautious of companies that label themselves as “sanctuaries” or promote “ecotours” conflicting with the responsible travel principles discussed herein.
Taking personal responsibility
Travelling responsibly extends beyond selecting a responsible operator.
“Everyone plays a part in becoming the best traveller they can be,” asserts Lee. “Researching local customs before departure, packing to lessen your environmental impact, engaging with local communities during your travels, and avoiding single-use plastics make a significant difference.”
This article was first published July 2018 and was last updated September 2020.
This article was first published Jul 16, 2018 and updated Sep 9, 2020.
