Are you aware of the responsibilities we have as visitors when traveling to a natural area?
As citizens, we have responsibilities as visitors in the places we travel to, just as we do in the places where we live. To varying degrees, it is our responsibility to care for the people, communities, and places around us every day, and when we travel and explore the world, to try to do the same.
I believe most of us want to travel responsibly and leave only a positive impact, though we don't always know where and how to begin. How do we find and support businesses that are committed to providing great experiences, services, and products for tourists, while also caring about the people, the community, and the local environment?
From Explora Natura, we're sharing 6 tips for responsible travel to any natural destination. If you're an ecotourist, be sure to follow them; you'll be benefiting both the environment and the local people.
Do your research before starting your trip
Even before you start your trip, research your options. Where to go, what to see, where to stay, the necessary equipment, and so on. A good first step is to look for organizations dedicated to collaboratively addressing local challenges. For example, find companies that are supporting local projects and tourism agencies with sustainable practices that work with local communities, among many others.
Support local businesses
When you travel with an agency or company, you can choose one that works with local employees. To travel responsibly, you want to ensure your money is staying in and supporting the community. Is the company local? Does it employ local people? Does it source its food and equipment from local businesses? These are questions you should start asking yourself.
In addition, when you want to buy souvenirs or gifts, you can support local artists and shops. Local crafts aren't always more affordable than other souvenirs, but this way you ensure that your contribution to the local economy will have a more direct and positive impact on the area.
Choose companies that create positive impacts and offset negative impacts
Pick it all up
When you have trash or something to recycle, use the bins provided in the park. And that's all!
It is also essential that you do not take any specimens from the area, such as flowers, rocks, etc. If every person/visitor to the park takes something natural, it will change the park and the experience for everyone.
What if we also contribute something?
Besides choosing tour companies, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that support local ideas, you can donate money to organizations that work to mobilize and incorporate sustainability projects.
Some people participate in projects as volunteers.
For those who wish to volunteer their time, there are work camps that serve, for example, to carry out road construction and maintenance projects, as well as conservation initiatives, giving volunteers a unique experience in this world-renowned national park.
You're on vacation, be nice!
Finally, enjoy your time. Talk to other people, both locals and those just passing through—travelers, park rangers, and staff at the various establishments. It's good to share time and conversations with people, and many of them surely know the area really well and can teach you a lot. These moments of conversation with others are great opportunities to understand more about the world—and about other people and cultures. Besides, you never know what invaluable information they might share.
And you, do you take these details into account? In the excursions and end-of-year trips At Explora Natura, which we organize in different areas of Andalusia, we teach children how to behave properly in natural spaces. See you soon.
