Introduction

Travel is a huge part of our lives. But as we continue to explore new places and cultures, it’s important to remember that our actions have an impact on the people who live there. One way you can help the next generation of responsible travelers is by encouraging them to make small changes in their everyday lives so they can travel responsibly too. Here are some ways you can do just that:

Try travel with a purpose.

Travel with a purpose. Travelers are often asked to do things they don’t want to do, or that don’t fit within their budget. But there are ways for travelers to make their trips more impactful:

• Be aware of the issues in the destination before you go. If possible, research and find out about them ahead of time so that if something goes wrong while traveling there and it’s not your fault (or if you’re just AWOL), then at least people will know what happened and why! This also helps prevent problems like theft from locals who may want some cash off us while we’re away from home—and no one wants that! Another benefit is knowing how much money goes into fixing up old buildings before they become abandoned structures left behind by previous generations who built them better than us today because they had more economic opportunities back then.”

Opt for sustainable transport and accommodation.

• Opt for sustainable transport and accommodation.

If you are traveling by plane, train or bus, try to select a public transport system that has a good rating on TripAdvisor. If you’re staying in an accommodation without air conditioning or heating, try to find one with good ratings on TripAdvisor. Remember that the key is finding somewhere that looks like it will be environmentally friendly.

Get involved in local life.

• Get involved in community projects. Volunteer with local organizations, or help people in need.
• Learn the local language and culture. It’s important to be able to communicate with people you meet throughout your travels, so learn a few phrases of the language that are spoken in your destination area—this can be as easy as picking up an app on your phone!
• Lend a hand when possible at businesses owned by families who have been there for generations and know how best to serve their customers’ needs (and make good profits).

Find a responsible tour operator.

You can help the next generation of responsible travelers by finding a tour operator that has a strong commitment to responsible travel. This will ensure that your next trip is not only enjoyable, but also protects the environment and conserves natural resources.

Here are some things to look for:

• Accredited by Responsible Travel (e.g., Green Key)
• Members of the International Ecotourism Society

Don’t treat your trip like a photo op.

You’re on a trip to Africa, and you’re taking some amazing photos. You spot an elephant in the distance, so you set up your camera and capture it from every angle. But then there’s another elephant that looks just as majestic—and it happens to be female!

You whip out your phone again and take another selfie with this new creature. The only problem? She wasn’t happy about being photographed; she started walking away from you as soon as she saw what was happening behind her back!

As humans tend to do when faced with anger or displeasure (or both), we quickly moved on from this awkward situation before anyone else could get involved—but not before snapping one more photo: someone who didn’t want anything attached with their name or face included in any photos whatsoever…

Eat local food with a conscience.

Eating local food is one of the best ways to help our planet and support small farmers. The United Nations has declared that eating sustainably grown crops can help reduce global warming by up to 30 percent, so it’s worth considering how you can make a difference in this area.

When you’re at restaurants, ask your server if they know where the ingredients came from and whether they have any suggestions on what menu items are most sustainable. If possible, order off-menu items as well—this can often lead to specials that are even more affordable than those listed on menus!

Avoid single-use plastics.

• Avoid single-use plastics.
• Use reusable water bottles and pitchers.
• Bring your own plates, cups and utensils to restaurants (or ask for them if you’re dining out).

Be mindful of cultural sensitivities and traditions.

While it is certainly important to respect local customs and cultural sensitivities, don’t be afraid to ask questions. The best way for you to learn about the traditions and history of a destination is from locals themselves. Be respectful of their dress code (for women especially), but don’t be afraid to say “no” if it’s something you can’t participate in or won’t fit in with your travel goals.

Finally: Be mindful of your actions and how they might affect others!

Take back memories, not souvenirs.

The next time you’re in a tourist trap, don’t be tempted to buy souvenirs. Instead of buying trinkets and trinket-like things, consider donating your money to an organization that helps children or other vulnerable populations. Here are some examples:

• Save the Children – www.savethechildren.org/our-work/annual-report
• World Vision – www.worldvisionusa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=our_work_annual_report

You can travel responsible and help teach the next generation how to do it too!

• Travel responsibly.
• You can help teach the next generation how to do it too!
• What are some examples of responsible travel practices?
• How can you get involved in helping others learn responsible travel practices?

Conclusion

Travel can be a wonderful thing, but it’s also important to consider the impact of your actions. You don’t have to travel for a year or even just once in your life; you can start small with one trip or one day out of every month. The key is to make sure that each trip is about something positive and meaningful for you and those around you.