Free Hugs

Will Roth — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:53:31 GMT

Free Hugs in Aruba Feb 14th 2008
All are welcome

Are you a tourist or a traveler?

rebecca carpenter — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:04:36 GMT

We recently talked with the team at ResponsibleTravel.com to answer this and other burning questions about "good travel." Read on for some helpful info about how to be a good traveler...

Q: What is the difference between a "tourist" and a "traveler?"

A: Tourists stick out like sore thumbs (or a sunburnt nose). They are separate from the people and the places that they visit. Tourists are often so determined to record their trip on film, (and occasionally ill-at-ease with local people), that they hide behind their cameras.

Travelers on the other hand immerse themselves in places and cultures. Like the first ever travelers – the pilgrims - there is a reason and a purpose for their trip. They make new friends and laugh and argue about life with local people. The traveler broadens his or her mind, sees their lives through others' eyes, and gains new perspectives. They return home with experiences that have shaped their values. The tourist reinforces their existing preconceptions, gets a tan, and comes home a little poorer.

Q: What is responsible travel?

A: Responsible travel is a new way of traveling for those who've had enough of mass tourism. It's about respecting and benefiting local people and the environment – but it's about far more than that. If you travel for relaxation, fulfilment, discovery, adventure and to learn – rather than simply to tick off 'places and things' – then responsible travel is for you.

Q: What types of things should one look for when they're evaluating different travel options, to ensure they're being "responsible?"

A: There are numerous ways to be responsible in your travels. Here are a few suggestions:

- Look for routes that minimize carbon emissions - travel by train and public transport where possible, and minimize internal flights. There are some great ideas for train travel almost anywhere in the world at Seat61.com.

- Minimize flying time and stopovers - the worst carbon emissions are emitted during take off and landing. For the flights that you cannot avoid, offset your carbon emissions with a reputable organization such as Climate Care. That way the money is invested in carbon reducing initiatives around the world, offsetting the emissions caused by your flight.

- Ask to see the tour operator's policy for responsible tourism. Make sure it explains how they minimize environmental impacts and support the local economy.

Here’s our ten tips to make sure your accommodation is responsible:

1. Ask the lodge owner if they have a written policy regarding the environment and local people. If it’s not written down ('yeah, yeah we do all that stuff ') then it probably means there are not taking it seriously.

2. Ask them to describe the single contribution to conservation or local people that they are most proud of.

3. Ask them how they measure their contribution to conservation and local communities.

4. Ask the lodge owner how many local people they employ, what % this is of the total, and whether any are in management positions.

5. Ask them what they have specifically done to help protect the environment and support conservation, and which local charities they work with.

6. Ask them what percentage of products and services are sourced from within 25km of the lodge.

7. Ask them how they treat waste water (coral and other wildlife is being destroyed by Caribbean hotels pumping effluent out to sea), and how they heat their building (solar is better than firewood, which can cause deforestation)

8. Ask them what information and advice is provided to tourists on local cultures and customs.

9. Ask them if they employ guides from the local community (local guides not only provide unmatched insights into local cultures, but are also aware of areas/behavior that might cause offence among local people.

10. Ask them for ideas on how you might get involved with local people and conservation in a worthwhile and rewarding way for you and the destination.

Q: What are some resources one can use to help them plan and take a responsible travel holiday?

A: ResponsibleTravel.com has over 2,700 responsible holidays in over 150 countries around the world.

You can also check out ClimateCare.org or Seat61.com for more ideas on how to travel responsibly.

Q: What are some of the biggest problems caused by non-responsible travel?

A: There are many impacts of non-responsible travel -- here are some of the biggest:

- Tourist dollars can easily end up in the wrong hands – as a result smaller businesses and local people do not benefit

- The environmental impacts of irresponsible tourism can be great. Look at coral reefs for example. If travelers don’t respect and conserve the environments they visit, then it affects others' visits in the future and the local communities that live there.

Q: What else should I know?

If you're interested in responsible travel, you should check out the "Good Travels" contest Razoo just launched -- it's a chance to win the trip of a lifetime -- anywhere in the world. You can enter now!

Good luck, and good travels!