We often forget that our holidays are spent in other people’s homes and sometimes give little thought to the impact we will have on our holiday destination, its people, culture, economy and environment. Here are some ways to ensure the destination, as a whole, benefits from your visit.
Create an instant smile – Chat with the local people and try to speak their language. You’re sure to get an instant smile and a laugh to seal those memories.
It’s not an exam – If you read up on the places you intend to visit, your experience will be enhanced, but your guidebook is just a guide. To truly experience a place, go off the beaten path. You”ll be glad you did
Slow Down – Our hurried concept of time is not the same in other cultures and local people’s thought patterns differ from your own. Challenge yourself and do like the local people do, just for a day
Create win/win situations – Bargaining is expected in many cultures and we all enjoy the haggling with a smile and a laugh, but it’s easy to carried away trying to find the best deal. Keep it in perspective and remind yourself that small amounts of money to us could equal the cost of an entire family’s meal that night
How big is your ecological footprint? – How heavily to you ‘tread’ on your holiday? Natural resources are precious and the size of your ecological footprint will have an impact. Re-use water bottles, don’t buy wildlife products, turn off lights and air conditioners and think about your waste disposal.
Go local – Buy from local markets and roadside vendors. This keeps money in the local economy and helps local people keep their jobs.
Giving back – Giving gifts and money unfortunately encourages begging. Instead, find a project to support or volunteer your time. This will have a more positive and long lasting impact on both you and them
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