How to Practice Responsible Tourism

Visiting mother nature’s finest beauties such as the biodiversity of Costa Rica, Iceland’s hot springs, and the Scottish Highlands are experiences that are likely to stay with us for a lifetime, just as our impacts on the places we visit do as well—both positively and negatively. That’s why it’s important for travelers to take responsibility for their actions while traveling and vow to respect and positively impact destinations. Here’s how to practice responsible tourism.

What is responsible tourism?

Responsible tourism can be defined simply as “making better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit." It’s a collective effort from businesses, airlines, travel agencies, hotels, governments, tourists, and the community.

This simple definition known as the Cape Town Declaration was decided in 2002 in Cape Town alongside the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

The Cape Town Declaration recognizes that responsible tourism takes on various forms.

Responsible tourism:

• Minimizes negative economic, environmental, and social impacts.
• Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being its communities.
• Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.
• Provides more localized experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local customs and environmental issues.
• Provides access for people with disabilities and the disadvantaged.
• Is culturally sensitive and thrives to create respect between tourists and hosts while building local pride and confidence.

Why is responsible tourism important?

Responsible tourism is a way to respect both the planet and its inhabitants while traveling. It’s essential for keeping our planet clean and healthy while creating both a livable and touristic experience for communities and visitors. It’s a way to be part of the solution of saving and caring for our planet.

Additionally, as more attention is being brought to the current state of our planet, there has been a lot of call to action at many tourism agencies to change their habits and strive for more responsible tourism.

The Future of Tourism Coalition shares a global mission to tourism: place destination needs at the center of tourism’s new future. The tourism industry now has an uncertain future due to the impact of coronavirus across the globe. However, this means it’s the perfect time to act towards a more sustainable future for the travel industry.

The Future of Tourism identifies 13 guiding principles towards creating a better future for tourism, the planet, and communities as a whole.

We at Planet Conservation Travel are dedicated to creating a sustainable future for the travel industry. That’s why we offer tours that are volunteer-based, environmentally friendly, and culturally focused so that travelers can learn more about themselves, our planet, and cultures along the way.

How can I practice responsible tourism?

Here are some best ways to get begin your journey towards being a responsible tourist.

Practice slow travel by staying extra nights

Slow travel is a great way to practice responsible tourism. It’s the idea of taking your time and not running through a destination as quickly as possible.

For example, instead of spending a week visiting Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, Pacific Coast, and northern areas like Monteverde and La Fortuna, focus on one or two areas. It will allow you to have a more fulfilling experience as you make stronger connections with the community, familiarize yourself with the area, and just generally move at a slower, more local-like pace.

It’s likely to feel more meaningful for yourself as a traveler and it will be more beneficial to communities as well.

Give back to the local economy

This is an important one. Support the local economy of the places you visit by opting for local cafes and shops instead of chains, shopping at farmer’s markets, and booking tours through local agencies rather than major corporations. Build up a community so it can return the favor by giving you the best travel experiences possible.

Get off the beaten path

We all know of destinations like Cancún, Barcelona, and London. But have you heard of off-the-beaten path counterparts like Yelapa, Tossa de Mar, or Chester? Maybe not.

There’s so much more to discover than just the typical touristic destinations. Venture off to discover hidden gems and you’ll likely be delighted by friendly locals, fewer tourists, and the satisfaction of visiting somewhere where less feet have touched down.

But why is this good for responsible tourism? You’re branching out and helping smaller communities grow. You don’t always realize how much your stay at a local hotel, purchases at a boutique, and dinners at small restaurants can benefit communities that don’t receive massive amounts of tourism. You might just have just kept food on the table for a family.

Walk or cycle

Since 72% of tourism’s CO2 emissions are from transportation, reduce your environmental impact by cycling or walking instead of taking taxis, buses, etc. Destinations like Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica are excellent cycling destinations as locals love to get around by bike!

Of course, this isn’t always possible for longer distances and traveling to other countries. But when possible, opt for trains and buses over air travel.

Cut down your plastic waste

It’s estimated that a typical water bottle takes 450 years to decompose. That’s a big impact. Cut down plastic waste such as plastic bottles by bringing a water bottle with a built-in filter or drink tap water in destinations that it’s safe to do so.

There are other ways to cut down plastic waste, check out these ways to cut down plastic while traveling.

Planet Conservation is currently running a Plastic Free Caribbean campaign (Caribe Libre de Plástico) which supports the country’s initiative towards being the first carbon neutral country. Along with this, the campaign is fighting to eliminate single-use plastic in the country while educating the public, hosting beach cleanups, and so much more.

Learn more about the campaign by visiting planetconservation.org.

Clean up after yourself

Did you know that the trail to Mt. Everest is full of litter from hikers? Don’t be that guy by cleaning up after yourself when visiting a destination. Don’t leave plastic wraps laying around and always recycle or compost when able.

Be cautious about attractions with animals

Many tourism attractions around the world from monkeys and snakes in Morocco’s souks to the elephants in Thailand are treated unfairly.

If you want to see animals while traveling, try to see them in their natural habitat or do extensive research on ethical animal sanctuaries and shelters.

In Puerto Viejo, there’s the Jaguar Rescue Center which does tours to see a number of animals like sloths, monkeys, and birds. However, you’re not permitted to hold the animals for photos and all capable animals are rehabilitated and let back out into the wild afterwards.

If you want to get to know Costa Rica’s local wildlife, consider a volunteer holiday with us and enjoy a chance to work closely with sloths, monkeys, birds, and more.

Choose responsible tour agencies

Last but not least, book your trips, tours, and excursions with companies that are dedicated to sustainable, responsible tourism. Planet Conservation Travel has been offering sustainable tours for many years with a focus on supporting local conservation and educational efforts.

Beyond just tours, you can learn about indigenous cultures, volunteer at a local school, learn Spanish from locals, volunteer with animals, go out planting trees, and joining beach clean ups. Planet Conservation Travel is full of fun adventures with a vow towards responsible tourism and volunteer-based experiences.

Interested in volunteering in Costa Rica? It’s a wonderful way to being your responsible tourism journey. Inquire here.