6 Tips to be a Responsible Traveler

Traveling nowadays is so easy. You can move around the world on a budget. Visit places that people never dreamed of seeing 100 years ago. The less positive side of all this is that when we travel we tend to  damage the environment and the places we visit. Of course, it's not all our fault. But it is in part it is. Many of the small choices we make as travelers can be unsustainable if we start adding them together. So how do you travel in a more respectful way for the environment, places and people? Here are 6 tips to become a more sustainable traveler .

1. Avoid the plane

Of all the travel habits potentially harmful to the environment, the plane is by far the worst . Obviously, there are times when the plane is indispensable. For example, we cannot expect to arrive by boat in Japan. But whenever you decide to travel to Europe, first consult the national trains . There are a lot of efficient and cheap rail services. This way you will reduce your CO2 footprint,  enjoying breathtaking scenery from the train window.

2. Become a slow traveler 

I travel slow  are becoming increasingly popular . More and more people decide not to take the plane and to move in a more authentic and sustainable way. The ease with which we can travel the world by jumping from one continent to another, between airports and hotels, has made the idea of ​​travel less adventurous and interesting. Here then comes the idea of slow travel , by bus, train, bicycle or even on foot. Traveling slowly you can get to know the places more deeply, live unforgettable and authentic adventures.

3.  Reduce waste

When you travel, you can produce a lot of waste. The ways to minimize the garbage that we produce  are different, from avoiding packaging, to rejecting disposable plastic bottles, with a water bottle. “ When a traveler brings a plastic bottle or other recyclable material with him, he thinks he has alleviated the problem of waste. But it may not have considered whether there is infrastructure to handle proper recycling in the destination, ”warns Judith Handsworth, writer of PaperFellows and OxEssays. The advice is therefore to avoid everything that is disposable , do not throw waste or waste food.

4. Respect the animals

When you travel to foreign lands, you will often be offered the opportunity to meet exotic animals . However, it is important to consider that travelers can have a bigger impact than you imagine on these animals. Do not disturb their natural habitats, do not buy souvenirs or products containing parts of animals, such as fur or ivory, and do not give food to wild animals. It can be very harmful for species to have external influences on their habitat.

5. Preferisci servizi e prodotti locali

The money a country makes from tourism can be very valuable, but it can also be easily subtracted from multinationals. " It is quite common for manipulative and powerful external forces to conquer areas that attract tourists, absorbing profits and taking them out of local communities, " notes sustainability expert Charles Lecter of AustralianHelp and Academized. For this you must actively seek out the real local suppliers and make sure that the positive influence of your contribution can be perceived by the locals.

6. Conosci le persone del luogo

The best way to know how to have a more positive impact on the environment and the local community you have traveled to is to get your information directly from the source. Talk to the locals , try to understand their needs and their points of view. Let their words guide you to be a more sustainable visitor .