| Responsible travel is a new way of travelling | | | | religions and make sure you respect the local |
| moving away from the mass tourism. Responsible | | | | sensibilities. You will find that the local people will |
| travel means respecting and benefiting the local | | | | very much respect the fact that you make the |
| people and environment at your destination. It is | | | | effort to understand and respect their traditions. |
| about minimising your impact on the local culture | | | | Asia is overflowing with customs and little |
| and environment and maximising your connection | | | | etiquettes. It is very important to try and adhere |
| with the local people and environment. It is about | | | | to these. Not only will local people feel respected, |
| making a positive contribution during your trip and | | | | they will respect you in return, allowing you a |
| having the most rewarding and inspiring travel | | | | fuller experience. After all you are a visitor in their |
| experiences of your life. | | | | country. |
| Responsible tourism can be defined as travel that | | | | When you are travelling try to travel |
| takes into consideration the the following issues. | | | | independently instead of in large group tours. This |
| Environment: Responsible travel is travel that | | | | will result in low impact, helping to sustain the local |
| minimises the negative environmental impact and | | | | culture and environment. It will also enable you to |
| makes a positive contribution to the conservation | | | | have a much more meaningful travel experience |
| of the natural and human heritage. | | | | as you will get much more opportunities to meet |
| Cultural: Responsible travel is travel that respects | | | | the locals and see more of the country off the |
| the local culture and traditions and promotes a | | | | beaten track. |
| greater understanding between travellers and the | | | | Always ask before taking a photo of anyone in |
| locals. | | | | Asia. Pointing at your camera with raised |
| Economic: Responsible travel is travel that has | | | | eyebrows will usually suffice. Respect their wishes |
| financial benefits for the local community and | | | | if they decline your very kind offer. |
| operates on the principles of fair trade. | | | | Try and learn a little of the local language. Even |
| This kind of travel is very popular in Asia. There | | | | just some basic greetings and thank you. You will |
| are a lot of opportunities to join an eco tour and | | | | find that people respond very well to this. This will |
| engage yourself in eco tourism in Asia. China, | | | | give you the chance to talk to the locals even if it |
| Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam are just some of | | | | just to say hello or thank you. |
| the wonderful destinations on offer in Asia. | | | | Visitors to religious and historic sites should pay |
| Travelling around Asia has become very easy and | | | | particular attention to the following: be sure to |
| cheap with many low cost airlines connecting you | | | | dress appropriately and follow local guidelines, be |
| between many destinations around Asia. Also Asia | | | | mindful of your manners and local etiquette and |
| is a very cheap travel destination so you will get | | | | never remove anything from religious or historical |
| a lot more for your money. | | | | sites. |
| Responsible tourism starts before you even set | | | | Responsible travel in Asia is an amazing |
| off on your travels. Research your destination | | | | experience that will last for many years to come. |
| before you leave. Find out about the culture or | | | | |