Responsible tourism

Responsible tourism is a travel philosophy that emphasizes minimizing negative impacts on the environment, culture, and local communities.

There are various ways travelers can practice responsible tourism.

• Choose locally-owned accommodations, restaurants, and shops to contribute directly to the local economy; 
• Learn about and adhere to local customs, traditions, and dress codes;
• Avoid single-use plastics, recycle when possible, and properly dispose of waste;
• Visit less crowded destinations or travel during off-peak seasons to reduce strain on popular tourist spots; and
• Avoid activities that exploit animals, like riding elephants or visiting unaccredited zoos.

Responsible tourism is closely related to ecotourism and sustainable tourism, and they all share a common goal of minimizing travel’s negative impacts on the environment, culture, and local communities.