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Monday, February 13, 2006

Responsible Travelling Code

I found this here: http://ihome.cuhk.edu.hk/~a014700/responsible_travel.html

Responsible Travelling Code

(adapted and rewritten from various sources on the Web)

Travel

  • Travel to meet the world and for the experience that brings, not to "conquer it."
  • Travel in a spirit of humility and with a genuine desire to meet and share with local people, instead of counting rolls of film shot or calculating miles traveled.
  • Travel with an open mind. Respect local religions and customs.

Learn

  • Learn to observe, think, speak and write in a way that is non-ethnocentric, non-racist and non-sensationalizing.
  • Learn that people in the area you visit often have time concepts and thought patterns different from your own. Not inferior, just different.
  • Learn a little of the local language e.g. greetings and thanks.

Dos

  • Ask permission before photographing people. Should they want a copy of the photograph, do send it.
  • Be environmentally friendly. Use reusable materials when possible. Support local recycling programs.
  • Buy arts and crafts produced by the local community. Use services and stay in lodgings that are owned by a member of the community.

Don'ts

  • Don't buy sacred items or artifacts central to the culture. Don't patronize tourism activities that undermine the local culture or value system.
  • Don't expect any special privileges - you are only one of many tourists who visit.

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