Responsible Travel: How To Be A Good Traveller (16 Tips!)
Throughout my travels, I always try my best to be a good traveller! The worst thing for me is to be seen as rude or disrespectful to locals or other travellers! Here is how to be a good traveller:
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How To Be A Good Traveller
Responsible travel is important.
But what does that even mean?
If you’re wondering how to be a good traveller, it’s a lot simpler than you may think.
To keep it short, it’s basically about not being a d*ck when you’re travelling. And it’s not that hard! There are so many simple things that you can do when travelling the world that can minimise your impact and not be type of person that locals or other travellers get annoyed at. Here are 16 of my best tips on how to be a good traveller:
1. Respect The Local Customs
As you’ll discover, each part of the world has different cultures, religions and rules. What might be okay at home might not be okay in Malaysia, for example!
I’m mainly talking about clothing here. Some countries are quite conservative and it is respectful to dress modestly. If you were to run into a mosque with no sleeves, swimmers and thongs (flip-flops if you’re not Aussie or Kiwi) you’d get kicked out, but also offend those who pray there.
2. Be Open & Willing To Learn
If you’re wondering how to be a good traveller, being open & willing to learn should be top priority for you! Travelling, especially long-term and by yourself, is a wonderful thing because you get to see how the locals live and how they go about their day-to-day.
You’ll see things that will blow your mind at how cool and unique they are. Some other things, you might be unsure about. You’ll also get to try new things! Trust me, if you want to become a traveller that is responsible you will reap the benefits if you are open and willing to learn.
3. Don’t Look Down On People
Not everyone thinks about how to be a good traveller, and instead they look down on people. This is SO RUDE. I’ve noticed other travellers outright disrespecting locals for no other reason outside of feeling like they can.
Throughout your travels, you might explore parts of the world that are significantly poorer than where you’re from. Thankfully, most travellers are respectful. However, unfortunately there’s a small percentage of people who visit these countries who assume that because people are poor, they are bad people!
That could not be further from the truth.
Generally speaking, people are good no matter where you go, so if you want to be a good traveller, don’t look down on people!
Side note: if you’re trying to talk to someone who doesn’t speak English, don’t repeat what you said louder and slower. They still won’t understand you and it’s a bit rude!
4. Be Careful With Photography
Running around with your camera taking photos is a lot of fun, and a large reason the travel bug bit me so bad! But please be careful with photography! If you’re like me, I really enjoy taking photos of people. Most people however, don’t like it when you shove your camera two inches away from their face!
It’s uncomfortable and an invasion of privacy! If you would like to take photos that close, ask the person first!
But what if I want to take candid photos? Here’s how you still can:
- Use a long lens so you can shoot from further away
- Asking the person, and then if they say yes, taking photos of what they are doing (it’s not quite candid, but the viewer doesn’t know much better!)
Do this instead, and you’ll get great photos but also be a better traveller!
5. Don’t Go Crazy Over Haggling!
A lot of places in Asia, Africa and Latin America have markets and stalls where haggling is expected!
If you’ve done a bit of looking around, you’ll know that tourists tend to get charged more. But if you’re going to haggle, don’t go crazy over it!
Most of the time, these vendors are struggling and are trying to make an extra dollar or two. Sure, if the price for that necklace is way too high, haggle it down a bit. But, losing your cool over $1 is a bit much and not very mindful as a traveller.
6. Learn A Bit Of The Language
Not everywhere speaks English, mate!
It’s completely fine if you aren’t fluent in Albanian, but try and learn some of the basics.
“Hello!” and “Thanks!” are the two words I learn before arriving in a new country. Not only do I feel good about knowing that tiny bit of their language, but it’s respectful and locals appreciate it!
7. Do Your Research
When I was in school, I went on a big school trip to a few countries in Western Europe with a small group of other students and at the end of the trip – a teacher told me i’d make a good traveller.
Since then, i’d always wondered how to be a good traveller. I mean, what is a good traveller anyway?
I eventually landed on the conclusion that it starts with doing a bit of Googling. I’m a big believer in doing research when i’m travelling. I always look up what the language is, dress codes to tourist attractions i’m visiting and local customs, among other things.
I’ve heard stories of people going to Brazil and they say “thank you” in Spanish to their waiter. That could’ve been avoided if they had done a little bit of research!
Obrigado.
8. Check Your Privilege
I’ve met so many people on my travels, people from every corner of the globe! That being said, if I were to narrow down the nationalities I see time and time again it would be Western countries. Countries that have travel privilege.
Why is this? Two things – money and passport power.
People from countries in the West generally have more money to fund their travels and it is such a privilege for them to do so. Not everywhere has the ability to do this, so count yourself lucky!
The next thing, passport power. As of writing, I, an Aussie, can visit 141 countries without needing any sort of visa to get in. But, some other countries don’t have that luxury. After months and months of applying for visas that get rejected again and again, many people from these countries sadly give up on their dream to travel!
I remember speaking to a guy from Egypt in Poland who told me it took him THREE WHOLE YEARS before his Schengen visa was approved.
If you are curious, you can check VisaGuide to see how many countries you can get into, as well as any other countries.
9. Places Being “Cheap” Shouldn’t Be The Only You’re Visiting
If you’re like me, travelling solo on a budget – you like places that are a bit nicer to your bank account! But it should never be the only reason you are visiting the place.
It may be cheap for you, but that usually means people from these countries are doing it a lot tougher than you are!
You should travel to these places firstly for the food, the culture or the nature. Your purchasing power is a side benefit.
10. Follow The Rules
As I mentioned earlier, not everyone thinks about how to be a good traveller and because of this, people don’t follow the rules. So follow the bloody rules. They are there for a reason!
It is irresponsible and disrespectful to knowingly ignore the rules. Sometimes, this can have horrible consequences. For example, you can find beautiful lakes in Albania that are big tourist destinations. Some, you can swim in but others there are signs you are not allowed!
The reason for this is that it’s actually a source for locals’ drinking water – swimming in it contaminates it.
Even if it looks like everyone is breaking the rules, don’t join in!
11. Be Self-Aware!
Being self-aware should be a point in every single guide on how to be a good traveller!
A lack of self-awareness can be dangerous for you, but actually rude too! Unless you’re in a nightclub, don’t be obnoxiously loud! If you’re wandering the streets with some people you met at the hostel, don’t walk in a wide line of six forcing everyone to walk onto the road to get past!
What i’m saying is that it affects you everywhere. From mingling with locals to your hostel. I even have a guide on hostel etiquette, check it out!
It is key to know what you’re doing no matter where you are, and how it’s impacting others.
12. Support Local Businesses
How to be a good traveller, you ask? Support local businesses! This can be something you do back home too, not only when travelling!
Personally, I love supporting local business when i’m travelling. Unfortunately, in a lot of places – family owned restaurants, shops and hostels have been kicked to the gutter in this new world. Huge multi-national corporations have stolen their business!
As i’m writing this, i’m in Kuala Lumpur – the capital of Malaysia. There are sooooo many delicious places to eat that aren’t McDonald’s. By eating at these places, not only will you help these businesses, but you’ll also have AMAZING FOOD.
This goes for hostels too! I avoid chain hostels like the plague as generally I don’t like the vibe, but they also don’t tend to be owned or run by someone local! I always look out for independent hostels when i’m booking accommodation. You can find out how to choose a hostel in my guide.
13. That Thing Isn’t “Weird”
As we’ve talked about already, there are a lot of things in this world that you don’t get back home! But please, don’t dismiss these things as “weird”!
Sure, eating scorpions might be a bit of a shock to you and you probably won’t like it! It may seem unusual to someone from a country like Australia, but it’s a thing in Thailand! Don’t look back on your visit to Thailand and say that was weird, but appreciate those sorts of things as a way of life!
14. Don’t Try And One-Up Other Travellers
Don’t be this bloke. The great thing about solo budget travel is that you are likely staying in hostels and speaking to new people almost every day! You get to share stories, life goals and aspirations!
But, if you’re looking for tips on how to be a good traveller – one-upping others is not on the list.
Let’s set the scene – you bump into someone who’s just returned from a day walking 500m up for a good view of the city. Good for them! Ask them questions about their day – “How was the view at the top?”, “Was it hot walking?” for example.
Even if you climbed five hundred and one metres up, you don’t need to brag that you did more than them! Appreciate that you’ve both accomplished something cool.
15. Come Prepared, Don’t Rely On Others!
There’s one thing no one likes, and it’s a leech. Not doing any preparation before the trip and arriving to your destination is on you! If you forgot anything, go and get it from the local shop. For example, if you’re going to an area with lots of mosquitos – get some bug repellent! Don’t ask the person in your dorm room every day if you can use theirs.
Taking advantage of others is frowned upon in regular life but especially on the road. It doesn’t matter if you’re not going to see them again!
Credit: George Pak (Pexels)
16. Manners
I wanted to save the best for last.
A lack of manners is one of my pet peeves. It doesn’t take much to be kind, smiling and respectful to others! Whether that be restaurant or hostel employees, bus drivers or even other travellers – smile and say please and thank you!
Final Thoughts On How To Be A Good Traveller
There is a very small percentage of people who go out with the intention of being a nuisance when travelling, you don’t want to be that person! Before any trip, you should be looking at how to be a good traveller, heck, even how to be the best traveller you can be.
With over-tourism negatively impacting some places in the world, no wonder tourists are getting a bad name! But us, as travellers should always do our best at being good travellers.