Simple ways to be a more responsible traveler.png

Responsible travel can take on many different meanings, but boiled down, it really means being conscious visitors—economically, culturally, and environmentally conscious—in the places we go.

With 1.2 BILLION people traipsing here and there across the planet each year, understanding why and how to be a more responsible traveler is an increasingly important—and thankfully, an increasingly discussed—topic.

The good news is it’s really pretty simple to be a more aware and responsible traveler.

On our small group trips, we encourage our travelers to view our journeys the same way you might view a weekend spent in the house of a new friend: like you are being graciously hosted and welcomed into someone else’s space.

And in the same way you would respect your friend’s house and their particular way of going about living in it, to also respect the land, culture, and way of life of anywhere we are visiting.

Here are a few more tangible things you can do to travel more responsibly wherever you go:

1. Reduce your usage of single-use plastic water bottles

You know this one, don’t you? This is obviously something that is promoted as every-day conscientiousness, but even when we have a great routine remembering our reusable coffee mug for work, while traveling it can often be so much easier to let this slide.

This is especially true in countries that if you don’t ask specifically for tap water, they’ll bring you bottled, or in countries where the tap water can be less-than safe to drink.

How many reusable water bottles can you count?

The trick? Always specify “tap” water in restaurants in European countries (look up how to say it in the language of the country you’re visiting for extra clarity and bonus points), and check out our list below for favorite products to help you reduce plastic bottle usage AND drink safely:

Grayl—water bottle with a built-in filter. Great for travel to countries where the tap water isn’t safe to drink, or if you just don’t like the taste of tap from the hotel.
Platypus— lightweight, flexible water bottle great for carrying during the day.
Kor—dishwasher safe, lightweight water bottles that also have a covered mouthpiece. Great for outdoors, hiking trips and places where your bottle could come into contact with contaminants.
Yeti—keep hot hot and cold cold. These are also nearly indestructible. The only downside is that they are quite heavy since they are very sturdy.
Steripen—if you want an extra level of sanitation for the water you’re drinking.

2. Reduce water and electricity usage in hotels

Many hotels post notices that reducing the washing of your sheets and towels can be a good way to help the environment—and it’s true! Think of HOW MANY basically-clean sheets and towels are washed every day in hotels all over the world after just one use? Honestly, it’s mind-blowing.

If you’re staying more than one night, hang up your towels and only ask for new linens when you need them. And just like in your house, don’t forget to turn off the lights, A/C and TV when you’re not in the room using them.

3. Leave the maps, brochures, etc. where they are if you don’t need them

This is an easy way to reduce the amount of waste you leave behind—because let’s be honest, you’ll probably end up throwing them away in a couple hours. A good hack is to take a photo of maps or other information you need so you’ll have it right there on your phone.

4. Reduce trash or take yours with you—especially on mountains and islands

One of the biggest problems on small islands with lots of tourists (like Capri in Italy) is that they have many people bringing things onto the island and leaving the trash (even worse—boxed lunches provided by big cruise ships) behind. Then the locals have to dispose of and pay for all this extra trash, which often costs a lot to get it removed from the island.

Take a cue from standard hiking practice: bring off the mountain everything you bring onto it. Consider doing this when and where you can in your other non-mountain travels.

5. Pack your own toiletries or take the ones you use from the hotel with you when you leave

What happens to the half-empty tiny shampoo bottles after you check out? Yep, you guessed it—straight into the trash.

Take it with you to your next hotel to keep another half-used bottle from being discarded prematurely.

6. Live like a local—treat wherever you are like it’s your own hometown

A simple adage we discuss with our travelers is the travel-version of the Golden Rule: treat the homes and countries of others as you would want yours to be treated.

We see far too many tourists who leave behind small pieces of trash or “accidentally” don’t care if their napkins blow away.

Would they do that in the parks where their kids play every day? In their own houses? Doubtful. Would they like it if someone else trashed in the parks their kids play every day? Absolutely not.

Do unto everything as you would want it done unto you.

7. Research & respect the local culture

Not only will this help you not to make an embarrassing faux pas, but seeking to understand the culture you’ll be visiting will help you be a more aware and responsible traveler as well.

Travelers remove their shoes in a Japanese temple serving a zen buddhist lunch

All cultures are different and researching norms and etiquette beforehand will help you be aware and informed.

Learn a few key phrases in the country’s language, ask before taking pictures of locals, avoid being excessively noisy, research common tipping practices, and wear the appropriate clothes to enter religious sites, are all small, basic ways to show respect for whatever culture you’re in.

8. Contribute to the local economy

Another way to travel responsibly is to spend your dollars in support of the local economy of the place you’re visiting.

As a small business ourself, we always try to work and partner with locally-owned businesses in the countries, towns, and cities we visit. This is one reason we frequent boutique hotels on our trips— we prefer our money goes to the locals instead of the large, chain hotel companies.

Our stunning boutique accommodations in Peru

Annie and Omar, a local naturalist guide in Peru

Try the small, local restaurants, purchase locally-made souvenirs, support local tour guides, and put your money where it will make a difference.

Do you have other great ways to be a more responsible traveler? Leave us a comment, we’d love to hear them!

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, TTLT earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small business!

Pin this post to Pinterest so you can save it and come back to it!