First of all; choose destinations, activities, transportation and hotels that, apart from being funny and enjoyable, improve the world through tourism and 17SDG. Let your touristic activity improve the quality of the chosen place you have traveled to, protect the planet so you can come back home glad and happy. To sum up, choose to improve in sustainability.

1) Be conscious about the risks that can occure while travelling and take care.

 We know you haven’t travelled to Oceania without planning every second but… Have you studied which vaccination series you have to get and when? Many travellers end up travelling without getting the recommended vaccine because they don’t arrange it with enough time so these vaccines are not effective.

Have you though about crossing the barrier between two countries and the documents you may need to do it as easy as possible? Be aware of the local authority recommendations, this way, you will avoid deceits and misunderstandings.

2) Encourage the local development by consuming local products and services.

We know what you are thinking about: “This is cheap! I will spend all my salary in food and drink”. Therefore, remember to buy only what you are consuming. It’s so easy, in cheap touristic destinations, to over-spend and buy food that is not really needed because of it low price. Please, think about all the food that is thrown away daily and don’t contribute to this unnecessary spending. Also, spend in a fair way.

Try not to be cheated on the Saturday market; we know that, if we are seen as tourists, locals may try to mislead us with overpriced products. On the other hand, be conscious that many destinations make a living of tourism and prices that for us are completely affordable, sometimes it can make the day for a whole family.

3) Learn and share about your destination by respecting their values and traditions.

As said before, it is very important to learn the local gastronomy, culture and traditions… Do you realize you can be rude just by making a gesture with your hand (for our culture in a innocent way) in some countries? That’s why we recommend you to be informed about the social standards to avoid misunderstandings and get advantage of the culture surrounding you. We wish we could stay in the Caribbean Sea listening to the stories and legends of the store man, smelling the rum and the cigar around!

4) Contribute to the conservation, protection and regeneration of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem

It is cool to get a bath with an elephant, a once in a lifetime experience. But, Is it really worthy? Is this animal having optimal living conditions? Do not contribute to animal mistreatment or exploitation of aquatic and terrestrial resources. The life of these animals is of more value than a “selfie” for the social network.  

In these countries that exploit the natural resources for tourism, there is more than a business with the enough craftiness to make you believe that, if you buy this experience, you will be helping these animals by giving them a better living condition. Please, get informed; social network and experience platforms are a good place to read other travellers opinions. Don’t let other cheat you!

5) Respect diversity and don’t participate in discriminatory activities.

Try to organize your trip free of barriers that could restrict the integration of people because of their gender, origin, religion, sexual orientation, economic situation or functional diversity.

6) Minimize your impact

Try to always consume 0KM products, produced in the destination. Do not forget that getting to know the gastronomy is part of travelling. This food produces direct and indirect benefits that may help vulnerable group of people. Plus, if these products can be achieved in local markets instead of big foreign supermarkets, you will be helping to the reduction of unnecessary plastic. If there is no other option, be assure that this plastic generate the less impact in the environment as possible. Recycle or reuse them! These activities will reduce the use of plastic and will decrease the climate change. All together, by small gestures we will be able to help the environment!

On the other hand, do you what it is even more beautiful than getting a car to see the cliffs? Using the bicycle! Chose the less contaminant means of transport as possible. We know it is complicated but, your health, pocket and the whole environment will be thankful.

7) Encourage the heritage sustainability and the destination infrastructures.

How are destination and infrastructure organized? Take a look at how native behave; do it even better! If, like a tourist, we don’t disrupt local life, they will be way happier to host us as visitors. We not only generate wealth, we also encourage the sustainability. So, if you are visiting the famous Buddha Sacred Tooth Temple and it’s a mess because it’s a sunny and hot day…. Bring your own socks, floor is burning!

 8) Choose products, services or experiences that encourage the destination sustainability by investing in R&D and Innovation.

Have you ever heard about this Research & Development movement we all have to invest in, not only in our origin country but also in touristic destinations? Now it’s even more cool, because we can also add the Innovation. For touristic destinations its important to invest in R&D and Innovation, so the visitors can enjoy all the facilities. As a tourist, please, reward the effort by prioritizing the products and services that includes these new technologies.

9) Promote decent and fair working conditions that respect workers rights.

Why don’t you buy the fridge magnet for your grandmother to the artisan instead of the souvenir shop? This way, you will be assured that the product is made in decent and fair working conditions instead of being a “Made in…” product that can be produced outside the country in some working conditions we don’t know. (Have you realized that this kind of products require more transportation so it contributes to the climate change in a negative way?)

10) Join the Responsible Traveler Manifesto and share it.

If this small introduction let you wondering how you can learn a little bit more.... Why don't you sign up for the Methodology Biosphere Course? Click here to know more. 

Once you finish it, you will have a great knowledge about sustainable tourism. It is though for people interested in tourism sustainability but also for professionals who want to improve their business. It will also validate you as consultant of Biosphere Methodology for your own proyects or for any that you may help as consultant.