One of the biggest dilemmas for tourists who are exploring a new destination is trying to make sure that their visit actually proves to be beneficial to the local economy, while also making sure that the experience they enjoy is one that can also be enjoyed by future generations of travelers. In terms of achieving a sustainable solo travel trip, there are many things that you can do to help, some of which may be a little more expensive, while others are simple and straightforward actions you can take.


Here are some factors to consider when you are planning your journey that can help make your trip a sustainable one that supports local communities and cultures.

 

Protecting The Environment That You Are Exploring

This is one of the most important aspects of sustainable tourism, as there are so many activities and sites around the world which can be damaged when excessive tourism happens, or when tour operators don't respect the local environment. A great example of this comes with scuba diving operators around the world, and making sure that you use an operator that supports the natural surroundings and doesn't anchor their boats on coral reefs can help ensure the reef is still there in the future. This can also be the case when it comes to adventure activities, such as hiking to Everest base camp, and making sure that your operator packs all their litter and takes it out with them can make a big difference.

 

Respecting The Local Cultures

Respecting the local culture can be a difficult one for visitors, and the key principle in terms of sustainable tourism here is to try and ensure that while you observe, your actions don't change the local culture.

The kind of activities that can affect these cultures can range from promoting Western views or judging people by Western standards, through to giving out sweets and gifts to local children which can all affect the local culture. Travelers to India may feel compelled to try and help the children who run up to cars begging, but supporting a charity is one good example of how such donations could be better spent.

 

Ensuring Your Visit Helps To Support The Local Community

One important way in which you can help to support the communities that you are visiting is to try and use local tour operators as opposed to major companies where possible. Choosing operators that live and work in the local community can help to enrich the entire local area, while taking a trip with a major tour operator will see the majority of your fare siphoned off for the profit of the tour operator. If you are taking a hiking trip with porters and guides, making sure you give tips to the individuals as opposed to giving a big tip to the trip leader can also really help to ensure you support the local community.

 

Minimizing Pollution During Your Trip

Pollution is one of the major impacts that is a side effect of travel, but in many cases it is possible to offset this pollution, while in other situations the benefits to your destination can outweigh the impact of the pollution. Choosing more economical forms of travel such as coaches can help to reduce the impact of pollution caused by flying, while using operators that also have a policy to help offset any pollution caused can also help. There are also plenty of common sense actions you can take, such as not using too much hot water in areas such as the Himalayas where it is an expensive commodity, or simply turning off electrical equipment when it is not in use.

 

Shopping Locally During Your Trip

Local arts and crafts are not only great mementos of your trip to your destination, but they can also be a valuable source of income to the local economy, as long as you are smart about the items you are buying. Steer well clear of any items made of ivory or other materials that are poached or made from animal products, and try to purchase your souvenirs in local stalls with locally made goods rather than in the larger shops that will often import cheaply made items from other countries, as these imported goods actually have a negative impact on the local community.