Travelling can be much more than going somewhere. Every reservation, purchase of food, taxi ride, tour, souvenir, or cup of coffee involves transferring some amount of money.
You may find it interesting that this money could end up at a local family-owned hotel, supporting a local guide, or at a neighbourhood restaurant, rather than being paid out to global platforms, chain companies, or other enterprises that make little contribution to the local region. These financial decisions aimed at benefiting the local population constitute sustainable tourism.
When discussing sustainable development in tourism, people often focus on carbon emissions, overtourism, preservation efforts, and infrastructure. However, sustainable tourism has its economic and social sides as well. That is why this subject is listed among the goals of the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
You can use your next trip to support sustainable tourism by adopting simple habits, such as carefully choosing where to stay, seeking local experiences, respecting local customs, and considering who benefits from the money you spend.
Accommodation is one of the biggest travel expenses, so it is also one of the most important choices. Finding the perfect place to stay can have a significant impact not only on your budget but also on local businesses. A locally owned guesthouse, small hotel, or apartment run by residents may keep more money in the local economy than large international chains. You can also find better prices for staying at very convenient places, such as near train and bus stations.
A good approach to choosing accommodation is to compare the real differences. For example, if a locally owned hotel costs $84 per night and a chain hotel costs $78, the difference may be small enough to justify choosing the local business. You can use online tools such as this percentage difference calculator to compute the difference between hotel prices, helping you verify whether the price gap is really significant. Another good tip is to check for travel guides, which may help you plan your trip better and choose interesting places to visit.
After booking your accommodation, it is time to plan the places you want to visit. If you are travelling somewhere for a short time or want to know more about the peculiar aspects of your destination, you can search for guided tours. These tours are one of the best ways to deeply understand a destination, but not all of them benefit local people equally. Large reseller platforms may take high commissions, while the guide receives only a portion of the fee.
When possible, look for tours run by local guides, cooperatives, community groups, or small agencies based in the destination. This is especially important for cultural tours, food tours, nature walks, and visits to rural communities. Good local guides do more than show you landmarks. They explain context, answer questions, recommend independent businesses, and help visitors avoid tourist traps.
Another relevant topic to take note of is tipping, since it can be one of the most confusing parts of travelling. In some countries, it is expected and forms an important part of service workers’ income. In others, it is optional, already included in the bill, or even considered unnecessary. Getting it wrong can lead to awkward moments, but it can also mean underpaying people who rely on tips.
When discussing sustainable development in tourism, people often focus on carbon emissions, overtourism, preservation efforts, and infrastructure. However, sustainable tourism has its economic and social sides as well. That is why this subject is listed among the goals of the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
You can use your next trip to support sustainable tourism by adopting simple habits, such as carefully choosing where to stay, seeking local experiences, respecting local customs, and considering who benefits from the money you spend.
Prefer to support the local businesses when the price difference is reasonable
Accommodation is one of the biggest travel expenses, so it is also one of the most important choices. Finding the perfect place to stay can have a significant impact not only on your budget but also on local businesses. A locally owned guesthouse, small hotel, or apartment run by residents may keep more money in the local economy than large international chains. You can also find better prices for staying at very convenient places, such as near train and bus stations.
A good approach to choosing accommodation is to compare the real differences. For example, if a locally owned hotel costs $84 per night and a chain hotel costs $78, the difference may be small enough to justify choosing the local business. You can use online tools such as this percentage difference calculator to compute the difference between hotel prices, helping you verify whether the price gap is really significant. Another good tip is to check for travel guides, which may help you plan your trip better and choose interesting places to visit.
After booking your accommodation, it is time to plan the places you want to visit. If you are travelling somewhere for a short time or want to know more about the peculiar aspects of your destination, you can search for guided tours. These tours are one of the best ways to deeply understand a destination, but not all of them benefit local people equally. Large reseller platforms may take high commissions, while the guide receives only a portion of the fee.
When possible, look for tours run by local guides, cooperatives, community groups, or small agencies based in the destination. This is especially important for cultural tours, food tours, nature walks, and visits to rural communities. Good local guides do more than show you landmarks. They explain context, answer questions, recommend independent businesses, and help visitors avoid tourist traps.
Learn tipping norms before you arrive
Another relevant topic to take note of is tipping, since it can be one of the most confusing parts of travelling. In some countries, it is expected and forms an important part of service workers’ income. In others, it is optional, already included in the bill, or even considered unnecessary. Getting it wrong can lead to awkward moments, but it can also mean underpaying people who rely on tips.
Before reaching your destination, check local tipping customs for restaurants, taxis, hotel staff, and tour guides. In the United States, for instance, restaurant tips are usually 15-20% of the bill. In Europe, tipping may be smaller, often rounded up to 5-10% for good service. In Japan, tipping is generally not customary.
If you find tipping appropriate, you can use a tip calculator to quickly split costs between travellers and determine the appropriate tip amount. Tools like this one are particularly useful when travelling in groups and for avoiding long mathematical debates at the restaurant table or during your tour.
In many popular cities, the busiest areas attract large numbers of visitors. Restaurants near major landmarks, shops beside famous squares, and coffee shops on the main tourist route benefit from this constant foot traffic. However, if you walk just a few streets away from these central areas, prices may be lower, and local businesses may rely more heavily on regular customers.
Exploring beyond the main tourist zone can make a trip more interesting and spread spending more evenly. Nowadays, it is easy to find well-reviewed places using apps on your phone, social media platforms, maps, and online guides for local food. Therefore, you can enhance your experience by having a coffee at a family-run bakery, visiting a local market, taking public transport, or eating in areas where residents actually go.
One thing to always remember is that travelling fairly is not about seeking perfection. As a traveller will should still use booking platforms to compare prices, look for deals, and make good plans for your free time. However, it is also interesting to notice where your money goes and if it is making a difference for your destination.
Simple habits like choosing local businesses when the difference is reasonable, properly tipping, supporting local guides and businesses beyond the obvious tourist zones can make a huge impact on the places you are visiting.
If you find tipping appropriate, you can use a tip calculator to quickly split costs between travellers and determine the appropriate tip amount. Tools like this one are particularly useful when travelling in groups and for avoiding long mathematical debates at the restaurant table or during your tour.
Spend beyond the obvious tourist streets
In many popular cities, the busiest areas attract large numbers of visitors. Restaurants near major landmarks, shops beside famous squares, and coffee shops on the main tourist route benefit from this constant foot traffic. However, if you walk just a few streets away from these central areas, prices may be lower, and local businesses may rely more heavily on regular customers.
Exploring beyond the main tourist zone can make a trip more interesting and spread spending more evenly. Nowadays, it is easy to find well-reviewed places using apps on your phone, social media platforms, maps, and online guides for local food. Therefore, you can enhance your experience by having a coffee at a family-run bakery, visiting a local market, taking public transport, or eating in areas where residents actually go.
Keep fairness practical
One thing to always remember is that travelling fairly is not about seeking perfection. As a traveller will should still use booking platforms to compare prices, look for deals, and make good plans for your free time. However, it is also interesting to notice where your money goes and if it is making a difference for your destination.
Simple habits like choosing local businesses when the difference is reasonable, properly tipping, supporting local guides and businesses beyond the obvious tourist zones can make a huge impact on the places you are visiting.
These small decisions are crucial to keep the nice trip you have today even nicer for you or others in the future! (Photo credits: Kel Avelino and Tim Mossholder)
