Tourism is one of the most important industries in the world for providing employment to people. In fact, almost one in ten jobs globally are linked to tourism and in some countries, this is much higher.
Here are some ways you can ensure that the host communities that you visit benefit from your trip and share a stake in ensuring the longevity of the destination.
Honeypot locations are those that attract huge numbers of tourists each year, who subsequently place excessive pressure on the local environment and people. While honeypot sites can generate revenue for a country, they are sometimes associated with problems such as overcrowding and diluting of local culture.
Next time you travel, ask your Travel Counsellor for their recommendation on an alternative to a popular favourite so that you can enjoy the type of holiday you want while experiencing something different.
Food is one of the principal reasons for many people to travel abroad. The chance to try new dishes that open our eyes to fresh flavours is an enticing prospect and one that shouldn’t be missed.
The best way to ensure you get an authentic flavour of your destination is to eat at locally owned restaurants, using recipes that have been passed down through generations.
By using a local tour guide you’ll get the opportunity to see your destination through the eyes of a local, seeing off-the-beaten-track spots that the average tourist doesn’t get to see. You’re also likely to get an insight into local culture as guides happily share stories and customs from their homeland.
Pack for a Purpose helps travellers to make a meaningful contribution to the places they visit by packing items that are most in need there.
They provide supply lists to travellers that have been created by community-based projects, in the host destination, that ultimately receive and use the supplies enabling travellers to make informed decisions and to take items that meet the needs of those who will be using them.
Asides from being a great way to support the host economy, choosing locally produced goods makes for the best souvenirs as it allows you to take away an authentic piece of the places you visit and also makes for an interesting gift for friends and family.
Whether that’s Aboriginal dot paintings from Australia, classic Vietnamese lanterns from Hoi An, or intricate shawls from India, you can get some amazing gifts by shopping local.
For more advice on how you can travel more responsibly, get in touch today.
This twenty eight night journey is designed for travellers who want to see Australia and New Zealand in depth, following a clear route that links cities, coastlines and standout natural landscapes. Beginning in tropical north Queensland, the trip moves through Australia’s east coast and iconic regions before crossing to New Zealand for alpine scenery, lakes and fjords, finishing in Christchurch.
This ten night journey through KwaZulu Natal is suited to travellers who want to see more of South Africa beyond the main tourist trail. It brings together mountains, battlefields, wildlife and coastline in one well paced trip. With flights from Dublin, a hire car and carefully selected lodges throughout, the route moves easily from the Midlands to the Drakensberg, on to historic sites and safari, before ending by the sea near Durban.
This thirteen night journey brings together the buzz of Japan’s cities and time by the coast in central Vietnam. You move from neon streets and high speed rail to lantern lit evenings and relaxed days near the beach, with a strong balance of food, culture and downtime. Private transfers, well located hotels and key rail and flight connections are all arranged, so each stage runs smoothly while still giving you the freedom to explore on your own.
