Task 7: Read the passage and think about what you should do to be a responsible visitor.
ECOTOURISM
As a thoughtful and responsible traveller, there are several things you can do to avoid affecting or damaging the sights you have come to see. It’s important to be aware of the economic, cultural and environmental effects of tourism. The more you put into your trip, the more you’ll get out of it.
Find out about your destination. This doesn’t just mean reading the guidebooks. For example, before you go, look out for news and current events about the area you’re planning to visit. Try to learn a few words of the local language.
Respect local customs and traditions, such as wearing the right clothes or being careful about taking photos. Try to remember that appropriate behaviour for you may not be transferable to another culture. Remember that you’re not just a tourist, you’re a guest.
Don’t show how wealthy you are. Your belongings, like cameras, wristwatches or jewellery, may create a barrier between you and the local people. Keep them out of sight.
Conserve resources. Be aware that, as a visitor, you may be using valuable resources, for instance, water, wood and food, which may already be under pressure. A large hotel in the middle of nowhere uses more resources than small family-run accommodation.
Follow the leave-no-trace rules. Take home everything you brought, such as packaging, paper and litter. Don’t take home anything you didn’t bring and which may have an impact on the environment, such as plants or souvenirs made from animal products.
Support the local economy. For example, eat local food and use local transport, restaurants, markets and guides. It’s important that the money you spend remains within the local community and creates jobs.
Follow up your visit. Your visit doesn’t end with your flight home. There’s lots more you can do, for instance, you can stay in touch with the people and the places you visited, and share your experiences with people back home and read up about what you’ve learnt. Sustain your interest by supporting suitable conservation agencies. Try and write an article for publication in a local newspaper or magazine. If you don’t appreciate being a visitor, why do you want to leave home in the first place?
Find out about your destination. This doesn’t just mean reading the guidebooks. For example, before you go, look out for news and current events about the area you’re planning to visit. Try to learn a few words of the local language.
Respect local customs and traditions, such as wearing the right clothes or being careful about taking photos. Try to remember that appropriate behaviour for you may not be transferable to another culture. Remember that you’re not just a tourist, you’re a guest.
Don’t show how wealthy you are. Your belongings, like cameras, wristwatches or jewellery, may create a barrier between you and the local people. Keep them out of sight.
Conserve resources. Be aware that, as a visitor, you may be using valuable resources, for instance, water, wood and food, which may already be under pressure. A large hotel in the middle of nowhere uses more resources than small family-run accommodation.
Follow the leave-no-trace rules. Take home everything you brought, such as packaging, paper and litter. Don’t take home anything you didn’t bring and which may have an impact on the environment, such as plants or souvenirs made from animal products.
Support the local economy. For example, eat local food and use local transport, restaurants, markets and guides. It’s important that the money you spend remains within the local community and creates jobs.
Follow up your visit. Your visit doesn’t end with your flight home. There’s lots more you can do, for instance, you can stay in touch with the people and the places you visited, and share your experiences with people back home and read up about what you’ve learnt. Sustain your interest by supporting suitable conservation agencies. Try and write an article for publication in a local newspaper or magazine. If you don’t appreciate being a visitor, why do you want to leave home in the first place?