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Tourism Concern re-launched its ’10 Ways to Avoid Guilt Trips’ campaign at Destinations Travel Show
Tourism Concern, Britain’s only campaigning organisation for Ethical Tourism, re-launched its ’10 Ways to Avoid Guilt Trips’ campaign at Destinations last week. The charity is seeking a wider support from members of the travel trade and has been campaigning for better employment deals for travel workers in the UK and abroad.
Although the ‘Guilt Trips’ campaign is directed at the general public, the charity feels that the trade could utilise the 10 points.
Said Tourism Concern, “Anyone can be a responsible tourist and avoid ‘Guilt Trips’. There are BIG things you can do and SMALL things that you can do, but they ALL make a difference to someone’s life. Take action and have a BETTER HOLIDAY!”
1. Be Aware
Start enjoying your travels before you leave. Think about what sort of clothing is appropriate for both men and women. If the locals are covered up, what sort of messages may you be sending out by exposing acres of flesh?
2. Be Open
Something may seem bizarre or odd to ‘you’, but it may be normal and just the way things are done to ‘them’. Try not to assume that the western way is right or best.
3. Our holidays – their homes
Ask before taking pictures of people, even children, and respect their wishes. Talk to local people. What do they think about our lifestyle, clothes and customs? Find out about theirs.
4. “One school pen”
Giving to children encourages begging. A donation to a project, health centre or school is more constructive.
5. Be fair
Try to put money into local hands. If you haggle for the lowest price, your bargain may be at the selle’s expense. Even if you pay a little over the odds, does it really matter?
6. Be adventurous
Use your guidebook or hotel as a starting point, not the only source of information. Find out what’s going on by talking to locals, then have your own adventures…
7. Ask questions
Write a letter to your tour operator about their responsible tourism policy. We will give a FREE COPY of our Ethical Travel Guide to the sender of the best (or worst) operator reply.
8. Think before you fly
Help repair the damage you do to the environment by flying less. The more and further you fly, the more you contribute to global warming and environmental destruction.
9. Be controversial!
…and enhance your image with one of our ‘Avoid Guilt Trips’ t-shirts. Designs include: Exploitation Hotel and Child Labour Villas.
10 Be happy
By taking any, some, or all of these actions you are personally fighting tourism exploitation. Enjoy your guilt-free trip!
Valere Tjolle
Valere
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