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Responsible
Tourism - How You Can Help
As
a traveller, you have a responsibility to help ensure that tourism in developing
countries such as Peru remains a positive experience for everyone. The following
"Travel Code" offers guidelines for low-impact, culturally sensitive
and environmentally friendly travel.
1.
LEARN
ABOUT THE COUNTRY YOU'RE VISITING
Start
enjoying your travels before you leave by tapping into as many
sources of information as you can.
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To
get the most out of a trip, seek out lots of information – not
just the obvious sources like guidebooks. Try reading some classic
and contemporary literature of the country. The internet is a fantastic resource.
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Try
to check out the behaviour and dress codes that will be expected of
you. Visiting religious sites, markets or rural communities looking
as though you forgot to get dressed that morning is probably not a
good idea! Swimwear and revealing shorts and T-shirts are often only
appropriate on the beach.
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One
of the major impacts holidays and travel have on a destination is
economic, you can be a vital source of income for many. If you want
to make sure you bring some economic benefit, find out whether there
are any community or locally run/owned businesses to use in the
places you’re visiting.
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Learn
a few phrases in Spanish before you travel. Even better take a short
language course. A few basic words will go a long way to improve the
quality of your interaction with local people. You'll be surprised
how difficult it is to get by in Peru using English alone!
2.
THE
COST OF YOUR HOLIDAY
Think
about where your money goes – be fair and realistic about how
cheaply you travel.
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Think
about where your money goes - it’s very easy to forget the
consequences when you’re on a budget trying to save every penny.
Competing for the cheapest price and not wanting to get ripped off
is common, but some travellers misunderstand how far to go and are
overly suspicious or aggressive. By all means haggle (it’s often
expected after all) but don’t go over the top – smile and pay a
fair price. A small difference, of say US$1, could mean the person
you’re buying from can feed his or her family that day. It doesn't
really hurt to be fair and realistic, in fact it can be very
rewarding.
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Try
and put money into local businesses. For instance, drink local beer
or fruit juice rather than imported brands – they’re probably
cheaper and just as good if not better. Thinking about where your
money goes also includes using local guides and locally-owned
accommodation. Tours and excursions run by locals will educate you
and benefit them. If possible, support community projects.
3.
MINIMIZE YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Think
about what happens to your rubbish - take biodegradable products and
a water filter bottle. Be sensitive to limited resources like water,
fuel and electricity.
Help
preserve local wildlife and habitats by respecting rules and
regulations, such as sticking to footpaths, not buying products made from endangered plants or animals.
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Exploring
rainforests, mountain trekking, going through remote desert
regions, – all these are things that travellers’ dreams are made of. But if everyone who visited such
environments did it without working out how to limit their
environmental impact, damage would soon follow.
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Recycling
is extremely limited in Peru. Opt for drinks in glass bottles as
these tend to be re-used.
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Use only biodegradable soaps and
shampoos while camping.
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Batteries
are one of the most damaging products to leave behind.
4.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Don’t
treat people as part of the landscape, they may not want their picture taken.
Put yourself in their shoes, ask first and respect their wishes.
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Most
travellers want photos to remind them of their travels, but there are times
when photography can offend and intrude. So how do you get your photos of
your lifetime without offending the people you are visiting? Consider the
feelings of local people and, if it’s inappropriate, don’t take it.
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You
may find that sometimes people will ask you for payment for the photograph
to be taken. This can have lots of implications, it’s worth bearing them
in mind. You may think that paying for pictures is a way of putting money
into local hands, but it can encourage begging especially amongst children.
However, if it is obvious that the locals have dressed up in traditional
clothes only to have their photos taken, negotiate a price first before
taking a photo. In colourful markets such as Pisac in the Sacred Valley it
may be more appropriate to buy something from the store-holder such as fruit
or vegetables rather than paying for taking a photo.
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Often
the best way you can take photos is to offer to mail them a copy. Many
locals will be thrilled to receive a photo of themselves. However don't make
promises that you don't fulfill.
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Avoid
giving children sweets for photos; again it encourages begging as well as being
bad for their teeth.
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Flash
photography can damage works of art – check if it’s okay first or use a
fast film.
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