As time passes by, its important that we enjoy and have fun in order to survive in life and be a responsible traveler. Enjoying and loving the things we do makes it fun and easier to endure the difficulties that life brings. And as we grow older, we must treasure and appreciate the beautiful and breath-taking nature the world offer us and be a responsible tourist.
Exploring and traveling around the world is one of the best feeling that anyone can experience while they are young and have a responsible travel. The experience of traveling may be thrilling and enlightening so its better to travel responsibly. It’s simple to get carried away by the excitement of an adventure. But when you’re away from home, keep in mind the importance of travel security and safety and travel responsibly.
There are so many places that we need to explore and visit their tourist spots. But before you explore the world, why don’t we start exploring first our beloved country- which is the Philippines.
The Philippines, which is one of the country in south east asia, that comprises over 7,000 islands, has a lot of beautiful natural tourism destinations. Visit the Philippines if you want to experience stunning islands, wonderful beaches, breathtaking mountains, and unique indigenous fauna, to name a few. Millions of tourists visit the Philippines every year, which is fantastic for the economy but could harm the country’s natural charms, particularly if visitors do not adhere to sustainable travel and tourism principles.
The tourism is an important sector in the Philippines, and also good for the local community and local economy as well. Local people in
Why is responsible tourism important?
Considering how tourism affects the environment, the economy, and society while also taking into account the requirements of visitors, host communities, and the industry is known as sustainable tourism.
Sustainable tourism is important because the natural resources in our tourist destinations may deteriorate and be destroyed if we don’t take care of them. Future generations won’t be able to enjoy its beauty, and people who work in the tourism sector may lose their employment and sources of income.
Responsible tourism on the other hand, works to lessen the damaging effects that tourism has on the local communities we visit in terms of social, local economy, and environmental impacts. Increased tourism has increased the potential for environmental damage on our local environment, yet responsible tourism is about making decisions and acting in a way that promotes the survival of these people.
The Department of Tourism is mandated for helping to promote, support, and develop tourism as an important component of society in order to provide foreign exchange, local employment, and to extend the advantages of mass tourism. They also conduct research on tourism-related issues, and also provide information about the Philippines’ attractions to foreign tourists.
In this article, we are going to discuss sustainable travel tips and how to become a responsible travelers for a sustainable tourism in a responsible travel.
8 Tips to be a responsible tourist and traveler in the Philippines
The list below are some of the tips that need to practice in order for us to become a responsible traveler and at the same time bring positive impact in our lives. Having an adventure travel in a rural village gives you another experience into tourist traps.
1. Do your Research
Before you go to your favorite and popular tourist destinations, make sure that you do your research in terms of religion, cultural norms and local traditions, as well as the local culture and local residents that you are going to encounter with tourism. We have different cultural norms and traditions that we always practice whenever we are going, so it is also important that we keep in mind how important to show respect to the local customs, beliefs and traditions and be a responsible tourists. Local guides are the ones who are knowledgeable enough in terms of the local culture and local language when you go to your destination. Appreciating and understanding the different cultures that surrounds us leaves positive impacts in our well being, as well promoting community based projects in order to preserve and cultivate the heritage of our natural resources as well as our natural environment.
2. Book with DOT-accredited local tour operators
The local hotels, resorts, and tour agencies have been recommended by the Department of Tourism to apply for DOT accreditation so the department may assist them in implementing sustainable tourism practices. Accommodations and tour companies with DOT accreditation and travel insurance that have access to technical resources that will aid in their transition to sustainability. This is a component of the DOT’s strategy for promoting sustainable tourism across the nation.
3. Efficient modes of Transportation
When traveling, choose to walk or use bike whenever possible. In this way, you’ll get to enjoy and appreciate the cultural heritage and beautiful sceneries in your surroundings more in a slower pace. The biggest contributors to tourism’s carbon footprint are air travel, driving, and other modes of transportation. All forms of transportation use energy, although some are cleaner and more effective than others. Instead of booking your direct flights and cruise ships when planning your next trip and destination, be adventurous and try public transport. There are some travel agencies that have travel insurance wherein the money you spend is to purchase in order to protect yourself from financial risk and losses. Telling a few words and giving tips to taxi drivers may not be an ideal practice, but sometimes encourages them to do their job well. Responsible tourist
4. Choosing sustainable accommodations and tour operator
Although responsible travelers and local people might find it possible to book alternative types of lodging, such campgrounds, through a travel agent, they frequently have agreements with particular hotels. Staying and supporting eco-friendly hotels and apartments are also one of the best way in supporting sustainable tourism. The typical packages offered by travel agents to local people include breakfast, transportation to and from the airport, and sometimes even integrated airline and hotel packages. On the other hand, instead of staying in hotels, why don’t you try staying and renting nipa houses and transient rooms at affordable price wherein wonderful host and hospitable staffs are willing and waiting to serve you.
5. Exploring wildlife activities with wild animals
Before you get excited into exploring the wildlife activities, remind yourself and stay focus in keeping yourself away from harm. You might want to swim with dolphins and turtles, or maybe riding an elephant, but sometimes, these activities will bring harm not only for you, but also for your family and friends as well. Might as well think and analyze carefully the animal welfare and raise awareness on how to deal with them. Being a responsible tourist is a vital role in promoting tourism in our country, but protecting the the wildlife is most important.
6. Support Locals
When traveling to local communities, buying and shopping some goods, souvenir and other stuffs, might as well go to local markets ang utilize the money you spend. Local people in many urban cities introduce their cultural identity and local products not just for them to generate their income, but also to proudly present their local culture and at the same time, when you spend your money, you are also supporting local jobs to increase tourist money or local people’s pockets every off season from tourism dollars and peso currencies. Local restaurants in the local economies have a vital role in enhancing tourism and be a responsible traveler at the same time.
7. Saving Mother Nature
Being a responsible tourist and a responsible travelers, it is also our job to give environmental impact by simply using ang bringing your own reusable water bottle to have a positive impact to our mother nature. Waste management is also one of the sustainable practices that responsible tourism want to implement not only in local population in our local communities, but also in developing countries as well to responsible tourist.
8. Improve tourism and responsible travel tips
Enhancing tourism in a new country may not be an easy task, but not also an imposible thing to do. Responsible tourists and responsible travelers just have to start practicing how to conserve and protect our local people in our local community. The Department of Tourism is the one who is responsible in recording the tourists that visits in our country. The travel and tourism industry also contributed almost 5.2 % to the country’s gross domestic product according to UNESCO.
Conclusion to being a responsible tourist
All in all, being a responsible tourist is a big tast that you need to practice while interecting with other people and at the same time, enjoying the nature and be a responsible traveler also. At Asterra condominiums, we offer high class rooms and quality services that is suitable not only for you, but also for your family as well. We already have branches located at San Fernando, Pampanga, General Trias, and also at Calamba Laguna. Tourism encourages us not ony to appreciate the cultural heritage but also the cultural impact that we have in our country, Considering and respecting the beliefs and traditions of our people is what makes us a true responsible traveler. Have a responsible travel and always seeks safety and guidance at all times.
Written by Clariz Legaspi
