Do you know how to travel?

Learn to travel is as important as to learn how to read and write.

Many people travel with one purpose – to learn. Since the past young people were sent abroad to study or they left their small village to see the world and came back like those “smart, travelled and attractive” ones. Traveling is seen as mindopening, you get to discover new places, culture, yourselves etc. However, not everyone knows how to travel. Tourism can help or destroy a country at the same time. Sometimes your footprint can not be easily washed out with the next wave. So what can you do for your travels to be actually beneficial for local people?

Staying at properties owned by locals

By staying at a small, family-run pension you help to a local family to send their children to school. By staying at a hotel chain you help to a CEO to buy a new car.

Eating in local restaurants not in a hotel

My opinion is that all inclusive was the worst thing which happened in the tourism industry. The price for the whole package can be seen as an advantage but how the quality of food can be good for this price. On the top of that, you have to be good at racing and wrestling once the hotel restaurant opens its door. On the other hand, just a few steps away from your hotel can be a small, local restaurant with home made food, local wine, traditional music..

Book your tours with small companies using local guides

Booking platforms, multi-international companies are taking over the tourism market. Usually they are the first ones to come up in your google search. Sometimes it is enough when you search a little bit more and you come across some small company which takes you to the best authentic places and employs locals as guides.

Respect the country, environment and culture

Never forget that you are a visitor in a country and think how would you like visitors to behave in your own country. Do a research about cultural habits and traditions, language before you go to avoid any unpleasant surprises later.

Bring some small gifts or things you don't need

Even the basic things like crayons or teddy bears can bring a big smile to a child growing up in a less developed country. Like this you will have a space in your luggage for your travel memories on the way back.