The good traveller decalogue

The good traveller´s decalogue

1. Appreciate hosts and common heritage

  • Investigate about your destination to get to know all you can about local habits and customs,
    traditions and conditions of life. It’s a good way to understand the local community.
  • Learn some words of the local language, that way you will be able to make a meaningful
    contact with the local community and people.
  • Enjoy and respect all aspects of turning an international destination into a unique and
    different place, such as history, architecture, religion, dressing and communication codes, as
    well as music, arts and cuisine.
  • Always ask for permission if you want to take pictures of persons; remember that their
    privacy is just as important as your own.
     

2. Protect our planet

Leave behind the smallest possible trace, reduce water and energy consumption, whenever it’s possible, and produce as little garbage as possible.

  • If you visit sensitive ecosystems, such as desert areas, forests or jungles, get informed about how to behave with the aim of not degrading them.
  • Respect wild life and natural habitat.
  • Purchase products manufactured without using plants or animals of endangered species.
  • Be very careful about lighting fires, as it may cause severe damage if you do so at inappropriate places.
  • If you visit protected natural spaces, be aware that these have been created to preserve places and species of important ecological value. Do not move outside of trails or access areas permitted to visitants.
  • If you go to the countryside, do not disturb animals and try not to make noise what could severely stress them; do not touch bird nests and eggs.
  • If you find hurt or sick animals, inform the local authorities.
  • If you like hunting or fishing, don’t do these activities outside the spaces reserved for them or outside the legal hunting or fishing seasons.
  • Do not take part in activities causing animal mistreatment.

 

3. Support local economy

  • Purchase local handicraft products and articles. Respect means of living of local salesmen and handicraftsmen by paying fair prices.
  • Do not purchase falsified products and articles not allowed by national or international regulations.
  • Engage local guides well informed on the region.

4. Be well informed

  • Adopt appropriate health precautions before and during your journey.
  • Get informed about how to receive medical assistance and how to contact your embassy/consulate in case of emergency.
  • Make all necessary inquiries before taking part in any voluntary work.
  • Choose tour operators with environmental policies or local community projects at the destination.

5. Be a responsible traveller

  • Fulfil the destination’s national legislation and regulations.
  • Respect human rights and protect children from exploitation. Child abuse and mistreatment are criminal offences.
  • Support local benefit organizations and community projects.
  • To remember your journey, take home photos but not fragments of cultural or natural assets.
  • When you are back home, make a sincere chronicle of your journey and publish your positive experiences.
  • Do not engage in activities that may harm animals, animal habitats and biodiversity in general.