The Power of Responsible Travel

On April 7^thCBT Vietnam welcomed nearly a hundred aspiring jetsetters and travel enthusiasts for “The Power of Responsible Travel”. This event featured two of our films including  When the Villagers Left .  There were also talks from five outstanding speakers who shared stories, advice and aspirations for the future, in regards to “responsible travel”. These guest speakers included:

• Mark Harosowksi – Moving Worlds
•  Dr. Peter Williams – Simon Fraser University
• Lo May Ly – From Sapa, Vietnam
•  Erin Butler – G Adventures; and
• Andrew Motiwalla – Discover Corps

This event was a huge success and we were so glad that so many members of our local community were able to come support our project, while taking the time to learn about what they can do to travel responsibly.

So, you may be asking: What is responsible travel? Responsible travel/tourism is a concept that has been defined in different ways by different organizations. Some of these definitions include that responsible travel and tourism is:

 “Travel that aims to minimize tourism's negative impacts on the environment and maximize the positive contributions tourism can make to local communities.” 
– The Centre for Responsible Travel (CREST)

 “An approach to the management of tourism, aimed at maximising economic, social and environmental benefits and minimising costs to destinations. Simply put, Responsible tourism is tourism 'that creates better places for people to live in, and better places to visit.” 
– The City of Cape Town

“About creating more meaningful experiences for travellers by connecting them to the local culture and the natural beauty of host communities around the world.  It is also about ensuring the communities hosting travellers benefit from tourism – through building skills, creating jobs and opportunities – all while protecting local natural and cultural integrity”. 
– The International Centre for Responsible Travel Canada

 

So, what can you do to be a Responsible Traveler?

- Choose businesses that take initiatives to protect our environment

-Choose business that employ local people and create jobs for women

-Be a conscious shopper and purchase goods from local businesses

-Chose businesses that respect human rights

-Take action to protect the local natural environment (save water and recycle when possible, do not litter ect.)

-Do not participate in activities that put wildlife at risk

-Observe and respect the local culture and customs

-Research and choose your volunteer travel experiences wisely

-Learn as much as possible about your destination before you arrive!

We would like to thank our wonderful community members again for attending our event and we encourage everyone to learn about how they can use “the power of responsible travel” to create positive social, economic, and environmental benefits for our world.