19 Common Travel Practices That Are Surprisingly Harmful to Locals

When we travel, we’re always enchanted by new sights, flavors and customs, and we want to see every hidden corner of a new place. In our pursuit of the true experience, however, we sometimes forget our actions can unintentionally affect local people’s lives. Tourism has huge economic and cultural benefits potential, but some practices can hurt local environments, erode communities, and even hurt the people who make these places so vibrant and welcoming.

Read on for some of the most common travel behaviors that, while well intentioned, have unintended consequences on local communities. The good news is that with a little bit of awareness, you can travel in a way that’s both enjoyable (for you) on the one hand, and respectful to the people who live there on the other.

Disrupting Sacred Spaces

Many temples, churches, and other spiritual sites are very important to locals. However, taking selfies, chatting loudly, or wearing inappropriate clothing in these areas is disrespectful and disruptive. These aren’t just tourist spots; they are active places of worship and reflection. Know what’s okay before you go; some places are better experienced in silence.

Haggling Excessively

Bargaining is common in shopping in many parts of the world, but some travelers take it too far, almost forcing sellers to the wall. Local artisans and market vendors are already on the tight margins and too much bargains are disrespectful. If the price is right, know that your payment is probably helping a family or community.

Demanding Western Standards

Some travelers expect destinations to be as comfortable and as standard as home, in amenities, punctuality and customer service. Western standards of hospitality can be demanding, and often in places that don’t have the same resources, and can feel entitled and alienate locals. If you embrace local customs, you will probably have a richer experience.

Overloading Iconic Locations

Machu Picchu and Venice are beautiful, but they’re also fragile places. Crowded spaces can strain local infrastructure and in the case of tourism, can disturb residents and upset locals. Visit less known places and take the locals and you out of the crowds.

Photos Without Permission

The temptation is to capture that local person going about their day, but it feels invasive. It’s uncomfortable to imagine someone snapping photos of you at work or out with friends. If you’re photographing people in close quarters or private spaces, always ask permission.

Using Single-Use Plastics

Waste disposal is a big problem in many places. Plastic water bottles, straws, or bags bring more to the environmental load on local communities. To help these beautiful destinations stay clean for everyone, carry a reusable water bottle and shopping bag.

Not Paying Attention to Local Customs and Dress Codes

Ignoring dress and behavior norms and foreign tourists will offend the locals and may further reinforce ill-intentioned stereotypes about tourists. So reading up on basic etiquette can go a long way in helping you to ‘fit in’ and be polite to local customs, making your interactions feel warmer and more authentic.

Animal Exploitation

Animal exploitation is rife in tourism: elephant rides, ‘‘selfies’’ with tigers. Animals are mistreated in captivity and too many suffer greatly, supporting these practices just keeps their mistreatment going. Instead look for ethical wildlife experiences where animals have the ability to live in their natural habitats and thrive.

Not Learning Basic Local Phrases

Something as simple as ‘thank you’, ‘hello’ or your local phrase in the local language can make the difference between developing connections and showing respect. It can be indifferent, and many travelers base their entire trip on English. A few words can break down a barrier and let a local know you appreciate their culture.

Careless With Sacred Sites

Graffiti, littering, or climbing on some ancient ruins not only damages these sites, but it disrespects those cultures who still hold the same sites dear. Historical and spiritual are the reasons sacred sites are cherished. They are not to be treated like playgrounds.

Over Consumption of Local Resources

Some destinations have limited water or energy resources, and the more tourists there are, the worse the problem becomes. It’s courteous when resources are limited to take fewer showers, to reuse towels, and to use less water in order to reduce the burden on the local community.

Leaving Noisy Footprints

Quiet town transform into loud party town when tourists come down to bars, clubs and beach parties. Noise that happens late at night disrupts residents’ regular routine and changes the character of neighborhoods. If you’re staying in a local area, respect people’s need for rest by keeping the noise down.

Airbnb in Overcrowded Cities

Short term rentals can raise housing costs to the point where locals can’t afford to live in their neighborhoods. Rising rents caused by tourist demand have pushed some residents out of their homes in some cities. Instead try looking for hotels or guesthouses which belong to local owners who practice responsible tourism.

Bringing Unnecessary Technology

Cool videos made with drones and other high tech gadgets may be fun, but they can be intrusive to locals, wildlife, and other tourists. For example, drone buzzing bothers wildlife and transgresses upon private personal space. If you use gadgets, you need to be aware of when and where they’re appropriate.

Littering in Natural Areas

When travelers leave trash behind, national parks and nature trails suffer. Littering isn’t just ugly, it also hurts local wildlife and ecosystems. Bring in what you always carry out, leaving nature as pristine as you find it.

Souvenirs That Damage the Wildlife

Souvenirs made from endangered plants or animals are sold in many markets. Whilst the likes of coral jewellery, animal skins etc. may look nice, purchasing them helps to support illegal wildlife trade. Instead opt for souvenirs that have been made out of sustainable, local materials.

Resorts Excessive Water Usage

A water study around luxury resorts shows that they often use more water than local communities, especially in areas where water is in scarce supply. The price to the environment and the people living around is high: Pools, lush gardens, and frequent towel changes. Think about what your stay does to local resources.

Walking in Sensitive Areas

Some areas, such as coral reefs or protected dunes, are very sensitive to foot traffic. For example, walking on coral will kill fragile ecosystems that take decades to recover. Protect these areas and these areas’ natural beauty for future generations, and stick to the marked paths.

Voluntourism Without Proper Skills

Volunteering on a trip may feel good, though unskilled aid can sometimes do more harm than good. Building or teaching projects require expertise; without it, voluntourism can take jobs from qualified locals. If you even want to give back, donate some to reputable organizations, or even to local businesses, as support.