5 Ways to Support Local Communities When Traveling

Traveling can change one’s life and perspective. But, beyond changing your own life, travelers have the opportunity to make a difference in the country they are visiting as well. Mindful and respectful travel means supporting local people and businesses, according to the travel site Lonely Planet. Here are five ways that travelers can uphold local communities.

Stay local
A blog on ecobnb suggests ditching corporate hotel chains in favor of local guesthouses, homestays or bed and breakfasts. This is a great way to meet locals and to support communities. If you do stay in a hotel, check hotel websites to find an establishment that patronizes local businesses, for example, serving up local food and coffee in their breakfasts. 

East at local establishments
Eat authentic local cuisine from local establishments rather than looking for the familiar restaurant chains you left behind. You will get to try tasty, cultural dishes, and support small businesses at the same time. 

To find the best eateries, the Bon Travelers website suggests searching the Google app for “local restaurants in [name of city].” Look at the website in advance, and order directly from a restaurant, not a third-party app.

Shop for locally produced gifts
When it comes to souvenir shopping, look for handmade artifacts that represent and showcase the culture and traditions of the area you are visiting. The World Nomads travel site cautions that the souvenir industry is valued at billions of dollars, but many of the options on the market are cheap, mass-produced odds and ends. 

When buying directly from the artisan who produced the souvenir, you can ensure that you are supporting locals and that your souvenir was produced ethically and the creator was compensated fairly. 

You can also ask questions about how it was made and learn about the local culture. Just note that, depending on the local culture, it may be worthwhile to haggle over the price to make sure you aren’t being taken advantage of.

Tour using local guides
Instead of sourcing a tour guide through a large, international tourist agency, try to find a local guide. You will support the local community and get to experience an invaluable authentic and local perspective, reports the Washington Post. 

Utilize the power of social media to track down local tour guides. Many guides can be found by searching social media or using a website like Airbnb Experiences. aVOIDmass-market sites that only aggregate tour options and look for a site where you can interact directly with the guide. If you stay at a hotel or airbnb, you can ask your host if they have recommendations.

Be a respectful tourist
Respect the local culture and environment, stressed Lonely Planet. This means not disturbing the natural flora and fauna, cleaning up after yourself, learning a few phrases in the regional language, and educating yourself to avoid culturally insensitive practices.

When traveling, there are countless ways to make a meaningful connection with the people and culture of your destination and to support the area you are visiting. Traveling mindfully is more than just exploring new places; it’s about leaving a positive footprint and helping communities thrive.