Travel responsibly

Research the culture of the area before arriving at my destination.
Talk to locals, employ local tour guides and stay in accommodation establishments that have invested in the local community.
Learn some of the local language.
Respect the dignity and privacy of others.
Make an effort to donate to a local organisation that supports community projects rather than giving money to beggars and street children.
Purchase souvenirs directly from community markets and crafters so that the money goes directly to local businesses.
Experience local and regional cuisine.
Be vigilant about protecting children from exploitation and prostitution.
Question establishments where children of school-going age are working.
Pay a price that is fair for the seller and maker or service provider.
Drink tap water and use water as efficiently as possible.
Dispose of matches and cigarette butts in the bins provided to avoid starting fires in ecologically sensitive areas.
Use electricity as efficiently as possible.
Not approach or feed baboons.
Not take natural keepsakes such as shells and indigenous flowers.
Stick to marked paths and roads when driving or hiking.
Make sure that the seafood I want to buy and eat is not on the list of endangered species.
Dispose of rubbish carefully, recycle where possible and re-use my beverage bottles and shopping bags.
Use public transport when possible, or take a walking tour.
Offset my carbon footprint by planting a tree.

Concerns about global warming, poverty, the destruction of the environment, and the erosion of local culture and lifestyle, have created a need for responsible tourism, a way of making global travel economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

This is not just another form of “niche tourism”, nor is it synonymous with eco-tourism.

While responsible tourism does include environmental awareness, it is about the all-encompassing legacy of tourism. It aims to conserve cultural heritage, to generate greater economic benefits for and encourage more meaningful connections with local people, and to facilitate a greater understanding of cultural, social and environmental issues.

What can you do to become a more responsible visitor? Take the pledge in the right column, tell your friends and practise at least one of our responsible tips every day, not only when you travel in our beautiful city.

Useful tips

Tip #01

Research the culture of the area you intend to visit before arriving at your destination. Suggested areas that you could add to your itinerary to contribute to social development and the reduction of poverty are Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Langa, Mamre and many others.

If you would like to give back to the people of the Mother City you should also consider volunteering as part of your holiday.

View more tips

What others say

#28

Sona Shah – Nairobi (27 January 2012)

i take the pledge as I can see how we humans are mistreating our planet

#27

Halavina Alena – Minsk, Belarus (10 January 2012)

Good afternoon. I`m going to visit your city. I'll be very grateful if you send me any information which is necessary for the tourist. Thank you! Name: Alena Halavina Adress: Belarus, Minsk, Rokossovskij - avenue, 77 - 286 220094

#26

Dalene Swart – Umhlanga (9 November 2011)

Ek en n vriendin wil =/- 3 dae in die Kaap vertoef.Sal graag die stadstoer en nog twee dagtoere doen Sal u asseblief vir ons inligting stuur. Ook miskien gemaklike selfdiens blyplek in die Kaap .

#25

Susan Jayne Parrott – South Africa (27 June 2011)

#24

Sadia Amardien – Cape Town, South Africa (6 March 2011)

I take the pledge with pride

#23

Frederik Hengeveld – Zambia (25 February 2011)

I will continue to promote and build more awareness on the cultural and natural richness on the different Open Africa Travel Routes.

#22

Joy Daniels – Atlantic Seaboard (22 February 2011)

We support this :-)

#21

Mike Langford – Cusco, Peru (20 February 2011)

As a Capetonian i'm proud to take this pledge and support responsible tourism.

#20

Heather – Cape Towm (19 February 2011)

#19

Marie Frei – Cape Town (18 February 2011)

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Photo credits

All photos courtesy Deon Gurling except:
tip #08 courtesy jaded one, tip #09 courtesy Andrew Turner, tip #11 courtesy flowcomm, tip #12 courtesy coda, tip #13 courtesy warrenski, tip #14 courtesy vgh.media and tip #18 courtesy Vilseskogen

Travel responsibly