• Read up on the countries you plan to visit – the welcome will be warmer if you take an interest and speak even a few words of the local language.
• Don’t discard litter. Waste disposal is a major expense in poorer countries.
• Help the local economy of developing countries by buying local produce in preference to imported goods.
• Realise that the people in the country you are visiting often have different time concepts and thought patterns from your own, this does not make them inferior, only different.
• Ask questions rather than assume you have all the answers beforehand.
• Use water sparingly – it is precious in many countries and the local people may not have sufficient clean water.
• Use public transport, hire a bike or walk where possible – you’ll meet local people and get to know the place better.

With thanks to responsibletravel.com and to Tourism Concern on whose respective guidelines the above has been based.

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