A beginner’s guide to community-based travel

Immersing in local culture, learning about age-old traditions and falling in love with local ways of life – for so many of us, these are the reasons why we travel. It becomes even more rewarding when you know the people that welcome you are directly benefitting from your presence. Here are 10 ways to ensure your hard-earned tourist dollars go back to local communities.

Every place has a story and the more you understand about the destination you’re visiting, the more you will gain from your trip. Getting to know the history of a place might not always be pleasant – but it’s those stories, good and bad, that make up the essence of a community, and will have shaped the people who live there today.

Taking a few minutes to research a destination before travelling will provide context to the ways of life you come across. Even better, it gives you the understanding to fully immerse into the place you are visiting in a more impactful way. You could do this by contributing to the local economy within marginalised neighbourhoods, visiting lesser known areas to spread the benefit of tourism income or supporting Indigenous-owned businesses that have struggled in the past.

Visiting off season doesn’t only relieve the pressure on destinations experiencing overtourism – it can also highly benefit communities who aren’t struggling with too many visitors. Thanks to seasonal changes such as adverse weather, school holidays and flight availability, income through tourism in many parts of the world, tends to be uneven throughout the year. This can mean insecurity for those working within the travel sector.

By travelling in the off-peak season, you will bring in money to regions when income through tourism is at its lowest. Plus, you’re likely to bag a bargain when it comes to accommodation or tour operator prices because of the reduced influx of visitors. Not to mention, the more intimate experience that awaits. Bonus.

While all-inclusive hotels and resorts might be great for seclusion and relaxing, they tend to encourage visitors to stay within the precinct – meaning the surrounding communities benefit very little from your presence. Meanwhile, locally owned and run B&Bs, guest houses, homestays and agri-tourism ventures are an accommodation option where you can get to know your hosts, while simultaneously gaining insights and tips on where to visit.

Breakfast is usually prepared to order, meaning food waste is minimal, and gardens provide the opportunity to grow produce - making the experience a lot more planet-friendly, too. Typically, local businesses tend to support other local businesses, so you're likely to be privy to local know-how that you wouldn't normally hear when staying within a resort.

The most direct way to help communities is by injecting income straight into local businesses – and what better way to do that than by spending in community-owned and run stores and restaurants. Doing so is a great way of empowering local people; from expanding on homegrown business ideas and providing training and employment for more people, to growing opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

For the traveller, the benefit is simple. You will receive a genuine travel experience from a local perspective. What could be more rewarding than that?

Read next: The social impact of travel and what you can do to make a difference

No one knows a destination better than someone who grew up or lives in the place. Not only can they offer an insider perspective on what to see, where to go and where to eat – but this is a wonderful way to learn about what makes a place tick. A local guide can not only share intricate information, they will also be able to answer questions that help you get to know – and feel comfortable – in a place.

Plus, by booking a local guide you are contributing to the community, creating demand for local knowledge and employment and showing an interest in local culture.

You may need to dress more conservatively – covering shoulders and knees in particular – when visiting religious buildings such as churches or mosques, or while out in public spaces. The best way to prepare is by researching the cultural customs of a destination before you travel. For example, loose-fitting clothing is appropriate for more religious regions, such as parts of the Middle East, India and Indonesia. Simply carrying a shawl, or a sarong that can be fashioned into a skirt, can help in unexpected situations.

If your visit coincides with religious or cultural festivals, endeavour to be more aware of your actions while exploring. For example, the month of Ramadan is observed through fasting, prayer, reflection and community get-togethers, and asks Muslim communities – with some exceptions – to abstain from eating or drinking between sunrise and sunset. While you needn’t follow the same rules, do show courtesy by eating in only tourist-serving establishments, and use discretion if eating or drinking in public.

Read next: 5 cultural traditions and the history behind them

If booking a trip through an operator, opt for a company that partners with local businesses. This will ensure income goes back into host communities. Operators who invest in vital initiatives and local groups – rather than making ad hoc donations to larger charities – display genuine understanding of a region's needs. Community-centred operators will proudly promote their work through impact reports and detailed descriptions of social initiatives online – so keep an eye for this when researching with who to travel. If you're unsure of how genuine the initiative is, don't be afraid to ask questions such as: 'How much of my money goes to this project?'

G Adventures’ non-profit partner programme, Planeterra, for example, invests in initiatives that support marginalised communities – such as the ‘Women With Wheels’ women-run taxi service in Delhi, which trains and employs India women from resource-poor backgrounds. The Experience Travel Group’s Social Enterprise Restaurant Experience scheme, meanwhile, works with local restaurants in southeast Asia, introducing travellers to delicious local dishes. At the same time, your money is going towards youth training within the hospitality sector, as well as local employment.

When it comes to shopping, always bear in mind where your money is going. Avoid mass-produced souvenirs that are typically found in airports, stations and other tourist hubs and opt to buy from small-scale producers at artisan markets, galleries, handicraft stores and even artist workshops. That way you can ensure your money is going to those putting in the hard work.

Rather than bartering for your goods, make a pledge to pay what the product is worth. After all, someone has taken the time and dedication taken to create it. Plus, negotiating on price only tends to knock off a few dollars here and there – an amount of money that is likely to be far more valuable to the seller than the holidaymaker. Keep in mind that by paying a reasonable price, you are boosting the salaries of local creatives and allowing them to make a living that is sustainable.

Typically, working in tourism tends to pay minimum wage or just above, and as the work is seasonal, it can be hard for those in the sector to make a decent living wage throughout the year. With this in mind, it’s always worth tipping someone who has provided you with good service – whether they are a guide, waiter or waitress, room attendant or rickshaw driver. If there is a communal tip box, consider leaving something for the staff to share – it can make all the difference to how comfortably people live from month to month.

In the US especially, service industry staff are notoriously paid very little and depend on tips to make a living. In most other places, while tipping is not customary, between 10 – 20% is considered to be a fair addition to a bill. In Australia, however, tipping is not readily expected because services charges are usually worked into the bill, and staff are paid well for their work. Once again, a little research before travelling will help you determine the right amount to tip.

In some countries, government buildings, religious figures, monuments and private land aren’t allowed to be photographed – a custom that should be respected, no matter how iconic the scene. Photographs shouldn’t be taken of children unless explicit permission has been granted, while the same rule can be used for adults too. While your intentions might be innocent, shooting pictures can feel invasive to those in front of the lens.

Bear in mind responsible travel is centred in the removal of preconceptions. If you do choose to take or post pictures of people, consider whether you could be enforcing stereotypes through your images. If in doubt about whether to post a photo, consider how you might feel if a stranger snapped a picture of you, your home, or children that you know – and then posted it on a public forum. If it would make you feel uncomfortable, then perhaps it's best not to take the picture.

Continue your sustainable journey:

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