Traveling the world responsibly

The snow has now settled delicately on our Quebec soils and dreams of exoticism resurface in our minds as our only escape from the most terrible of spells: those famous -30 degrees of January.

Behind the majestic picture of travel lie some flaws, and believe it or not, we are largely responsible. Boracay, a paradise beach in the Philippines, closed its doors to tourists last April to recover from the uncontrollable pollution in its waters. To avoid contributing to this unfortunate situation, here are a few easy tips to take responsibility during our future trips.

1. The ugly plastic

Ladies and gentlemen. Suddenly seized by a touch of madness? On a Wednesday afternoon under the scorching Varadero sun, do you fancy downing nine Margaritas? Know that I wholeheartedly support this indulgence. However, nothing prevents us from enjoying a guilt-free vacation by bringing our own reusable cup – and let's ditch the straws! The days of recklessness are over; eco-friendly is the new sexy.

2. Choose local restaurants

Choosing local restaurants means supporting the local economy. My best travel memories are of sitting on those low little chairs, elbows resting on a plastic table that barely stands on its four legs, as fragile as a newborn Bambi. Chopsticks for ramen, an Asian spoon for pho soup, our fingers for a Sri Lankan curry: the more unusual the utensils, the more unique the experience is likely to be!

3. Leave no fingerprints

The world abounds with remarkable places. Green mountains against a backdrop of a coloring-book blue sky, scarlet sunsets, festive palm trees, and waves crashing and lapping at our toes. Let's cherish these gifts of nature and pass them on as they are. Let's make sure we leave no trace behind and avoid taking nature home with us as a souvenir.

4. Wild animals are only beautiful in nature

In my travel archives, you'll find a photo of me, smiling and vibrant at 19, spooning with a tiger in Thailand—of course, the tiger was heavily sedated. To that anecdote, I say: shame on me. Tell me, who would actually cuddle up to a cat that size in the middle of the jungle? These snippets of life will certainly make your Instagram followers green with envy, but nothing is less natural than travelers appropriating the environment of wild animals. When it's time to fulfill our dreams of being the greatest adventurers, let's choose companies that champion ethics and the humane treatment of animals.

5. Gifts left on your hotel bed

If you're going on an all-inclusive vacation, first check your closets at home for school books, clothes you no longer wear, and gifts from your sister-in-law that you rarely use. This will save you from extra shopping, overconsumption, and the risk of waste. Friendly advice!

6. Learn good manners

From a very young age, our parents have championed "please" and "thank you." As children, we learned them in French. As adults, let's learn them in the language of our host country. The endless waits at the airport give us ample time to pick up certain polite phrases. The locals will be delighted when, all smiles, you exclaim in a (most likely questionable) accent: "Terima kasih!"

7. What is taken for granted in Quebec is not necessarily taken for granted elsewhere

Water is a good example. In Bolivia, having to shorten your shower or wash with a mitt is not uncommon. Upon arrival, nothing prevents us from learning about the difficulties a country is currently facing and moderating our consumption during our stay.

8. Let's be patient, for love's sake!

Not every country lives at the frenetic pace of the Americas… Whether our taxi is late or our pho is a little slow to arrive – on vacation, nothing should be too urgent. Let's leave our watches on the bedside table and live in the moment without hands or dials, without urgency or delays. As the Kenyans used to say to me to soften the blow: “Lady, Hakuna Matata.”

9. Avoid "voluntourism"

Be wary of organizations offering "all-inclusive" packages that promise to save the world in two weeks – even Mother Teresa took over 50 years to win her Nobel Prize! Some of these companies make a lot of money off your good conscience, and local communities benefit very little. Be vigilant!

With the explosive growth of backpacking across the globe, we must consider the impact our presence has on the tourism industry. Combining the enjoyment of beach breaks with respect for local communities is already a winning formula.

Have a good trip!

Stéphanie Bureau

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