18 Oct 5 Simple Ways to Do Good While Traveling
The choices travelers make can have a huge impact on local communities. No matter where you go, there are simple ways you can do good—and these methods don’t have to take much time or effort. Here are five easy ways you can leave a lasting impact on the places you visit.
1) PACK A GIFT (OR TWO).
Photo by Sabine Bergmann
Perhaps you’ll be staying with a host family. Maybe you’ll make a friend on the road. Or maybe you’ll be visiting a place where a small donation of Band-Aids or crayons can be useful for members of the community. It’s always a nice touch to leave a memento with those you connect with, or to give back in small ways to the places you visit.
How to Start: Grab postcards from your hometown, or pack a few small trinkets that would make nice gifts. If you’d like to donate, find needed supplies on websites like Pack for a Purpose or Together for Good.
2) EAT LIKE A LOCAL.
Photo by Backroads Active Travel.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in San Francisco, San Salvador, or Stockholm—skip the chains and support the little guys. Who knows? You might find a new favorite dish you just have to bring back home.
How to Start: Before you go, make a list of traditional dishes and local specialties to try. Seek them out on menus, or better yet, ask a local for the best places to find them. As a general rule, if a restaurant is filled with locals, you’ve likely found a gem.
3) BYOWB: BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE.
Photo by O.A.R.S.
Travelers have a tendency to purchase disposable water bottles, which often end up in a landfills. Don’t fall into the trap. And here’s a bonus: When you bring your own water bottle, you’ll be less likely to get dehydrated, which could also help you beat jet lag (or hangovers).
How to Start: Pack or purchase a bottle—make sure it’s BPA-free—and take it on the road with you. If there’s a legitimate reason to drink purified water, consider bringing a filtered bottle or iodine tablets.
4) DONATE YOUR LEFTOVER CHANGE AND UNUSED MILES.
Photo by Sabine Bergmann.
Combined with donations from other travelers, what means very little to you—and might even go to waste—can really boost the good work charities are able to do in communities. And if you donate your leftover change in a foreign currency, you won’t need to worry about exchanging it when you get home (or having it sit in a drawer at home unused).
How to Start: Several airlines collect money in-flight for UNICEF’s Change for Good program, including American Airlines, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, LAN, and Qantas. You can also browse through your reward program options to find charities where you can donate unused miles.
5) DO YOUR RESEARCH.
Photo by Lindblad Expeditions.
In Guatemala, there is a rumor that foreigners come to the country to steal children, so photography of children is frowned upon. Other countries have certain plants or items that are illegal to purchase. Different communities come with different histories and challenges that shape their perspectives—make sure you do some research before you go. This promotes a mutual respect between locals and visitors, and it could end up keeping you out of danger.
How to Start: Read your guidebook or do some online research before visiting a country; you can also ask people who have previously visited to give you advice.
Ready to move from small contributions to bigger ones? Check out these Adventure Collection opportunities:
Natural Habitat Adventures: Care for Giant Pandas
NOLS: Take a Wilderness Medicine and Rescue Course
Micato Safaris: Lend a Hand to the non-profit AmericaShare while on Safari
Off the Beaten Path: Explore National Parks with the National Park Conservation Association
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