11 Responsible Travel Practices That Make a Difference

3. Stay with local, community‑run accommodations and verified green hotels

Where you sleep shapes who benefits from tourism. Community‑run homestays and small guesthouses often send more of your payment into local pockets than large international chains. In many places, homestays are where travellers experience local food, stories, and livelihoods directly. Look for verified sustainability practices—waste management, energy efficiency, water-saving fixtures—and check certifications if available. Some established hotels also publish clear sustainability reports and invest in local hiring and waste systems; those can be good choices where homestays aren’t an option. Ask hosts about community projects they support or local hires on staff. Booking platforms and local tourism boards can list community-run stays and cooperatives. When you stay locally, tip fairly and follow house rules to respect guesthouse norms. This approach helps keep tourism earnings circulating in the community while giving you a more grounded travel experience.