11 Responsible Travel Practices That Make a Difference

8. Support fair economic distribution — prefer local guides and social enterprises

Where your money flows matters. Book local guides, choose locally owned tours, and look for social enterprises that reinvest profits into community programs. Local guides bring authentic knowledge, often speak regional languages, and are more likely to share earnings with families and neighbours. If volunteer opportunities appeal to you, vet organisations carefully: confirm projects meet real community needs, avoid short-term placements that can burden hosts, and prefer programs that hire locals. Pay fair wages and tip appropriately. Buying from cooperatives and certified social businesses gives artisans a steady income and supports long-term livelihoods. When tourists make these choices consistently, benefits spread through supply chains and strengthen community resilience—especially important after shocks like the pandemic when tourism income vanished quickly.