11 Sustainable Travel Practices in India You Can Follow

5. Support local guides and small businesses

Hiring local guides and buying from small vendors keeps travel income where it belongs — with the people you meet. Local guides offer authentic perspectives, help you avoid cultural missteps, and often point out neighbourhoods and shops visitors otherwise miss. Eat at family-run eateries, buy crafts from artisan cooperatives, and choose transport drivers who are local. This spreads economic benefit beyond a few large companies. When shopping, ask about the process and the maker; many regions have cooperatives that pay artisans fair wages. Bargain gently, and prefer fixed-price stores or cooperatives where the artisan gets a fair share. Local tips might include tasting a region’s seasonal snack from a street vendor or visiting a village where a cooperative makes handloom cloth. These small choices help preserve traditional crafts and strengthen community resilience.