The Responsible Traveler Guide

Other Important Responsible Travel Actions

Travel information is now readily available on the web; avoid expensive glossy brochures that will go to waste or have to be recycled.
When printing airline, hotel, car rental confirmations, or other online travel documents, print only the relevant pages for check-in. Terms and Conditions can be saved in your computer
Purchase electronic-tickets for airline travel whenever possible and use mobile technology for boarding passes where available.
Ask for invoices to be emailed instead of having a paper receipt. You can print at them home if needed or view them on a mobile device.

Take photos in a sensitive way by being informed of local peoples' attitudes towards being photographed.
Learn about the culture's traditions or superstitions, and always ask for permission, before pressing the shutter.
Money may be expected. Establish a price before you take the photos to avoid unpleasant misunderstandings.
Places of worship, museums, memorials, cemeteries and historical sites may have policies on picture taking which may not be clearly displayed. Always ask the attendant.
Airports, military bases, and government buildings may be interesting to photograph, but are generally off limits. Taking photos in these places may be punished harshly. It is not worth the trouble. Ask first.
Consider if the person being photographed could be put in peril with local authorities in countries that may have sensitive political and religious conditions.
Children are wonderful subjects, but always ask the parents for permission first.

Dr.
Sonya Graci

Jacqueline Kuehnel