Dan’s Practical Guide to Mindful Tourism
Tourism is an opportunity to better ourselves and our world.
Cover photo: Posing at Eiheiji (“Temple of Eternal Peace”), Fukui, Japan (2024).
Intro
The word “tourism” is derived from the Greek tórnos (τόρνος), referring to a circular movement. Hence, a tourist is someone who embarks on a journey and returns (i.e. a round trip). But tourism is more than the logistics of transportation. At its best, tourism is about sharing in our collective humanity, achieving personal growth, and leaving behind a positive impact.
According to the United Nations, the “universal right to tourism” is enshrined alongside the rights to rest and leisure. It is a vital part of the human experience, which also fosters education, mutual understanding, and peace.
As a Polish-American, I spent much of my childhood on Transatlantic flights, and now — at nearly thirty-years old — I’ve been privileged to visit over fifty cities across some twenty countries. Tourism has made me more curious, patient, and confident; tourism also transforms the communities we visit, in terms of the economy, environment, and other ways.
Post-COVID, tourism is more popular than ever, which makes our behavior as tourists more important than ever. I have compiled my own practical guide for mindful tourism. Please read on for the history of tourism, its profound effects, and my tips for travelling the world.
History
Travel as recreation dates back to ancient times. The Seven Wonders of the World were popular among Greco-Roman travelers. Religious pilgrimages also became common to sites like Mecca, Jerusalem, and Santiago de Compostela.
By the 17th century, European aristocracy — mostly English bachelors — traveled around the continent in a rite of passage called the “Grand Tour,” to experience art, culture, and general debauchery.
By the 20th century, passenger trains like the luxurious Orient Express and Trans-Siberian Railway carried travelers to far and exotic places. Finally, modern tourism was born after World War II, thanks to new global stability, increased labor rights (vacation time), and the rise of commercial airfare.
Overtourism
Today, more people travel than ever before, leading tourism to represent 10% of global gross domestic product (GDP). While record tourism is a positive sign of increased prosperity around the world, this has resulted in the negative effect of “overtourism.” Also called “overcrowding,” this broadly refers to the unsustainable concentration of tourists at the same place and time.
Overtourism can result in resource-strain, price inflation, environmental degradation, and reduced quality of life for locals. Island, coastal, and rural destinations are particularly vulnerable.
It’s estimated that 80% of travelers visit just 10% of the world’s tourist destinations. This problem is exacerbated by social media, which plays an especially large role in travel planning among younger generations.
In Venice, Italy, tourism has virtually captured the city’s entire economy, pricing out most locals. From its peak in 1931, the population has fallen from 164,000 to 60,000, and it’s possible the city will have no permanent residents as soon as 2030.
Pressured by UNESCO, Venice finally outlawed cruise ships in 2021. Other cities have implemented tourist taxes and bans on new hotel construction to curtail overtourism, but many places are slow to push away tourists (and their money), leaving the responsibility of ethical tourism to individual travelers.
Destination
Your destination is the most important decision for ethical tourism. Tourism is much like voting, in that you can choose what governments and communities to support. It’s especially important to choose places with adequate infrastructure for tourists.
Furthermore, transportation alone is responsible for an estimated 70% of carbon emissions in the tourism industry. If possible, prioritize destinations that are easily accessible to you and are pedestrian-friendly. Preferably, take a train or bus to your destination. Cruise ships are the worst polluters, while also adding little to the local economy.
Direct flights are better than layovers, as takeoff is the most energy-intensive part of flying — thus flight time has a negligible environmental impact. Only book flights directly through airlines, as issues may arise with third-party vendors in case of delay or cancellation.
As a general rule, further destinations merit longer trips. From an environmental perspective, one long trip is better than multiple short trips, so consider visiting nearby destinations during the same vacation. My personal goal is to keep the combined price of travel and accommodations under an average of 200 USD per night.
Consult governmental travel advisories before booking a trip. Avoid authoritarian governments and political instability, areas suffering or recovering from war or natural disasters, and nations that allow slavery, or discriminate against indigenous people or gender, sexual, ethnic, and religious minorities.
As a gay man, queer rights are especially important to me, but I refuse to let this dictate my itinerary because LGBT+ people exist — and deserve to freely exist — everywhere, including Korea (Seoul, Busan) and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Langkawi).
Prioritize destinations with strong workers’ rights, which actively protect local communities (especially through housing policy), preserve nature, and cultural heritage — like Singapore and Austria (Vienna).
Timing
“Perfect” weather and major events are usually the most popular time for tourism. Instead, travelling off-season (or shoulder season) offers less crowds and lower prices. Additionally, off-peak travel helps keep tourism sustainable by reducing resource strain and supporting the local economy year-round, which also improves job security for tourism workers.
Timing varies by region. For example: summer is Europe’s busiest season, especially June through August. Avoid local holidays, if possible. Always check the local season and weather conditions in advance.
Hotel & Transportation
Again, transportation has the largest environmental impact in tourism. To minimize travel, choose a centrally-located hotel, well-suited to your itinerary. It’s more efficient — and often less expensive, in total — to splurge on convenient accommodations, than to choose cheaper lodging further away. I’ve learned this the hard way!
Hostels and capsule hotels are also worth considering for budget trips. Personally, as I’ve grown older I have come to value my sleep more; I prefer to pay more for safety and comfort — otherwise, I suggest travelling with noise-cancelling headphones, a sleep mask, and luggage locks.
Prioritize locally-owned hotels over international chains to better benefit the local economy, and consider eco-certified hotels to further reduce energy and waste. Many hotels offer eco-plans, in which bedding and toothbrushes are not replaced daily. Also, consider shorter showers, reusing towels, and using less air conditioning (i.e. higher temperatures in hotter weather and vice versa).
Avoid Airbnb and other short-term rentals, which displace local residents and ultimately erode the neighborhood character that originally made such locations unique, attractive, and affordable. Airbnb has dramatically changed since I first used it in 2017, when it was about staying with local residents, rather than another source of rent for landlords.
Download offline maps on Google or other apps prior to your trip! Walking and cycling are still the best modes of transportation as they are low-cost, pollution-free, convenient, and good exercise. Along with hydration and sunlight, exercise is also important to conquer jet lag. Remember to always return borrowed bikes and scooters to their proper place — not in the middle of a sidewalk or street.
For longer distances, prioritize public transportation as it is almost-always the cheapest and most fuel-efficient option. Additionally, increased ridership encourages government reinvestment, which further benefits locals, tourists, and the planet. Avoid rush hour, if possible. Use taxis as a last resort; ride-hailing apps such as Uber or Grab are the best way to avoid broken-meter scams and fare surprises. Otherwise, negotiate the price in advance. I do not suggest hitchhiking!
“Without the workers,
there’s no tourism.”
Worker & Animal Welfare
Avoid worker exploitation and mistreatment. At a minimum, treat everyone with respect and patience. Tip generously, where appropriate. In the United States, workers in food service are not guaranteed a living wage, reliant on tips for as much as 80% of their salaries. If witnessed, report worker abuse to appropriate authorities (government and/or NGO).
Patronize worker co-ops, collectives, and unionized businesses, if possible. Be mindful of local boycotts and picket lines which may affect you. There are frequent taxi and rail strikes in Italy, which are publicly advertised in advance.
Avoid activities that abuse animals. Animals should not be touched (no matter how cute or cool), with the obvious exception of domesticated pets such as cats or dogs. Animal cafes are largely unethical, with stressful conditions and inadequate care for most animals, especially exotic species. In Thailand, elephant “sanctuaries” are popular but such titles are often misnomers meant to confuse visitors. Also, check accreditation before visiting zoos or aquariums.
Language
Consider studying the local language before your trip. Learning basic phrases will improve communication and show respect. In France, every interaction must start with “bonjour” (“hello”) and end with “bonne journée” (“have a nice day”). Speaking the local language is also a great way to immerse yourself in the experience of visiting a foreign place. Google Translate is a lifesaver!
All languages have unique words, idioms, and expressions that may enhance your trip and possibly change your perspective in a permanent way. In Kyoto, Japan, tourists often learn about the concept of wabi-sabi (わびさび), a melancholic philosophy of appreciating imperfection and transience. I think about this idea frequently, even when in other countries.
Rules & Culture
When travelling in a foreign place, remember that you are both a guest and an unofficial ambassador. Follow all posted guidelines at museums, parks, and other tourist sites — even if fellow visitors are not. Be mindful of your speaking volume and personal space. Personal displays of affection (PDA) such as holding hands or kissing may be considered unusual or inappropriate.
As a Boy Scout, I was taught, “take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.” Do not litter or take natural items such as shells, rocks, or sand. Photography may not be allowed in some places. Always ask permission to take a photograph with/of someone.
Be weary of pickpockets and strangers who offer gifts. One common trick across the world: scammers dressed as monks will generously give prayer beads, only to harass you for a donation. Also, never give money to child beggars, as this encourages truancy (skipping school) and perpetuates poverty.
Dress modestly for religious sites, covering shoulders and knees. When visiting mosques, women are generally expected to cover their heads. At various sites, visitors must also remove their shoes so always remember to wear clean and comfortable socks. Some places may be closed to tourists during worship services or events, often Sundays. It’s best to check in advance, if interested.
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you’d be better staying at home.”
Eating & Partying
Prioritize local, seasonal foods, over imported international cuisine, as these will typically be cheaper, more environmentally-friendly, readily-available, healthier, and memorable meals.
Finish your food, if possible. Buffets are an especially large source of food waste, but they are a good opportunity to try new foods. To reduce plastic consumption, carry a reusable shopping bag and water bottle; first, always check that tap water is safe to drink!
Before drinking alcohol or partaking in drugs, check that these substances are legal; for your safety, always participate in such activities with friends or in public. Recently, cannabis use has been increasingly restricted in Amsterdam (Holland / the Netherlands) from outdoor spaces to “coffeeshops.” I recommend checking online reviews for bars, clubs, and shops to avoid scams; I’m always suspicious of people advertising on the street.
Especially in unfamiliar places, use substances in moderation; have ride-hailing apps or other contacts prepared for your safety.
Shopping & Souvenirs
Prioritize hand-made crafts over plastic goods manufactured overseas. While it may be tempting to buy a fridge magnet or a t-shirt, my favorite souvenirs are the ones unique to their destination. Every country has unique crafts. Consider trying a workshop to take home something you made yourself!
Social Media
Social media is a great resource for travel inspiration and up-to-date information but it also leads to overcrowding. It’s good to consider which experiences you are satisfied to see online and which interest you to enjoy firsthand. Your trip can and should be unique to you.
Most importantly, avoid posting your current location publicly — especially accommodations — for your safety. I only post to Instagram after I have left the featured site or I am sure there is no way to identify my whereabouts.
Other
Other necessary details include having a current passport. Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after your date of entry. Some countries may also require a travel visa of certain nationalities, which you may need in advance of your trip. Upon arrival to your destination, don’t forget to exchange currency, purchase a temporary SIM card for data and calling, and a plug adapter. Cash withdrawals from ATMs generally offer the best exchange rate!
Review
avoid cruises
choose less popular places or times to visit
prioritize public transportation
eat and shop local
try the language
always be mindful & respectful
Change at Home
While it’s important to be an ethical tourist, we can make our greatest impacts at home, where we vote, organize, and spend most of our money. It’s always vital to be mindful of the environment and workers’ rights. The United States, in particular, lags behind many countries in affordable healthcare, housing, paid sick leave, and vacation time. Making your own city more livable and sustainable is your best-possible contribution to the world!
