Nowadays, ethical and moral decisions are necessary while traveling. Although touring the world is a fantastic experience, there are some travel mistakes you must avoid, such as leaving a negative effect on people, places, and animals you encounter in your travels.
It is crucial to stick to morally good travel decisions as the world is undergoing a significant mass extinction, travel change, and global refugee crises. However, the world remains a beautiful planet to explore and tour.
There are many positive things you can engage in as you enjoy touring various parts of the world. For instance, one good travel practice is to opt to carry food supplements such as fat metabolisers to keep you energized during your trip.
So, lets take a look at 5 travel mistakes you should avoid while traveling.
disclosure: this is a partnered post
#1: Don’t Feed Wildlife Animals
Although sharing a meal with a monkey in a park may seem like a fantastic picture to share on your social media, its important that you do not. You should avoid feeding any animal you encounter on the road or park – its one of the big travel mistakes! It is essential to note that food considered fit for human consumption is not always suitable for wildlife and can make them very sick.
Additionally, in many states and countries, it is illegal to feed wildlife. Therefore, you may also find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
#2: Avoid Taking Photos of People without Consent
Imagine if you are busy doing your own thing, minding your own business, and to your surprise, a tourist walks towards you and takes a photo? Typically, you will be so irritated. The same applies to any other person in the world. So, if you want to photograph someone, keep your camera away and talk to them first.
Then, courteously request their consent to take a photo, and if they deny you the chance, respect their decision. Some cultures consider taking photos to be taboo. For instance, Islamic states do not allow photographing religious artifacts or women’s faces.
#3: Avoid Littering the Environment
You should always avoid throwing trash on the ground or into bodies of water. This is harmful and disrespectful to the environment and is definitely one of the travel mistakes to avoid. Typically, developing countries lack reliable recycling or trash pickup centers; therefore, you should be considerate and take care of the environment you are visiting.
It is recommendable to carry a refillable water bottle rather than purchasing disposable plastic bottles on your travels. Usually, national parks, campsites, and hiking trails have strict regulations relating to garbage accumulation and proper disposal.
#4: Don’t Exploit People
Experiencing a contemporary culture and learning how other people live is an essential part of traveling. However, do it respectfully. Always remember people are not an exhibit. Search for ethical expeditions that help or celebrate people. It would also be beneficial to learn about cultural nuances and appropriate customs prior to your travels.
#5: Don’t Fly Extensively
Airplanes are one of the fastest-growing contributors to carbon dioxide emissions. The emission of carbon dioxide causes the earth to warm rapidly, leading to global warming effects.
Although this does not imply you should not board a plane again, you should minimize how frequently you travel by air. You can consider other traveling options such as road, train, or water transport.
Traveling is an excellent way of enjoying your free time and holidays. It offers you the chance to explore and learn more about different cultures around the world. However, it’s your responsibility to not make travel mistakes. Take care of the environment around you and always aim to leave a positive impact on the area that you tour.
