Travel & Culture - Being a Responsible Tourist (Upper-Intermediate)

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! 🤔 (Warm-up Discussion)

Let's discuss the role and impact of tourists on the places they visit.

What does the term "responsible tourist" mean to you? How does it differ from just being a regular tourist?
What are some potential negative impacts of tourism on a local environment, culture, or economy? How can responsible tourism help mitigate these impacts?
Share an example of a responsible tourism practice you have either participated in or would like to. Why do you consider it responsible?

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary Expansion)

Enhance your vocabulary for discussing responsible tourism at an upper-intermediate level.

1. Sustainable (adjective): Involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources; able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.

Example: "Choosing eco-lodges that use solar power is a great way to support Sustainable tourism."

2. Ethical (adjective): Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these; morally good or correct.

Example: "Responsible travelers often avoid activities that raise Ethical concerns, such as riding elephants."

3. Carbon footprint (noun phrase): The amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc.

Example: "Taking direct flights and using public transportation can help reduce your travel Carbon footprint."

4. Support local economy (verb phrase): To help the local community thrive financially by buying from local artisans, eating at local restaurants, and using local guides.

Example: "We made an effort to Support local economy by purchasing souvenirs directly from the craftspeople."

5. Conservation (noun): The protection of animals, plants, and natural resources.

Example: "Many national parks have strict rules to promote the Conservation of their fragile ecosystems."

6. Over-tourism (noun): The situation in which an excessive number of tourists visit a destination, resulting in damage to the local environment and historical sites and in poorer quality of life for residents.

Example: "Visiting popular destinations during the off-season can help combat the problem of Over-tourism."

Activity 3: Reading - A Mindful Traveler's Journey 📖

Read this account of a traveler prioritizing responsible practices.

When Elena planned her trip to a popular coastal region, she was determined to be a responsible tourist. She began by researching companies that promoted Sustainable travel practices. She chose a small, locally-owned guesthouse instead of a large international hotel chain, knowing this would directly Support local economy. She was also conscious of her environmental impact. She packed a reusable water bottle and coffee cup to reduce plastic waste and chose to travel between towns by train instead of taking short flights to minimize her Carbon footprint. Her goal was to enjoy the beauty of the region while leaving as little negative impact as possible.

During her stay, Elena learned about a local marine Conservation project and decided to volunteer for a day, helping with a beach cleanup. This experience gave her a profound appreciation for the local ecosystem. When buying souvenirs, she sought out artisans' markets rather than large tourist shops, ensuring her purchases were authentic and that the money benefited the creators directly. She also made an Ethical choice to avoid a popular tourist attraction that involved interacting with captive wild animals, as she had read about concerns regarding their welfare. She was aware that some popular spots suffered from Over-tourism, so she made an effort to visit lesser-known beaches and villages, discovering hidden gems and spreading her tourist spending more evenly. Elena found that traveling this way was far more rewarding, creating a positive impact and fostering genuine connections with the place and its people.

Questions about the Story:

Answer these questions:

What was one way Elena chose to Support local economy with her accommodation choice?
How did Elena try to reduce her Carbon footprint during her trip?
What activity did Elena participate in to support local Conservation efforts?
What kind of Ethical choice did Elena make regarding a tourist attraction?
How did Elena try to combat the problem of Over-tourism?

Activity 4: Role Play - Discussing Responsible Travel Choices 🎭

Let's pretend! One person is Liam (Planning a trip), and the other is Sarah (An experienced, responsible traveler).

Liam: Sarah, I'm planning a trip to the Amazon rainforest, and I want to do it right. How can I be a more responsible tourist?

Sarah: That's a great question, Liam. The first step is to research tour operators who are committed to Sustainable and Ethical practices. Look for companies that employ local guides.

Liam: That makes sense. By doing that, I can directly Support local economy, right?

Sarah: Exactly. It ensures your money benefits the community. Also, consider your Carbon footprint. Choose providers who have clear environmental policies.

Liam: I'm also concerned about Conservation. I want to see wildlife, but I want to make sure it's done in an Ethical way.

Sarah: A key concern. Good operators will have strict rules about not disturbing animals and contributing to Conservation efforts. Avoid any tour that guarantees up-close contact with wild animals.

Liam: Right. I've also read about Over-tourism in some parts of the Amazon. How can I avoid contributing to that?

Sarah: Choosing smaller, locally-owned eco-lodges in less-visited areas is a great strategy. It spreads the benefits of tourism and gives you a more authentic experience.

Liam: So, it's about choosing Sustainable businesses, being mindful of Conservation, and trying to avoid the pitfalls of Over-tourism.

Sarah: You've got it. It requires a bit more research, but it leads to a much more rewarding and responsible journey.

Let's Talk About It:

After you read, talk about this:

What was Sarah's main advice for ensuring wildlife viewing was Ethical?
How did Sarah suggest Liam could both avoid Over-tourism and Support local economy with his accommodation choice?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - A Traveler's Pledge ✍️

Help Chloe (Traveler) complete her part of a conversation with her friend, Ben, about her travel philosophy. Use words and phrases from Activity 2!

Ben: Chloe, your travel photos are always so amazing and seem so authentic. What's your secret?

Chloe (Traveler): Thanks, Ben! I really try to travel in a way. For example, I'm very conscious of my and try to minimize flights.

Ben: That's really thoughtful. What about how you spend your money?

Chloe (Traveler): I always try to by eating at family-run restaurants and buying from local artisans. It feels more than giving money to large international chains.

Ben: And you visit a lot of natural areas. How do you approach that?

Chloe (Traveler): I always look for tours that contribute to wildlife . I also try to visit popular places in the off-season to help avoid the problems of .

Ben: It sounds like you put a lot of thought into being a responsible tourist.

Chloe (Traveler): I try! It makes the experience more meaningful for me and hopefully better for the places I visit.

Show Answers! (Activity 5) ✨