Joanna Tovia

Joanna Toviahttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/joanna-toviaJoanna Toviahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/practical/travel-cheaply-in-cost-of-living-crisisWhen it comes to travel, where there’s a will there’s a way – as these tips to traveling more affordably reveal.2023-08-24T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/practical/travel-cheaply-in-cost-of-living-crisishttps://www.worldnomads.com<p><span>Just because we’re all trying to spend less money doesn’t mean you should have to stay home. When it comes to travel, where there’s a will there’s a way – as these tips to traveling more affordably reveal.</span></p> <ul> <li><a href="#1">Pinpoint your priorities</a></li> <li><a href="#2"> Save on accommodation</a></li> <li><a href="#3">Bag a bargain</a></li> <li><a href="#4"> Limit who travels</a></li> <li><a href="#5">Get money smart</a></li> <li><a href="#6"> Eat and drink well for less</a></li> <li><a href="#7">Get around on public transport</a></li> <li><a href="#8"> Get resourceful with activities</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="1">1. Pinpoint your priorities</h2> <p><span>Travel is one of life’s true pleasures, but we all travel for different reasons. Some of us are all about kicking back and enjoying a hard-earned rest when we’re away, while others see travel as a chance to go on an adventure. Reconnecting with family is a top priority for many, whether we’re traveling to see people we love or using travel to have some valuable time together. Thinking about the main reasons you like to travel is a great first step when it comes to reducing expenses – you can keep the things that matter most, and compromise on those that are nice to have but not nearly so important. Daily cocktails by the pool might have to go, for example, but a family bike ride to a <a href="/explore/soaking-up-culture-on-the-road">local market </a>could be worth spending money on for the shared experience and memories you’ll make while doing it.<br /></span></p> <h2 id="2">2. Save on accommodation</h2> <p><span>Even backpackers are looking for more refined accommodation options when they travel these days, but it might be time to rethink your must-haves in favor of more affordable stays. Redefining what luxury means to you can help. What matters more: high-thread-count sheets and a bottle of champagne on arrival or an unforgettable opportunity that means you can get to know local people? Why not forego the luxury resort or hotel this time in favor of a humbler homestay, hostel, house swap or locally-owned guest house? That’s what we call authentic travel!<br /></span></p> <h2 id="3">3. Bag a bargain</h2> <p><span>Saving a bundle before you leave home can make your trip feel far less financially stressful. Keep an eye out for great package deals and last-minute accommodation and tour bookings. Flights are better booked well in advance (fares tend to rise in price as the date of departure approaches), but we’ve found flights that leave on a Tuesday are often cheaper than those departing on other days.<br /></span></p> <h2 id="4">4. Limit who travels</h2> <p><span>If not everyone in the family is excited about heading overseas, does everyone really need to go? It can make more sense to divide and conquer. Dragging a reluctant teenager along when they’d rather stay home, for example, can spoil it for everyone. Would it be the worst thing in the world for them to stay behind with a grandparent who’d welcome the chance to spend some one-on-one time with them? Just think of the savings!<br /></span></p> <h2 id="5">5. Get money smart</h2> <p><span>Don’t wait until you get to the airport to exchange <a href="/explore/worldwide/travel-money-tips-for-budget-backpackers-and-first-time-travelers">money</a> for foreign currency – it’s the most expensive way to go. If you need to buy a popular currency such as US dollars, euros, pounds or yen, do it in the CBD of your own city before you leave – banks and money exchange bureaus are likely to have it in stock and offer a competitive rate. Less common currencies are often better bought once you get to your destination (but again, wait until you leave the airport). Also, keep in mind where you’re traveling from. If you’re coming from a country whose currency isn’t likely to be in demand, you may face a flat ‘no’ when trying to exchange money. Trying to exchange Australian dollars in Mexico or China, for example, may not go your way. Those with US dollars to exchange, however, are likely to have more widespread success. Shopping around online is an easy way to get the best conversion rate possible, and some <a href="https://www.travelex.com.au/">online currency converters</a> will load up a money card with local currency and deliver it to your door before you leave home – this makes fee-free withdrawals of local currency possible when you’re on the go.</span></p> <p><span>If you’re tempted to travel without any actual local currency in hand, however, keep in mind that wi-fi (and power!) is known to be unreliable in some countries, ATM machines can be temperamental, and tipping in cash is always appreciated.<br /></span></p> <h2 id="6">6. Eat and drink well for less</h2> <p><span>It’s easy to hemorrhage money on meals when you’re eating out three times a day and buying multiple drinks a day. An absolute must is to travel with a <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/bottled-vs-filtered-water">refillable water bottle</a> that has an inbuilt filter. You’ll stay hydrated and save money (not to mention the planet) just by packing this one simple item. If you’re booking into a hotel, call ahead to see if they will include breakfast in your rate (you might be surprised how often they say yes). Self-contained accommodation is a good way to save money – shop at the local market for breakfast supplies, pack a picnic to take with you on a day out, and opt for simple evening meals that can be cobbled together with ease instead of eating out every night. If eating out is a must (we get it), seek out street stalls or locally owned, inexpensive restaurants (ask around to find out where locals like to go). Having a late breakfast and an early dinner every day is also worth considering to pay for one less meal a day. If the portions tend to be huge (we’re looking at you, USA), try ordering a side salad each and sharing a main – there’s no shame in reducing food waste.<br /></span></p> <h2 id="7">7. Get around on public transport</h2> <p><span>Stay in one place for longer and get to know the local transit system. Many big-city train and bus systems offer discounts for 10 or more trips in a week. If you’re in a city popular with tourists, some bus companies also offer hop-on, hop-off deals with discounts on major attractions. If you’re heading to Europe, a <a href="https://www.eurail.com/en">Eurail pass</a> that allows you to travel affordably by train to multiple countries is definitely the way to go.<br /></span></p> <h2 id="8">8. Get resourceful with activities</h2> <p><span>If you’re looking to reduce the cost of activities when you’re away, all it takes is a little imagination – and you won’t have to compromise on fun. Getting out and about in nature can be positively restorative and will get those feel-good endorphins flowing. Go for a hike in a local reserve, or rent bikes, kayaks or scooters. Mix up the pace by exploring one day and chilling out the next at the beach or even a city park. Consider going your separate ways for the day before meeting up with your travel companions later – take a drawing class, explore a different neighborhood, spend a quiet day wandering around a spiritual site – do what fills your cup. If there’s a guided tour you like the sound of, chances are high there’s also a self-guided tour you could do for less or for free. It pays to get creative!</span></p>Getty Images/nomadnes 11449079782 Getty Images Rear view of Female traveler with backpack waiting for a new journey

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/practical/how-to-survive-overnight-stay-in-transitPulling an all-nighter in an airport, train or bus station is a worst-case scenario but when it does happen, it pays to be prepared. 2023-06-27T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/practical/how-to-survive-overnight-stay-in-transithttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>While it would be nice to carry an inflatable <a href="/explore/worldwide/tips-and-hacks-for-camping-skiing-road-trips">camping</a> mattress and sleeping bag with you everywhere you go, it’s a balancing act between stuffing your bag full of just-in-case essentials and traveling light. <a href="/explore/worldwide/whats-in-my-pack-travelers-reveal-their-backpacking-essentials">Packing</a> multi-purpose items that help you travel comfortably and make it easier to pass an unplanned night in transit is the way to go.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#1">Expert advice</a></li> <li><a href="#2">Travel comforts</a></li> <li><a href="#3">Sleep-friendly airports</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="1">Expert advice</h2> <p><span>Even the most avid travelers will admit they don’t love every aspect of travel – it can fray the steeliest of nerves when delayed flights, canceled buses and overbooked trains have them hanging around for hours on end waiting for the next announcement and potentially <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/delayed-baggage">delayed baggage</a>.</span></p> <p><span>When delays are extensive, hiking and biking guide Peter Sexton says spending the night at an airport or train station is sometimes preferable to the hassle of taking all your luggage with you to find a hotel, only to have to find your way back to make your flight or bus trip a few hours later.</span> </p> <p><span>One item he never leaves home without is a neck buff. “I’ve traveled all around the world and, as a full-time guide – I travel 10 months of the year – I just think a neck buff is one of the most functional things in the world.”</span></p> <p><span>When you’re not using it to keep your neck warm and a place for your head to loll, you can use it as an eye mask to block out the harsh lights of an airport gate or bus terminal, as a headband to keep your hair out of your face when having a wash in the restroom (and then as a mini-towel to dry off), or as a head covering for warmth.</span></p> <p><span>Peter always travels with a down jacket (“It stuffs up small but adds instant warmth”) and his all-time favorite clothing item – his bright yellow <a href="https://www.patagonia.com.au/products/mens-r1-air-full-zip-hoody-40255-wavb?variant=39557715066952&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s-kBhDqARIsAN-ipH0vZ0wG8gQOTPfHiBkcf9fL6oaiNufebowdSgrFF6t3t_STAVnWb2oaAlqkEALw_wcB">R1 Hoody</a> from Patagonia. It’s a lightweight, breathable, mid-weight layer with a hood you can pull over most of your face when it’s time for sleep. Plus, it’s made from 100% recycled polyester and is Fair Trade Certified sewn.</span> </p> <p><span>Although he doesn’t go as far as traveling with an inflatable sleeping mat, he does take a <a href="https://www.thermarest.com/ie/products/seats/z-seat/z-seat.html#product-info">Thermarest Z-Seat</a> wherever he goes. This small, lightweight camping seat is made from closed-cell foam. Unfolded, it provides a layer of comfort when taking a break on a hike, but when he can find a quiet spot at the airport to lie down, he places the Z-Seat under his hip for comfort.</span></p> <p><span>Peter’s other recommended essentials? Noise-canceling earbuds, a spare set of socks and jocks, and a mini travel towel. If you’re somewhere that offers showers, having clean underclothing and a towel to dry yourself can turn your whole day around.</span> </p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/learn/travelsmarter/airport-layover-content-new.jpg" alt="A group of people waiting to board at an airport gate" /> <figcaption>Some airports are sleep-friendly and may even provide amenities. Image credit: Getty Images / izusek</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="2">Travel comforts</h2> <p><span>Travel writer Ivy Carruth says a large scarf or wrap is also a must. “I won’t go anywhere without some kind of wrap; something lightweight that I can throw in the wash. It can serve as a blanket, get balled up for a pillow, cover my head if I want some darkness and privacy, or, of course, be used when the air-conditioning is blowing excessively.”</span></p> <p><span>Another essential? “<a href="https://lucaspapaw.com.au/">Pawpaw balm</a> in the red tube is my absolute desert-island must-have,” Ivy says. “For lips, hands, little scratches, dry noses, and nasal cavities that get dried out on the canned air of flights – it’s a lifesaver.”</span></p> <p><span>Other items you won’t regret carrying with you:</span></p> <ul> <li><span> </span><span>Charging cords for your phone and tablet/laptop</span></li> <li><span> </span><span>A power bank for when you can’t plug in your devices</span></li> <li><span> </span><span>Pre-downloaded episodes to watch or listen to</span></li> <li><span> </span><span>A sleep app that plays soothing sounds or meditations to help you drift off</span></li> <li><span> </span><span>Eye mask and earplugs</span></li> <li><span> </span><span>Small toiletry items – deodorant, sanitizer, moisturizer.</span></li> </ul> <p><span>If you’re lucky, the airport you’re stranded in will not have bright lights, televisions and music blaring all night long. Instead, they will thoughtfully dim the lights and turn off the tunes until a respectable hour. If you’re really lucky, the airport will have showers you can use, sleep pods (or at least banks of seating without armrests so you can lie down without having to lie on the floor), free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food options.</span></p> <h2 id="3">Sleep-friendly airports</h2> <p><span>These standout airports are known to provide a range of amenities that make it easier to kill time at airports – even when you’re there all night long:</span></p> <p><strong><span><a href="/explore/southeast-asia/singapore">Singapore</a> Changi Airport:</span></strong><span> if you have to stop over somewhere, do it here. This airport has comfortable sleeping lounges, rest zones and even a transit hotel. Not sleepy yet? Have a wander around the Butterfly Garden or Canopy Rainforest, take a dip in the rooftop pool or see a movie – they’re free.</span></p> <p><strong><span><a href="/explore/eastern-asia/japan">Tokyo</a> Haneda Airport:</span></strong><span> clean and efficient, this airport offers the weary traveler comfortable rest areas, capsule hotels and shower facilities and there’s even a spa and sauna.</span></p> <p><strong><span><a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/united-arab-emirates/safety">Dubai</a> International Airport:</span></strong><span> this busy airport has sleep pods, and single, double and bunk cabins. Some rest spaces have shower facilities, restrooms, and private working pods.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Incheon International Airport, <a href="/explore/eastern-asia/south-korea/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-seoul">Seoul</a>:</span></strong><span> well set up with nap zones, shower rooms, a transit hotel, and a 24-hour spa and dry sauna.</span></p> <p><strong><span><a href="/explore/europe/netherlands">Amsterdam</a> Airport Schiphol:</span></strong><span> don’t have the time to visit Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum? Visit a mini version of the museum at the airport – it’s open 24/7. There are also sleep cabins, reclining chairs and designated rest zones – plus plenty of dining and shopping options.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Helsinki Airport, <a href="/travel-safety/finland/how-safe-is-finland">Finland</a>:</span></strong><span> quiet and serene, this sleek airport has armrest-free benches and reclining chairs scattered throughout, along with sleep pods and a sauna.</span></p>Getty Images / Alexander Spatari 11425544643 Getty Images Man waiting for a train at the train station, side view

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/calendarHere's how to make travel help others – every month of the year.2023-01-16T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/calendarhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The global wave of support for responsible travel needs momentum to keep it going, so we’ve rounded up some inspiring ideas to do just that – one for every month of the year. </p> <h2>January</h2> <h3>Take a rickshaw tour in India</h3> <p>The <span><a href="http://pinkcityrickshawcompany.com/">Pink City Rickshaw Company</a></span> has trained and empowered 200 women from low-income households in Jaipur to run local tours in custom-designed, eco-friendly rickshaws. The well-run tours immerse travellers in the local culture, food, sights and heritage of Jaipur. The tour operators signed up to become equity holders in the rickshaw company, which they now proudly own and manage.</p> <h2>February</h2> <h3>Help street dogs in Greece</h3> <p>Exploring the Greek islands is a heavenly way to holiday but when you get to Crete, consider pausing for a couple of weeks to help out at an <span><a href="https://www.volunteerworld.com/en/volunteer-program/support-greek-dog-shelter-gr-in-greece-iraklio">animal shelter</a></span>. You’ll spend your mornings feeding and walking the dogs and cleaning cages and helping with the rescue of stray dogs. Your afternoons can be spent as you please.</p> <h2>March</h2> <h3>Stay with a local in Nepal</h3> <p>The <span><a href="https://www.communityhomestay.com/">Community Homestay Network</a></span> is a social enterprise that connects travelers with families across Nepal. Host families share their culture and daily life with their guests who, in return, give families access to a sustainable source of income through tourism. As well as being welcomed like a member of the family, you’ll have the chance to get involved with cooking and other daily chores and get to know the local community.</p> <h2>April</h2> <h3>Walk your way around Japan</h3> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/calendarofevents/calendar-in-copy.jpg " alt="A hiker on the Kumano Kodo." /> <figcaption> A hiker on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage in Japan. Photo credit: GettyImages/Janice Chen</figcaption></figure> <p>Self-guided walking tours abound in Japan, and it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the country’s culture – and much kinder to the planet than getting around by car, bus or train. Walk from village to village on the Nakasendo Way, staying at local inns and soaking your worries away in the hot springs en route – or tackle the more challenging 70km <span><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Japan/Self-Guided-Walking/Kumano-Kodo-Self-Guided-Hike">Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage</a></span>. The mountainous UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage route is steeped in Buddhist history. The only other pilgrimage route to obtain UNESCO World Heritage status is Camino de Santiago in Spain.</p> <h2>May</h2> <h3>Mend a broken bear in Asia</h3> <p>Adventure World has teamed up with Animals Asia to end bear bile farming. More than 10,000 sun bears, moon bears and brown bears are held in captivity in Asia to have bile extracted from their gallbladders for use in Chinese medicine. Adventure World now donates $300 to Animals Asia for every one of its <span><a href="https://www.adventureworld.com.au/asia/">Asia trips</a></span> booked. Adventure World has also launched a <span><a href="https://www.adventureworld.com.au/conservation-collection/">Conservation Collection</a></span> of trips endorsed by the <span><a href="https://www.treadright.org/">Treadright Foundation</a>.</span></p> <h2>June</h2> <h3>Visit One Planet Expo in The Netherlands</h3> <p>Science and culture museum, <span><a href="https://oneplanet.nl/">Museon Omniversum</a></span>, is home to One Planet Expo, an exhibition based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals formulated by the United Nations. The interactive exhibition is an engaging way for visitors of all ages to learn how we can work together to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for the planet.</p> <h2>July</h2> <h3>Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand</h3> <p>Not all elephant sanctuaries are created equal, but the <span><a href="https://www.phuketelephantsanctuary.org/en/">Phuket Elephant Sanctuary</a></span> – endorsed by National Geographic and World Animal Protection – is among the most ethical. A 600m-long, 6m-high canopy walkway at the 30-acre sanctuary allows visitors to observe elephants doing their thing without disturbing them. The sanctuary rescues sick, injured and old elephants from the logging and tourism industry. You won’t find elephant riding or bathing here, but you will have a moving experience that supports the sanctuary’s good work.</p> <h2>August</h2> <h3>Help restore the Great Barrier Reef in Australia</h3> <p>Join EarthWatch researchers measuring environmental conditions and the diversity of marine life on an expedition helping to restore the reef. Coral reefs around the world are being impacted by climate change and other threats, but what scientists learn here will help the recovery of reefs everywhere. You’ll spend much of this <span><a href="https://earthwatch.org/expeditions/recovery-great-barrier-reef">five-day expedition</a></span> in scuba gear underwater.</p> <h2>September</h2> <h3>Walk to help Vietnamese youth </h3> <p>One in five Vietnamese children are living in poverty so The Intrepid Foundation has teamed up with the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation to support its annual <span><a href="https://bdmarathonwalk2022.raisely.com/">Blue Dragon Marathon Walk</a></span>. You can sign up to do a 21km or 42km fundraising walk anywhere in the world on September 10, 2023. Last year, walkers raised almost $200,000 to help Vietnamese kids in need.</p> <h2>October</h2> <h3>Save sea turtles in Costa Rica</h3> <p>All seven sea turtle species are endangered, and volunteers play a vital role in saving them. In <span><a href="https://www.volunteerworld.com/volunteer-program/sea-turtle-conservation-ambassador-in-costa-rica-quepos">Costa Rica</a></span>, you can patrol beaches for turtle nests with biologists, keep them safe from poachers and predators, and help young ones make it safely into the ocean. Talk about a feelgood getaway!</p> <h2>November</h2> <h3>Cycle through Kenya to help children</h3> <p>This 500km <span><a href="https://rideafrica.org/kenya-ultimate-cycle-safari">cycle safari</a></span> raises money for child.org programs that support women and children’s health in Africa and Sierra Leone. Setting off from the elephant playgrounds of Amboseli National Park, you’ll peddle your way through three incredible national parks to the Indian ocean coastline at Mombasa. The ride has a support team of guides, vehicles, a nurse, and a police escort.</p> <h2>December</h2> <h3>Go souvenir shopping in Sri Lanka</h3> <p>Meaning ‘woman’ in Sinhala and Tamil languages, ‘Sthree’ provides a market for disadvantaged women and disabled people to sell their high-quality handcrafted wares, thus empowering them in their homes and communities. The <span><a href="https://sthreestore.com/">Sthree</a></span> store and cafe, a social enterprise located in Kandy, produces everything from sarees to jewellery made by women throughout Sri Lanka, while the cafe provides employment and training opportunities. Find out more about it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQiW-F9tXnc">here</a>. </p>Getty Images/Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Stringer 1 Getty Images woman feeds elephant

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/influence-travel-for-the-betterEvery traveler that supports sustainable tourism practices is playing a vital role in creating a brighter future.2022-02-28T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/influence-travel-for-the-betterhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#certification">Look for certification</a></li> <li><a href="#research">Do your research</a></li> <li><a href="#upgrade">Opt-in for eco upgrade</a></li> <li><a href="#share">Ask questions and share your knowledge</a></li> <li><a href="#feedback">Send feedback</a></li> <li><a href="#review">Write a review</a></li> <li><a href="#appreciate">Show your appreciation</a></li> </ul> <p>With travel bouncing back and pressure building for the tourism industry to lighten its load on the planet, it’s more important than ever that we do our bit. Every traveler that stands up for what’s right and supports sustainable tourism practices is playing a vital role in creating a brighter future. </p> <p>Follow this guide to learn how best to support eco and ethical travel operators and the steps you can take to drive positive change.</p> <h2 id="certification">Look for certification</h2> <p>With more people than ever striving to travel more responsibly, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/greenwashing-guide-2655331542.html">greenwashing</a> is becoming rife – browse any travel-related website and you’re bound to read claims about sustainability. Before you book a hotel, tour or travel experience based on this alone, check whether the operator in question has valid certifications in place to back up their eco ‘commitment’. Is the company a certified <a href="https://bcorporation.net/">B Corp</a>, does it adhere to <a href="https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/">Leave No Trace</a> principles, and is it a member of <a href="https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/">1% for the Planet</a>? Has it committed to taking measurable climate action by signing up to the <a href="https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/programmes/sustainable-tourism/glasgow-declaration/signatories-glasgow">Glasgow Declaration</a>? If not, why not keep looking and supporting a company that has?</p> <h2 id="research">Do your research</h2> <p>Practices that once passed as ‘eco’ are becoming the norm, and travel operators are having to do more to earn genuine eco-cred. Most hotels now give guests the option of not having their towels washed every day, for example, and this no longer qualifies them as being especially eco. Truly green accommodation will be sustainably built, carbon-neutral, plastic-free and energy-wise, so dive a little deeper when you’re researching <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-green-is-your-accommodation">where to stay</a> and spend your travel dollars wisely. Nothing speaks louder than money when it comes to driving change.</p> <h2 id="upgrade">Opt-in for eco upgrade</h2> <p>To help tourism operators introduce more sustainable practices (and measure how much travelers want them to do so), some are giving guests the option of paying a little extra to reduce their travel footprint. For example, some airlines allow passengers to <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/carbon-offset-schemes">offset the carbon</a> their flight will generate by ticking a box and paying a small fee at the time of booking. Likewise, some accommodation providers give guests the option of a carbon-neutral stay with an add-on levy. African eco-safari operator <a href="https://singita.com/">Singita</a> is doing just that to scale up its sustainability efforts. Singita uses the carbon-offset funds generated to benefit local communities and reduce climate impacts. </p> <p>Other tourism operators have a philanthropic arm or foundation that guests are invited to support. Whether they provide bicycles for local children to get to school, fund ecosystem regeneration or support the rehabilitation of injured wildlife, making a small (or big!) donation when you book is an easy way to support the good work they’re doing in the world.</p> <h2 id="share">Ask questions and share your knowledge</h2> <p>No matter how careful you’ve been to seek out an <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-choose-an-ethical-tour-operator">ethical and eco-tour operator</a>, expectations don’t always measure up to reality. A dive trip, safari or <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/camel-riding">camel riding</a> expedition that clearly puts profits ahead of animal welfare can be disappointing, for example, as can eco-tour operators whose practices fall short of their promises. </p> <p>Before you jump to conclusions, find out more. If you’re on a miserable-looking camel who doesn’t look well cared for, ask about the camel's living arrangements, what they eat and how much rest they’re given between rides. As awkward as it can be, kindly sharing what you know about animal welfare, marine standards or responsible eco practices could equip a tour operator with the extra know-how they need to improve how they do things. At the very least, you’ll be letting them know that travelers notice and care about eco and ethical matters – and you just might be the one who convinces them to make a change.</p> <figure><img src=" https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/travel-feedback.jpg " /> <figcaption>Always give constructive feedback on how to better support local communities. Photo credit: Getty Images </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="feedback">Send feedback</h2> <p>Taking the time to put your concerns in writing to management – clearly and politely – can ensure any feedback you’ve given in person to hotel staff or tour guides reaches people with the power to make policy changes. Fill out any hotel questionnaires and email a tour operator after your visit, detailing what they could do to reduce their impact on the environment, improve their treatment of animals, or better support local communities – and that you won’t be booking with them again until improvements have been made.</p> <h2 id="review">Write a review</h2> <p>Most of us rely heavily on reviews to make a purchase, book an experience, or choose somewhere to stay. If you’ve had an unsatisfactory response to the other feedback you’ve provided, share your disappointment with a negative review on TripAdvisor, Google, and even their own website if you can. Sharing a tourism operator’s poor environmental performance with other travelers clearly communicates that it’s just not good enough. They know as well as we do that bad reviews will directly affect their bottom line. Yours could provide just the motivation they need to do things better. </p> <h2 id="appreciate">Show your appreciation</h2> <p>It’s easy to focus on the negatives, but recognizing when a company is doing right by the planet and making an effort to be responsible can be just as influential. Everyone likes a pat on the back when they do a good job, and travel operators are no exception. Share your positive experiences on social media, make a point of saying thank you to a tourism operator going the extra mile, and leave a review that underlines the efforts they’re making to reduce emissions, save water or support conservation. </p> <p>The more we communicate about what matters to us, the more the industry will respond. Demand drives lasting change, but it’s up to each one of us to be clear about what we want – with the choices we make, the feedback we provide, and the positives we celebrate. </p>Getty Images/iStockphoto 0 camels being led through dunes

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-travel-safely-during-pregnancyHaving a baby? Planning a trip? Take these extra precautions to ensure you stay safe and well, advises travel writer and mother of two, Joanna Tovia.2025-03-17T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-travel-safely-during-pregnancyhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#babymoon">The benefits and challenges of a babymoon</a></li> <li><a href="#flying">Flying while pregnant</a></li> <li><a href="#cruising">Cruising while pregnant</a></li> <li><a href="#healthy">Staying healthy on vacation</a></li> <li><a href="#safe">Staying safe while traveling</a></li> <li><a href="#wrong">If things go wrong</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="babymoon">The benefits and challenges of a babymoon</h2> <p>Having already had one baby, I knew what I was in for during those first few exhausting months – the lack of sleep, the round-the-clock care, the hormonal upheaval – only this time I’d be doing it with a go-go-go five-year-old in tow.</p> <p>A babymoon to Thailand during pregnancy number two seemed like just the thing for some pre-birthday fun and relaxation.</p> <p>It was fun and relaxing and I’m glad we went, but traveling while pregnant (six months along, in my case) meant taking additional care to ensure we all stayed safe and well. I already knew to avoid raw fish and soft cheese (bummer), would obviously be avoiding alcohol (no beachside cocktails this trip), and my vaccinations were up to date – but there were some unexpected hiccups during the trip that dictated what I could and couldn’t do.</p> <p>For starters, I’d forgotten just how hot and humid it could get in Thailand, so the gallons of water my body was already demanding I drink skyrocketed and I found it all but impossible to leave the cool (okay, cold) air of the hotel room during the hottest hours of the day. Even in the early morning or late afternoon, I needed to spend the majority of my time in the pool to stay cool.</p> <p>I was right to be concerned about overheating. According to the <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/07/01/summer-heat-brings-special-health-risks-for-pregnant-women" target="_blank">American Heart Association</a>, heat stroke, dehydration, and heat exhaustion can lead to fainting, headaches, muscle cramps, nausea, and dizzy spells in pregnant women, whose bodies are already working hard to support a growing baby. <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/dehydration" target="_blank">Dehydration during pregnancy</a> can affect amniotic fluid levels, prompt the onset of Braxton Hicks (those pesky false labor signs nobody wants to worry about on vacation) and cause other problems for you and your unborn baby.<br /><br />Below are some tips for planning your own travel. The number one tip though it to get <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/">travel insurance</a> and to<a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/whats-covered/pregnancy"> understand how it covers you</a> should something unexpected come up while you are away from home.</p> <h2 id="flying">Flying while pregnant</h2> <p>If your doctor has given you the green light for air travel and you’ve checked the cut-off dates with your airline (some won’t allow you to travel past the 28-week mark, while others draw the line at 36 weeks), most pregnant women can travel safely by plane.</p> <p>Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or placenta abnormalities are <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-and-travel#high-risk-pregnancies-and-travel" target="_blank">reasons not to travel</a>, according to the Victorian Department of Health, which also advises against travel if you are over 35 and pregnant for the first time. Carrying more than one fetus, or prior pregnancy issues (miscarriage, premature labor, pre-eclampsia) are other reasons to reconsider travel.</p> <p>Try to book an aisle seat for those extra trips to the restroom and request a bulkhead row for the extra legroom it provides. You won’t be seated in an emergency exit row if you’re pregnant, or will be relocated to another seat if a flight attendant sees that you are.</p> <p>Pregnant women are more at risk of <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-and-travel#risks-of-long-distance-travel-during-pregnancy" target="_blank">deep vein thrombosis</a> (DVT) than others during long periods of sitting (whether on planes, trains, buses, <a href="https://cooperhurley.com/driving-while-pregnant/" target="_blank">or in a car</a>), so walk around when you can, exercise your legs when seated, and drink plenty of water. Wearing compression stockings, as I did, during the flight keeps swelling down and reduces the risk of DVT.</p> <p>Oh, and secure your seatbelt under your bump across your lap <a href="/travel-wiser/survival/is-turbulence-dangerous">in case of sudden turbulence</a>. Our ultra-low-budget, ultra-uncomfortable plane bucked its way through the sky on our return journey to the point that one flight attendant made a sign of the cross and said a Hail Mary.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/pregnancy-airplane.jpg" alt="A pregnant passenger on an airplane." /> <figcaption>Keep your seatbelt fastened in case of sudden turbulence. Image credit: Getty Images / skynesher</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="cruising">Cruising while pregnant</h2> <p>A cruise can be a relaxing way to travel during pregnancy, but there are some important considerations to think about before booking your trip. Cruise lines have different policies regarding pregnant travelers, with many refusing to allow passengers aboard if they have entered their 24th week of pregnancy on the date of embarkation or will do so during the cruise.</p> <p>Always check the cruise line's policy before booking to avoid any last-minute disappointment and bring a letter from your doctor confirming your due date and stating that your pregnancy isn’t high-risk.</p> <p>Keep in mind that river cruise lines are rarely as strict as ocean cruise lines, with many leaving it up to you and your doctor to decide on whether it’s safe for you to go on a cruise.</p> <p>While cruise ships have medical facilities, they may not be equipped to handle pregnancy complications. Choose an itinerary that stays relatively close to land, where access to a high standard of medical care is available if needed. It’s also worth checking if your travel insurance covers pregnancy-related medical care on a cruise, as some policies exclude it.</p> <p><a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-prevent-motion-sickness-when-traveling">Seasickness</a> can be exacerbated by pregnancy nausea, so pack pregnancy-safe remedies like ginger tablets, acupressure wristbands, or doctor-approved motion sickness medication. <a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/how-to-avoid-illness-on-a-cruise">Be mindful of food safety while onboard</a>, particularly at buffets, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of bottled or filtered water.</p> <h2 id="healthy">Staying healthy on vacation</h2> <p>If you’re still deciding where to go on vacation, we have some suggestions.</p> <ul> <li>Seek out destinations that offer easy access to high-quality medical care.</li> <li>Avoid going to developing countries while pregnant if you can – the risk of traveler’s diarrhea, food poisoning, and other illnesses is higher, and it can be more difficult to find a high standard of medical treatment when you need it. Tropical countries with a risk of malaria, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/zika/" target="_blank">zika</a>, <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/what-you-need-to-know-about-dengue-fever">dengue fever</a>, yellow fever, and other mosquito-borne diseases should be avoided – pregnancy-safe prevention and treatment can be elusive.</li> <li><a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/travel-health-and-hygiene">Food safety precautions</a> are extra important when you’re pregnant, especially when you’re traveling overseas. Avoid ice in your drink, skip the buffet, ensure chicken and meat is fully cooked, and take a pass on seafood, pate, and soft cheeses. Drink (and brush your teeth with) bottled water if you’re unsure of the water supply, or use a water purifier/filter.</li> <li>Check with your doctor and travel insurer before taking part in sporting activities, especially those underwater or at high altitudes. This is not the time for high-octane adventure sports, no matter how energetic you may be feeling.</li> </ul> <h2 id="wrong">If things go wrong</h2> <p>Preparing for the worst before you leave home is the smartest approach, and that includes locating where you’d go for emergency obstetric and other hospital care, finding out <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/whats-covered/pregnancy">what your travel insurance would cover you for</a>, and what (if any) reciprocal agreements are in place for medical care between your home country and the destination to which you’ll be traveling.</p> <p>If you’re taking medication:</p> <ul> <li>Be sure you have enough and plan what you’ll do if you lose it while you’re away.</li> <li>Take medication on board in your carry-on luggage if you can.</li> <li>Pack a first-aid kit containing everything from painkillers and pregnancy multivitamins to pregnancy-safe treatment for diarrhea.</li> <li>Don’t assume medications available over the counter or by prescription are similarly available in other countries – what’s easy to access at home <a href="/travel-wiser/wellness/medications-and-travel">may be hard to come by or even illegal in another</a>.</li> </ul>Getty / Sara Monika 1186841950 Getty Images A pregnant woman in a lantern shop.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/innovation-airlinesWork is underway to make flying more sustainable, and that’s good news for the planet and good news for responsible travelers wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.2021-11-08T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/innovation-airlineshttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#race"> Race against time </a></li> <li><a href="#fuel"> Cleaner fuel </a></li> <li><a href="#innovation"> Aviation innovation </a></li> <li><a href="#eco"> Eco efforts on board </a></li> <li><a href="#food"> Food waste </a></li> <li><a href="#you"> What you can do </a></li> </ul> <p>Now that we can book tickets, board planes, and fly just about wherever our heart desires, the world is once again becoming our oyster. COVID-19 aside, the only thing stopping many of us from reverting to our pre-pandemic travel habits is that little thing called climate change. </p> <p>It’s hard not to feel guilty about taking off on a whim with the knowledge that flying is one of the most <a href="https://sustainabletravel.org/issues/carbon-footprint-tourism/">carbon-intensive ways</a> to get around – 2-3 percent of global carbon emissions come from aviation, and the <a href="https://climatechangeconnection.org/solutions/transportation/air-travel/">other gas and water vapor</a> planes release when they fly contribute further to global warming.</p> <p>Through initiatives such as <a href="https://www.tourismdeclares.com/">Tourism Declare</a>s and <a href="https://www.futureoftourism.org/">Future of Tourism</a>, key players in the travel industry have declared a climate emergency and called for a united approach to reducing emissions. At the UN’s 26th Climate Change Conference in November (COP26), some of tourism’s biggest businesses joined governments and destinations in committing to cut emissions in half by 2030 and achieve Net Zero by 2050. </p> <p>“While many private businesses have led the way in advancing climate action, a more ambitious sector-wide approach is needed to ensure tourism accelerates climate action in a meaningful way,” UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said. </p> <p><a href="https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/programmes/sustainable-tourism/glasgow-declaration">The Glasgow Declaration</a> is designed to help bridge the gap between good intentions and effective climate action. More than 300 tourism players have already <a href="https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/programmes/sustainable-tourism/glasgow-declaration/signatories">signed up</a> to the declaration, which commits them to file a climate action plan within 12 months and to report publicly on their progress and actions taken towards reducing emissions each year.</p> <p>Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the first airport to sign up, but it remains to be seen whether any airlines will become signatories – significantly reducing emissions remains a difficult challenge for the industry.</p> <h2 id="rise">Race against time</h2> <p>Airlines, airports and aircraft manufacturers are being leaned on to escalate efforts already underway to reduce the impact air travel has on the environment. The UN’s CORSIA scheme, agreed on by 192 countries in 2016, aims to ensure any rise in international aviation emissions above 2020 levels is offset elsewhere. </p> <p>With air travel rebounding quickly after COVID-19, however, the race is on to come up with ways to reduce emissions in a big enough way that it counters growing air-passenger traffic. Passenger numbers are <a href="https://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2018-10-24-02.aspx">projected to double</a> (from pre-pandemic levels) to 8.2 billion in 2037, but forecast improvements in aircraft fuel efficiency of 1-2 percent per year <a href="https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/pages/env2016.aspx">will not be enough</a> to offset the expected traffic growth of around 5 percent per year.</p> <p>Advances in aircraft design and technology are making planes more fuel-efficient, and improved procedures and operations at airports are reducing fuel burn, but the most effective way of reducing emissions is to use sustainable aviation fuel. </p> <h2 id="rise">Cleaner fuel</h2> <p>The World Economic Forum’s <a href="https://www.weforum.org/projects/clean-skies-for-tomorrow-coalition">Clean Skies for Tomorrow</a> coalition of airlines, airports, fuel suppliers and other industry stakeholders, is working to accelerate the supply and use of sustainable aviation fuel. There isn’t enough available, and what is available is expensive – costing two to four times as much as conventional jet fuel. </p> <p>United Airlines is one of the airlines working to become carbon neutral by 2050, but as United’s global environmental affairs and sustainability general manager Lauren Riley <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/does-air-travel-have-a-green-future/av-57140266?maca=en-podcast_on_the_green_fence-30407-xml-mrss">points out</a>, government incentives will be required to close the price gap and drive up the supply of sustainable aviation fuel. “Until that happens, we're going to continue to struggle with replacing conventional kerosene with sustainable alternatives.”</p> <p>Currently, sustainable fuel accounts for less than 1 percent of the total fuel United Airlines burns, despite being ahead of the sustainable-flying curve.</p> <h2 id="rise">Aviation innovation</h2> <p>Alternative fuels may be an effective way of reducing emissions, but so is switching to modes of transport that don’t rely on burning fuel at all – solar-electric planes, for instance. </p> <p>On his blog, <a href="https://www.gatesnotes.com/">GatesNotes</a>, Bill Gates writes: “How exactly do we fuel our need to move around without emitting greenhouse gases? The answer is simple, even if making it happen won’t be: use clean electricity to run all the vehicles we can, and get cheap alternative fuels for everything else … These technologies need to get much cheaper than they are today. That means finding ways to manufacture them at scale and to make sure they perform comparably to their fossil fuel counterparts.”</p> <p>The good news is that electric and hybrid aircraft projects are underway – Airbus and Boeing are among those working to innovate them – and small electric and hydrogen-powered planes are already being trialed in Scotland. </p> <p>Airbus is working with Air New Zealand to introduce <a href="https://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2021/09/air-nz-and-airbus-to-research-future-of-hydrogen-powered-aircraft/">hydrogen-powered aircraft</a> to its fleet by 2030, and Norway hopes to transition to all-electric aviation by 2040, recently announcing plans to put a nine-seater <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnikel/2021/03/11/norways-widere-could-fly-this-rolls-royce-electric-plane-by-2026/?sh=46d6364951a6">all-electric commuter plane</a> in the air by 2026. </p> <p>A solar-powered aircraft has already circumnavigated the globe, and its creator (the <a href="https://solarimpulse.com/">Solar Impulse Foundation</a>) is now helping to fast-track more than 1300 other solutions to environmental challenges – all without compromising economic growth.</p> <p>Airports too, are innovating as they strive to become carbon neutral. There are 124 airports worldwide mapping their carbon footprints via the <a href="https://www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org/">Airport Carbon Accreditation</a> program, and there are now more than 50 carbon-neutral airports in Europe alone.</p> <h2 id="rise">Eco efforts on board</h2> <p>Airports and airlines are jumping on the sustainability bandwagon in what’s likely just as much a public relations opportunity as it is an opportunity to go green. </p> <p>Etihad, Singapore Airlines, Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines are among the carriers moving away from single-use plastics – they’ve ditched plastic straws, packaging and drink stirrers from aircraft and lounges in favor of biodegradable alternatives.</p> <p>Air New Zealand, meanwhile, is trialing birchwood and bamboo service ware in a bid to remove 28 million single-use plastic dishes and cutlery items from the waste it generates inflight every year.</p> <p>Air New Zealand has been working to reduce single-use plastics since 2018, but chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty says the pause in travel caused by COVID-19 has given the airline a chance to accelerate some of that work. “We want to build back better than before and moving towards more sustainable alternatives inflight is a key focus area of our strategy,” Geraghty says.</p> <h2 id="rise">Food waste</h2> <p>How many times have you left a half-eaten meal on your tray, or a plastic-wrapped muffin unopened? In a typical year, the International Air Transport Association says 20-30 percent of the 6.1 million tonnes of cabin waste airlines generate is unconsumed food and drink. </p> <p>To reduce waste (and expenses), Japan Airlines now gives passengers the option to say no thanks to onboard meals before they fly, and Virgin Australia has scrapped complimentary food in economy. Etihad and Emirates are putting artificial intelligence and image recognition to use to pinpoint which inflight food items are least popular and adjusting what they offer accordingly.</p> <p>Many airlines have also partnered with food banks and food-rescue charities to donate leftover meals, snacks and fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste. SouthWest, American, Virgin and Qantas are just some of the airlines redirecting unused food to charities such as OzHarvest and Feeding America. </p> <h2 id="you">What you can do</h2> <p>We all have a part to play in making travel more sustainable, including how and when we fly. Here are five ways to fly greener:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Offset your flights:</strong> pay slightly more next time you book a plane ticket to offset the carbon emissions generated by your flight. Some airlines offer this add-on when you book, or you can sign up to offset carbon emissions via schemes such as <a href="https://climatecare.org/">Climate Care</a>, <a href="https://www.terrapass.com/">Terrapass</a> or <a href="https://ecologi.com/">ecologi</a>.</li> <li><strong>Pack lightly:</strong> the less weight an airplane has to carry, the lower the emissions.</li> <li><strong>Rethink your flight:</strong> can you get to where you’re going without flying? Traveling by train, bus or boat dramatically reduces your travel footprint.</li> <li><strong>Fly direct</strong>: planes use the most fuel during landing and taking off. Skip the stopovers when you can.</li> <li><strong>Eat smart:</strong> choose the vegetarian option if you must eat on board, but a better option is to opt out of meals completely when you book (bring your own food in reusable containers instead).</li> </ol>Getty Images/Thomas Jackson 0 Getty Images

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/vaccine-inequityBefore you travel, make sure you aren't risking the lives of people in the country you're visiting.2021-10-05T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/vaccine-inequityhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>If you’ve dared dream where you’ll go next – or are already back into the swing of travel – the lure of foreign lands is hard to resist. For many of us, the joy of travel lies in tasting unfamiliar foods, gazing at views, and exploring cultures unlike our own – and it’s all waiting beyond our own country’s borders.</p> <p>One in four pre-pandemic jobs were tied to tourism, the World Travel and Tourism Council tells us, so it makes sense that the countries we want to visit want us to visit, too … doesn’t it?</p> <p>Sure, unless our visit ends up doing a destination more harm than good. Now is the time to ask what impact we might have when we travel, and whether it’s fair to travel to countries where the majority of the population hasn’t yet had the chance to be vaccinated.</p> <ul> <ul> <li><a href="#inequity"> The problem with vaccine inequity </a></li> <li><a href="#rates"> Improving vaccine rates </a></li> <li><a href="#protect"> Protecting local communities </a></li> <li><a href="#minimize"> How can you minimize the risk to others </a></li> </ul> </ul> <h2 id="inequity">The problem with vaccine inequity</h2> <p>If you’ve been vaccinated, you’re one of the lucky ones. You live in a country where COVID-19 vaccines are easily accessible. As of 5 October 2021, 6.2 billion doses have been administered around the world, and 26 million more are being jabbed into arms each day.</p> <p>While 45 per cent of the global population has received at least one dose, just two per cent of people in low-income countries can say the same.</p> <p>That number falls again for the fully vaccinated. According to <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations">Our World in Data</a>, an organization building an international vaccination dataset, vaccine inequity is undeniable – the numbers speak for themselves.</p> <p>In Tanzania, for example, just 1 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, with Kenya not far behind at 1.6 per cent. In Jamaica and Bangladesh, around 10 per cent of people have received the two vaccinations they need to be protected from serious illness or death caused by COVID-19.</p> <p>The picture looks very different in the world’s wealthiest countries, which are leading the charge in the percentage of people fully vaccinated: Portugal (85 per cent), UAE (83), Spain (78), Singapore (77), Denmark (75), Belgium (72), Canada (70). The UK, USA and Australia are sitting at 66, 55 and 43 per cent, respectively.</p> <h2 id="rates">Improving vaccine rates</h2> <p>As wealthy countries reach high vaccination rates, policies inevitably shift from ‘zero-tolerance’ to ‘living with’ COVID-19. International borders open up, quarantine measures relax, and travel lovers fed up with staying home pack their bags and head for the nearest airport.</p> <p>Low vaccine supplies (thanks partly to wealthy countries grabbing more than their fair share early on), manufacture and distribution hold-ups, and the cost and logistics of acquiring vaccines and administering them are all contributing to vaccine inequity.</p> <p>September’s <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/24/global-covid-19-summit-ending-the-pandemic-and-building-back-better/">Global COVID-19 Summit</a> was a collective step forward, as world leaders committed to accelerating access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatments to meet the World Health Organization’s target: that 70 per cent of all people in all countries be vaccinated by mid-2022.</p> <p>NGOs are doing what they can too. UNICEF’s <a href="https://www.vaccinaid.org.au/">Give the World a Shot</a> fundraising campaign aims to deliver 2 billion COVID-19 vaccines, 5.5 million treatments and 5.6 million test kits to countries in need; the WHO Foundation’s <a href="https://gogiveone.org/">Go Give One</a> is raising money to enable low- and middle-income economies to access donor-funded doses of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines (some low-income countries have been resorting to low-efficacy vaccines because it’s all they’ve been able to get their hands on).</p> <h2 id="protect">Protecting local communities</h2> <p>Supporting initiatives such as these is one way you can help, but you can also play a part in not making things worse. That’s one reason ethical tour operator Intrepid Travel requires all its travelers and tour leaders to be fully vaccinated.</p> <p>“We’re taking this step because it’s important to us that we make sure the communities we visit, our leaders and our travelers are safe and that we minimize, as much as possible, anyone’s chances of traveling with and passing on COVID-19,” says Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton. “We need to keep everyone safe. It’s as simple as that.”</p> <p>Tourism-reliant countries who’ve been doing it tough have little choice but to welcome back travelers, no matter how few of their own people have been vaccinated.</p> <p>It’s up to us to monitor and choose travel destinations carefully – for their sake and yours – and to do what we can to minimize mutual risk while we’re there.</p> <p>“The bottom line is that regardless of how ‘pent up’ we feel to travel, it’s still a huge privilege to do so – we must be respectful of places and people and think about our impact before we even begin planning a trip,” says <a href="https://skift.com/">Skift</a> global tourism reporter Lebawit Lily Girma.</p> <p>The best way to protect local communities is simple, Girma says. “It’s unethical to travel to a low-vaccinated country and expose other people who haven't had the privilege of having access to vaccines." <span>Girma</span> goes even further by suggesting travelers should wait until the vaccination rate in the region or local community you’re interested in has reached at least 70 per cent.</p> <h2 id="minimize">How can you minimize the risk to others</h2> <p>Traveling for fun is one thing but traveling to be with family members from whom you’ve been separated is quite another. And the risks to others when you’re spending time with loved ones at their home is dramatically different to those posed during a sightseeing vacation or resort stay where you’re putting locals and tourism workers in jeopardy just by being there.</p> <p>Although you can’t completely <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/worldwide/traveling-safely-when-covid-restrictions-lift">control the risk</a> to yourself by traveling to a country of low vaccination/high infection rates, you can minimize your risk to them. Remember that even if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can still catch and pass on the virus.</p> <ul> <ul> <ul> <li>Get vaccinated before you travel</li> <li>Avoid crowded indoor settings with inadequate ventilation in favor of outdoor activities and dining venues</li> <li>Wear a mask in areas of high local transmission rates. Mask wearing on public transport and other crowded places makes good sense wherever you are</li> <li>Don't travel if you feel unwell or have any symptoms of COVID-19</li> <li>Get a negative COVID-19 test before traveling.</li> </ul> </ul> </ul> <p>Infectious disease epidemiologist <a href="https://twitter.com/SaskiaPopescu?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Dr Saskia Popescu</a> discourages travel if you have recently been exposed to a COVID-positive case or aren’t feeling well, no matter how desperate you are to travel or reunite with your family. “We need to be good stewards of public health,” Popescu says. </p> <p>If you travel anyway, your symptoms escalate and you need medical care while you’re away, burdening the local healthcare system does local people no favours. </p> <p>Getting tested just before your departure may be inconvenient – especially if you test positive and need to delay your trip – but it’s the right thing to do.</p> <p>If you’re not feeling well once you reach a low-vaccination destination but have only mild symptoms, self-isolating until you feel better, or test negative is the best way to protect the surrounding community.</p>Peter Unger / Getty Images 1529985291 Getty Images Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/ethical-remote-travelAs more of us choose out of the way places for our next adventure, we weigh up why that is and isn't a good idea2021-07-30T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/ethical-remote-travelhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#lure"> The lure of remote travel </a></li> <li><a href="#intentions"> Remote travel intentions </a></li> <li><a href="#consequences"> Unintended consequences </a></li> <li><a href="#gettingthere"> Getting there </a></li> <li><a href="#consumers"> Consumers or ambassadors? </a></li> <li><a href="#right"> Remote travel done right</a></li> </ul> <p>As vaccination rates rise and the pandemic abates, many countries are welcoming travelers back to their shores. While some people will ease back into travel by vacationing in a familiar city or on an idyllic island before venturing further afield, a growing number are leaving their troubles behind and heading to far-away destinations for adventure and intrigue.</p> <h2 id="lure">The lure of remote travel</h2> <p>“The idea of really being out there is going to have a lot of appeal,” says Lonely Planet Vice President of Experience, Tom Hall. “People will be seeking out more remote experiences that they can enjoy privately or in smaller groups for that feeling of being able to see the wonderful things of the world without it being a mass tourist experience,</p> <p>While social distancing is likely to be a consideration for some time to come, many travelers are also planning their next trips based on what they <a href="/explore/worldwide/what-we-love-about-traveling">most missed about travel</a> – the unexpected moments they talk about later, the sense of wonder at the natural beauty of a place, the locals they met along the way.</p> <p>There’s an element of immersion which is absolutely inherent in going to more remote places,” Hall says. “The opportunity for more intimate and personal experiences is stronger, and the chance to meet people who actually live there and to learn about their lives is easier if you’re in a place where there are fewer other visitors.”</p> <h2 id="intentions">Remote travel intentions</h2> <p>Booking.com’s <a href="https://news.booking.com/en-us/bookingcoms-2021-sustainable-travel-report-affirms-potential-watershed-moment-for-industry-and-consumers/">2021 Sustainable Travel Report</a> found US travelers are more committed than ever to more-mindful travel, with almost half saying the pandemic has influenced them to travel more sustainably in the future. With that in mind, 65 per cent said they would avoid popular destinations and attractions to ensure they aren’t contributing to overtourism, and that they wanted to help disperse the positive benefits of travel to less frequently visited destinations and communities.</p> <p>“Our research uncovers how the travel hiatus has opened travelers’ eyes to the impact, both positive and negative, that their trips can have on local ecosystems and communities around the world,” says Booking.com Director of Sustainability, Marianne Gybels.<br /><br />Almost two-thirds of the 29,000 respondents reported wanting to have authentic experiences representative of the local culture when they travel, and 68% said they wanted to ensure the economic impact of the industry is spread equally in all levels of society.</p> <h2 id="consequences">Unintended consequences</h2> <p>While travelers may have good intentions, wanting to travel ethically and sustainably and doing so are very different things – especially when it comes to visiting remote communities.</p> <p>As <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/">Responsible Travel</a> co-founder Justin Francis points out, visiting remote communities can be a way to experience a place and its history in a deeper way and to learn about ways of life different to our own. In turn, travelers can provide income to help preserve local people’s traditions and livelihoods and help them protect local habitats – in the <a href="/stories/connection/honeymoon-in-guyana">Amazon</a> or <a href="/stories/discovery/a-maasai-ceremony">Maasai Mara</a>, for example.</p> <p><span>“</span>But if a visit lacks sensitivity and research, it can certainly be harmful,” Francis says. “The first thing we should question is our own motivation – are we searching for a genuinely meaningful exchange, or just an Instagram post?”</p> <p>Hall says the other questions to ask are whether a destination is ready to receive travelers, and whether travelers are welcome there.</p> <p>When there’s unplanned development in a remote destination to cater for growing numbers of travelers, or communities feel imposed upon (or worse, under siege), Hall says remote travel can become a negative. </p> <p>Of course, the global pandemic means careful consideration must also be given to the health aspects of visiting, especially in areas of low or varying rates of vaccination. </p> <p>“When money is a driver for welcoming outsiders, but people in the local community become unwell as a result – that’s a remote-travel downside,” Hall says.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/remotetravelethics/Seixal-Madeira-Portugal.jpg" alt="“Relaxing" in="" madeira="" portugal="" /> <figcaption>Relaxing in Madeira, Portugal. Photo credit: Marco Bottigelli</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="gettingthere">Getting there</h2> <p>Environmentalist Jon Dee raises the question of just how sustainable it is to travel to far-away places. <span>“</span>While traveling to remote places can help you avoid the crowds, it’s hard to avoid having a negative impact on the environment – even just by getting there,” the <a href="https://dosomethingnearyou.com.au/">DoSomething</a> founder says. “Remote places are by nature further away or more difficult to get to, which means you may be relying on multiple flights, a pollution-generating ship, or days of travel by bus, car or train to transport you and your luggage.”</p> <p>So, while you may think you’re doing the responsible thing by choosing a less-touristed spot, your travel footprint may be much bigger than you imagine. </p> <p>“And consider the logistics of providing you with water, gourmet food and transport once you get there,” Dee says. “Remote travel isn’t always the most sustainable travel choice.”</p> <h2 id="consumers">Consumers or ambassadors</h2> <p>There’s also the question of whether we should be traveling to pristine natural environments at all. Antarctica, for example, is growing in popularity as a remote travel destination, and although all tour operators require guests to follow strict protocols (inspecting their clothes for soil or seeds, and disinfecting boots before stepping onto the ice, for example), petrol-powered dinghies transport travelers from carbon-generating ships to shore. Plus, we can’t help but introduce bacteria and viruses (along with whatever we’ve missed that drops from our clothes) just by being there. </p> <p>One argument for going is that carefully controlled tourism generates funding and advocacy for Antarctica’s preservation. But <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231800152_Antarctic_tourists_Ambassadors_or_consumers">research</a> by Robert Powell, professor of Parks and Environmental Ethics at Clemson University found that while travelers to Antarctica were generally moved by their experience and learned about the importance of protecting it, their intentions to become ambassadors for Antarctica often fizzled out within a few months of returning home. <br /><br />The research also found that although guests were advised to keep a respectful distance from wildlife, 62 per cent of study respondents felt their fellow travelers approached wildlife too closely. </p> <h2 id="right">Remote travel done right</h2> <p>There are several options for travelers wanting to escape the crowds to do so ethically and sustainably. The first is to join a small-group tour with external certifications that hold operators accountable: <a href="https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/">1% For The Planet</a>, <a href="https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/">The Rainforest Alliance</a> or <a href="https://bcorporation.net/">Certified B Corporation</a>, for example.</p> <p>Intrepid Travel, a BCorp tour operator, bakes sustainability into each of its itineraries. Intrepid is ‘climate positive’, meaning it offsets more carbon than it emits through its trips and operations. From low-impact modes of transport to supporting locally owned accommodation and restaurants, social enterprises, and community-empowerment initiatives, Intrepid is a leader in regenerative travel.</p> <p>If eco-minded experiences in uncrowded destinations are a priority for you, but you want to travel independently, another option is to explore lesser-known parts of a country that’s easy to get to.</p> <p>Lonely Planet is now celebrating people and projects transforming travel for the better with its <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel">Best in Travel</a> awards, and some countries are coming up with low-impact journeys with responsible independent travelers in mind. </p> <p>In Slovenia, for example, a <a href="https://www.goodplace.si/slovenia-green-capitals-route/">Green Capitals Route</a> encourages travelers to visit green-certified destinations by providing them with maps and suggestions for where to eat, sleep and have fun from Ljubljana through Kočevje and the Bela Krajina region – all accessible by bicycle, train or car.</p> <p>It’s not so much how far away you travel, but what you do when you get to an uncrowded destination that makes you a <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/be-a-better-traveler">responsible remote traveler</a>. Be mindful of what you pack (don’t forget your reusable water bottle), what you use and dispose of while you’re there, and how respectful you are of local people and their customs. </p> <p>Want to go to Finland? Choose <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-green-is-your-accommodation">eco-accommodation</a> and <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/low-impact-ways-to-see-the-world">low-impact activities</a> (think electric snowmobile tour, ice-skating and slow boats) while you’re there. Want to hike in a national park and <a href="/explore/north-america/united-states/where-to-hike-in-the-usa-year-round">not see another soul</a>? Skip the well-trodden hiking tracks and visit one you’ve never heard of – in your own country, or abroad. </p> <p>“COVID-19 has opened the door for a fresh start,” says Intrepid Travel co-founder Geoff Manchester. “In life, it is so rare that we are given a second chance, and it’s important we don’t treat this like a fork in the road but rather a chance to forge a new path altogether – one where the rules can be rewritten to benefit the most vulnerable people, to protect the natural world and all the animals and humans who inhabit it, and to heal our planet from the damage we’ve caused.<span>”</span></p>Getty Images / Stefan Cristian Cioata 1 Getty Images

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/ethical-drone-photography-filmingWithout care and compassion, drone flying can disrupt lives, cause offense and put people and animals in danger.2021-07-14T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/ethical-drone-photography-filminghttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#rise"> The rise of drones </a></li> <li><a href="#murky"> Murky boundaries </a></li> <li><a href="#laws"> Laws and guidelines </a></li> <li><a href="#ethics"> Drone ethics </a></li> <li><a href="#wildlife"> Protecting wildlife </a></li> </ul> <p>For <a href="/create/learn/photography">photographers</a> and<a href="/create/learn/film"> filmmakers</a> who love their craft, drones don’t just enable them to capture the world in new and creative ways – they can also be a whole lot of fun. However, without some basic ethical principles and care, drones can cause damage to people, places, and wildlife.<br /><br />Drones have quite literally changed our perspective on the world. Whether soaring over fjords, forests, farmland or festivals, these eyes in the sky reflect our world in unexpected and moving ways. From above, the sight of a mass wildebeest migration, a road winding through a cherry blossom forest, or a lone skier carving a track down an isolated mountain can pack twice the visual and emotional punch.</p> <p>The built world can be jaw-dropping too, with the help of aerial footage. Skyscrapers spiking upwards, a crisscross of city freeways, a medieval castle perched high on a mountaintop – drones give us a whole new appreciation of just how capable humans really are.<br /><br />Humans are far from perfect, however, and the relentless pursuit of likes, shares, and followers on social media means competition is intense when it comes to creating photos and videos that capture the world’s attention. </p> <h2 id="rise">The rise of drones</h2> <p>Long before <a href="/create/learn/photography/drone-photography-tips-for-travelers">drones</a> became something anyone could buy and fly, aerial photography was a difficult endeavor. The oldest surviving aerial photograph was shot in 1860 from a hot air balloon, 2,000 feet (600m) above Boston.</p> <p>Large-format cameras strapped to kites later captured the 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco (remembering that back then, cameras had to be reloaded with film by hand). Attempts were even made to attach cameras to birds and rockets until the Wright brothers made powered flight – and reliable aerial photography – possible.</p> <p>During World War I, the military came to rely on aerial photos shot from planes, and by World War II, aerial photos and videos were telling wartime stories more powerfully than words ever could in newspapers and magazines.</p> <p>Israeli aerospace engineer Abraham Karem is credited with inventing the first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and the military used them to track potential targets and scout ahead for danger from the 1980s on. </p> <p>For the photography enthusiast, drones followed in the wake of <a href="/create/learn/photography/gopro-filming-tips-for-travelers">GoPros</a> when it came to capturing point-of-view footage. Affordable drones capable of taking high-resolution photos and footage can now be ordered online and delivered to your door. Flying them is a snap and they can be piloted by gesture, track you as you move, and fly around obstacles without you having to lift a finger.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/drones/GettyImages-1220962158.jpg" /> <figcaption>Migrating whales off the east coast of Australia. Photo credit: Getty Images / Reilly Wardrope </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="murky">Murky boundaries</h2> <p>Ethical shutterbugs will always strive to protect people’s privacy and dignity when they shoot, but the unwritten rules around drone photography and videography aren’t always black and white.</p> <p>For starters, it isn’t simply a matter of what we should shoot and what we shouldn’t. As photographer Alex Wild points out, “our ability to film nearly anything has outpaced our ability to think clearly about what we can and should do with the footage.”</p> <p>While it’s clearly an invasion of privacy to film someone sunbathing in their own backyard, do the same ethics apply if that same someone is basking face-down on a public but secluded beach? </p> <p>What if you’re filming waves crashing against cliffs from above and a bird of prey attacks your drone, thinking it’s a threat? What if the bird is injured or dies? Were you in the wrong, just by being there?</p> <p>When you video a herd of elephants, are you unwittingly putting them in harm’s way? How can you be sure their location isn’t recognizable to poachers, even if you don’t geotag the specific site?</p> <p>“Witnessing the world through the eyes of drones can be powerful, for both good and ill,” says University of NSW senior research fellow Michael Richardson. “It can reveal beauty and injustice, but it can also subject people to unwelcome surveillance. As drones become more and more embedded in how we see the world, a deeper understanding of the ethics of aerial vision will be essential.</p> <h2 id="laws">Laws and guidelines</h2> <p>Governments have reacted in a range of ways to the rising numbers of drones populating the skies and the relentless pursuit of photographers – amateur and pro – to shoot images and videos that wow. </p> <p>Civilian-operated drones have been outright banned in at least 15 countries, and the responsibility to know the rules no matter where in the world you are rests on your shoulders. In Iran, two Australian-British vloggers were jailed for flying a drone without a permit near a military installation. Drones are now banned in Iran, as well as Algeria, Morocco, Cuba, Nicaragua, North Korea and Egypt, to name a few.</p> <p>About 25% of the world’s countries have drone regulations in place, and some are clearer than others. In the UK, you can’t fly a drone within 146 feet (50m) of people, cars, buildings or bridges. In Japan, it’s 100 feet (30m). In Australia, drones can’t be flown into a cloud, at night, or higher than 400 ft (20m), and you need to notify the Civil Aviation Safety Authority before you fly. Drone flyers have to register with the Federal Aviation Administration in the US, and the rules vary depending on whether you’re flying for fun or money. </p> <h2 id="ethics">Drone ethics</h2> <p>Country-specific regulations aside, there are rules we can all follow if we want to fly drones with ethics in mind:</p> <p>• Protect people’s privacy and dignity by keeping a respectful distance away. Hovering over a backyard or peering in through a window is an obvious no-no but consider too whether someone would appreciate being photographed red-faced and sweaty on their daily run or while kissing in the park<br />• Be aware of your own bias, position and privilege. As <a href="https://www.photographerswithoutborders.org/">Photographers Without Borders</a> outlines in its code of ethics, some widely accepted frames and narratives need to be challenged and changed. Try to represent people and communities as accurately as possible while avoiding stereotypes, ‘white savior’ narratives, shaming or cultural appropriation <br />• Avoid capturing culturally sensitive events and festivals, such as funerals and sacred rites<br />• Avoid exploiting a person or community’s grief or vulnerability in times of crisis or trauma<br />• During emergencies, such as bushfires and other natural disasters, keep your drone well away from emergency operations or don’t fly at all<br />• Never photograph or video children without at least one adult carer present, or when children are in distress or only partially clothed. </p> <h2 id="wildlife">Protecting wildlife</h2> <p>Wildlife is particularly vulnerable to the intrusion of drones, and it may not always be apparent that animals are in distress.</p> <p>Margarita Mulero Pazmany, senior lecturer in UAV Applications at Liverpool John Moores University has discovered through her research that some animals become so anxious when drones fly nearby that their heart rates increase and they abandon their young to attack or flee, exposing eggs or young animals to predators in the process.</p> <p>Pazmany says drone operators should consider why they want to fly into or near an animal’s habitat and whether they really need to. “There is simply no way to justify photographers disturbing and potentially damaging wildlife for likes,” she says. “Risking the life of an animal to create a popular online video is unacceptable.”</p> <p>She advises flying at the highest altitude possible, using a low-noise drone, and monitoring animal behavior for any signs of anxiety or disturbance. If animals scatter or otherwise change what they’re doing when your drone approaches, back off or reroute your drone to another area that does no harm.</p>Getty Images/Marco Bottigelli 0 Getty Images

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/ethical-travel-pandemicLockdowns and restrictions have affected everyone, and many of us are desperate to be reunited with loved ones, or to just hit the road. But what should we consider when we travel during COVID-19?2021-06-03T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/ethical-travel-pandemichttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>If you’ve been separated from loved ones or just miss the joys of travel, you‘re no doubt itching to break out your passport and hit the road again. Before you decide where to go and what to do when you get there, put on your global citizen hat and go forth with an ethical mindset. The travel decisions you make now can have a lasting impact on the communities you visit, and your fellow travelers. </p> <ul> <li><a href="#reunions"> Careful reunions </a></li> <li><a href="#where"> Where to go </a></li> <li><a href="#vaccines"> Vaccines and variants </a></li> <li><a href="#getting"> Getting there and around </a></li> <li><a href="#welcome"> Am I welcome? </a></li> <li><a href="#ethically"> How can I travel more ethically? </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="reunions">Careful reunions</h2> <p>Before the pandemic closed borders and grounded planes, moving to another country for work, love or adventure had become commonplace – more than 50 million ex-pats lived permanently abroad in more than 160 countries. While the pandemic motivated many to return home, it’s been a long time between visits for those who didn’t or couldn’t get back. With vaccination rates increasing and travel becoming possible again, those ex-pats can now entertain the idea of seeing their loved ones not just on a screen, but <a href="/explore/worldwide/post-pandemic-travel-family-reunions">face to face</a>. For travel writer Ivy Carruth, an American ex-pat living in Sydney, Australia, it has been distressing not to be able to visit her parents, both aged in their 70s and largely housebound in their Atlanta home as COVID-19 cases escalated around them.<br /><br />“They’ve both had the vaccine now and I’ve had my first dose, so I hope that once I receive my second, it won’t be long before borders open up,” Carruth says. “As soon as I’m able, I’ll go.” Although she’ll be fully vaccinated, Carruth says she will be taking extra precautions when she travels from now on: “Washing hands, social distancing, masking everywhere and avoiding crowds.”</p> <h2 id="where">Where to go</h2> <p>Reunions aside, the idea of taking to the skies for foreign lands is a tempting one, especially while popular cities and travel hotspots are blissfully free of crowds. When considering where to go, however, ethical travelers will take a ‘we-not-me’ approach and weigh up how ready a destination is to receive travelers. Consider the current vaccination rates in the country you want to visit, whether vaccines are accessible (and affordable) to everyone, and how much risk you’ll pose to local communities just by being there. <br /><br />Locals aside, if you or someone in your group gets sick and needs hospital care, will you be placing an additional burden on an already strained healthcare system? If the pandemic isn’t well under control where you’re headed, will the care you need even be accessible? Thorough research and forward planning are vital when you set off in our pandemic-weary world – preparing for every contingency will give you the peace of mind you need to travel with confidence.</p> <h2 id="vaccines">Vaccines and variants</h2> <p>Vaccination rates are on the rise but it’s still unclear whether vaccinated people can spread the virus and, if so, how easily. Vanderbilt University Medical Center Staff Scientist Sanjay Mishra says preliminary studies indicate that those who get sick with COVID-19 after vaccination experience milder symptoms and are likely to be less infectious. “But without more studies, scientists cannot yet conclude that COVID-19 vaccines really do protect against all transmission,” Mishra says.<br /> <br />Remember that some people are unable to be vaccinated because of their age or health conditions, at home and abroad. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel, but that you should do what you can to <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/traveling-safely-when-covid-restrictions-lift">protect everyone you encounter</a> by wearing a mask, social distancing and sanitizing your hands – even if you’re fully vaccinated and vaccination rates are on the rise in the country to which you’re traveling. <br /><br />This is even more important if someone with whom you’re traveling hasn’t had the jab. Unvaccinated children, for example, may have COVID-19 but not be showing any symptoms. “COVID-19 poses a particular challenge because people with asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections can spread the disease,” Mishra says. “Some scientists estimate that the number of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections in the overall population could be 3 to 20 times higher than the number of confirmed cases.”<br /><br />Intrepid Travel co-founder Geoff Manchester agrees, saying that although <a href="/travel-insurance/why-buy/COVID-19-vaccine-and-travel-plans">vaccines</a> can prevent you from getting sick, they don’t necessarily stop you from becoming infected or spreading an illness around. “Preliminary evidence seems to suggest the COVID-19 vaccines make it less likely someone who’s vaccinated will transmit the coronavirus, but the proof is not yet ironclad,” Manchester says. “Unvaccinated people should still be diligent about mask-wearing, physical distancing, and other precautions against the coronavirus.”</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/ethicsoftravel/IN COPY IMAGEGettyImages-1265378802.jpg" alt="Passengers use hand sanitizer on a flight" /> <figcaption>Passengers use hand sanitizer on a flight. Photo credit: Getty Images / Devon Strong</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="getting">Getting there and around</h2> <p>As we emerge from the pandemic, some more battered and bruised than others, what we have in common is a newfound appreciation for travel and a desire to <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/6-ways-to-be-a-better-traveler-in-the-post-pandemic-world">do things better this time</a> – the impact tourism has had on the world has been laid bare.</p> <p>Airlines are falling over themselves to convince travelers it’s safe to fly, but now is the time to begin as we mean to go on and <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/responsible-flying">fly with the environment in mind</a>. Choose airlines with environmentally friendly fleets (Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350s are among the most fuel-efficient) and that have actively worked to reduce single-use plastics on board. Make up for your flight’s emissions with carbon offsets, and fly direct if you can. <br /><br />UK-based Sue-Anne Mayne, founder of homestay start-up SisterStay, says the worldwide travel restrictions we’ve endured over the past year have given us the time-out we needed to consider what’s important in life and how we wish to travel in the future. <br /><br />“Is it really sustainable to have flights so cheap that we can all afford to nick off to a different European destination every weekend?” Mayne asks. “My vision for the future is to have everyone travel more slowly and thoughtfully – and perhaps less often – staying longer in each destination, getting a feel for the local rhythm of life and contributing to the local economy in a sustainable way.”<br /><br />Mayne started SisterStay because she felt there was a need for a genuine homestay community. “A trip anywhere is always so much more meaningful when we make connections with real people while we’re there,” she says. “I believe most people will naturally carry an awareness of how serious the pandemic has been, but I would love to encourage all travelers to stay up to date with government guidelines, to be sensible in the situations and spaces they go into and, of course, to be kind and mindful towards people they encounter who may still be feeling some anxiety about the virus.”</p> <h2 id="welcome">Am I welcome?</h2> <p>It’s easy to assume you’ll be greeted with open arms when you land in a tourism-reliant destination, but a pandemic flipside has allowed locals to enjoy their own cities without crowds of visitors. If we all flock back to the same over touristed areas, not only will we be putting the same strain on communities and ecosystems as in the past, but it may also be difficult to keep a safe distance from others. <br /><br />Encouragingly, the pandemic is motivating many travelers to explore lesser-known destinations in <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/low-impact-ways-to-see-the-world">low-impact ways</a> and to opt for small-group travel experiences that embrace nature. Travel companies are responding to demand with carbon-neutral itineraries, off-the-beaten-path routes, and local partnerships that help communities recover and give travelers the authentic travel experiences they’ve been craving.</p> <h2 id="ethically">How can I travel more ethically?</h2> <p>Choose an <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-choose-an-ethical-tour-operator">ethical tour operator</a>, minimize your travel footprint, and do what you can to make sure the travelers following in your footsteps have an experience as enriching as yours. How? <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/show-a-little-kindness-on-your-travels">Travel with kindness</a> to ensure locals give future travelers a warm welcome and accept that your travel experience may be a little different to your travels of the past. Not everything may be open, not every local may appreciate your presence, and the COVID-19 precautions a country has in place may be different – and cause more inconvenience – to what you’re used to.</p> <p>Respect their approach, follow government guidelines, and be prepared for border closures and restrictions to change your plans without warning. Being flexible and adapting without a fuss is the mark of a truly global citizen.</p>Getty Images/Devon Strong 1488775487 Getty Images

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/6-ways-to-be-a-better-traveler-in-the-post-pandemic-worldThe COVID-19 pandemic gave us a wake-up call to become better travelers – and that’s just what the world needs. 2021-04-20T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/6-ways-to-be-a-better-traveler-in-the-post-pandemic-worldhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>No matter what kind of traveler you were before the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is different now, and so are you. As hard as it’s been – and for many, as heartbreaking – COVID-19 has given us the chance to reflect on what truly matters, to be grateful for what we have, and to realize just how connected all of us are.</p> <p>As travel opens up, little by little, we have the opportunity to venture from the safety of our homes out into the world again, this time with a mindset that asks not just “what can I get?” from a destination, but also “how can I best contribute?” to the recovery of a place and the people who live there.</p> <p>Traveling with care doesn’t just have the potential to benefit others, it enriches our own journeys in unexpected and delightful ways, too – both during our stay and once we return home and remember the people we met, the places we explored, and the lessons we learned along the way.</p> <p>See how many of these travel-better ideas you can incorporate into your next trip.</p> <ul> <ul> <li><a href="#overtourism"> Help prevent overtourism</a></li> <li><a href="#slow">Embrace slow travel</a></li> <li><a href="#spend">Spend your travel dollars wisely</a></li> <li><a href="#covid">Stay COVID-safe and smart</a></li> <li><a href="#eco">Become an eco-traveler</a></li> <li><a href="#kindness"> Travel with kindness</a></li> </ul> </ul> <h2 id="overtourism">1. Help prevent overtourism</h2> <p>With 1.5 billion international traveler arrivals in 2019, global tourism was on track to grow another 3-4% in 2020. We all know what happened next, but what we don’t quite know is how to prevent tourism from bounding back to the same overloaded hotspots as before.</p> <p>Some countries and destinations are taking action now to prevent over-tourism and its associated harms.</p> <p>By the time international travel fully resumes, Amsterdam’s mayor is hoping her plan to slow the tide of tourists will have come into effect. The plan seeks to ban coffee shops from selling cannabis to travelers, along with restrictions on short-term rental properties and sex tourism. The city has a population of 870,000, yet 21.7 million people visited the city in 2019 – little wonder the reprieve has been welcomed by so many.</p> <p>In Venice, a new law passed in April prevents large ships from docking or passing close to its historic center, and the mayors of both Venice and Florence have made <a href="https://img-prod.ilfoglio.it/2021/03/16/121931515-79ad81c4-69da-4325-908e-ef3fb065cb0a.pdf">10 recommendations</a> to the Italian Government to curb over-tourism. One suggestion they hope will be especially effective is to limit short-term Airbnb and Vrbo rentals to just 90 days a year.</p> <p>But what can we as travelers do to help? Going where you’re welcome – and when – is a great first step. Been to Venice before? Why not explore other parts of Italy? Bologna is foodie heaven, <a href="/explore/europe/italy/secrets-of-puglia">Puglia is fascinating</a>, Terni is full of surprises.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/post-pandemic/global-reset-bologna-market.jpg" alt="Shoppers stroll through an open-air food market in Bologna, Italy." /> <figcaption>A food market in Bologna, Italy. Image credit: Getty Images / Buena Vista Images</figcaption></figure> <p>If you have your heart set on a popular spot, consider going in the off-season, and spending less time in the most touristed areas before venturing further afield. Enlist the help of local tour operators and tourism boards for ideas.</p> <h2 id="slow">2. Embrace slow travel</h2> <p>The slow-travel movement was gaining traction before travel ground to a halt, but remote working and a yearning for meaningful connection have made <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-beauty-of-slow-travel">this style of travel</a> all the more possible and appealing.</p> <p>Stay long enough in a destination that you can fall into step with the rhythms of locals and get to know the soul of a place. Frequent a neighborhood restaurant, sign up for a weekly workshop, take in the details (keep a <a href="/create/learn/writing/journaling-on-your-travels-how-to-for-travel-writers">journal</a> or sketchbook), and strike up a conversation. See less, experience more.</p> <p>As for getting around, why not replace plane travel with train travel? Doing so generates a fraction of the emissions of flying. Bus travel is the next best option when it comes to <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/low-impact-ways-to-see-the-world">your travel footprint</a>.</p> <p>Many of us have embraced cycling and walking in the past year, and there’s no reason to stop when we can travel – getting around under your own steam is a great way to connect with a destination's people, food and culture. The slower you go, the more rewarding your travels can be.</p> <h2 id="spend">3. Spend your travel dollars wisely</h2> <p>With airlines in trouble, countless jobs lost, and wildlife more vulnerable than ever, the positive impact tourism can have around the world has become glaringly obvious.</p> <p>Our travel dollars have the potential to do real good – but only if we spend them consciously. Instead of staying in a global hotel chain, consider a family-run guest house or <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-green-is-your-accommodation">eco stay</a>. Seek out <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-choose-an-ethical-tour-operator">ethical tours</a> run by locals; support social enterprises working to empower vulnerable people; visit sanctuaries that put animal welfare first.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/post-pandemic/global-reset-ecostay.jpg" alt="A woman sips coffee on the deck of a jungle lodge in Bali." /> <figcaption>Consider staying at an eco-friendly lodge or guest house instead of a hotel chain. Image credit: Getty Images / xPACIFICA</figcaption></figure> <p>In Africa, tourism’s knock-on effects extend well beyond employment and food security. Tourism dollars are crucial for conservation, preventing poaching and community development. If travel is still a ways off for you, consider booking a trip now and taking it later – this simple act can do enormous good.</p> <p>Encouragingly, a global coalition of responsible travel organizations has been formed to support the recovery of travel in a more sustainable way. Called <a href="https://www.futureoftourism.org/">Future of Tourism</a>, the coalition’s <a href="https://www.futureoftourism.org/guiding-principles">guiding principles</a> are being adopted by an ever-growing number of tourism boards, companies, and operators.</p> <h2 id="covid">4. Stay COVID-safe and smart</h2> <p>As much as we wish things could go back to normal, we need to accept the new normal – one where COVID-19 is still a reality. Regardless of the protocols in place, protect yourself and others by regularly sanitizing your hands, practicing social distancing, and wearing a mask in crowded areas. Get tested and self-isolate until you get the results if you experience any symptoms – you know the drill.</p> <p>International borders are likely to remain in a state of flux for some time to come. Taken for granted for so long, travel has now become a privilege. Rules can change with little notice as governments respond to outbreaks and changing advice, and your plans may have to change too – get excited about your trip, absolutely, but prepare to be flexible.</p> <p>If there’s an option to register your contact information for COVID-19 tracking when you visit a café, museum, or other venue, do so. Community-minded thinking is vital in these volatile times and the more we can work together, the sooner things really will get back to normal.</p> <h2 id="eco">5. Become an eco-traveler</h2> <p>A pause in tourism has taken the pressure off destinations struggling to deal with visitor-generated waste and the resources it takes to look after them – consider the sheer number of plastic water bottles and the water and energy required to launder hotel room sheets and towels as just two examples.</p> <p>Packing a reusable water bottle – with a filter – is essential, but why not also pack a reusable shopping bag, bamboo utensils, <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/eco-friendly-toiletries-to-take-on-your-travels">eco-toiletries</a>, and a washable face mask? Pack multifunctional mix-and-match clothing you can layer according to the weather (packing lightly minimizes the greenhouse gas generated on a flight) and avoid chemical-laden sunscreen, insect repellent, and toiletries wherever possible.</p> <h2 id="kindness">6. Travel with kindness</h2> <p>It’s taken a global pandemic for us to realize how interconnected we are and that, really, we value the same things – human connection, good health, and safety. Traveling with empathy and respect is a hallmark of the responsible traveler. Tip generously wherever you go, especially when it makes a difference in the lives of people who help carry your bags, show you the sights, or clean your room; acknowledge great service in online reviews and in-person; learn enough about local customs that you can visit important sites respectfully, take photos without causing offense, and avoid social gaffes that leave you looking silly.</p> <p>Kindness extends to what you buy and eat, too. Make sure any <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-ethical-traveler-s-guide-to-souvenir-shopping">souvenirs</a> you buy genuinely benefit local communities, and that you know what’s in that curious-sounding dish you’ve spotted on the menu – if anything you eat or drink involves cruelty to animals or harms endangered species, it’s better to be aware so you can avoid it.</p>Getty Images / Ben Pipe Photography 11140115585 Getty Images A female traveler gazes out the open window of a train in Sri Lanka.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/worldwide/reconnecting-with-nature-on-a-family-getawayReconnecting with the natural world does wonders for our health and wellbeing – whether your family realizes it or not.2021-01-27T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/worldwide/reconnecting-with-nature-on-a-family-getawayhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>I had the right idea: rent a cabin by the beach for a winter getaway nurtured by nature. With one parent a travel writer, and the other a corporate urbanite who’d rather relax by the resort pool than rough it, the kids – aged 5 and 11 – had traveled widely, but comfortably. Heading to a humble cabin on the edge of the forest meant stepping outside their comfort zone, especially when the older of the two realized, with a slump of the shoulders, that there was no Wi-Fi.</p> <p>The sight of wallabies grazing on the lawn just metres away gave us the distraction we needed – let’s face it, my daughter wasn’t the only one feeling a bit forlorn at the loss of screentime and online connection. A stroll along a narrow path through the forest took us to a beach dotted with more wallabies. Incredibly, a pod of dolphins frolicked just offshore.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#connect">Disconnecting from screens and reconnecting with nature</a></li> <li><a href="#benefit">How children benefit from time outdoors</a></li> <li><a href="#encourage">The right way to encourage nature time</a></li> <li><a href="#manage">Manage your expectations of gratitude</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="connect">Disconnecting from screens and reconnecting with nature</h2> <p>I remember that trip with fondness. We watched in awe from the safety of a boat as whales leapt from the water. We took another boat to an island rimmed by seals basking on rocks to learn about a fairy penguin breeding program, and spent hours walking and digging and building castles on the beach. Board games and books replaced screentime with ease.</p> <p>We signed up for a ranger-led night tour through the same forest we’d walked through earlier. By day, we’d been surrounded by birdsong and the sight of towering trees reaching up towards the sunlight. In the dark, our red flashlights revealed eyes shining down from the branches, and we jumped at the screeching and scurrying of night creatures disturbed by our dramatic whispers and crunching footsteps.</p> <p>I asked Richard Louv, author of <em>Last Child in the Woods</em> and <em>Our Wild Calling</em>, for his honest opinion on how challenging it is for modern-day kids to withdraw from their devices and reconnect with nature.</p> <p>“It can be hard to move children away from the television and computer. It’s hard for adults as well; it’s hard for me,” Louv says. “When most children get a chance for independent play in a natural setting, they may resist it for a while – and electronic withdrawal is real – but it doesn’t usually take long for children to become children again … natural play seems to return to them.”</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/family-travel/nature-child-wallaby.jpg" alt="A child looks over a railing at a wallaby grazing on a lawn." /> <figcaption>The author's son looks down at a grazing wallaby. Photo credit: Joanna Tovia</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="benefit">How children benefit from time outdoors</h2> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935118303323">Numerous studies</a> from around the world show just how much children benefit from spending time in nature, with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation going so far as to claim that time in nature is not leisure time, but an essential investment in our children’s health.</p> <p>Immersing kids in the natural world can:</p> <ul> <li>Lower blood pressure and heart rate</li> <li>Reduce stress, depression and anxiety</li> <li>Improve sleep and reduce fatigue</li> <li>Improve fitness and sense of wellbeing</li> <li>Promote confidence, creativity and imagination</li> </ul> <p>With COVID-19 keeping most of us <a href="/explore/worldwide/travel-with-kids-in-own-backyard">close to home</a> for now, finding ways for the family to reconnect with nature can also be a cure for itchy feet and cabin fever. A weekend camping trip, picnicking in the park, kayaking on a river or lake, learning to surf … you needn’t travel far from home for an outdoorsy outing or getaway to be worthwhile.</p> <p>“Many parents tell me that the same kids who complained on the way to the camping trip often, later – when they’re young adults – recall that <a href="/explore/worldwide/tips-and-hacks-for-camping-skiing-road-trips">camping trip</a> as one of their fondest memories,” says Louv, noting with a laugh that this revelation can cause mixed reactions in parents.</p> <p>“People seldom look back on their childhoods and recall the best day they ever spent watching TV,” he says.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/family-travel/reconnect-nature-boy-beach.jpg" alt="A young boy dumps sand from a bucket on a beach in Australia." /> <figcaption>Making sand castles on the beach. Photo credit: Joanna Tovia</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="encourage">The right way to encourage nature time</h2> <p>As wonderful as getting back to nature is for families, Louv cautions against parents pushing too hard.</p> <p>“Nature time should never be seen by kids as a punishment for, say, spending too much time in the electronic world.”</p> <p>The best way to get kids <a href="/explore/worldwide/tips-for-responsible-family-travel">appreciating the natural world</a> without it feeling forced upon them is for parents to find – and express – our own sense of wonder and lead by example.</p> <p>Beauty is everywhere if you look for it and, from my own experience, simple observations such as “oh wow, look at the colors in that tree bark” can encourage family members to also begin to tune in.</p> <p>“When parents rediscover their sense of wonder, so do most kids,” Louv agrees.</p> <p>Build in some <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-beauty-of-slow-travel">unstructured time</a> to relax, explore, and play (any complaints of boredom will soon pass) to really give nature a chance to work its magic.</p> <p>“Given what we know now about the advantages of meaningful time in nature, and the joy that can be found in that connection, we owe it to young people to encourage them to experience this for themselves,” Louv says. “Whether we live in Australia or the United States, the more high-tech our lives become, the more all of us need nature.”</p> <h2 id="manage">Manage your expectations of gratitude</h2> <p>As much as you may realize the benefits of immersing your family in nature, it can pay to lower your expectations when it comes to receiving gratitude for your efforts.</p> <p>“Remember that time we stayed in that cabin with the wallabies on the beach?” I asked my children recently.</p> <p>Uneasy silence.</p> <p>“Remember, we went whale watching, and did that night walk, and took a boat over to that island, and there were all those fairy penguins and seals?”</p> <p>Crickets.</p> <p>“OMG, was that the place with no Wi-Fi?” my daughter asked.</p>Joanna Tovia 0 Joanna Tovia A tween-age girl and her younger brother look out over a blue ocean from a sandy bluff in Australia.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/tips-for-responsible-family-travelA trip abroad is a great opportunity for kids to learn their travel choices matter. Nomad Joanna offers her tips for ethical eating, mindful packing, and more.2021-01-22T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/tips-for-responsible-family-travelhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>By the time they reach high school, kids these days tend to be far more eco-savvy than we were at the same age. Now that we know better, it’s our responsibility to teach children how to respect the <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference">planet,</a> especially when we travel – and it’s never too early to start.</p> <p>When at home, I dutifully refill my stainless-steel <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/bottled-vs-filtered-water">water</a> bottle, tote a reusable shopping bag around, and hand over my eco-cup at cafes – yet on the road with my family, plastic bags, single-use cups, and bottles of water became the norm.</p> <p>It took a family trip to Japan for me to change my ways. Traveling just before COVID-19 hit, we spent a few days in Tokyo before setting off on a <a href="https://walkjapan.com/tour/basho-tohoku-tour-narrow-road-to-the-north">week-long walk through Tohoku in northern Japan</a>.</p> <p>The excess of packaging on items ranging from single pieces of fruit to drugstore purchases had us rethinking our habits. A single bandage was wrapped in plastic, encased in a plastic container and wrapped in plastic again – twice – before being placed into a plastic shopping bag at the checkout!</p> <p>But weren’t we part of the problem? I vowed the next time I traveled to Japan, I would do it differently. At the checkout, I’d know to say <em>watashi wa hitsuyō arimasen</em> (‘I don’t need’) as I popped the purchase into my own shopping bag; we’d carry our own water bottles, cutlery and eco-cups, and take a compact first-aid kit (no more plastic-wrapped bandages for us). In short, I vowed that all four of us would travel far more consciously from then on.</p> <p>Of course, there are myriad ways families can become better travelers. Here are some of them.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#packing">Mindful packing</a></li> <li><a href="#eating">Ethical eating while traveling</a></li> <li><a href="#animals">Ethical animal encounters</a></li> <li><a href="#footprint">Reducing your travel footprint </a></li> <li><a href="#respect">Teaching kids about respectful travel </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="packing">Mindful packing</h2> <p>Most of us try to pack lightly when we travel, and refillable mini-<a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/eco-friendly-toiletries-to-take-on-your-travels">toiletries</a> are one way to do so. Shampoo bars are an even better choice – and once you try them, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do so earlier. Letting kids know that 80 billion plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles are disposed of around the world every year should give them the incentive they need to change their own hair-washing habits for the better.</p> <p>Pack reef-safe sunscreen, bamboo toothbrushes, and natural insect repellent, and you’re on your way to becoming true eco-travelers.</p> <p>Kids and snacks go hand in hand, but the packaging waste can really accumulate when you’re on the go. Pack reusable (and collapsible) food containers and snack bags (they’re lightweight and don’t take up much room), and enjoy street food and takeout with your own sets of reusable bamboo or stainless-steel cutlery.</p> <p>Packing a portable washing bag and eco-friendly laundry soap bar can also be a smart move that reduces how many clothes you have to lug around on your journey.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/family-travel/responsible-travel-corn.jpg" alt="Cooked corn, individually wrapped in plastic, offered for sale in Japan." /> <figcaption>Cooked corn to go – one of the many individually wrapped fruits and vegetables on offer in Tokyo. Photo credit: Joanna Tovia</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="eating">Ethical eating while traveling</h2> <p>Travel offers a fabulous opportunity for families to immerse themselves in a destination through food. Even the pickiest of eaters can become more adventurous away from home.</p> <p>However, be careful you’re not unwittingly eating a vulnerable or endangered species and that no animal has gone through unnecessary suffering to provide you with something exotic to eat or drink.</p> <p><a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/cat-poo-coffee">Cat poo coffee</a>, for example, is made from the droppings of caged civet cats who don’t typically have much of a life. Making decisions out loud on what to consume educates kids without it feeling like a lecture.</p> <h2 id="animals">Ethical animal encounters</h2> <p>Most kids are naturally drawn to animals, and an animal encounter is likely to be one of the highlights of any family trip. The trick is to make sure any tour, safari, sanctuary, or zoo puts animal well-being ahead of profit.</p> <p>Riding camels in Western Australia? <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/camel-riding">Ethical camel operators</a> will happily share how their camels are treated and trained. Snorkeling with whale sharks in the Maldives? Make sure it’s a <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/shark-diving">conservation-minded operator</a>.</p> <p>Even visits to <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/wildlife-sanctuary">animal sanctuaries</a> require forethought – if rescued animals are used for entertainment or hands-on encounters and selfies, beware. Animals should be observed from a distance and be left to live their lives free of stressful interactions with humans.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/family-travel/responsible-travel-whale-shark.jpg" alt="Swimmers snorkel with a whale shark in Indonesia." /> <figcaption>Snorkeling with a whale shark. Photo credit: Getty Images / Velvetfish</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="footprint">Reducing your travel footprint</h2> <p>Low-impact travel has never held so much appeal. With social distancing likely to be with us for some time, seeing the sights by bike, kayak, or on foot ticks this box while also reducing your travel footprint.</p> <p>When you do have the opportunity to travel again, why not make the most of it and stay a while? <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-beauty-of-slow-travel">Slow travel</a> is far less exhausting for kids and will give the whole family a deeper understanding of a destination’s culture and quirks.</p> <p>If getting around under your own steam isn’t practical for your family, opt for train travel over flights, and public transport over taxis or private cars. It’s not just eco-friendly – it may also be a whole lot more fun.</p> <h2 id="respect">Teaching kids about respectful travel</h2> <p>Exploring the world with an open mind is the first step to for kids to become compassionate global citizens; it’s a gift for kids to learn how to witness different customs and beliefs without judgment.</p> <p>Before you leave home, have school-aged kids research how to be <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/indigenous-food">culturally sensitive</a> at <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/respectful-travel">religious sites</a>, in restaurants, and even on public transport. Learning that what they do at home may not be accepted elsewhere can also provide valuable perspective.</p> <p>If kids are old enough to have their own phones, teach them how to ask permission before taking a photo – and how to say thank you in the local language. A little kindness can go a long way.</p>Getty Images / Cavan Images 01187627498 Getty Images Low-impact travel - a family kayaks on a lake in Alberta, Canada.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/wellness/family-travel-how-to-keep-kids-safe-and-healthyIllness or injury can soon turn a much longed-for family trip into an ordeal. Nomad Joanna Tovia explains how to stay happy and well on the road.2025-04-24T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/wellness/family-travel-how-to-keep-kids-safe-and-healthyhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The sickening fear of a missing child is not something any parent willingly recollects. My own throat tightens at the memory of my high-spirited toddler disappearing from sight in an overseas shopping mall, and the frantic efforts to locate her – only to spot her in the crowd what seemed like hours later, clutching a stolen toy. The relief is enough to take your breath away.</p> <p>As wonderful as it can be, travel comes with its own set of dangers. If you’re an eternal optimist like me, you may need to keep your positivity in check to optimize the health and safety of your family. Instead of winging it with a “what could possibly go wrong?” mentality, having a plan in place to prevent mishaps and illness – and what steps you’ll take if things do go wrong – can mean the difference between traveling safely and well and returning home from a trip you’d rather forget.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#injury">Protecting kids from crime, injury, and other travel dangers</a></li> <li><a href="#vaccinations">Getting travel vaccinations for your family</a></li> <li><a href="#illness">How to avoid food poisoning while traveling</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="injury">Protecting kids from crime, injury, and other travel dangers</h2> <p>The precautions you’ve learned to take while traveling may not occur to your kids. I’ve been surprised how blissfully unaware my children are that their <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/9-tips-for-keeping-your-luggage-safe">bags could be stolen</a> or that they may be putting themselves in danger by straying too far from our sides.</p> <p><strong><a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/baggage" target="_blank">If your gear is lost, stolen or damaged, learn how travel insurance may help.</a></strong></p> <p>Crossing roads in unfamiliar countries requires extra vigilance (pedestrian crossing rules vary, and it can be downright confusing when cars drive on the opposite side), as do crowded markets, busy visitor attractions, airports, and eateries.</p> <p>Interacting with locals can be a trip highlight, so it’s a balance between teaching kids about stranger danger and encouraging them to converse. Boundary setting can give kids the reassurance they need to travel confidently rather than fearfully. Advise kids what to do if they get separated from you, and where you will agree to meet if separated. Consider having them carry a piece of paper with the name of your accommodation, or wear a GPS tracker for peace of mind.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/family-travel/health-and-safety-maldives.jpg" alt="A young boy looks across the water from an oceanside patio in the Maldives." /> <figcaption>The author's son Jarrah ln the Maldives. Photo credit: Joanna Tovia</figcaption></figure> <p>YTravel family travel blogger Caroline Makepeace, who has been on the road with her husband and two daughters for the past 13 years, advises seating children in the middle on flights to avoid the potential hazards of flailing limbs in the aisle and to stop children from wandering off when you take a mid-flight nap.</p> <p>Makepeace advises taking your own child seat or safety restraint for car travel, child-proofing accommodation (remove chairs from balconies, lock the door so they can’t escape, secure items that can topple over and cause injury), and packing a <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/first-aid-kit">medical kit</a>.</p> <p><strong><a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/overseas-medical">If you get sick or injured overseas, learn how travel insurance could help for emergency medical treatment overseas.</a></strong></p> <p>Advance planning on daytrips to make sure kids have plenty of water, <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/sun-safety-tips-for-travelers">sun protection</a>, and food is also vital to keep kids happy and feeling well. Children aren’t likely to alert you of impending dehydration or heat stroke, after all. If you’re breastfeeding, research cultural attitudes towards breastfeeding in public before doing so, and plan ahead if it’s likely to be a problem.</p> <h2 id="vaccinations">Getting travel vaccinations for your family</h2> <p>Safeguarding family members against illness and disease can be as easy as a jab or two before you leave home, but the mistake many people make is not allowing enough time before departure. For protection against Hepatitis A, for example, a six-month gap is required between each of the two shots for long-term immunity. In healthy travelers who don’t have this kind of lead time, the World Health Organization says the first shot should provide adequate protection – it just won’t last as long.</p> <p>Vaccine-preventable diseases range from yellow fever and influenza, to rabies and cholera, but which vaccinations you need will depends on where you plan to travel and how old your children are. Babies over six months old can have a flu injection, for example, but typhoid vaccinations must not be given to babies under two years old. Specialized travel health services can advise on which vaccinations your family needs and when.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/family-travel/health-and-safety-jo-and-jarrah-bangkok.jpg" alt="A mother and son stand with their luggage in a hotel lobby in Bangkok." /> <figcaption>The author with her son in Bangkok. Photo credit: Joanna Tovia</figcaption></figure> <p>Some countries may still require a negative COVID-19 test and/or proof of vaccination for you to be able to enter without quarantining. It’s up to you to keep up with the latest requirements of your destination country as well as what needs to happen when you return home. Vigilance is also required to <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/traveling-safely-when-covid-restrictions-lift">stay safe during your travels</a>.</p> <h2 id="illness">How to avoid food poisoning while traveling</h2> <p>Nothing takes the shine off a trip like a case of <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/travelers-diarrhoea-health-tips">diarrhea</a> and vomiting, no matter who in the family it affects. Washing your hands regularly is the best way to avoid gastro, but take more care than you would back home when it comes to eating and drinking, too.</p> <p>The International Travel Vaccination Centre recommends taking a small water purifier to make water safe to drink, avoiding ice cubes, and ordering bottled drinks over those already poured – especially in countries where water- and food-borne illnesses are more common. You can also travel with bottles with water filtration built in, so you can safely fill up from any tap.</p> <p>Eating freshly cooked food is best. If you fancy some fruit, choose a piece you can peel yourself before eating it. High-risk foods include raw, undercooked, or reheated food, salads and cold meats, ice cream, and unpasteurized dairy products.</p>Getty Images / hoozone 1665856444 Getty Images A father holds hands with his young son.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/authentic-travel-experiencePenny Watson, author of new book 'Slow Travel: Reconnecting With the World at Your Own Pace', gives us the lowdown on laidback travel. 2020-08-06T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/authentic-travel-experiencehttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>We asked <a href="https://www.hardiegrant.com/au/publishing/bookfinder/book/slow-travel-by-penny-watson/9781741176674" title="Slow Travel: Reconnecting with the World at Your Own Pace"><em>Slow Travel</em></a> author Penny Watson to share her thoughts and tips on how to have more authentic and meaningful experiences on the road. The first step, it turns out, is taking the pace down a notch when we travel to deeply immerse ourselves in a destination.</p> <h2>How would you define slow travel?</h2> <p>Slow travel embraces more immersive, curious, authentic and interactive travel experiences – it is travel to transform mind and body through connection with people and places. It’s the antidote to overcrowded tourist hot spots and tired checklist experiences; rather, it emerges from our longing to seek connection with ourselves and our lives in more intense and meaningful ways.</p> <h2>How differently do you travel than 10 years ago?</h2> <p>Ten years ago, I wanted to see the world, now I want to experience it. Slow travel really is a guiding principle for doing this – from booking venues and experiences with sustainably minded operators and avoiding overtourism, to building wellness, me-time and cultural experiences into an itinerary. I’m also far more interested in the people who inhabit the destinations I go to. I want to live their lives for a day, week or month.</p> <h2>What motivated you to write a book about slow travel?</h2> <p>I have been a travel writer for 13 years and I’ve spent much of it happily ticking off bucket lists. But in the past few years I have felt myself drawn toward travel that embraces concepts like wellness, mindfulness, sustainability and even happiness, because that’s where I’m at in my personal life. <em>Slow Travel</em> was a natural progression from this mindset.</p> <h2>Are people seeking more meaningful travel experiences?</h2> <p>Definitely. I think this is the modern zeitgeist. Our connectedness to the digital world is driving a need for more downtime, more me-time, more time to connect to something other than our screens. Sustainability, mindfulness, wellness – these trends are all responses to this.</p> <h2>What are your favorite things to do when you travel?</h2> <p>I lived in Seville, Spain, for a year and I used to frequent an authentic bar with a mosaic-tiled façade and wine barrels for tables. I’d eat my fill of little pepito rolls stuffed with prawns and garlic mayonnaise and wash them down with a cold can of beer. This kind of immersion in a foreign city is what makes me tick. </p> <h2>What should travelers do in a destination to have more authentic travel experiences?</h2> <p>I love to treat myself to a foot massage or a natural therapy that’s specific to a destination – like a hot stone massage in <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southern-asia/bhutan" title="Explore Bhutan">Bhutan</a> or a blind massage in <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southeast-asia/thailand" title="Explore Thailand">Thailand</a>. Track down walks that immerse you in the natural world or find the quietest space possible in a big city. Leave your smartphone in the guesthouse every now and then and arm yourself with a map and journal instead.</p> <h2>Is getting out of your comfort zone important on a trip?</h2> <p>Absolutely. One of my guiding principles is: do one thing each day that scares you. It doesn’t need to be anything big. It could be anything from testing out a foreign language on a stranger or walking through an unknown neighborhood solo to landing in a foreign city without a plan.</p> <h2>How can travelers connect with locals on the road?</h2> <p>These days I insist on getting local rather than ticking off a check list of experiences. This means eating and cooking local foods, riding local transport, buying homemade souvenirs from the artisan who makes them, avoiding tourist hot spots and hanging out in local neighborhoods. Sign up to a cooking class or join a yoga session in the local park. Tap into your own interest in a foreign place to find connection.</p> <h2>Is slow travel gaining traction as a movement? What’s driving it?</h2> <p>The reaction to my book has been overwhelmingly positive, which leads me to believe I’ve really tapped into contemporary needs, desires and urges. Certainly, the slowtravel hashtag on Instagram has grown exponentially since I first tapped it into the search engine.</p> <h2>What are the benefits of staying in one place longer?</h2> <p>The opportunity for true immersion through people and place: getting to know the barista at the same coffee shop each day, having actual conversations with the lady who owns the guesthouse, connecting with fellow travelers, getting orientated in local neighborhoods, <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/south-america/argentina/the-art-of-argentine-food" title="The Art of Argentine Food">eating as much local food</a> as possible … it all adds to the experience.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/rtguide/slowtravelcover.jpg" alt="SLOW TRAVEL BOOK COVER" /> <figcaption></figcaption></figure>Penny Watson 0 Penny Watson at Kakadu National Park in Australia's Northern Territory

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/reach-for-the-starsWhy we need to support dark-sky reserves and restore the night skies. 2021-04-26T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/reach-for-the-starshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>As recently as a century ago, most of us could walk outside at night and gaze up at star-filled skies. Artificial light in and around buildings, on advertising screens and billboards, plus those lining streets and illuminating sporting venues, means we usually have to travel to remote areas to achieve that same sense of wonder.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#darkness">Why darkness matters</a></li> <li><a href="#stargazing">The wonders of stargazing</a></li> <li><a href="#Parks">Five Dark Sky Parks to explore</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="darkness">Why darkness matters</h2> <p>According to the <a href="https://www.darksky.org/">International Dark-Sky Association</a>, light pollution – the unnecessary spilling of light from excessive brightness and light trespass (light falling where it needn’t due to poorly targeted or improperly shielded lights) – means at least 80% of us live under ‘skyglow’, making it impossible to see more than a few stars punctuating the night sky.</p> <p>More importantly, disturbing the natural rhythm of light and dark harms animals and ecosystems. Migratory birds take their cues from natural light, sea turtles find the sea by detecting light over the ocean, predators use light to hunt and the hunted use darkness to hide. Artificial light impacts reproduction, nourishment, sleep and protection.</p> <p>As travelers, supporting dark-sky initiatives is one way we can ensure dark sites are preserved, and that more responsible lighting policies are implemented to reduce light pollution.</p> <h2 id="stargazing">The wonders of stargazing</h2> <p>There are 130 certified International Dark-Sky Places around the world, ranging from <a href="https://www.darkskyreserve.org.nz/">Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark-Sky Reserve</a> in New Zealand to <a href="https://www.breconbeacons.org/">Brecon Beacons National Park</a> in Wales, and other pristine spots in Australia, Japan, Canada, France, Southwestern USA, Croatia and Germany, among others. These conservation-minded reserves work closely with surrounding towns and regions to <span>minimize glare, light trespass and skyglow.</span></p> <p>Your own astro-experience could involve camping under the stars in a <a href="/explore/eastern-asia/mongolia/preparing-for-mongolia">Mongolian</a> yurt, sleeping in a star bed in Botswana, or taking a star-filled tour in a dark-sky reserve. If you can’t get away just yet, become a member of your local International Dark-Sky Association chapter and join the worldwide effort to restore the night skies.</p> <p>The Bortle Dark-Sky Scale measures how clearly we can see the wonders of the night sky. The darkest skies measure an impressive 1, while skies over the inner city typically rate an underwhelming 9 on the nine-level numeric scale. Use this scale as your compass when seeking out a worthwhile place to stargaze, or head to a certified <a href="https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/" target="_blank" title="International Dark Sky Parks">International Dark Sky Park</a>.</p> <h2 id="Parks">Five dark sky parks to explore</h2> <h3>1. Natural Bridges National Monument, USA</h3> <p>With a rating of 2 on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bortle_scale">Bortle Dark-Sky Scale</a>, this national park offers mesmerizing views of the Milky Way rising high over Owachomo Bridge – the second-largest natural bridge in the world.</p> <h3>2. Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand</h3> <p>Take a stargazing tour or camp out under the stars in this pristine country’s darkest location: the Mackenzie Basin in the center of the South Island.</p> <h3>3. Pic du Midi, France</h3> <p>Ride the cable car to the mountaintop observatory where astronomy tours and a giant telescope take you one step closer to planets, constellations, galaxies and nebulae overhead.</p> <h3>4. Mont-Mégantic, Canada</h3> <p>Cap off a day of hiking or skiing with a visit to ASTROLab, an astronomy activity center comprising an observatory and multi-media exhibits. Take a snowshoe tour by torchlight to enjoy the night sky in all its natural splendor.</p> <h3>5. Zselic National Landscape Protection Area, Hungary</h3> <p>The 9000-hectare (222,000-acre) Zselic Starry Sky Park offers views of The Triangulum Galaxy on clear nights – with or without a telescope. Enhance the experience with a guided night tour, a visit to the planetarium, or an astronomy lecture.</p>Getty Images / VW Pics 11134061990 Getty Images A Perseid meteor streaks down the Milky Way over southwest Saskatchewan.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/be-a-better-travelerSmall changes can make a big difference to the people and places you encounter on your travels. Adopt these ethical and sustainable habits, and you can proudly call yourself a responsible traveler. 2020-07-15T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/be-a-better-travelerhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Before you set off on your long-awaited next adventure, why not take the time to plan how you could make a more positive impact? Whether packing our bags, boarding a flight, or making ethical and sustainable choices on the road, this is our chance to travel differently – and care for the planet in such a way that it can be enjoyed by generations more travelers to come.</p> <h3>1. Choose an ethical tour operator</h3> <p>Money talks. Supporting those who are doing the right thing by people, animals and the planet encourages more operators to do the same.</p> <h3>2. Book eco accommodation</h3> <p>Lay your head somewhere genuinely committed to sustainability. Carbon-neutral, plastic-free and conservation-minded stays will boost the feelgood factor of your trip.</p> <h3>3. Support social enterprises</h3> <p>Social enterprises empower local communities and improve people’s quality of life. Seek them out – it might just be a highlight of your trip.</p> <h3>4. Reduce your travel footprint</h3> <p>What you pack, how you get around and where you stay – all these choices add up to create your travel footprint. Every little thing you can do to minimize your impact helps.</p> <h3>5. Go where you’re most welcome</h3> <p>For every popular travel destination, there are many more that are just as fabulous – and much less crowded. Seek them out and go where you’ll truly feel welcomed.</p> <h3>6. Rethink your toiletries</h3> <p>Shampoo bars over bottles; reusable menstrual products over disposable; biodegradable over plastic – go natural and reduce waste wherever possible.</p> <h3>7. Go plastic free</h3> <p>Plastic water bottles, straws, cutlery and bags create mountains of waste – pack reusable alternatives and take them home with you for your next adventure.</p> <h3>8. Make green flying choices</h3> <p>Book with the most fuel-efficient airlines, avoid stopovers if you can, and opt for the vegetarian meal option. Simple steps for a more sustainable future.</p> <h3>9. Take the slow road</h3> <p>Stay a little longer in one place, immerse yourself in the culture, get to know the people. Slow travel has a whole lot of appeal – and does the planet a favor.</p> <h3>10. Get around under your own steam</h3> <p>Low-impact travel – by train, bicycle, boat or your own two feet – will reveal a side of local life you’d never be privy to whizzing by at speed.</p> <h3>11. Show a little kindness</h3> <p>It costs you nothing, yet acts of kindness can bring some real sunshine into the days of all those helpers looking after you on your travels.</p> <h3>12. Eat with awareness</h3> <p>Exploring new flavors in foreign lands is one of the delights of travel. Just be sure you know what you’re eating and that you’re not unwittingly supporting animal cruelty.</p> <h3>13. Be a more respectful traveler</h3> <p>Go gently when you travel, taking photos with sensitivity and respecting the lives and beliefs of locals – especially in places of worship. You’re a guest in their country, after all.</p> <h3>14. Impress the locals</h3> <p>Minding your manners comes naturally at home, but learn a little about local etiquette before your trip to avoid making cultural mistakes that could cause embarrassment on both sides.</p> <h3>15. Be a good shopper</h3> <p>Buy local, hand-made goods over mass-produced imports, and haggle with the big picture in mind – your generosity can help locals earn a fair wage.</p> <h3>16. Keep it pristine</h3> <p>Find alternatives to overtrodden national parks, and be a responsible hiker, diver, skier and camper – the earth depends on it.</p> <h3>17. Be smart on social media</h3> <p>Geotagging has created overtouristed Instagram hotspots. Use social media mindfully for good – to inspire, inform and shine a light on issues that need our attention.</p> <h3>18. Watch out for wildlife</h3> <p>See animals in the wild, and from a distance, rather than fueling the demand for captive-wildlife tourism. And whatever you do, give elephant riding a miss.</p> <h3>19. Give back</h3> <p>Travel can highlight just how fortunate we are, but choose an ethical volunteer-abroad organization to be sure you’re truly doing good – helping out in an orphanage is a definite no-no.</p> <h3>20. Do no harm</h3> <p>Take care not to support industries that exploit children, animals or vulnerable populations. Sex tourism, cocaine tourism and poverty tourism should be avoided at all costs. <br /><br />For more responsible travel inspiration, read the <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/manifesto" target="_blank" title="Responsible Travel Manifesto">World Nomads Travel Manifesto</a>.</p>Getty Images / Mint Images 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/caribbean/travel-health-and-vaccinations-for-travelers-to-the-caribbeanMosquito-borne diseases, food safety, and water contamination are some of the risks to be aware of before you depart for the Caribbean.2020-01-23T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/caribbean/travel-health-and-vaccinations-for-travelers-to-the-caribbeanhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#vaccinations"> Diseases and vaccinations to consider before you go </a></li> <li><a href="#water"> Water quality in the Caribbean </a></li> <li><a href="#pollution"> Pollution in the Caribbean </a></li> <li><a href="#food"> Food safety in the Caribbean </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="vaccinations">Diseases and vaccinations to consider before you go</h2> <p>The World Health Organization (WHO) has given most countries in the Caribbean a Category 1 classification (the most serious situation) when it comes to the Zika virus – it is prevalent. Zika is particularly dangerous for pregnant women because of the deformities it can cause fetuses in-utero. The virus spreads primarily via mosquito bites, but can also be sexually transmitted.</p> <p><a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/jamaica/womens-safety-tips-for-traveling-jamaica" target="_blank" title="Women's safety in Jamaica">Pregnant women</a> should avoid the Caribbean entirely to avoid exposure to Zika. <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/mosquitoes-and-bite-prevention" target="_blank" title="Mosquito bite prevention">Travelers should apply mosquito repellent</a> throughout their trip to protect themselves from not only Zika, but also malaria, Dengue fever, Chikungunya virus, Chagas' disease and leishmaniasis – and harmless but itchy bites. </p> <p>Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver contracted by consuming contaminated water, food, or ice, and occurs throughout the <a href="/explore/guides/caribbean-nomads-guide" target="_blank" title="Download our free guide to the Caribbean: Where Nomads Go">islands of the Caribbean</a>. Fortunately, the vaccine for Hepatitis A is safe and effective.</p> <p>HIV/AIDS is prevalent in the Caribbean, particularly The Bahamas, <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/jamaica/crime-in-jamaica-what-to-watch-for" target="_blank" title="Crime in Jamaica">Jamaica</a>, <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/trinidad-and-tobago/trinidad-and-tobago-high-crime" target="_blank" title="Crime in Trinidad and Tobago">Trinidad and Tobago</a>, and the <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/dominican-republic/safety-tips-for-the-dominican-republic" target="_blank" title="Dominican Republic safety">Dominican Republic</a>. Heterosexual sex, often involving sex workers, is the most common way HIV is spread in most countries, but in Puerto Rico and Bermuda, HIV infections almost always arise from intravenous drug use.</p> <p>Practicing safe sex and avoiding drug injection is, of course, the way to protect yourself. Victims of violent crimes, especially rape, should seek immediate medical assistance. </p> <p>Preparing well ahead of time for your trip will ensure you’re well protected against preventable diseases. Vaccines are available and advisable for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and Rabies.</p> <h3>Listen to The World Nomads Podcast: The Caribbean</h3> <iframe width="100%" height="190" src="https://webplayer.whooshkaa.com/episode/545890?theme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe> <h2 id="water">Water quality in the Caribbean</h2> <p>Drinking-water quality varies throughout the Caribbean. If water quality is in question, play it safe by <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/bottled-vs-filtered-water" target="_blank" title="Bottled vs filtered water">drinking bottled water</a> (making sure seals are intact), and avoid ice cubes in drinks. Or to be more environmentally friendly, treat or boil water or use water bottles with filters that eliminate harmful bacteria. </p> <p>Water quality is likely to be affected if a hurricane or serious tropical storm has recently passed through. Swimming off the coast can also be hazardous after extended heavy rain and storms, which can cause contaminants to wash into the ocean. Check with your hotel before taking a dip. </p> <h2 id="pollution">Pollution in the Caribbean</h2> <p>Water and air pollution are unlikely to be apparent to travelers enjoying the crystal-clear waters and blue skies of the Caribbean. Action is being taken to counter the <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-to-reduce-plastic-use-while-you-travel" target="_blank" title="How Can Travelers Reduce Their Plastic Usage?">mountains of plastic waste</a> that end up in the region’s oceans, with bans or near-bans on single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam products. Supporting businesses that are making an effort to curb emissions and waste is one way to <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/turtle-conservation-in-costa-rica" target="_blank" title="Video: Sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica">protect the local environment</a>.</p> <h2 id="food">Food safety in the Caribbean</h2> <p>Hygiene practices at major resorts are generally of a high standard, minimizing the chance you’ll <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/travelers-diarrhoea-health-tips" target="_blank" title="Health Tips: How to Avoid and Treat Traveler's Diarrhea">suffer the dreaded diarrhea</a> that can come with international travel. Dysentery and hepatitis, caused by consuming contaminated food and water, are also unlikely if you’re eating primarily at resorts.</p> <p>But you’ll be missing out on a lot of delicious food and culture if you don’t eat at local restaurants. They’re usually fine, too, but if there are signs it isn’t clean, avoid it. There are countless cases of food poisoning on the islands each year, often caused by improper handling of seafood. </p> <p>Checking with your accommodation before eating out is a smart move. If you’re dining out on an island where you’re concerned about water quality, <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/food-safety-on-the-road-or-how-to-avoid-gastro" target="_blank" title="5 Tips to Avoid Food Poisoning">avoid unpeeled fresh fruits and uncooked vegetables</a>. </p> <h3>For more tips on safety in the Caribbean, download our free guide</h3> <p><a href="/explore/guides/caribbean-travel-safety-guide" target="_blank" title="Download the guide">Get your free guide</a></p> <figure><a href="/explore/guides/caribbean-travel-safety-guide" target="_blank" title="Download the guide"><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/guide/caribbean-travel-safety-guide-worldnomads.jpg" alt="Caribbean safety guide cover photo" /></a></figure>Getty Images/Rosemary Calvert 196789107 Getty Images Tasty stir fry in beach restuarant in Caribbean

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/caribbean/how-to-stay-safe-while-traveling-the-caribbean-islandsWhich islands are the safest to visit in the Caribbean? Find out about crime, pickpocketing and travel scams before you go on vacation.2020-07-22T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/caribbean/how-to-stay-safe-while-traveling-the-caribbean-islandshttps://www.worldnomads.com<div style="text-align: center;"> <ul> <li style="text-align: left;"><a href="#getting-there" style="font-size: 11px;">Passports, visas and money in the Caribbean</a></li> <li style="text-align: left;"><a href="#safety-tips">Personal safety tips for the Caribbean</a></li> <li style="text-align: left;"><a href="#natural-disasters">Natural disasters in the Caribbean</a></li> <li style="text-align: left;"><a href="#transport">Transport safety tips for the Caribbean</a></li> <li style="text-align: left;"><a href="#adventure">Adventure safety tips</a></li> <li style="text-align: left;"><a href="#crime">Law and crime in the Caribbean Islands</a></li> <li style="text-align: left;"><a href="#scams">Travel scams to avoid</a></li> </ul> </div> <h2 id="getting-there">1. Passports, visas and money in the Caribbean</h2> <p>The Caribbean may seem relatively relaxed when it comes to visas and currency, but it’s still important to plan ahead.</p> <h3>Before you go</h3> <p>Travelers from many countries can visit the Caribbean without a visa, but agreements between countries vary. <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/trinidad-and-tobago/trinidad-and-tobago-high-crime" target="_blank" title="Crime in Trinidad and Tobago">Trinidad and Tobago</a>, for example, has agreements in place for visa-free travel for citizens of many countries around the world – but not all. While residents of the European Union, the US, the UK, and many other countries can travel without a visa, Australians and New Zealanders need to secure a visa on arrival, while travelers from other countries need to arrange one before they leave home.</p> <p>Even if you’re only visiting an island for a day trip, it’s still a good idea to have a visa pre-arranged for all destinations that require them. Fingers crossed this doesn’t happen to you, but a serious health issue requiring urgent medical attention or an issue with your transportation may mean you need to spend more time in a place than you anticipated. Already having a visa can make life easier during an already stressful time.</p> <p>If you’re traveling to the Caribbean via the USA, from a country that qualifies for an ESTA visa waiver (UK, Australia, and New Zealand among them), keep in mind that the time you spend in the Caribbean may count towards the 90 days you’re allowed to spend in the US. <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/the-bahamas/bahamas-local-nuisances" target="_blank" title="Crime in the Bahamas">The Bahamas</a> is one such example.</p> <h3>Passport protection</h3> <p>If you’re staying in accommodation on an island, avoid carrying your passport around with you. Lock it in the hotel safe if possible – leaving it on the beach while you take a dip creates an easy opportunity for thieves. It’s also wise to leave a copy of your passport at the hotel (ideally in the lining or locked, zippered section of your suitcase is wise), and email an additional copy to someone you trust before you leave home.</p> <p>If you do have to carry your passport, conceal it under your clothes in a waterproof cover. Sweat, humidity, and water can damage the pages to the point your passport no longer passes muster.</p> <h3>Currency in the Caribbean</h3> <p>Visa, Amex, and MasterCard are accepted in tourist hotspots, and US dollars are accepted throughout the Caribbean, but if you venture beyond the major tourist areas, local currency is handy to have. Avoid keeping all your cash together, and whatever you do, don’t advertise that you have it by opening your wallet, purse, or money pouch in a crowd.</p> <p>Travelers from beyond the US should change some money into US dollars before they leave home, as exchanging some currencies for local or US dollars won’t be possible once you’re in the Caribbean.</p> <h2 id="safety-tips">2. Personal safety tips for the Caribbean</h2> <h3>Keeping money and valuables safe</h3> <p>You can withdraw local currency from ATMs, but take care to cover your PIN. There have been reports of foreign visitors being robbed after withdrawing money. A travel companion who can act as a lookout while you’re focused on the ATM is advisable.</p> <p>If you’ve hired a car, avoid locking valuables such as cameras and mobile devices inside. Car break-ins are common and locals can often identify hire cars by their license plates, alerting them to a potential goldmine inside. Conceal anything you don’t want to be stolen in the glovebox or under a seat.</p> <h3>How safe is the Caribbean for LGBTQ+ travelers?</h3> <p>Even where same-sex relationships are legal, attitudes are still on the conservative side in some Caribbean countries.</p> <p>Homosexual relations are illegal in these eastern Caribbean countries and territories (sometimes for males only): <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/antigua-and-barbuda/local-knowledge-and-scams-in-antigua-and-barbuda" target="_blank" title="Scams in Antigua and Barbuda">Antigua and Barbuda</a>, Barbados, <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/caribbean/dominica/crime-in-dominica" target="_blank" title="Natural hazards in Dominica">Dominica</a>, <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/grenada/grenada-crime-local-laws-and-getting-around-safely" target="_blank" title="Is Grenada safe?">Grenada</a>, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/st-vincent-and-grenadines-tips" target="_blank" title="Is St Vincent and the Grenadines safe?">Saint Vincent and the Grenadines</a>. Holding hands or kissing a same-sex partner in public may attract negative attention. Criminal prosecutions of travelers are rare, but prison sentences range from five years to life. And the existence of gross indecency laws in these countries does nothing to curtail the stigma around homosexuality. As a result, few locals feel safe revealing their sexual orientation.</p> <p>More welcoming are LGBTQ+-friendly islands such as Puerto Rico, St. Barts, St. Martin, and St. Croix.</p> <p>While resorts throughout the Caribbean are typically accepting of all sexual orientations, if you’re traveling beyond such accommodation on the more conservative islands, it may pay to be discreet.</p> <h3>Hurricane season in the Caribbean</h3> <p>These are an unfortunate reality in the region, particularly between June and November.</p> <p>Hurricane Dorian, which struck in September 2019, was the most intense tropical cyclone on record to strike the Bahamas and the worst natural disaster the country has endured. Grand Bahama and Abacos bore the brunt of the Category 5 hurricane, but many of the 700 islands in The Bahamas escaped unscathed, and tourism is already bouncing back.</p> <p>Two years earlier, two Category 5 hurricanes swept through the eastern Caribbean, wreaking havoc on Barbuda, Dominica, Puerto Rico, and many other Caribbean islands.</p> <p>Mudslides, flooding, high seas, and tsunamis can accompany severe tropical storms, which can change direction with little warning. Familiarize yourself with your accommodation’s evacuation plan, even when the skies are clear, and monitor media reports during your travels.</p> <p>If a hurricane is approaching, find out early if and where evacuation shelters are being set up. Be aware that flights out may be suspended until winds subside enough for safe takeoffs. If airports and ferry ports sustain damage, your “getaway” may be longer than you anticipated.</p> <p>Rising sea levels and higher temperatures resulting from climate change mean hurricanes in the Caribbean are becoming more intense. That doesn’t mean you should avoid the area, but traveling during peak hurricane season is not advised. The risk of hurricanes is lowest between December and April, with the added benefit of lower rainfall and less humid weather.</p> <p>Some islands are more susceptible to hurricanes than others. Aruba, Barbados, Curaçao, and Grenada lie just south of the hurricane belt and rarely get hit head-on. Rarely doesn’t mean never, of course, so if you do get caught in a hurricane or severe storm, stay inside, away from windows and doors, to protect yourself from flying debris.</p> <p><a href="https://www.gdacs.org/" target="_blank" title="GDACS">The Global Disaster and Coordination System</a> (GDACS) is the travel companion you need in case of a hurricane or earthquake. The site provides satellite imagery, advisory information, and alerts.</p> <h3>Earthquakes in the Caribbean</h3> <p>The Caribbean is an active seismic zone but, although tremors are common, earthquakes rarely exceed magnitudes of 3.0. Knowing this should provide some peace of mind if the earth begins to shudder beneath you.</p> <p>However, in 2010 a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, causing widespread devastation. And a recent earthquake (October 2019) measuring an unusual 5.0 on the Richter scale affected the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, and several other islands. But the chances of your holiday destination being affected are slim, when you consider the number of harmless earthquakes occurring throughout the Caribbean on any given day. Take a look at<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://earthquaketrack.com/v/caribbean/recent" target="_blank" title="EarthquakeTrack.com"> Earthquake Track</a></span> for a glimpse into the past 24 hours.</p> <h2 id="transport">4. Transport safety in the Caribbean</h2> <h3>Driving safety tips</h3> <p>The easygoing island vibe is one reason travelers love coming to the Caribbean, but this laidback attitude comes with a few dangers, especially on the roads. Even if there are speed limits, they may not be enforced, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is commonplace, and road rules such as signaling to turn or change lanes are often disregarded. </p> <ul> <li>If you’re venturing out of town, road conditions may not be what you’re used to (think potholes, sketchy road markings, and unsealed stretches) and can be subject to flooding during tropical downpours</li> <li>If you’re visiting more than one island, keep in mind that on some driving is on the left and on others driving is on the right – usually as a legacy of its colonial history. In <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/barbados/barbados-crime-dangers" target="_blank" title="Crime and scams in Barbados">Barbados</a> and <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/jamaica/crime-in-jamaica-what-to-watch-for" target="_blank" title="Crime in Jamaica">Jamaica</a>, for example, you’ll be driving on the left, but on the right in <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/central-america/honduras" target="_blank" title="Is Honduras safe?">Honduras</a> and <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/puerto-rico/is-puerto-rico-safe" target="_blank" title="Is Puerto Rico safe?">Puerto Rico</a></li> <li>Complicating matters is the fact that the steering wheel is usually on the left, regardless of which side of the road you’re required to drive on, simply because cars are typically imported from the US.</li> </ul> <h3>Public transport safety tips</h3> <ul> <li>Getting around using public transport may seem wiser than driving, but this option also has risks worth knowing about. Buses may be poorly maintained, drivers may have varying levels of training, and buses are subject to the same hazards on the roads as cars and taxis</li> <li>Don’t be surprised if your bus or taxi driver navigates the roads with a cell phone in hand – new legislation is making this illegal on some islands, but laws may not be strictly enforced</li> <li>Reckless driving and a lack of sidewalks mean pedestrian accidents are common, so take care walking along roadsides and crossing the road, especially if you’re used to cars driving on the opposite side. Catch registered or clearly marked taxis if you can, rather than ridesharing in private vehicles or accepting a ride from someone you just met (your hotel should be able to book a taxi for you or advise on how to identify reputable taxis)</li> <li>Before you set off, be sure to agree on a price with the taxi driver, check accepted payment methods, and test that the seatbelts work. If you’re hiring a scooter or bicycle to get around, be sure to wear a helmet.</li> </ul> <h2 id="adventure">5. Adventure safety in the Caribbean</h2> <p>Parasailing, scuba diving, horse riding on the beach – if all goes well, <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/the-bahamas/adventure-tourism-in-the-bahamas" target="_blank" title="Adventure travel tips for The Bahamas">vacationing in the Caribbean can be non-stop fun</a>. Being smart about it can minimize the chance of accidents, keeping in mind that rescue services may not be as organized or efficient as you’d expect back home.</p> <ul> <li>The first step is to check whether the activities you have in mind are covered under your travel insurance policy, and what the conditions of that cover might be</li> <li>Next, check on the operator’s safety and communications equipment before booking, and find out if the company is registered. Boating and water sports operators are poorly regulated on many of the islands</li> <li>It’s tempting to throw caution to the wind when you’re in vacation mode, but using all available safety equipment, such as life jackets, just makes good sense. Use another operator if safety equipment isn’t provided, and ask for extra training on watercraft if you’re unsure how to safely operate it</li> <li>Novice horseback riders (or those who haven’t ridden for a while) should also take care – you may like the idea of galloping along the beach, hair blowing in the wind, but it’s far wiser to don a helmet and slow it down. Falling off a horse can quickly put an end to your vacation fun</li> <li>Your hotel or resort may help you book a tour or activity, but they don’t share liability with the operator if an accident occurs. The operators are independent and may not have liability insurance, so try to find a reputable one who does before signing up.</li> </ul> <h2 id="crime">6. Law and crime on the Caribbean islands</h2> <p>The Caribbean may have a laid-back reputation, but it's not wise to let your guard down completely. Here's what you can do to help avoid trouble.</p> <h3>Corruption in the Caribbean</h3> <p>It’s no secret that corruption is rife on many Caribbean islands. Open a newspaper and you’re likely to read about a case of government or police corruption serious enough to make headlines. That’s not to say efforts aren’t being made to counter corruption, but deeply entrenched practices aren’t easy to stamp out.</p> <p>Travelers are unlikely to be impacted, but rumors of police bribery are undoubtedly founded in fact, and can leave travelers in trouble feeling powerless.</p> <p>In the Dominican Republic, for example, finding yourself involved in a no-fault car accident that results in serious injury or death will land you in custody for at least two days. Frustratingly, two days can stretch into weeks or months. The Dominican Republic has one of the worst rates of auto fatalities in the world, and about 80% of those being held in prisons, as a result, have yet to be sentenced.</p> <p>Corruption can also impact travelers when drug dealers and police work together to trap them into paying bribes. Travelers who accept an offer to buy drugs may find themselves having to pay a substantial sum of money to the police officer, who appears out of nowhere to arrest them after making the transaction.</p> <p>Avoid buying or using any illegal substances, and if you do get into strife, contact your embassy or consulate for assistance.</p> <h3>Crime in the Caribbean</h3> <p>Caribbean islands have varying crime levels, with murder rates some of the highest in the world. Most violent crimes are associated with gang warfare and drugs, but travelers are definite targets when it comes to theft, scams, and assault.<strong> </strong></p> <h3>Drink spiking</h3> <p>By all means, kick back with a drink or two at a beach bar or nightclub, but keep an eye (or hand) on your drink at all times. If you need to use the restroom or want to hit the dance floor sans beverage, hand it to someone you know and trust, rather than leaving it on the bar.</p> <p>Drink spiking with “date-rape” drugs such as GHB and Rohypnol is a known problem on many of the islands – Jamaica, Honduras, and the Bahamas among them. After losing consciousness, victims are robbed, assaulted, and then abandoned, leaving them vulnerable to further violations. Watch drinks being poured, refuse drinks from strangers, and mind your alcohol intake.</p> <h3>Harassment</h3> <p>Impoverished islanders who rely solely on holidaymakers to earn money can resort to aggressive tactics to make a sale. An assertive “no” is necessary to ward off pushy vendors.</p> <p>Avoid eye contact and keep walking when vendors or taxi drivers call out to you as you’re walking past. If you’re pursued, be firm but polite in your refusal and keep walking.</p> <p>Child beggars can pull at your heartstrings, but their requests for money can border on harassment, and giving them money may encourage them to continue begging instead of going to school. </p> <p>Young women are likely to encounter catcalls and sexual advances from local men. Persuasive and even forceful pick-up strategies are used, particularly in and around bars at night, so try to avoid going solo, and dress fairly modestly.</p> <p>Both men and women may be approached by prostitutes hustling for paid sex. Some travelers are attracted to the Caribbean because of its <a href="/travel-safety/caribbean/dominican-republic/sex-in-the-dominican-republic" target="_blank" title="Why you should avoid the sex tourism industry in the DR">sex tourism industry</a>, but all visitors are potential clients in the minds of local sex workers as a result. A firm “no” will be called for if this isn’t for you.</p> <p>Those who do engage in sexual encounters should take precautions and be aware of the risks – the Caribbean is second only to Africa in the prevalence of HIV.</p> <h3>Theft</h3> <p>Cash, mobile devices, cameras, passports, and jewelry are all hot commodities in the Caribbean, with <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/9-tips-for-keeping-your-luggage-safe" target="_blank" title="9 Essential Tips to Keep Your Luggage Safe">theft of luggage or belongings</a> the most likely crime to affect travelers. Resorts often have their own security officers patrolling the entrance and grounds as a result, but remember to keep the doors and windows of your room locked and make use of the safe for any valuables – or better yet, leave them at home. </p> <p>Theft from rental cars is a concern, and rental cars and boats themselves are susceptible to being stolen for joyriding or stripping for parts.</p> <p>Motorcycle and moped riders are known to snatch handbags, cell phones, and backpacks slung over one shoulder from travelers as they zip past. Valuables left on the beach while you swim are also fair game.</p> <p>Dressing like a local can minimize your chances of standing out as a potential target, no matter your skin color. Avoid wearing souvenir t-shirts that identify you as a foreigner, and pay attention to your surroundings – if you notice you’re being followed or your belongings are being scoped out, you’re more likely to have the time to take preventative action (changing your course or approaching the nearest police officer, for example). </p> <p>If you hire a car, keep the windows and doors locked. Carjackings happen and thieves have been known to stop cars by throwing rocks at them, before robbing drivers at gunpoint. </p> <h3>Violent crime and sexual assault</h3> <p>The Bahamas has one of the highest rates of rape in the world, with attacks occurring at all times of day. Assaults are concentrated near hotels, casinos, and nightclubs, as well as beaches after dark. Excess alcohol consumption increases the risk of attack, but daytime joggers and young girls have also been targeted.</p> <p>Take the same care no matter which island you’re visiting – sexual assaults can and do occur throughout the Caribbean.</p> <p>Ask the front desk staff about no-go areas if you want to go out exploring. Jamaica declared a state of emergency in parts of Montego Bay and Nigril this year, imposing curfews and dramatically increasing police presence to reduce escalating murder rates. Unwittingly wandering into these areas can be disastrous.</p> <p>In Trinidad and Tobago, violent crime is on the rise, with travelers advised to avoid downtown Port of Spain at night – travelers have become victims of robberies and assaults at gunpoint there. </p> <p>Muggings are a potential problem throughout the Caribbean. Robberies can quickly turn violent if travelers resist handing over cash or valuables – losing them is better than being left with the trauma and potential injury that come with an assault. </p> <h3>Crowd safety</h3> <p><a href="/explore/caribbean/nomads-share-their-favorite-festivals" target="_blank" title="Top Caribbean festivals">Festivals</a>, street celebrations, holidays, and peak times such as Spring Break draw the crowds, but an increase in visitor numbers inevitably leads to a spike in petty theft. Leave valuables in your hotel room safe, and take extra care. Nothing kills the festive mood like becoming a victim of theft.</p> <h3>Camouflage laws</h3> <p>Military fatigues may be a fashion statement or serve as everyday wear where you’re from, but on several Caribbean islands, they are illegal. Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent have a zero-tolerance attitude to camouflage being worn by anyone who isn’t in the military, whether it’s a hat, bag, wallet, or clothing.</p> <h3>Drug laws in the Caribbean</h3> <p>Drugs are illegal (and dangerously potent) in the Caribbean, so it is advisable to steer well clear. Don’t be surprised if you’re offered “ganja” (cannabis) by a local during your stay. Despite its obvious influence on Rastafarian culture in Jamaica and beyond, the drug is illegal. If you’re caught with marijuana, heroin, cocaine, or any other illegal drug, arrest and imprisonment is likely. Prison conditions are crowded and unpleasant and the justice system is questionable. Consider yourself forewarned.</p> <h2 id="scams">7. Travel scams to avoid</h2> <p>Even in paradise, criminals are adept at coming up with <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/travel-scams-101" target="_blank" title="Common scams in the Caribbean">novel ways to fleece the unsuspecting visitor</a>. Here are 10 common scams to watch out for in the Caribbean: </p> <h3>Police scams</h3> <p>Imposters posing as police officers, security, or military personnel signal cars to pull over and ask drivers for a “donation”. A scruffy uniform is a dead giveaway, but take care, because they may be armed. Request identification, and if they try to give you a fine and expect you to pay it on the spot, ask for a ticket instead.</p> <h3>Hidden fees</h3> <p>“All-inclusive” tours that fail to mention all the extras you’ll have to pay for on the day. Entry fees into attractions, equipment hire, lunch or drinks may not be included, so bring some local currency or US dollars just in case. Better yet, confirm exactly what’s covered at the time of booking.</p> <h3>No free rides</h3> <p>An apparently friendly offer to give you a ride in a moped or canoe to a local attraction for a fee can turn sour when it comes to the return journey. Despite agreeing to the contrary, your host is likely to insist you only paid to get there – not back – and demand extra payment.</p> <h3>Lottery scam</h3> <p>You may not even have to leave home for this one. The Jamaican lottery scam brings at least $100 million into Jamaica each year when unsuspecting people receive a phone call informing them they’ve won the lottery. All they need to do is send money to cover the taxes and fees first. Sounds legit, right?</p> <h3>Timeshares</h3> <p>Timeshare promises of riches and free holidays are in fact expensive investments that deliver little in returns. Clever salespeople can push you into signing up, but if you change your mind, be sure to back out within five days. It can be time-consuming and expensive to cancel after that.</p> <h3>Overcharging taxi drivers</h3> <p>Agree on a price for the trip before you get in.</p> <h3>Phony friends</h3> <p>Relationships are more about money than love. Locals can seem genuine in forming a relationship, but it soon becomes obvious that their affections come at a price when money or gifts are requested. </p> <h3>Fake charities</h3> <p>Scammers who pretend they are raising money for a good cause – hurricane recovery/relief, for example. Check that crowdfunding campaigns and charities are the real deal before parting with your cash. Facebook profiles have also been impersonated and friends contacted for donations.</p> <h3>Bogus package deal</h3> <p>Too-good-to-be-true vacation packages that evaporate after you’ve paid for them. If the hotel isn’t revealed before booking, avoid it. If an association with a resort group is mentioned, make a phone call to check on the legitimacy of partnerships. </p> <h3>Change rip-offs</h3> <p>Paying for meals or goods in US dollars and getting local currency as change presents a prime opportunity for locals to rip off travelers – mental currency conversions are a challenge for most people on vacation, so they may not realize they’ve been given less change than they deserve.</p> <h2>For more tips on health and safety in the Caribbean, download our free guide</h2> <p><a href="/explore/guides/caribbean-travel-safety-guide" target="_blank" title="Download the guide">Get your free guide</a></p> <figure><a href="/explore/guides/caribbean-travel-safety-guide" target="_blank" title="Download the guide"><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/guide/caribbean-travel-safety-guide-worldnomads.jpg" alt="Caribbean safety guide cover photo" /></a></figure>Getty Images/Fabien Burgue / EyeEm 11153403904 Getty Images Las Terrenas waterfall, Dominican Republic

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/eastern-asia/china/is-china-safe-for-travelersJoanna Tovia shares her tips to keep you safe and informed while exploring the Middle Kingdom.2020-01-22T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/eastern-asia/china/is-china-safe-for-travelershttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#visas">Visas and registration </a></li> <li><a href="#tips"> 9 important safety tips for China </a></li> <li><a href="#disasters"> Natural disasters in China </a></li> <li><a href="#surveillance"> Surveillance in China </a></li> <li><a href="#corruption"> Police corruption in China </a></li> <li><a href="#penalties"> Death penalty and laws in China </a></li> <li><a href="#activities"> Banned activities in China </a></li> <li><a href="#scams"> Top 10 tourist cons in China </a></li> <li><a href="#guide"> Download our free guide to safety in China </a></li> <li><a href="#podcast"> Listen to The World Nomads Podcast: China </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="visas">Visas and registration</h2> <h3>Before you leave – visas for China</h3> <p>Planning ahead is wise when it comes to travel, but there is such a thing as planning too far ahead if you’re going to China; apply too early for your visa and it will run out before you have a chance to use it. </p> <p>Apply for your visa about a month prior to departure and keep in mind that the ‘valid until’ date indicates the date by which you must enter the country for your visa to remain valid.</p> <p>A tourist visa generally allows you to spend up to 30 days in mainland China, but if you’re planning on coming and going from Hong Kong, Macau or elsewhere, you’ll need a double – or multiple – entry visa. A detailed itinerary and hotel booking confirmation, or a letter of invitation from a family member or friend living in China (along with a copy of the information page in their passport) will be required as part of your application.</p> <p>Plans can change once there, of course, but it isn’t difficult to organize a short visa extension on a single-entry tourist visa. The Foreign Affairs Branch of the local Public Security Bureau is your friend on this one. Just make sure you apply at least a week before your visa is due to run out, and make sure you have at least six months remaining on the validity of your passport from the date you intend to leave.</p> <p>Whatever you do, don’t overstay your visa. If you can’t avoid it, expect fines of up to ¥500 a day and a potential ban from returning for up to 10 years. If you happen to be arrested and detained while you’re there, visa overstay fines will still apply.</p> <h3>When you get there – registration in China</h3> <p>China takes security threats seriously, and officials like to keep an eye on where travelers go and what they’re doing while they’re there. Fingerprinting visitors on arrival has been standard procedure since 2017, and every visitor to China must register their place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours.</p> <p>This is a simple process if you’re staying at a hotel – it’s part of check-in – but if you’re staying at an Airbnb and your host doesn’t take care of this for you, you’ll need to pay a visit to your nearest police station to do so yourself.</p> <p>Be sure to download the Google Translate app before you go (you won’t be able to download it once in China) in case there isn’t an English speaker at the police station.</p> <p>If it seems a little extreme to have to register every time you travel on to a new town or city within China, avoid the temptation to skip this necessary procedure. Failing to register could land you with a fine or an unpleasant stay in detention.</p> <h2 id="tips">9 important safety tips for China</h2> <h3>1. Dealing with crowds</h3> <p>Almost 1.4 billion people call China home, so get ready to <a href="/travel-safety/eastern-asia/china/china-is-overpopulated-here-s-some-rules-to-help-you-cope" target="_blank" title="How to Cope in Crowds">rethink your boundaries around personal space</a>. Elbowing, pushing and cutting in line can be confronting to visitors, but try to accept it as part of the Chinese experience.</p> <p>Rest assured that ‘actively encouraging’ you to step aside isn’t intended to do you harm. Stand your ground if someone’s trying to cut in front of you in line, and have fun being a little pushy in return if you’re trying to navigate a crowd.</p> <h3>2. Petty crime</h3> <p>There’s a reason organized tours are the preferred way of seeing the highlights of this fascinating country – getting around as a group delivers safety in numbers.</p> <p><a href="/travel-safety/eastern-asia/china/china-crime" target="_blank" title="5 Types of Petty Crime to Look Out for In China">Travelers are easy targets for pickpockets, bag snatchers and thieves looking to steal passports, phones, cameras and laptops</a>. Avoid carrying anything in your back pockets, carry handbags across your body, and wear backpacks on your front.</p> <p>Train and bus stations, busy shopping hubs, public toilets, and popular eating and drinking precincts in major cities are especially prone to petty crime. Trying to thwart a robbery has been known to lead to violence and injury, so it’s best to do what a thief asks if you find yourself an unlucky victim. Carrying valuables such as passports inside your clothing is a smart move.</p> <p>Report stolen items at the nearest Foreign Affairs Branch of the Public Security Bureau to make a claim on your travel insurance.</p> <h3>3. Road safety in China</h3> <p>Although you are unlikely to drive yourself around in China (international drivers’ licenses aren’t recognized), <a href="/travel-safety/eastern-asia/china/china-traffic-chaos" target="_blank" title="Traffic Chaos in China: What You Need to Know">traveling by road does not come without risk</a>. The World Health Organization estimates there are at least 600 traffic deaths per day in China. The sheer number of vehicles is one contributing factor, but so is driver inexperience and a flagrant disregard of traffic laws.</p> <p>Making matters worse, there aren’t likely to be seatbelts on long-distance buses, and don’t expect to find them in the rear seats of taxis either.</p> <h3>4. Pedestrian smarts</h3> <p>The biggest danger visitors are likely to face in China is in <a href="/travel-safety/eastern-asia/china/china-traffic-chaos#pedestrian-safety-in-china" target="_blank" title="Pedestrian Safety in China">crossing the street</a>. Road rules are often ignored, and pedestrians are expected to get out of the way – even if they’re crossing the street on a green walk sign.</p> <p>Beware of cyclists in a hurry. A bicycle may round the corner at speed when you least expect it, piled high with precariously balanced goods. Shouted orders to get out of the way may give you the warning you need to step back – or not. Rely on your eyes more than your ears to check the coast is clear. Electric cars can be almost silent when they approach.</p> <h3>5. Beggars in China</h3> <p>Be alert to beggars who ask you for money then pursue you or <a href="/travel-safety/eastern-asia/china/china-crime#aggressive-beggars-in-china" target="_blank" title="Aggressive Beggars in China">become aggressive if you ignore them</a>. They are common throughout China but are especially concentrated in Beijing’s Silk Alley, the Forbidden City, and other areas that attract crowds of visitors.</p> <p>Child beggars can pull at your heartstrings and be as pushy as adults, but resist the urge to open your wallet or you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by others hoping for a hand-out. Also, giving to beggars encourages the practice, so don’t do it.</p> <p>In restaurants, staff will usually assist in encouraging beggars to leave you alone, as will police in crowded spots such as public parks. Otherwise, it will be up to you to dissuade them.  </p> <h3>6. Passport protection </h3> <p>Leave a copy of your passport and visa with a trusted friend or family member before you depart, and take an extra copy to carry around with you. If you’re staying at a hotel, ask the staff to also photocopy the page showing your entry stamp. The easier you can make it to replace your visa and passport, should it be lost or stolen, the more grateful you’ll be that you took these precautionary steps. </p> <p>Passports are valuable everywhere, <a href="/travel-safety/eastern-asia/china/china-crime#passport-safety-in-china" target="_blank" title="Passport protection in China">but in China they are especially sought after by shady individuals looking to commit crimes using your identity</a>. If it does go AWOL, alert your embassy and contact local police to obtain a loss report. This is essential when checking in to a new hotel or applying for a replacement passport.</p> <p>Carry your passport with you rather than locking it in the hotel safe. Police are known to carry out random checks and you’ll need it to enter many tourist attractions and museums.</p> <h3>7. Mobile payment apps</h3> <p>Traveling as part of a tour group has its benefits, and the limited payment methods available in many bars, shops and restaurants can make it challenging to venture off on your own. WeChat and Alipay apps are now used by most Chinese to make payments, but these require you to have a Chinese bank account.</p> <p>Calling ahead to check if a restaurant accepts credit cards or cash will save you time and disappointment – an increasing number accept neither form of payment.</p> <p>If you’re keen to live like a local and go cashless, it is possible to use an overseas credit card to make payments via WeChat, but you can’t top up your account or retrieve unspent money without a Chinese bank account or phone number.</p> <p>Watch this space, though, as this may change. China may be the e-commerce capital of the world, but it remains to be seen whether foreign visitors will be allowed to join their digital revolution.</p> <h3>8. Is China safe to travel for people of color?</h3> <p>Despite a growing number of people visiting from across the world, anyone who looks a little different to the Chinese norm tends to stand out like a beacon. This doesn't have to be a bad thing. If you find yourself attracting attention (some people may even form a circle around you to gaze at your intriguing features), why not use it as an opportunity to interact with the locals? </p> <p>Chances are high that their interest in you isn’t coming from a place of malice or prejudice. They may simply never have come across someone quite like you before. This applies as much to people of ethnically African origin as it does someone with pale blonde hair and skin. Just don’t be surprised if you get asked to pose for photos. Lots of photos.</p> <h3>9. Is China safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?</h3> <p>Although homosexuality has been legal in China since 1997, same-sex marriage remains illegal and there aren’t any anti-discrimination laws in place. Strident censorship laws include LGBTQ+-related content, which means tour companies and other organizations can’t openly promote themselves as being LGBTQ+-friendly. </p> <p>Although there is a range of views on homosexuality within the country – how could there not be, with a population so large – travelers are unlikely to encounter hostility. It’s customary for friends of the same sex to walk along hand-in-hand, so displays of affection such as this won’t attract any attention.</p> <p>There’s no need for concern when it comes to accommodation either. Same-sex couples booking a room in a high-end city hotel won’t raise an eyebrow, and the polite and reserved nature of the Chinese people generally means surprise is unlikely to be expressed at the smaller hotels, hostels, or guesthouses either.</p> <p>If you’re looking for a more sociable holiday, connecting with open-minded travelers is possible but make sure you’ve set up a high-quality VPN on your phone before you leave home. This will protect your privacy and ensure you can still access apps and websites that allow you to connect with others.</p> <h2 id="disasters">Natural disasters in China</h2> <p>Just what you don’t need on your travels. Fortunately, the chances of your plans being <a href="/explore/eastern-asia/china/weather-and-when-to-travel-china" target="_blank" title="Climate and Weather: Planning Your Trip to China">disrupted due to major weather-related incidents are slim in China</a>. The following natural disasters are the only ones that could disrupt your plans, however unlikely.</p> <p><strong>Typhoons:</strong> between May and November, typhoons (mature tropical cyclones) occur along China’s south and east coasts. Keep an eye on weather reports (and your weather app) for typhoons in the region; they can change in direction and strength without much warning. </p> <p><strong>Earthquakes: </strong>China is in an active seismic zone but earthquakes typically occur in the remote and mountainous non-tourist areas of western China. A magnitude-5.9 earthquake struck Sichuan province in 2019, and this occurred in an area visited by tourists, so don’t completely disregard it as a possibility.</p> <p><strong>Flooding:</strong> there are distinct rainy seasons in China that can lead to flooding. Between May and September, rural areas along the Yangtze River are particularly prone to flooding.</p> <p><strong>Landslides: t</strong>he mountainous areas of southwest China can be affected by landslides in the rainy season. Between May and September, Sichuan province (home of the giant panda), Yunnan province and Tibet are more likely to face heavy rain and landslides.<strong> </strong></p> <h2 id="surveillance">Surveillance in China</h2> <p>Surveillance is not new in China – it began as a method of social control under Chairman Mao’s communist party in the 1920s – but, visitor or not, technology now enables your every move to be tracked and recorded. </p> <p>Surveillance smarts and artificial intelligence are becoming so sophisticated that, as well as dramatically improving the odds that you’ll be caught if you step out of line, your next move may be anticipated before you’ve even decided what that next move is.</p> <p>With the government reportedly spending more on surveillance than national defense, and pilot programs in place to rate each citizen on a social credit system, China is on its way to becoming a digital dictatorship.</p> <p>High-definition cameras (at least 200 million of them) with facial recognition, directional microphones, night vision and motion tracking are installed not just on lamp posts and buildings, but also cars, buses, drones, markets, schools and the jackets of police officer uniforms.</p> <p>The degree to which visitor movements are being tracked is anyone’s guess, but don’t rule it out. Mandatory registration every time you check in to a new hotel is one way to monitor your movements, of course, but it pays to expect the unexpected when it comes to Chinese security measures.</p> <p>Entering Xinjiang by land from Central Asia, for example, may mean you have to hand over your smartphone (and passcode) before you’re allowed in. An app may then be installed that collects data such as contacts and text messages and checks whether the content on your phone triggers any of the 73,000 red flags that indicate you’re a security risk. Geotracking is also likely to have been enabled by the app when it’s returned to you.</p> <h2 id="corruption">Police corruption in China</h2> <p>Where there’s money to be made, corruption follows and that’s certainly true in China. Bribery of police is common, and foreign visitors can be targeted in elaborate set-ups designed to extract money from their families overseas.</p> <p>One such incident involved an attack on a young male visitor outside a nightclub in Beijing. Police detained the foreigner, rather than his attackers, and forced his family to pay large sums of money before allowing him to leave the country.</p> <h2 id="penalties">Death penalty and laws in China</h2> <p>Drug offenses and crimes such as murder can lead to the death penalty, no matter where in the world you’re from, and even minor drug-related offenses are taken very seriously. Penalties are severe for drug use, possession, distribution, or trafficking. Even small quantities of ‘soft’ drugs such as marijuana don’t escape police attention, and laws are strictly enforced.</p> <p>Children over 14 are tried as adults in China and subject to the same conditions in detention. Consular assistance will be of limited use if a crime has been committed in China, and you won’t be allowed to leave the country until any legal matters are resolved. Less than 1 percent of cases tried in Chinese courts result in a not-guilty verdict.</p> <h2 id="activities">Banned activities in China</h2> <p>Activities you might take for granted might be viewed as national security threats in China. Taking part in any of the following banned activities will land you in serious trouble:</p> <ul> <li>You won’t find any poker machines or casinos in China, but illegal gambling does go on. If you find yourself invited to play cards or Mahjong – and money is involved – it’s wise to walk away. Even online gambling is considered a breach of the law</li> <li>Taking photos of military or government buildings. Many tour operators also warn visitors against asking political questions when visiting sites such as Tiananmen Square. The site’s 1989 student protests and subsequent massacre is still one of the most censored topics on the Chinese internet</li> <li>Prostitution</li> <li>Organizing a demonstration without getting government approval</li> <li>Taking part in preaching, distributing literature or associating with unapproved religious groups</li> <li>Participating in Falun Gong activities. Although devotees consider Falun Gong a spiritual practice involving meditation and compassion, the Chinese government sees the movement as an evil cult and has actively been working to stamp it out since 1999.</li> </ul> <h2 id="scams">Top 10 tourist cons in China</h2> <p>Criminals with faulty moral compasses are adept at coming up with novel ways to fleece the unsuspecting visitor. <a href="/travel-safety/eastern-asia/china/cons-scams-and-counterfeit-money" target="_blank" title="Scams in China">Here are 10 common scams to watch out for</a>: </p> <ol> <li><strong>Taxi scams:</strong> your driver insists you pay a higher fee than the price you agreed on before you left. To reduce the likelihood of this happening to you, stick with licensed, metered taxis arranged through your hotel. Avoid riding in pedicabs and motorized three-wheelers, as they are far more likely to overcharge you for their services. If you’re traveling for more than an hour in a taxi, it’s not uncommon for a driver to arrange to meet another driver halfway. If the drivers attempt to split up your party into two taxis (thus doubling the total cost), refuse.</li> <li><strong>Shopping scams:</strong> even in large shopping malls selling high-end goods, ignore offers of special deals to be had on ‘designer’ items held in a back room. If you do go, don’t be surprised when the door is locked behind you and you are prevented from leaving until you’ve made a purchase.</li> <li><strong>Left with the check:</strong> Disheartening it may be, but invitations to take part in a tea ceremony or to join someone for a meal so they can practice their English are often ploys for con artists to get fed for free. At the end of the meal, they up and leave you with a hefty bill.</li> <li><strong>Special massages:</strong> foreigners are lured into a building with the promise of a cut-price massage (an enticing offer if you’ve been on your feet seeing the sights all day), only to be assaulted by a group of thugs and robbed.</li> <li><strong>Switched goods:</strong> beware the last-minute switcheroo if you’ve made a purchase at a market or store. Keep a watchful eye as your goodies are bagged lest what you end up with is different to what you paid for.</li> <li><strong>Fake products:</strong> poor-quality designer knock-offs are pedaled to foreigners at inflated prices, complete with assurances they are the real deal. Have your wits about you and inspect goods closely before haggling for a better price. Nanjing Road in Shanghai and Beijing's Silk Alley are notorious for knock-offs.</li> <li><strong>Counterfeit currency:</strong> pay the exact cost of an item or bill whenever you can to avoid ending up with counterfeit notes as change. Most shopkeepers use cash detectors or hold money up to the light to check yuan is real before accepting them for payment. To conduct your own check, hold a note up to the light and look for a metal ribbon that runs from top to bottom.</li> <li><strong>Stranger danger:</strong> refuse offers of food, drink or transportation from anyone you don’t know. Reports of visitors being drugged and robbed are more common than you might think.</li> <li><strong>Art exhibitions:</strong> students are known to coerce visitors into viewing a free art exhibition at their school, only to find they’ve done you a drawing while you’re there and push you into paying for it.</li> <li><strong>Fake ATMs:</strong> try to only use ATMs at your hotel, a bank or shopping center. Otherwise, you risk using an ATM machine that takes your card or issues counterfeit notes.</li> </ol> <h2 id="guide">Download the free guide to staying safe in China</h2> <p>Our common-sense guide to travel safety is a reliable, trustworthy source of up-to-date advice so you can bravely explore the world.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/china/download-our-free-guide-to-travel-safety-in-china-world-nomads.jpg" alt=""The" front="" page="" of="" world="" nomads="" travel="" safety="" guide="" to="" china="" /> <figcaption>Download your free copy of <a href="/explore/guides/china-travel-safety-guide" target="_blank" title="Download now">China: The Travel Safety Guide</a> now. </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="podcast"></h2>Stocksy/Bo Bo 01115895 Stocksy Danxia Landform Geological Park In Gansu, China