What is responsible travel? The question has been frequently discussed and sometimes hotly debated. According to one way of thinking, we should all just stay home in order to minimize our use of resources. Yet there are a lot of compelling reasons why people will - and should - continue to roam the globe. Travel opens minds and connects people, and in today's chaotic world, that can only be a good thing. How then, do we make sure that our travel is as responsible as possible?

According to the 2002 Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations, responsible travel has the following key characteristics:

• Minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts
• Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry
• Involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances
• Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world's diversity
• Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
• Provides access for physically challenged people
• Is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence

Whereas ecotourism has become, in some cases, a catch phrase applied to any nature-related tourism, responsible travel asks travelers to consider the impacts of their journeys on the environment, the people they encounter, and themselves. Lonely Planet and others have grouped these impacts into three areas: environmental, social/cultural, and economic. It's not just about minimizing negative impacts; it's about respecting local traditions and cultures and having a positive effect on the local economy.

Put another way, as David Mozer, former director of the International Bicycle Fund, writes on that organization's website: "The triple bottom line of responsible tourism is 3 E's: environmental sustainability, engaging in the local economy, and enriching your life from the culture."

One organization that works to educate people about responsible travel is Crooked Trails, a Seattle-based nonprofit that operates trips to Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Creating a meaningful and egalitarian exchange with indigenous communities is a key component of Crooked Trails' work.

Co-founder and Executive Director Christine Mackay says, "I think what sets Crooked Trails apart is the fact that it's community based. The programs are in the hands of the people we visit. They have control over where we go, what we do, and how we visit." Crooked Trails trips all include a community service portion, in which travelers work with local people on sustainable development projects chosen by the host communities. Other responsible travel companies have adopted similar philosophies, working to support community development in the countries they visit.

In an interview in Transitions Abroad, Deborah McLaren, founder of the Rethinking Tourism Project and author of Rethinking Tourism and Ecotravel: The Paving of Paradise and How You Can Stop It, recommends "linking what is important to you in your own community to your travels. For example, if you are a teacher or community gardener, do your homework and link with schools or similar programs in the community you plan to visit. This way you make valuable friends and gain insights into another community that can last a lifetime. It avoids the "point and click" vulgarity of tourism and puts us on the same level as our hosts."

There are many good websites dedicated to the principles of responsible travel. Here are a few good ones:

Transitions Abroad's Responsible Travel Portal contains a wealth of resources on responsible travel, including numerous articles and an excellent in-depth Responsible Tourism Handbook.

National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations has great information on what the Society calls "geotourism," including tips and links for travelers.

Responsibletravel.com offers suggestions for organized tours and other responsible travel information.

Related Reading:
Hospitality Industry Getting Greener on a Global Basis
Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?