Comments on: Harm Less Holidays

By: Think about spin | Just Act

Think about spin | Just Act — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:36:38 +0000

[...] JustAct we have focussed a lot on ethical consumerism â€“ everything from holidays to Fairtrade certified footballs. We will continue to do this; but sometimes it is worth thinking [...]

By: Just Act » Blog Archive » Winners of an Ethical Travel Guide!

Just Act » Blog Archive » Winners of an Ethical Travel Guide! — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:18:34 +0000

[...] travel that benefitsÂ local communities and the environment go to theÂ Harm LessÂ Holidays action here. Tiffany travelling ethically in [...]

By: Kerryn

Kerryn — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 01:19:04 +0000

Great action guys! Some of the absolute best memories I have from traveling have been finding a local guide to take you on a trek, either for the day or overnight staying in homestays. They will definitely take you to places you would not find by yourself, and if you are lucky act as a translator with the other local people you meet and stay with along the way. Although you have to be flexible and do not forget your sense of humor as a “easy short walk” can translate to “6 hr of uphill in the humid heat!”

Most places have local tourism organizations, you just have to seek them out, particularly throughout Asia. This way more of your money stays in the community and less goes to big travel companies that can organize the same experience (often for double the price).

By: Di

Di — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:42:58 +0000

As with both the website advice above and also with Tiffany’s story local is the key. Recently on a trip to Kenya Africa we opted to stay in a homestay, which was a local from a town that invited us into his home, he and his friends cooked for us for each meal and they introduced us to their traditions, food, friends and life. We ate, drank, learnt Kiswahili, cooked, swam and were just together. We made some great friends and I learnt a lot of the language while I was here. One of the best times was learning and making traditional Chai tea, a recipe that I now use at home. I followed on from this trip to Ssanje, Uganda where my ethical choices led me to a Permaculture Design Course supporting central Africans in their training as well. For 3 weeks we ate from the garden, learnt sustainable traits and taught each other sustainable choices. There was very limited power which meant my dependance on mobile phones was reduced as well as for my computer (and there were no lights). I also learnt very efficient ways of washing my clothes at the same time as showering, due to the limited supply of water. In a lot of ways the only advice I offer from my journey is: If you can have as much contact with local trade you will in turn be making the best local and ethical choices for where you are visiting. And also always ask where things are from, if they are not sort locally then try and avoid them.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:15:13 +0000

Visit some local farms and eat where the locals do. The food is fresh, exotic and delicious! I went to Malaysia and definitely my favourite experience was the orchard I visited – 350 different kinds of fruit grown over the massive property, including the weirdest things I’d never even seen or heard of… I got to sample the produce and it took my tastebuds to a place they thought never existed! And walking around the hilly region keeps you fit too. Penang is great for Hawkers food… though try to find busy places with lots of Malay that well-cook their food. Mmmm… and while you’re there, buy and try the local costume. You’ll find it not only helps their economy (locally produced things in small markets or bazars or small local shops are good) but what they wear really is best for their climate, it shows you’re making an effort and it saves you from needing to bring unnecessary and never used trinkets as souveneirs.