\n<\/p>\n
As travelers of the world, we have a unique opportunity to break down barriers, foster cultural exchange, and create a positive impact on communities around the world. We can banish stereotypes of our own cultures, stimulate the local economy, and bring fresh ideas and perspectives.<\/p>\n Travel can be a life-changing experience \u2014 not only for the destination you are visiting but also for yourself. It helps us walk away a better version of ourselves<\/a> and with a better understanding of the world.<\/p>\n Yet too often, travelers become the worst versions of themselves \u2014 throwing up on streets, being obnoxious to locals, demanding that places conform to their needs, contributing to waste and overtourism<\/a>, and ignoring local customs. <\/p>\n Too many travelers treat destinations as their personal hedonistic plaything.<\/p>\n Therefore, in order to foster positive social exchange, get the most out of travel, and be awesome<\/a>, I say that we travelers take the following pledge so we can be the kind of people other travelers want to know and locals don\u2019t hate, as well as better for it:<\/p>\n 1. I will read about where I\u2019m going before I get there.<\/p>\n 2. I will be respectful of local cultures and customs.<\/p>\n 3. I will learn some phrases in the local language<\/a>.<\/p>\n 4. I will try one thing I\u2019m afraid of.<\/p>\n 5. I will not turn cheapness into a competition, since travel is not a race to the bottom.<\/p>\n 6. I will eat the local food<\/a>.<\/p>\n 7. I will not haggle over less than a dollar.<\/p>\n 8. I will not be a loud, obnoxious traveler that demands that locals conform to my values.<\/p>\n 9. I will have patience.<\/p>\n 10. I will be humble.<\/p>\n 11. I will have no regrets<\/a> about partying until dawn, but I will be respectful of my hostel dorm mates and their sleep.<\/p>\n 12. I will learn to hold my liquor. If not, I will limit my intake.<\/p>\n 13. I will understand that traveling is not an excuse to give up on personal hygiene.<\/p>\n 14. I will not ask fellow travelers the same questions over and over again; instead, will get to know them beyond where they are going, where they\u2019ve been, and how long they are traveling for.<\/p>\n 15. I will not turn travel into a competition, since it is a personal experience<\/a>.<\/p>\n 16. I will not tell people how many places I\u2019ve been \u2013 because no one cares.<\/p>\n 17. I will not whine about how a destination was so much better ten years ago, nor will I listen to those who do. Because who cares? All you have is now. You can\u2019t go back to the past.<\/p>\n 18. I will not judge people on how often they return to a destination.<\/p>\n 19. I will not be a smugly superior backpacker and judge others for how they travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n 20. I will not judge people for not packing light or eating comfort food when they feel homesick.<\/p>\n 21. I will remember to get off Facebook, put my camera down, and enjoy the moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n 22. I will travel slow.<\/p>\n 23. I will have no regrets about changing plans at the last minute.<\/a><\/p>\n 24. I will go in any direction my heart desires and follow my wanderlust.<\/p>\n 25. I will remember that this is a privilege<\/a>.<\/p>\n 26. I will not decide if I love or hate an entire country within a few hours of being there and interacting with a handful of people.<\/p>\n 27. I will not drink and drive. Even on a motorbike. Even in Southeast Asia. Even if everyone else is doing it. Because I value my life and the lives of others and I\u2019m not an idiot.<\/p>\n 28. I will be respectful of the environment and limit my plastic consumption. <\/p>\n 29. I will not ride animals nor visit an animal experience that involves petting or touching that exists solely for tourist purposes. <\/p>\n 30. I will be grateful for every stupid, amazing, unexpected, breathtaking moment on the road and all the wonderful people who enrich my life.<\/p>\n We all have our own interests, preferences, and desires. But as we start the new year, let\u2019s all make a commitment to be better travelers. Let\u2019s be respectful, curious, and supportive. Let\u2019s be the best versions of ourselves as we hit the road and experience everything this world has to offer. Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don\u2019t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Want to Travel for Free?<\/strong> Ready to Book Your Trip?<\/strong>
Last Updated<\/strong>: 7\/27\/2023 | July 27th, 2023<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\nBook Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It\u2019s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. <\/p>\n
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It\u2019s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I\u2019ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation \u2014 all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card<\/a> to get started. For US residents, here\u2019s how you can get points on rent too<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Check out my resource page<\/a> for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can\u2019t go wrong using them on your trip.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n