You are traveling somewhere around the world in a developing country …
you are in your hotel room, of some famous international chain …
you are sitting at a table in some restaurant of some famous chain or a fast food …
you are buying souvenirs at the airport or in the hotel gift shop …
Your money ends up in the hands of who knows what corporations from the most developed area of the world and another part, probably not even too much, remains in the pockets of the local economies.
So far, if all right, nothing wrong. However, if you are interested in making sure that your tourist money helps the local economy by giving some support, you could try to get in touch with the local realities and their activities, to leave a few euros/dollars in the country that you are visiting.
Some tips on helping the economies of developing countries and trying to reduce exploitation by large corporations as you travel:
- Try to stay in hotels, guest houses, bed & breakfasts and private accommodations.
Even in the poorest countries there are really nice rooms and more, usually, there is less formality compared to a hotel in a large chain. This gives you the opportunity to be able to chat with your hotelier and be able to get more in touch with the culture of the place, also having good recommendations on the life of the place.
I remember once in the fantastic Sri Lanka when I was invited for dinner in the kitchen of the family that ran the guest house, I ate the real local cuisine and one of the best curry dishes ever tasted.
Today you can even count on Airbnb! - Try to eat in small restaurants run by locals.
In some areas of the world meals are often eaten in street stalls, where delicious and genuine (well, not always) food is found.
The variety is incredible and will allow you to discover culinary combinations that you would never have imagined or try spices from which you will not separate anymore and, once back home, work hard to rediscover the kind of flavors that you have become attached to during your trip.
Obviously you pay attention to what you eat!
An advice … leave the pizza, spaghetti and burgers at least when you’re on the road and enjoy something new! An experience that is not only linked to the satisfaction of the stomach but also at the mental level can benefit! - Buy your souvenirs directly at the source by visiting the shops of local artisans.
The prices are more reasonable than those of your hotel or at the airport and the money goes straight into the pockets of local artisans.
Always contract, but do not try to get an excessively low price. Try to understand the right price and do not overpay by remaining non-aggressive in bargaining. - If you go on a package tour you can ask for some particular activity that is linked to the local culture of the place you will visit.
For example, tours with activities in the villages: like culinary tours or accommodations in home-stays, or traditional performances.
Trips that make you discover the reality of the area of interest and that promote the territory and its economy. With local guides and drivers. All money that helps the various communities you visit!
