Responsible Tourism Guideline - Make the Difference

Exotissimo hopes you will truly enjoy your experience in our part of the world.

As guests to this region, we all have a responsibility to protect Southeast Asia's unique natural and cultural heritage. We must all find ways to minimize and eliminate the damage done to this beautiful part of the world.

Exotissimo Travel has listed some simple things you can do to have an enjoyable trip while still preserving the area for generations to come.

Respect cultural differences!

Greetings Take time to learn “hello,” “goodbye” and “thank you.” The locals love it when foreigners take the effort to learn their language, and they are very friendly.

Photos

Southeast Asia is a photographer’s paradise and you will find endless opportunities. However, it is polite to always ask permission before taking pictures of locals. Please respect their beliefs and wishes.

Local transport

Street vendors and local transport is a common facet of life here. A polite “No, thank you” will suffice should you not require their services. Be sure to always agree on the price before taking any form of local transport. Also, certain streets have been closed for local transport and direct routes might be unavailable.

Money and gifts

Giving money or sweets to children and adults highlights the income gap between visitors and locals, and it encourages begging instead of attending school. It is better to buy something to help these people or to give through your guide to a school, orphanage or hospitals. Some medicines are dangerous, so never give them directly to locals. Tipping encourages good service.

Personal dignity Don’t lose it! Calmness and saving face…

Traveling through third world countries can be unpredictable and frustrating at times, but losing your temper will not help. Stay calm, firm and courteous and speak without raising your voice. Personal dignity is extremely important here!

Relationships

Southeast Asian societies are fairly traditional. It is best to limit your public displays of affection to holding hands. Local men and women within the sexes often hold hands as a sign of friendship.

Proper dress and behaviour

Be sure not to offend by respecting local dress standards modestly and neatly. Men should avoid walking around bare-chested and women avoid wearing low-cut or tight sleeveless tops. At religious sites, knees and shoulders must be covered. Shoes must be removed at the entrances of temples, pagodas, some shops and homes. Avoid touching people on the head, as it may offend. Use your feet just for walking or playing sports, and do not place them on furniture or use them to point.

Curiosity of locals

Locals are naturally curious about their foreign guests. Do not be offended by them as privacy can mean something very different in Asia. Your guide will advise you on proper behaviour..

Contact with Bouddhist monks

Please remember that women are not allowed to make physical contact with monks. Access to certain areas of some temples is limited to males only.

Support the local economy!

Buy locally

Buying locally goods and services supports a sustainable local economy, and ensure that your money is well distributed. Avoid purchasing products that exploit or destroy wildlife, including those that are made from animal skins, shells or horns. Remember that the region loses of its heritage every time antiquities and heirlooms leave the country. Bargaining with a smile is a perfectly acceptable custom and will only enhance your experience. Buy only food that is farmed, not taken directly from forests by poachers. There are plenty of delicious dining options available. Bottled water is always safe and available in most places. A local guide is the best way for you to discover interesting facets not found in your guidebook, while still respecting local customs. The best intentions can often offend local people. A local guide will ensure that no bad feelings result.

Respect the law

Sexual tourism

Child sexual tourism (pedophilia) is strictly forbidden and you will be pursued and prosecuted, even back in your home country. Be advised sexual tourism concerns the dignity of everyone involved and is a consequence of poverty.

Drugs

Do not buy or use drugs of any kind. Drug users are fully responsible for their actions and stiff penalties are in place.

Spread out an environmental way

Along your way

Southeast Asia is home to many endangered species. They are unfortunately exploited for domestic consumption due to a lack of environmental awareness, and sold illegally on the national and international market.

• When possible, avoid using noisy speedboats which pollute the environment and damage the region’s tranquility.

• When exploring caves or coral, do not touch the formations as they are very fragile and take thousand years to develop.

• Pay entrance fees. These are often the only way in which cultural and natural sites are maintened 

Outdoor considerations

Be sure to keep to the designated trails for your safety and protection of the environment. They are marked for a reason. Respect the local rules, and never take anything from the surrounding wilderness. Do not approach, touch or feed wildlife as it could disturb or antagonize them. Avoid making noise and leave everything as you find it..

Set up campsites on durable surfaces at least at 75m away from waterways. Dispose of waste properly to prevent creation of campsite in the future.

Your garbage Rubbish must be properly disposed and brought back. Even biodegradable items should be removed. Never use chemical products in water areas, as it may upset the balance of nature. Before going camping, remove packaging to save discarding it later.

Bury, burn and biodegrade

If no toilets are available, bury your waste at least 30m from waterways. Burn it if there is no risk of fire, and otherwise carry it out. Make campfires small, using firewood from surroundings. Avoid throwing waste into you fire, as some groups take fire as sacred. Afterwards, scatter the cool ashes.

Conservation

Remember to turn off electrical appliances before leaving your room. Consider using flashlights that do not require batteries. Reduce the use of air-conditioners and encourage drivers to turn off idling engines.
Water is a precious resource. Use it wisely. Exotissimo hopes that you have found this guide helpful. Please keep all of these points in mind as you travel through Southeast Asia.

We trust that you will take care in preserving this very special region for future generations to come.

We welcome any suggestions to improve this pamphlet.