RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

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Jewels of Southeast Asia LLC supports Responsible travel by making sound choices to minimize negative impact we may have in the communities we visit and by being an ambassador:

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BE AN AMBASSADOR

Be Adventurous: Trying local food/delicacies is the best experience we can get when traveling. Find traditional establishments or food stalls for a truly local experience.

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Be Curious: Enjoy exploring the stories of the destination we visit. Interact with locals to educate ourself about their way of life and how they are managing and conserving their hometown.

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Be Present: Traveling and immersing ourselves in a destination by foot, bicycle, or local rickshaw allow us to appreciate the local culture more, but also helps reduce our carbon footprint.

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Be calm and carry on: Traveling can sometimes present us with the least expected experience whether good or bad. Whatever the situation is, staying calm and courteous rather than getting upset will lead to a more desirable resolution.

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Be Respectful: Educating ourselves about cultural practices of the destination is a great way to gain an insight into what makes the destination and its people unique. Feel free to share our own culture with the locals as this is the essence of travel. Local rules and regulations might not make perfect sense to us, but an understanding of the dos and don’ts of local etiquette will help you avoid unintentionally offending others. This includes the right dress code to respect sacred places.

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Be courteous: Ask permission before taking photos or recording any local way of life as some ethnic groups have their own belief that taking a photo would take a way a part of their spirit. It is also polite to ask permission before taking a photo or filming people. In the rare case they refuse, please respect their wishes.

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Be Protective of nature: The best way to enjoy nature is to appreciate in its natural state. Avoid disturbing wildlife and respect the rules of national parks. Do not pick plants or disrupt natural environments such as coral reefs.

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Be Helpful: Regarding impoverished adults and children, giving small tokens or money perpetuates the begging. In place, please donate through registered charitable organizations.

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Be Aware: Understand the local regulations/restrictions. The use of illegal drugs is strictly forbidden and with severe punishment if convicted. Also, in some areas such as national parks or temples, alcohol consumption is strictly banned so be informed and mindful of local regulations.

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RESPONSIBLE WORLD CITIZENS

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3Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Be a part of minimizing the burden of waste management in the country we are visiting. If we need to throw away trash, please dispose of it in the bin (preferable a recycling bin).

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Reuseable/Refillable: Refillable water bottles, reusable straws, reusable chopsticks, or our own shopping bags are deterrents against waste.

Turn-Off: Turn off the light, turn off air conditioning and the water when we leave our hotel or not in use.

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