From choosing ethical wildlife experiences to supporting local businesses — small choices that make a big difference.
Asia receives hundreds of millions of tourists each year. The economic benefits are real — but so are the costs. Overtourism, habitat destruction, and cultural commodification are genuine problems in many parts of the region.
1. Choose Ethical Wildlife Experiences
Avoid any experience that involves riding elephants, touching drugged big cats, or watching animals perform tricks. Choose sanctuaries that allow animals to behave naturally.
2. Eat at Local Restaurants
Choosing a locally-owned warung, street stall, or family restaurant over an international chain keeps money in the local economy. A meal at a street cart also tends to taste significantly better.
3. Stay in Locally-Owned Accommodation
Guesthouses, homestays, and boutique hotels run by local families recirculate far more money into the local economy than international chain hotels.
4. Hire Local Guides
Licensed local guides provide income for local families, have a far deeper knowledge of their destination, and create connections between visitors and communities.
5. Reduce Single-Use Plastic
Carry a reusable water bottle with a filter, a tote bag, and bamboo cutlery. In many parts of Southeast Asia, plastic pollution in rivers and oceans is a serious crisis.