Some travel courtesies to remember

Tourists in Hong Kong. Global tourist arrivals hit more than 900 million in 2008 (Source: UNWTO)

1. Be honest. Don’t cheat or deceive anyone.

2. Respect everyone. People are not commodities.

3. Don’t litter.

4. Don’t violate religious customs.

5. Always wear appropriate clothing.

6. Be a gracious guest. Don’t allow your host to lose face.

7. Avoid ethnocentrism. Don’t assume that your way of doing things is better than theirs.

8. Don’t use foul language. Don’t be secure with knowing that the locals don’t understand your language anyway. The tone of your voice, facial expression and body language speak louder than words.

9. Don’t disrupt the daily routine of the locals.

10. Ask for permission first before taking pictures. Everybody has personal space.

Note: I based these reminders on the “Travel in Light” lecture delivered by journalist Angela Ureta on October 8, 2005.