visitors on their worst behavior seem to be making it more and more in the headlines lately, with a list by the Telegraph of recent transgressions sounding like an episode of Jerks Gone Wild. most recently, two Americans scratched their initials into the Colosseum, but the one that really got me a couple years back was Ding Jinhao defacing the Luxor Temple in Egypt.
Luxor Temple. “Jon Khoo was here” but I didn’t have to carve my name into an ancient relic.
ugh. really, people? you don’t need to ask what Jesus would do. well, i wouldn’t since i’m not religious, but simpler: would your mom approve of what you’re doing?
if not, don’t!
i recently made a hotel booking and noticed a link in the confirmation email to the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s brochures on “The Responsible Tourist and Traveller”, part of their Global Code of Ethics for Tourism campaign.
to summarize their points:
- be open-minded, tolerant, and respectful
- …respect human rights
- …respect Mother Nature
- …respect cultural resources and heritage
- support the local economy, fairly
- be informed about heath, emergency, and consular services
- be informed about where you’re going and local customs. respect them.
- be informed about local laws and don’t do anything illegal
this is a great list — to which i’d just add “don’t do something your mom wouldn’t do!” anything additional to add? leave ’em in the comments!
It’s all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T!