Code of Ethics for Tourists

1. Travel in a spirit of humility and with a genuine desire to learn more about the people of your host country.
   
   
2. Be sensitively aware of the feelings of other people, preventing what might be offensive behaviour on your part. This applies very much to photography.
   
   
3. Cultivate the habit of listening and observing, rather than merely hearing and seeing.
   
   
4. Realise that often the people in the country you visit have time concepts and thought patterns different from your own; this does not make them inferior, only different.
   
   
5. Instead of looking for that "beach paradise", discover the enrichment of seeing a different way of life through other eyes.
   
   
6. Acquaint yourself with local customs - people will be happy to help you.
   
   
7. Instead of the Western practice of knowing all the answers, cultivate the habit of listening.
   
   
8. Remember that you are only one of the thousands of tourists visiting the country - do not expect special privileges.
   
   
9. If you really want your experience to be a 'home away from home', it is foolish to waste your money on travelling.
   
   
10. When you are shopping, remember that the 'bargain' you obtained was only possible because of the low wages paid to the maker.
    
    
11. Do not make promises to people in your host countries unless you are certain you can carry them through.
    
    
12. Spend time reflecting on your daily experiences in an attempt to deepen your understanding.