Responsible Travelers Creed

We live in the era of the Virtuous Traveler. We at The Global Scavenger Hunt™ believe that traveling in the spirit of humility and curiosity will enhance your every journey. To do well in this event, you will find it necessary to interact with many people throughout the world and to truly trust strangers in strange lands. Their customs may be strange and communications may be difficult and frustrating at times, but your destiny will, in many ways, be determined by the kindness others extend to you. So smile, be sensitive and aware of what you're doing, listen carefully and be open to others.

This is our Responsible Travelers Creed, most of it is common sense, but we feel it bears repeating:

Firstly, do no harm! Minimize your impact. Pack it in, pack it out. Leave nothing in your wake. Take only pictures and wonderful memories with you! Please don't litter and never leave graffiti (even if it appears to be a custom). Try to save water and conserve energy as appropriate.

Be patient with the people you encounter. They're not from the Big City and it may take a few moments for them to adjust to your language. Cultivate the habit of patiently listening and observing, not merely hearing and seeing. Ask sincere questions. Accept honest replies.

Remember that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. Travel to meet the world openly and experience the differences in life; so don't be an imperialist swine. We don't have all the answers to the world's problems so don't fall into the West is Best Syndrome. Have an open mind. Encourage their sustainable old ways and be respectful of local customs. Others are not inferior, they're just different.

Do not expect special privileges from others just because you're a visitor. Wait until you are invited to partake in rituals or personal celebrations. Make no promises to local people unless you are certain that you can fulfill them. Doing lunch means doing lunch, not just saying it. Saying you'll call or write someone, means you really will. Your word is your bond!

Stay on designated paths and within designated areas.

When visiting sacred or historic sites, take only photographs. Please adhere to the posted "no photos" and/or "no flash" rules.

Dress appropriately when visiting sacred and/or religious sites. Take off your shoes when appropriate and please no shorts or tank tops. Women especially.

Pack this mind-set for your travels: make friends and listen.

Ask permission from the people you wish to photograph up close. If you're in doubt, ask before your shoot!

Never remove or disturb architectural fragments, natural habitats, stones or foliage. These are highly inappropriate souvenirs.

Don't buy artifacts or works of art that may have been taken from historic or sacred sites, or purchase objects from endangered species, corals or rainforests.

Do some research. Attempt to educate yourself about the language. Learn a few useful phrases like: Hello, Please and Thank You. Learn about some of their customs, taboos, art, history, religion and geography of a destination before you go out into their environment.

Never touch animals or birds. And please don't feed them. Always give the animals you encounter the right of way and retreat if necessary. And never enter any protected areas or scientific research stations unless invited.

Remember that many historic and sacred sites are still real, functioning places for local inhabitants and not just for tourists.

Don't allow gadgets and electronic equipment to get between you and the local people and their natural ways. Turn off!

Support local artists and craftspeople. Spend money so that it stays in the community's economy. And remember that the bargains you obtain are only possible because of low wages paid to the producers. Pay the Gringo Tax cheerfully. Don't quibble over a few cents!

Take a few moments everyday to reflect on your daily experiences in an attempt to enrich your understanding of the people and things you were lucky to meet and experience.

Obey the local laws. No matter where we are accept the laws of the land. This means sometimes not drinking alcohol. It always means no drugs of any kind. And it always means respecting all traffic laws.

Remember the Golden Rule…and no, not the one about the man who owns the gold rules either, the other one...treat everyone with courtesy!

 We also of course welcome your questions, comments and  queries, so please feel free to Contact Us anytime...