In Southeast Asia, tourism brings blessings and curses. Small-scale tourism fosters family-owned businesses and one-on-one cultural exchanges that broaden people's perspectives, and helps preserve cultural and environmental assets. But tourism also puts environmental and cultural pressures on the host country. To ensure that your trip is a gift, not a burden, mind your manners, be green, learn everything you can about the host country and be a conscientious consumer.
Southeast Asia has some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet, containing species that do not exist anywhere else, particularly in mega-diverse countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Environmental superlatives include: reefs regarded as the world's most abundant (75% of the world's coral species are found here), including the 6-million-sq-km Coral Triangle, which stretches all the way from Malaysia to the Solomon Islands; the Mekong River, which rivals the Amazon for biodiversity; the world's largest lizard (the Komodo dragon); and numerous endemic bird species (the region is also an important stopover for migratory species).
But the region is also densely populated and environmental degradation is immediately tangible. Smoke fills the air as the forests are cleared for beach bungalows, small-scale farms, palm-oil plantations or logging. Major cities are choked with smog and pollution from vehicle emissions. The waterways are clogged with trash, and raw sewage is dumped into turquoise waters because of inadequate waste treatment facilities.
Due to deforestation and associated forest fires, Indonesia is the world's third-largest greenhouse gas emitter. Smoke from Indonesian forest fires regularly cloaks Singapore and parts of Malaysia in a choking haze. Destruction of the mangrove forests, which act as tidal buffer zones, has resulted in coastal storms which have a disastrous effect on the local population, contributing to the death toll of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and 2013 Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Water systems are suffering as well. Environmental degradation of coral reefs is caused by overfishing and sediment run-off from coastal development, as well as climate change. Along the Mekong River, hydroelectric dams are significantly altering the river's ecosystem, from sediment movement to fish migration, as well as water levels downstream.
Habitat loss is a serious threat to the region's indigenous wildlife. The few remaining natural areas are also subject to poaching. Thailand is one of the primary conduits through which live wildlife and harvested wildlife parts travel to overseas markets.
Though the environmental problems are apparent, obvious answers are not. Conserving wild lands requires political convictions undeterred by moneyed interests, a tall order in a region with limited national budgets and a culture of corruption. Of all of the Southeast Asian nations, Brunei leads the conservationist charge with approximately 70% of its original forest cover still intact, but its oil wealth allows it to overlook the profits of undeveloped lands.
There are many environmental problems that the average tourist has zero control over, but on a local level visitors can strive to reduce their individual 'footprint' by putting as little pressure on the natural environment and the local infrastructure as possible. Here are some modest steps:
Live like a local: opt for a fan instead of an air-con room; shower with cold water instead of hot.
Use biodegradable soap to reduce water pollution.
Eat locally sourced meals instead of imported products.
Dispose of plastic packaging before leaving home so that it doesn't end up in overburdened refuse systems.
Dispose of cigarette butts in rubbish bins not on the beach or into the water.
Choose unplugged modes of transit (walking tour over minivan tour, bicycle over motorbike, kayak over jet ski).
Volunteer with a local conservation or animal-welfare group.
Be a responsible diver.
Dispose of your rubbish in a proper receptacle, even if the locals don't.
Don't eat or drink food products made from endangered animals or plants.
Avoid plastic bottles: take a reusable water bottle and treat water.
Patronise businesses that promote sustainable tourism, responsible tourism and ecotourism.
Responsible Travel (www.responsible-travel.org) Tips on how to be a 'better' tourist regarding environmental issues, begging and bargaining, as well as ethical holidays.
Mekong Responsible Tourism (www.mekongresponsibletourism.org) Online guide promoting community-based and socially responsible tourism in the Mekong region, including homestays and eco-lodges.
WWF International (www.panda.org) Read up on WWF's environmental campaigns to protect Southeast Asia's threatened species and landscapes.
Mongabay (www.mongabay.com) Environmental science and conservation news site with a focus on tropical rainforests, including Indonesia.
Ecology Asia (www.ecologyasia.com) Facts and figures about Southeast Asia's flora and fauna.
Sealang Projects (www.sealang.net) Academic resource for learning Southeast Asian languages.
Travelers Against Plastic (www.travelersagainstplastic.org) Promotes the use of reusable water bottles to help the environment.
Southeast Asia offers some incredible opportunities for wildlife encounters and animal interaction. Walk with elephants, zipline through the jungle canopy with gibbons, dive with whale sharks and spot the world's largest lizard, the komodo dragon. However, it is crucial to remember these are wild animals in their natural habitat, so it is important to behave in an appropriate manner. Some tips:
Do not leave any litter in the natural environment in case it enters the food chain, particularly in a marine location.
Do not smoke anywhere near wild animals.
Do not use flash photography near animals in case it disturbs them.
Do listen to rangers and guides and keep a safe and respectful distance from the animal at all times.
Do choose responsible wildlife encounters such as walking with an elephant herd instead of taking a typical tourist elephant ride.
Organisations promoting responsible wildlife encounters in the region:
Conservation International (CI: www.conservation.org)
Elephant Asia Rescue and Survival Foundation (http://earsasia.org)
Wildlife Alliance (www.wildlifealliance.org)
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS. www.wcs.org)
WWF International (www.panda.org)
Most Southeast Asians don't expect tourists to know very much about them and for this reason they overlook innocent breaches of social etiquette. But each culture has a host of taboos and sacred beliefs that should not be disrespected. Before arriving, figure out the touchy subjects and tread cautiously.
Tourists also encounter problems when they show anger over money disputes or miscommunication and during drunken escapades. Being polite and patient is better than being right and belligerent.
Here are some pointers to keep you on everyone's good side:
Respect local dress standards, particularly at religious sites. Remove shoes and hat before entering a religious building.
Always ask for permission before you take a picture of someone, especially during private moments; asking in the local language is even better.
Take a language course or at least learn the local greetings in each country.
Treat religious objects, no matter how old or decrepit, with the utmost respect; don't clamber on temple ruins or pose behind headless Buddha statues.
Share your snacks or cigarettes with your neighbour on long bus rides.
Tip fairly where possible, as daily wages are very low.
Smile while bargaining; your beauty will distract them from opportunistic pricing.
Do not raise your voice or show signs of aggression as this will lead to a 'loss of face' for locals and could have serious repercussions.
Prostitution is technically illegal but common and tolerated in many parts of Southeast Asia. While some sex workers are adults, others are minors who have been sold or recruited by family members and are exploited by the business owner through intimidation and abuse. Unicef estimates that there are close to one million child prostitutes in all of Asia - one of the highest figures in the world.
Sex with minors is a serious offence that is enforced with severe penalties by Southeast Asian countries. Many Western countries also prosecute and punish citizens for paedophile offences committed abroad. For more information contact End Child Prostitution & Trafficking (Ecpat; www.ecpat.net), a global network that works to stop child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. Childsafe International (www.childsafe-international.org) aims to educate businesses and individuals to be on the lookout for children in vulnerable situations.
The disparity between rich and poor is one of Southeast Asia's most pressing social concerns. Only a few of the region's countries have well-developed social safety nets to catch people left homeless or jobless by debt mismanagement, rapid industrialisation or institutionalised discrimination.
Remote villagers, including ethnic minorities, often live precarious subsistence lives without access to health care, economic opportunity or basic education. In some cases, their traditional lifestyles are incompatible with the modern marketplace, and many villages lose their young people to jobs in the cities. Urban migrants often do menial labour for menial wages; some turn to more profitable enterprises, such as prostitution or other illicit ventures. When a family is financially compromised, children are often expected to work, either formally in a factory or informally as a street hawker. They often don't have the luxury of time or money to receive an education.
There is also an ongoing problem of human trafficking, mainly economic migrants who are lured to a neighbouring country for work to find that they are vulnerable to exploitation.
Begging is common in many of the major cities of the region and that tug on the shirtsleeve can become tiresome after a time. However, try to remember that many of these countries have little in the way of a social security net to catch people when they fall. It is best to keep denominations small to avoid foreigners becoming more of a target than they already are. Cambodia has a large number of amputee beggars, a legacy of landmines and civil war.
Avoid giving money to children, as this is more likely to go directly to a begging 'pimp' or human trafficker than to the child. Food is an option for children as at least they are likely to benefit directly. However, child welfare organisations would counsel against giving to children altogether to avoid creating a culture of dependency from a young age. Instead, consider making a donation to one of the many local organisations assisting in the battle against poverty.
Support businesses with a social-justice mission, such as fair-trade weaving cooperatives or job-skills development sites.
Stay at village homestays to support traditional lifestyles.
Discourage child labour by not patronising child vendors or hawkers.
Make a donation to a local school or charity instead of handing out money or gifts to beggars, especially children.
Hire local guides to encourage village-based employment opportunities.
Avoid all-inclusive purchases (lodging, transport, tours, food); instead, spread your spending so that more local people benefit.
Voluntourism is a booming business in Southeast Asia, with travel companies co-opting the idea as a new marketing angle. To avoid the bulk of your placement fees going into the pockets of third-party agencies, it’s important to do your research on the hundreds of organisations that now offer volunteer work and find a suitable one that supports your skills. For any organisation working with children, child protection is a serious concern; organisations that do not conduct background checks on volunteers should be regarded with extreme caution.
Lonely Planet does not endorse any organisations that we do not work with directly, so it is essential that you do your own thorough research before agreeing to volunteer with or donate to any organisation.
In recent years, visiting orphanages has become a popular activity, but is it always good for the children and the host country in the longer run? Orphanage tourism and all the connotations that come with it are a disturbing development that can draw some unscrupulous elements into the world of childcare. Some orphanages have been established based on a business model and in other cases the 'orphans' are not orphans at all, but have a living parent or have been 'rented' from a local school.
Many orphanages in the region are doing a good job in difficult circumstances. Some are world class, enjoy funding and support from wealthy benefactors and don't need visitors. Others are desperate places that need all the help they can get. However, if a place is promoting orphanage visits, then proceed with caution, as the adults may not always have the best interests of the children at heart.
Friends International and Unicef joined forces to launch the 'Think Before Visiting' campaign. Learn more at www.thinkchildsafe.org/thinkbeforevisiting/ before you inadvertently contribute to the problem. Some dos and don'ts:
Do think about volunteering for a minimum of a month or longer rather than a short-term stay.
Do think carefully about what skills you have that will make a difference to the children.
Do work with the local staff rather than directly with the children. Teach the local staff how to speak English for a sustainable impact.
Don’t under any circumstances visit orphanages as part of a brief tour or go to any that actively solicit tourists.
Don’t hand over large fees for a placement without checking where the money goes.
Don’t volunteer at any orphanage without thoroughly researching it. Is it regulated? Do they require background checks on volunteers?