Support locals wherever you travel

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/09/2022 (1293 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When travelling, I make a conscious effort to support the local economy wherever I go. Doing this can take many forms, from where to stay to what to eat to what to buy.

When it comes to accommodations, preliminary online searches typically list chain hotels first. While there’s nothing wrong with booking into a Hilton, Marriott, Best Western, or any other always-reliable offering, digging a little deeper often reveals locally owned, one-of-a-kind boutique hotels. Fun discoveries for me have included things like secret courtyards, lobby libraries, outdoor firepits, and rooftop patios. No matter where you stay, make it regular practise after check-in to take 15 minutes to walk around and explore the entire hotel property, inside and out. You just might find cool spaces you didn’t even know were there.

When on the road, there’s an endless array of dining choices. Again, many will be part of global chains, and there is nothing wrong with tried-and-true. However, when time allows, I prefer to seek out a locally owned restaurant I won’t find anyplace else in the world. Then I look to order an authentic dish that’s native to the region. You can always take local support one step further by choosing a place with a farm-to-table menu, made with fresh ingredients grown nearby.

When shopping for gifts, I try to make sure that whatever I buy is actually from that region and made by a local artist or craftsman. If you’re fine with merchandise that’s branded locally but produced overseas, that’s OK, too, but for me, though, purchasing an item made by someone else’s hard-working hands just means more. I’ve long since picked up the practice of picking up items and looking look for the ‘made in’ label or marking, so I always know their origins.

It’s quite easy to find self-guided tours in artistic districts, historic sites and recreation areas. But if you want the most memorable experience, hire a local tour guide to accompany you. They tend to be super-nice people who take great pride in their hometowns, and they love to share knowledge with tourists. They know the best stories, fun facts, interesting insights, and quirky nuances. They usually come with endless extra bonus tips, and can answer general questions about the area, too. Local guides are truly a wealth of knowledge, and they always leave me feeling like I’m learning instead of just seeing.

Next time you have a free evening when traveling, don’t sit in your room. In fact, it’s practically mandatory to go out and find a club that offers live music. See whichever local band happens to be playing that night and stay for their entire set. Go up and say hello afterwards. Buy some merchandise or music if you can swing the extra cost. If you really liked them, take a moment to ‘like’ them on socials — taking local support one step further by following them right into the cyberworld.