by Peter Clay

Created on: February 19, 2009

A favourite quote of mine by William Least Heat states that "What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do - especially in other people's minds. When you're travelling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road." In the simplest and rawest form, you are the Judge and Jury of your own decisions whilst travelling, even more so as a Independent traveller as your choices are yours alone.

Ethics in regards to backpacking is such a diverse subject that a thesis could be written on it. It can delve into such contentious issues as the impact we may have on the environment, to the cultural and psychological cause and effects Backpackers may have on local communities. In theory the only way for Backpackers to not have an impact at all, is to forego the destination altogether. However this answer surely does not support the developing community and Tourism industry, as well as limiting a Backpackers ability to understand the world around them.

So really the answer to ethical backpacking comes down the choices that are made whilst on the road, not whether we should go there or not. Without going into a political debate, Myanmar or formally Burma is a fantastic example of this; should tourists be travelling there with a current Dictatorship in place? Ironically, the blind spending by independent travellers could in fact be indirectly supporting a government that potentially is not supporting its people. However instead of boycotting the destination, with correct choices the Backpacker may in fact aid local communities through their ethical decisions on how to spend their money and how they choose to interact within the community. In the long run providing a source of income, support and development to areas that may be lacking funds from their government.

An ethical choice can be a mine field and the choice itself depends on the traveller and the situation they are in. Many years ago travelling through Asia, it was acceptable to handout pens or crayons to kids as your passed by. However it is now frowned upon as it gives the parents a sense of under-providing and the kids an expectation for handouts rather than working towards earning it. A simple choice which has lasting repercussions for the community and unknown to the Backpacker, as generally the time scale spent in the destination is too short to notice any lasting effects.

There are many things Backpackers can do in regards to

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