How to support small businesses while traveling
Supporting small and local businesses are becoming more and more important these days. Following COVID-19, small businesses are STRUGGLING. When we are allowed to travel again, I highly encourage you to find ways to support small and local businesses while you travel. I will admit, I do shop at Zara when I’m in Europe because I love their European collection more and I do stay at Hiltons instead of AirBNBs; however, I do try to buy small items from local artisans and do eat locally. I’m going to work on supporting small businesses more when I travel. Here are some ways to do that!
Do your research - this is #1 on basically every list. Research the kind of restaurants, shops, and people you may be running into. Look into industries you’d be supporting and make sure they aren’t engaging with anything that you don’t approve of (human rights abuses, animal abuses, etc.) and make sure this is a country you are okay with giving your money to. I know every country has their issues, so have an internal dialogue and see if you feel okay about visiting a place.
Go to local coffee shops instead of Starbucks - I’m personally not a fan of Starbucks anyway, but while you’re traveling somewhere new, why don’t you try a local coffee shop?! This will make a much bigger impact than your $5 plain coffee at Starbucks lol.
Shop at local stores instead of major chains - similar to above, but shop at local clothing stores or eat at local restaurants instead of chains (H&M, McDonalds, etc.). Usually the clothes are made better and the food tastes better! I bought the best items from Tallinn in local shops. I got an incredible cream-colored flannel and some beautiful pottery made my local artisans. By far the best things I have ever bought on a trip.
Find local tour guides (tip your tour guides!) - there are often free tours if you visit cities with Old Towns. These tours are generally free, but the tour guides do expect tips if they did well. Find local tour guides and please tip them! Tipping abroad is not nearly as expected as it is in the US, but in some industries, it really does help.
Donate to a local charity while there - chances are that you will have some money leftover from your trip. Do some research into some local charities and donate to it.
Stay at a bed & breakfast or homestay - If this is your jam, go for it! I personally prefer my hotel chains, but I fully recognize the positives of staying at a B+B or Homestay. Have a backup plan just in case it isn’t up to your standards or they cancel last minute (which does happen…)
Do you have any other tips to support small businesses while traveling? If so, drop them in the comments! :)