Supporting local businesses while traveling is important for the economy, the livelihood of the local people and the preservation of traditional culture and craftsmanship. Let us dive deeper into why this is an important value to hold as a conscious traveler and different ways in which we can support local while traveling.
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We all know that small businesses are the heart and soul of any community. And this is true for every single country across the world. With the take over of big name brands, unethical labour practices for cheap production, big businesses and chain stores and with the effects of Covid still lingering years later, small businesses have been greatly affected worldwide.
When we visit a country and choose to support local businesses, we are preventing the revenue of that country from leaking into other foreign countries. For example, instead of eating at US chain restaurants abroad, you can rather choose to eat at local restaurants that source their ingredients from local farmers. This keeps the revenue within the country and helps the local people to feed their families.
Communities depend on the success of small businesses to thrive and support the livelihood of the local people. I believe that we as visitors in a foreign land, should be supporting the people of that country as much as possible throughout our time there. Supporting local is a significant part of traveling sustainably. There are many ways in which you can support local while traveling. We will cover more about this towards the end of this blog post.
Let’s explore the reasons why supporting local businesses while traveling is important. And how we can support the local communities of the countries that we visit.
WHY SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES IS IMPORTANT:
1. SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES KEEP REVENUE CIRCULATING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
As we mentioned above, when you support a small local business instead of a massive chain store, you are allowing the revenue to keep circulating within that community.
It has been recorded that independent, locally owned businesses will circulate almost 50% of revenue back into the community. While chain stores only circulate about 13%-14% back into the economy. This is a massive leakage difference and has detrimental affects on communities and their ability to thrive.
When you purchase from small local businesses along your travels, you are directly supporting the income growth of that community. That money will then continue to circulate within their community. Because the majority of small businesses hire local employees and purchase their necessities from their fellow small businesses. It is a continuously positive revenue cycle of adding value to the community and the quality of life.
2. SMALL BUSINESSES DONATE TO LOCAL CHARITIES AND NON-PROFITS
Did you know that small businesses donate 250% more to charities and non-profits than big businesses? Because the people who own small businesses genuinely care about the community that they live in and want to make a positive difference.
Small business owners and employees are more directly impacted by what goes on within their own community than the owners of big businesses who do not even live within that country, never-mind within that community. They are too disconnected from the struggles and issues that these communities face.
But local businesses are made up of people who live within the community who actually care about the safety, the health, the environment, the quality of life and finding solutions to the daily struggles of the community. And therefore are more willing to donate money to charities, non-profits and people in need.
When you support small businesses you are supporting the well-being of the community too!
3. SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES = CREATe MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES & LESS INEQUALITY
Small businesses create job opportunities for people and often times pay better wages than big businesses. There would be a much higher percentage of unemployed persons in every country if it were not for small local businesses.
Local businesses also hold a high value of less inequality when it comes to their employees. They are more likely to employ people from their communities and give employment opportunity to people who have previously been discriminated against.
It is no secret how much of an impact small businesses have on the economy. And how they are bridging the wealth gap in communities. When you support small businesses you are providing more opportunity for owners to outsource tasks to people who are in need of income within their own community.
4. YOU GET QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Have you ever bought something way over-priced for the quality you received? Or you bought a product with a high price tag thinking it is going to last? But a few months later it is already worn out or even broken?
There are so many big businesses out there who aim to produce their products in the cheapest ways possible. With weak materials that do not last and unethical labour practices. They add a high price tag to convince their customers that they are receiving a quality (even luxury) item. They are earning high profits on low quality products without holding true to any honest, ethical and sustainable values.
Small businesses put so much love, time and care into their products and services. You will receive so much more value for your money when you buy from someone who has personally poured their heart and soul into what they are selling you. It is a much more one on one experience between you and the small business. They want to give you their best in exchange for supporting their business.
One bad review on a Shein product does not hurt the company. But one bad review on a small business can have detrimental effects. So when you are supporting a small business you know you are supporting the values and quality they stand for.
5. SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE MORE ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE than big businesses
Small businesses have a smaller carbon footprint than big companies because their production is done on a much smaller scale. They also generally get their supplies from other local businesses within the country. Which again, keeps the revenue flowing within the local communities.
Many small businesses also have strong core values that ripple into taking care of the environment, creating sustainable products and making sure their employees are treated fairly. When you really dig into the details of how big businesses run their companies, you will see that these values are not important to them. The big businesses that do hold these ethics are very few and far between.
When you travel to developing countries you can see that their arts and crafts are made from the materials that come from within their own country. Their homes are also built from locally sourced materials. And their local foods are filled with ingredients that grow abundantly on their own land or are sourced from local farms.
You can feel more at peace knowing that your money is going towards a more ethical and sustainable future (for the earth and for the economy) when you buy from a small business.
6. THE PRESERVATION OF CULTURE, TRADITION AND ORIGINAL CRAFTSMANSHIP
Everyone thinks that being the owner of one of the “80 exclusively designed” handbags in the new Louis Vitton range makes it original and exclusive. But there is nothing more special than owning an original piece of art, handmade clothing, jewelry, decor or accessory or using a service carefully created by someone than purchasing these items from a small business.
There have been many, many times on my travels where I have been told by the local people that their traditions and craftsmanship skills are dying more and more with each generation. Although there are a number of reasons for this, one of the reasons are because people are choosing to support cheap fast fashion instead of supporting original craftsmanship that has been passed down for generations within their communities.
This is extremely heart breaking. Because firstly, these artists rely on tourists supporting their arts and crafts to survive and support their families. And because these ancient artistic skills and traditions are the heart of creativity and expression within their communities that hold spiritual and cultural significance for them.
If you are able to support local artists along your travels it can make such a big difference! Even with just the smallest purchase. Not only to the artist but to the community. It is so special knowing that very single piece and detail has been thought-out and handcrafted with love and passion by a small business owner.
7. SMALL BUSINESSES CARE ABOUT YOU AND THE COMMUNITY
I do not know about you, but I have never felt welcomed by a big chain store. Or received a massive heart felt THANK YOU from the owners when I used to unconsciously support these businesses over 10 years ago when I did not know any better.
The experience of purchasing from a small business is a wholesome and caring process. Small businesses care about the experience you have with them. And they care that you are happy with what you have purchased. Their small business is a direct reflection of themselves so they want to leave you with a positive experience.
8. SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES ENCOURAGES INNOVATION
You are supporting the thriving of innovation, inventors, creativity, out-of-the-box thinkers and dreamers, entrepreneurs and difference makers! The more you support small businesses, the more opportunity there is for people to grow, expand and give value to the community. And even possibly make big changes in the world!
If you are an owner of a small business, no matter what the business may be, you know how good it feels to be supported in your offerings. You know how motivating it is when you make a sale or receive a positive review. It motivates one to continue pouring their energy into what they are passionate about, think up new ideas and continue adding value to your business and therefore the community.
9. SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES SUPPORTS THE WELL-BEING OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY
We have already covered this point throughout this blog post. But when you truly think about how intertwined and connected every aspect of a community is, you can clearly see how supporting local businesses on your travels can positively affect the well-being of the entire community.
Small businesses within the community also support one another. They source supplies from one another. They support farmers and give to charities and people in need. And provide job opportunities and essential services to the community and so much more!
We are visitors to the countries we travel to and we are welcomed into these communities with open arms. I believe that supporting the small businesses in these places is the least we can do to show our gratitude for being able to visit a foreign land and support the local people while we are there.
10. EVERY PURCHASE MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
Every single purchase from a small business makes a difference to the owner and any employees they may have. Big name brands, massive businesses and chain stores do not celebrate or personally care whether you have bought their product or used their services. Their main focus is money. Their branding is manipulative to make you spend more. And most of these companies produce products and make money through unethical practices and unfair labour laws.
When you support small businesses, you are supporting a person’s livelihood, helping someone support their family, pay for their studies or build a dream. Trust me, every purchase made from a small business is greatly appreciated and celebrated by the owners!
WAYS TO SUPPORT SMALLL LOCAL BUSINESSES WHILE TRAVELING:
Supporting small businesses while traveling goes beyond purchasing a souvenir (even though that is a great way to support local!).
There are many ways other ways that we can show our support that will have a positive impact on the local community:
- Stay in locally owned hostels, hotels and home stays.
- Eat at local restaurants – try out traditional dishes and local cuisines.
- Support the local food market or farmers market.
- Try out different local bakeries and cafes in the areas you visit.
- Attend a cooking class hosted by a local to learn how to make their typical dishes.
- Go on a local food tour.
- Buy local artisans, handmade souvenirs and art.
- Attend arts and crafts workshops hosted by local artists.
- Use local tour guides for your adventures.
- Make use of public transport and local taxi drivers.
- Go on a walking tour with a local guide.
- Volunteer at an organization or local charity in the community.
- Visit the historical sites, museums and attractions in the area.
- Attend art shows, local performances, music nights, festivals and gatherings.
- Book your tours and adventures directly with local companies instead of internationally owned travel agencies.
- Give an extra tip when you can!
SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES WITHOUT SPENDING A DOLLAR:
I understand that it is not always possible to spend extra money on souvenir. And sometimes we need to save money or stick to a budget while traveling.
But there are a few ways that we can support local businesses without even spending a dollar that can help these businesses with future customers:
- Leave good reviews for businesses, services, tours and accommodations.
- Recommend local restaurants, shops and tour agencies to your friends and family.
- If a small local business has social media, follow their pages and show your support on their posts.
- Tag local businesses on social media to spread the word!
With all of the reasons we covered in this post, we can see why supporting small businesses while traveling is important. Not only for the economy but for the well-being and livelihood of local communities.
We as travelers can have a massive positive impact on how these communities can thrive when we choose to show them support and share their offerings with our fellow travelers. We are also choosing to support a more sustainable and ethical way of life along our travels. Which is a core value in sustainable and eco-travel.
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments about why you think it is important to support local businesses. And let me know what is your favorite way to support small businesses while traveling.
