Keep reading to learn more about ten great ways to help your fellow traveler.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have temporarily halted travel plans, but so far, 2022 has been a great year for travel. While most travelers realize they'll have to be more flexible when planning trips, they're still eager to pack their bags and get back to doing what they love.
Travel is personally rewarding, but it's also a fantastic way to meet new people from across the globe. When you're traveling, it's a good idea to keep your eye on other travelers. Not only is it an excellent way to be a good human, but you never know when your help could be invaluable, or you'll make a new friend.
Keep reading to learn more about ten great ways to help your fellow traveler.
1. Host couchsurfers
If you have the means, hosting couchsurfers is a wonderful way to meet new people and help others keep their travel expenses low.
The premise is simple. If you have a couch, spare room, or even a hammock, you create a profile and list your space on Couchsurfing. Travelers in your area send a request to stay, and you have a brand new friend.
Hosts and guests pay a fee to join the website, but taking payment from guests is not allowed. Instead, your guests may cook you a meal, take you out for drinks or show their appreciation in another way.
2. Stay at hostels
Staying at hostels is not just a good way to keep your lodging expenses down. The nature of a hostel stay guarantees you'll be engaging with other travelers much more than you would in a hotel.
Hostels often organize pub crawls, city tours, and other events for their guests. But part of the appeal of hostels is sharing travel tips. Someone might be on their way to a city you're familiar with or vice versa. You never know when your travel experience will help someone else.
3. Carry extra supplies
Travel always has a way of throwing you a curveball every now and then. Being prepared is vital, and that could mean that you have something in your bag that could save someone's day.
Toilet paper, tampons, sunscreen, water, portable phone chargers, and snacks are important things to have with you. But someone else might need one of those things too. Being able to help in a small way makes a big difference.
4. Start a travel blog
If you're an experienced traveler, you can share your knowledge with the world in one very simple way. Starting a travel blog with iWriter on your side is a great way to get handy tips to help your blog succeed.
You can use your travel blog to offer tips for specific cities, focus on taking a food tour, or suggest ways to save money while traveling. Since many travelers rely on travel blogs for inspiration, your knowledge can help others realize their travel dreams.
5. Keep an eye on your fellow traveler
Sometimes things go wrong when we travel, and being alone in a strange city when that happens makes everything feel worse. If you see a fellow traveler struggling, see if you can help.
Offering up your language skills, helping with directions, or even alerting someone to the fact their backpack zipper is open can make someone's day a whole lot better. Your assistance can even help avoid a crisis.
6. Participate in online travel forums
Many people love to ask travel-related questions in various online forums. These questions range from destination advice to packing tips, and questions about food and drink.
Have a look at travel communities on Reddit and Facebook groups. Someone is bound to have a question you can answer, and that answer could take their trip from okay to fabulous.
7. Know when to keep to yourself
Some travelers really enjoy meeting new people on their journeys. They're always eager to chat, offer tips, and share tours or dinners.
But some travelers enjoy being alone. They might not want to strike up a conversation or join strangers for outings. If you notice a fellow traveler on their own, it doesn't mean they're lonely.
Always be friendly but also know when to let solo travelers be solo.
8. If someone asks you to take their photo, say yes
Nowadays, it seems like everyone has their travel photo routine set in stone. They curate their photos in specific detail and have a partner or friend on hand to help them capture the perfect shot.
But there are still people who just take regular tourist photos of their travels. They just want a nice picture of themselves in front of the Eiffel Tower or the Sphinx. If someone asks you to take their photo, say yes.
It only takes a minute of your time, but that minute you spend on a photo could be that traveler's favorite memory of their trip.
9. Share your resources
When traveling, most people use their phones for everything from maps and city guides to checking into their hotels. But sometimes, there's no substitute for hard copies of those items.
If you're not keeping those items as souvenirs, give them away. You can leave them in your hostel's common area or give them to people directly. It's a small way to cut down on waste and help someone make their trip a little bit better.
10. Use apps to meet fellow travelers
Many people use dating apps while traveling, but not always to find a date. Apps like Tinder and Bumble, plus a traveling app like Backpackr are great ways to meet people who just want some company while exploring a new place.
Just be very clear about your expectations, meet the person in a public place and let someone know where you're going and what time you expect to return. After that, relax, have fun with your new friend and share some travel tips.
Make friends and travel the world
People don't always travel in a bubble. Many of the best travel experiences are the ones we share with the people we meet along the way. Use this guide for ways you can help out your fellow traveler and make lifelong friends.
Are you interested in more great travel content? Have a look at some of our other articles to discover the best ways to get the most out of your travel experiences.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
