Parasols for sale, street market, Luang Prabang, Laos

Most of us like to shop when we travel. But have you thought about how the choices you make affect the destination you’re visiting, the people who live there, and the people who will travel there in the future?

My latest article gives you some easy tips so that you can help protect the culture and economy of the places you visit. I also give some recommendations for places to shop in Southeast Asia, including my very favourite market in the world (and the only one, so far, where I can’t resist buying something … especially the Hmong reverse-embroidery bags!)

My article, Shopping in Southeast Asia, was published in the November 2016 edition of SilkWinds, the in-flight magazine for Singapore Airlines’ regional airline, SilkAir.

Scarves on display at Ma Te Sai, a fabulous shop that supports local artisans in Luang Prabang and Vientiene, Laos

More articles about making destinations better, not worse, when you visit are on my Responsible Tourism page.

What are your tips for sustainable shopping? Do you have favourite places?