CITY TOURS

‘COMMUNITY FIRST’ IS the mantra of Harshwardhan Tanwar, co-founder of No Footprints (nfpexplore.com), a company curating niche travel experiences in Mumbai and New Delhi. Travel is all about people, and when you interact with local communities, you must understand that they have been living in a certain way for years. The Queer Day Out is an award-winning tour by No Footprints that showcases the queer side of Mumbai through interaction with queer artists, undertaking a workshop by a drag queen, or visiting a temple of a goddess worshipped by local transgender communities.

Sustainable consumption is another important aspect of responsible travel. Citing some of their popular food tours in Mumbai, Tanwar suggests resisting from ordering pomfret through the year, and opting for seasonal fish like king fish or Bombay duck instead. “Due to the high demand for pomfret, restaurants try to provide it throughout the year. This puts pressure on fishermen to get pomfret even if it impacts the fish’s breeding cycle and ecology,” he explains. Customers’ appreciation for seasonally available produce can encourage local businesses to value the same.

According to Tanwar, slow travel also helps a lot. Looking at alternative modes of transport and spending more time at a destination gives travellers the opportunity to engage with the community and taste local delicacies.

When in Mumbai, resist from ordering pomfret through the year, and opt for seasonal fish like Bombay duck instead.