Part of the definition of responsible travel is following the money.

Is what you’re spending on your travels actually going back to the communities?

Some tour operators make it easier for travelers to connect the dots.

One company, G Adventures, has something called the Ripple Score to show you how much money from each trip goes to the locals.

Kind Traveler offers discounted hotel rates once travelers have made a $10 donation to a local charity, and Modern Adventure provides proof that 67 cents of every dollar they make is spent in the region.