Mumbai: Travel is more than ticking famous destinations off a list for Hui Gumm Yadein actress Jyoti Tiwari. A passionate traveller, she enjoys exploring different cities, villages and cultures, and believes the real beauty of a place lies in experiencing its people and way of life.
For Jyoti, landmarks are only one part of the travel experience. “For me, it’s definitely not just about landmarks. I’m a traveller, and I really enjoy exploring places, sometimes even travelling solo because I love having my own me-time. In India, I’ve travelled to so many cities and villages, and what stays with me are the people, their lifestyle, their culture, the food, and just seeing how differently people live. Those experiences have become some of my lifetime memories. So for me, a place is worth visiting when you can actually experience it, not just see it,” she says.
She also believes tourism can benefit smaller communities without damaging their culture or surroundings. Her own experience in Meghalaya made her look at travel differently. “I definitely believe it can. In fact, when you travel to smaller cities and villages, you realise how much there is to learn from local people and their relationship with the environment. They often live in ways that are much more mindful of nature, using local resources carefully and avoiding unnecessary waste,” Jyoti shares.
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Sep 28, 2026She recalls choosing a homestay during her Meghalaya trip instead of staying at a luxury hotel. “I remember travelling to Meghalaya, where I stayed in a homestay rather than a five-star hotel. There weren’t all the usual luxury facilities, but the experience taught me a lot. I learnt that comfort doesn’t always have to mean excess, and that we can enjoy a place while living more simply and responsibly,” she says.
For her, respecting local communities is an important part of responsible tourism. “As travellers, we have to respect that lifestyle. We shouldn’t go there and try to change everything according to our own way of living. We should experience it, learn from it and leave with respect. I think that’s when tourism can genuinely benefit both local communities and the environment,” she adds.
Jyoti feels travellers also have a responsibility towards the places they visit. For her, it begins with something simple: respect. “I think the first responsibility is respect. When you’re travelling, you’re entering someone else’s home, someone else’s community. So don’t litter, don’t damage nature, respect their culture and their way of living,” she says.
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Sep 26, 2026She also encourages travellers to contribute to the local economy. “When you visit smaller places, try to support the local people, eat local food, buy something from them, use local services. You’re not just visiting a place; you’re also becoming a small part of their economy and their story,” Jyoti explains.
Social media has also changed the way people travel. Jyoti sees both positives and negatives in this change. “Definitely, both. Social media has made us discover so many places, and that’s a great thing. But because I travel quite a lot, I feel sometimes we get too busy trying to capture the perfect picture that we forget to actually experience the place,” she says.
She particularly enjoys disconnecting from her phone while travelling solo. “Especially when I travel solo, I really enjoy putting my phone away and just having my me-time, observing people, walking around, trying the food, listening to the sounds around me. Those are the moments I remember, not necessarily the pictures I took,” she adds.
Having travelled to around 16–17 countries outside India and explored different parts of the country, Jyoti says she would still pick an unexplored local gem over a popular destination. “Honestly, I would choose the unexplored local gem. I’ve travelled to around 16–17 countries outside India, but I’ve also explored so many different parts of India, including cities and villages. And some of my most beautiful memories have come from places that weren’t necessarily famous tourist destinations,” she says.
She believes travellers should look beyond the usual tourist attractions. “I always tell people, don’t just visit the popular places. Go a little beyond that. Go and meet the local people, see how they live, understand their culture. Sometimes those experiences teach you much more about a place than any famous monument can. For me, that’s the real joy of travelling,” Jyoti shares.
She also feels travellers need to change the way they look at destinations. Instead of treating every place as a tourist attraction, she believes people should remember that communities and ecosystems exist there long after visitors leave. “I think we need to stop treating every place like a tourist spot that exists just for us. When we travel, especially to beautiful natural places or small villages, we should remember that people actually live there and nature belongs there long after we leave,” she says.
For Jyoti, travelling responsibly is ultimately about slowing down and being more mindful. “So be mindful, don’t litter, don’t waste, respect the local culture and support local communities. And I think travelling a little slower and actually experiencing a place, rather than just ticking it off a list, can make travel much more meaningful,” she concludes.
