As we respond to the climate crisis and consider tourism’s role in it, we wonder if we might be missing a bigger picture – and a greater opportunity — by focusing so squarely on flights. We offer some research and tools to travelers and the tourism industry to help season and expand our thinking on the topic.
Continue ReadingThe Climate Crisis in Travel: Are We Missing the Bigger Picture?
Can social media influencers on Instagram use their sharing and promotional power – something which helped accelerate overtourism – to affect and shift traveler decisions for positive impact? We offer a set of tips and considerations that each of us — professional influencers as well as everyday social media users – can employ to be part of a solution to overtourism.
Continue ReadingHow Social Media Influencers Can Use Their Power to Combat Overtourism
What do street kids, human trafficking survivors, and victims of acid attacks have to do with tourism? As we witness the evolution and integration of social purpose in travel, we find more travel experiences charged with a kind of social activism. As innovation and access to these types of experiences grows, the industry may increasingly become a force for social change. Here’s how and why.
When you travel, is there any way you can “follow the money” to ensure that whatever you spend on your trip stays local and benefits the communities you visit? This article offers a few ideas on how to do that and highlights some movements and methodologies afoot in the travel industry that might help.
Continue ReadingHow Do You Know Your Travel Money Stays Local?
We think of traveling sustainably as a movement of respectful travelers who live at the intersection of deeper travel experiences and caring for our planet and its people. This is a journey of awareness and travel decisions that aim to … Continue Reading
If you’re looking for more meaningful travel interactions and are interested in giving something back as you travel, it’s important to understand the concept of social enterprise — what is it, how it works with local communities, and where to find it in the travel industry.
Continue ReadingHow to Use Social Enterprises to Improve Your Travels…and Make a Difference
In this piece, we explore the nature and meaning of favelas in Brazil and the ethics of favela tours. Through conversations with residents and community leaders in Vidigal favela in Rio de Janeiro, we consider how community-driven favela tour experiences can create positive social impact and reduce the exclusion and separative otherness of marginalized communities.
Continue ReadingA Favela Tour in Vidigal, Rio de Janeiro: How to Do One Respectfully and Responsibly
If you are interested in volunteering internationally or going on voluntourism trip, what are the ethical considerations you should be aware of? Which questions can you ask to better ensure that your actions and any financial contribution are aligned with your values and expectations? That you don't end up doing unintended harm with your goal of helping or “doing good”?
Continue ReadingVolunteering and Voluntourism: The Good, The Bad, and The Questions You Should Ask
You care about the kids you encounter while traveling, right? Are children ever props in your photos? Do you location tag them? What about giving money to begging children? What about passing out gifts to random kids you meet? What about those school visits? How does it all impact children and their well-being? Can any of your actions cause unintended harm?
A recent release of a set of child welfare in travel guidelines and code of conduct seems to be tipping the apple cart. What many of us thought were perfectly acceptable behaviors when we encounter kids while traveling are now called into question.
Continue ReadingChild Welfare in Travel: 10 Do's and Don'ts for Engaging Responsibly
Accelerating tourism growth and the threat of overtourism are here to stay. This is our advice on how to travel better in the age of overtourism — tips and actions which will improve your travel experiences and also help to reduce pressure on the places you visit.
Continue ReadingTraveling in the Age of Overtourism: 10 Ways Travelers Can Help