Sustainable Tourism

How Social Media Influencers Can Use Their Power to Combat Overtourism

Social media tips to help combat overtourism.

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.

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Travel As a Form of Social Activism

Social Activism in Travel, city walk in Delhi, India

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.

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How to Use Social Enterprises to Improve Your Travels…and Make a Difference

Social Enterprise in Travel

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.

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A Favela Tour in Vidigal, Rio de Janeiro: How to Do One Respectfully and Responsibly

Planeterra Vidigal Favela Tour in Rio de Janeiro

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.

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Volunteering and Voluntourism: The Good, The Bad, and The Questions You Should Ask

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”?

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Child Welfare in Travel: 10 Do’s and Don’ts for Engaging Responsibly

Child Welfare and Photography

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.

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