I think it is safe to say that I’ve traveled both the rough routes and in luxury, through rich westernized counties and through rural villages. In doing so, I’ve been able to witness all types of tourist and all types of tourism traps. While I’ll always encourage all kinds of travel, I must also advocate engaging in responsible travel. A majority of travel blogs attempt painting a picture of being adventurous and free spirited, yet they sometimes show themselves participating in actions that not only hurt the local economy but also harm workers (and occasionally animals) through the practice of slave-like labor. Issues about the atrocities of the travel industry should be important to travelers and non-travelers alike.
Because these issues bother me so much, I’ve decided to dedicate a blog series to a couple of common travel mistakes. These may not be the most glamorous and exciting blog post, but they should be things that anyone who is traveling is aware of. Issues included in this series (subject to change) are as follows:
- When volunteerism actually hurts the community
- The treatment of animals in the tourism industry
- Cashing in on eco-tourism
- “Human Safaris” – The treatment of indigenous tribes
- Poorism Tourism
- Responsible Trekking
The six listed topics begin to only scratch the surface of all the unethical practices in the tourism industry, but they are the issues that I have seen the most. So, I think it’s a good start.
Also, I started a travel instagram, which you can find at the bottom of my blog.
username: theglobalgrad
Cheers!
gogomaddie 