Life’s better at the beach, right?
Until recently I was managing a lifestyle travel brand offering adventure holidays. Our mission was to lead a trend in party culture for backpackers that often leave home for the first time to experience what the world has to offer. I was based in beautiful Sydney, spent my weekends on the beach and got paid to explore places most people only dream of going. My job was heaps of fun, exciting and it was rewarding to see how some at first shy, insecure backpackers had the time of their lives while making friends from all over the world and learning to find their own paths. Though, that was about the extend of creating any sort of social value. We weren’t doing anything for the destinations we sent people to, yet profited from. Responsible tourism? Not su much. So after 6 years of beach parties & rainbows I felt the urge for a more meaningful challenge.
Earlier this year I started at FairAway.de, a German speaking platform aiming to change the way people travel, but also to be more conscious about the impact our every day choices have. It’s not just taught me a whole lot about sustainability, it’s changed the way I see the world.
The Power of Travel
Tourism means so much more than spending some quality time away from home. It composes a huge opportunity in terms of understanding cultural differences, learning about mutual respect as well as generating jobs & income to underdeveloped areas.
At the same time we see how mass tourism is destroying heritage sites & natural habitats. In most cases it exploits cheap labour & increases the unequal distribution of wealth, fuels frustrations amongst locals & ultimately builds higher barriers. Not to mention the increased carbon emissions causing climate change, pollution through bad or non-existent waste management & decline in biodiversity.
Nonetheless, I am convinced travelling can have far more positive than negative effects. It all comes down to our willingness to understand the impact we’re having and ultimately making better choices. Following the principles of responsible tourism doesn’t mean your trip won’t be fun and exciting.
The People You Meet Make The Paradise You Find
Be a Traveller, Not a Tourist – a phrase commonly used, but not properly understood. Most people would say they want to have an ‘authentic experience’ when travelling. If ordering a cappuccino at the local coffee shop (or just the Starbucks) in the harbour while you wait to get back on your cruise or complimenting the gardeners at your all-inclusive resort on the fantastic job they’re doing is your idea of engaging with the locals, you can stop reading here. Equally, wearing a Chang singlet while getting a bamboo tattoo on Koh Phi Phi isn’t exactly a cultural emersion either.
Instead of ticking off some bucket list hotspots you’ve found on some (highly SEO-optimised) travel blog or following whatever has the highest ranking on TripAdvisor, try venturing out. Speak to locals or ask travellers you meet for their recommendations on where to go, eat or sleep. Don’t be afraid to get lost and don’t feel like you need to rush around to see as much as possible.
The people you meet make the paradise you find.
Sharing a cup of homemade tea with the lady from my guesthouse in Kalaw, Myanmar recently was one of the most insightful conversations I’ve had.
Responsible Tourism is Enriching, Not Dumb
On most of my trips, especially across South East Asia I’ve found that a lot of people seem to confuse privilege with entitlement and leave their common sense behind. I’ve been called ‘boring’ for not finding fascination in watching a girl shoot ping pong balls out of her vagina or riding an elephant through the jungle. One more scar on the thick skin won’t matter ..
Would you get the same kick from it if it was offered back home?
While you’ve wasted money on losing a little more of your dignity you could have been cooking up a delicious curry with a local family, working up some sweat at a Muay Thai boxing class or just philosophising with a monk about the meaning of life. You’ll find that experiences like that are truly enriching and above all help locals make a living.
What will you do on your next adventure?
