Travel puts us in all kinds of difficult situations, especially when we end up in places that don't have the abundance we're used to at home. If you're in a position to do so, it's tempting to empty your wallet into the pockets of the first children you see. Or, it's easy to be immediately critical of environmental policies that we find offensive - or the lack of those policies. We're also confronted with cultural barriers to cross - are you leaving the hotel in an Muslim nation dressed in shorts? Economics, politics, culture - it's a lot to navigate and sensitive travelers want to do it right.
Ethical Traveler has Thirteen Tips for the Accidental Ambassador.
Here at Ethical Traveler, our focus is on the positive impact travelers can have by being open, informed, and willing to immerse themselves in other cultures.
NEVER GIVE GIFTS TO CHILDREN, only to their parents or teachers. When giving gifts to local communities — from schoolbooks to balloons, from pens to pharmaceuticals — first find out what's really needed, and who can best distribute these items.
On Geography for Travelers, there's a recap of a Rick Steves interview with Jeff Greenwald, who runs Ethical Traveler - and a personal story about a cultural faux pas.
I was once in the home on the Hopi Reservation near Flagstaff. I was there to view a traditional dance, and was chatting with the lady who lived in the house. Not thinking, I asked her a question about the dance. My mistake was made even worse because there was a child in the room! The lady hushed me and I immediately realized my mistake. That was embarassing.
From the mother of lefty journalism, Mother Jones, there's Open Road, Clear Conscience.
Newsham envisioned a new kind of travel. He raised $26,000 in donations and formed a “Backpack Nation� of travelers to fan out and distribute the money to people who needed it. His goal was “to transform the West’s 2 to 3 million independent travelers into an army of global ambassadors, emissaries of peace, a roving force for good, and thereby help to save our world.�
Writer Frank Bures also talks to Jeff Greenwald, and to Tricia Barnett of Tourism Concern.
“What we discovered very quickly after Tourism Concern was set up,� says Barnett, “was how very little of the money that is spent when you go on holiday actually goes into local pockets.�
On The Green Guy, there's a review of the Ethical Travel Guide.
The guide also kinda ducks the problem of all the CO2 pumped out by a trip to Thailand or South Africa, but it does helpfully suggest you pick a 'greener' airline such as BA - which lets you pay a donation to energy-saving projects - and offset your emissions using CarbonNeutral or Climate Care.
Knit Daisies blogs about what she's doing right now to travel in a more ethical manner - even if that travel is just a trip to the library.
I'm trying to travel as ethically as possible. I'm on the waiting list for the next Year of Living Generously, but have decided to start thinking about it already. I'm aware that I'm going backwards as far as ethical travel is concerned, as I now drive much more than I used to!
On Travel iAfrica, there's an article about ...
...an organisation called Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), aims to encourage and publicise fair and responsible business practises by local tourism establishments.
...businesses have to satisfy a stringent set of criteria, including fair wages and working conditions for employees, implementing ethical business practices and engendering respect for human rights, local culture and the environment.
And finally, if you should find yourself wanting to do good work and to also experience untold luxury at the same time, there's Exquisite Safaris.
The Exquisite Safaris philanthropic mission is to include a visit to a humanitarian outreach project into every private, luxury, guided safari, tour and expedition we sell. The resulting personal introductions create cross cultural friendships that generate trust, respect, and generous donations that have funded grassroots humanitarian projects worldwide.
This travel agency caters to the traveler who has money - and heart - to support development projects but who doesn't think they should have to sleep on a cot to particpate. Skeptics should click through the site to see how Exquisite Safaris has managed to combine opulent travel with life-changing projects.
Comments
These are great links, Pam
By: SocalMom Posted: 1 year 41 weeks agoThese are great links, Pam and important guidelines to ponder! Thank you!