Half way through the documentary, The Last Tourist, which reveals the horror that tourism has become, I was ready to commit to never traveling abroad again. But the last third of the film reveals how we can make a positive difference if and when we choose to travel.
Don’t go to see; go to learn and serve.
What’s the problem?
It’s not just a matter of over-tourism, too many people cramming into Venice or Barcelona or Dubrovnik, ruining the community as well as the visitor experience. It’s also the resources we use, the waste we leave behind and the animals (and sometimes children) who are mistreated for our enjoyment.
For too many, vacation means a holiday not only from their home life but also from the places they visit: eating and drinking too much on cruise ships or all inclusive vacations, bastions of Western excess, without ever talking to a local, virtually all the money going to large, international companies.
It’s not just the Ugly American abroad. It’s also a problem in the US. National Parks are overrun. Traffic in Sedona can be horrendous; they have a cadre of people trained in how to remove graffiti from their iconic red rocks. Florida’s beaches become orgies of excess during Spring Break.
How did we get here?
The film does a good job of identifying the trends which have led to this mess. People and planes: Population growth and rising incomes in places like China, along with the rise of the airline industry and falling costs of travel. Social media creates competition for the best selfies and Trip Advisor sends everyone to the same Top 10 Things to Do. Places featured in movies like “James Bond Island” in Thailand become choked with tourists. Major corporations vertically integrate the whole experience, keeping most of the money, while they advertise unrealistic photos (two people alone on a pristine beach) or hedonic experiences (wild parties on cruises.)
Remember you’re a guest. Act like one.
What’s the alternative?
There is another way. We can seek out trips that benefit the communities we visit. At a minimum, that means that you stay in local establishments, eat at local restaurants, use local guides, and visit local vendors at craft/farmers markets. You can arrange home-stays where you live with a family, becoming part of their daily life. Research volunteer vacations to make sure the project truly is wanted by and benefits the community.
- Remember you’re a guest. Act like one.
- Be present in yourself, not a selfie. It’s not about the photo, it’s the immersive experience.
- Avoid animal acts or chances to touch/be photographed with wildlife. Instead, visit sanctuaries where those rescued, abused animals are living out their lives.
- If it’s an organized tour, ask how much of your fee goes to the community, how the trip helps the community, and how they protect the environment.
- Volunteer vacations can be a great way to give back but be sure the work is something the community truly wants and needs. Consider if the project is creating perverse incentives, like encouraging locals to put their children in orphanages.
- If it wouldn’t be okay at home, you probably shouldn’t do it someplace else.
You can choose to stay closer to home. In Oregon, the founders of the Northwest Earth Institute committed to only traveling within their state. They contained their carbon footprint and discovered all the crannies of their home state.
If you choose to go farther afield, websites like Responsible Travel and Sustainable Travel International can help you find opportunities to be a sustainable traveler, never a tourist. Don’t go to see; go to learn and serve.
Darcy Hitchcock 