Global Citizenship: Social Responsibility
“Learn to do common things uncommonly well; we must always keep in mind that anything that helps full the dinner pail is valuable.”
― George Washington Carver
What does it mean to be a responsible traveler? It means much more than just traveling light, recycling plastic bottles or even reusing your hotel bath towels. Those things are great first steps but being a responsible traveler is a “heart action”.
Social responsibility has given a new dimension to tourism and people are indeed acting responsibly & changing the way they travel . A social responsible traveler has a heart for people. He/she ensures that negative social, economic and environmental impacts are minimized and that positive footprints that enhance economic benefits for local people and host communities are the only thing left behind.
Bottom line, a social responsible traveler is a global citizen and ambassador for humanity. Whenever you visit any new place be aware of the impact of your actions and reactions, choose social responsibility and contribute in a positive way.
Volungearing: A New Way to Do Good
By Bianca CaruanaA new kind of volunteer tourism has entered the travel industry with an innovative approach; Volungearing, conceived by TribesForGOOD, taps an individual’s skills to pair him or her successfully in the social impact sector. Read more
Asia Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
A Walking Tour Highlighting a Mumbai Slum’s Innovative Industry
By Bianca CaruanaDharavi, in central Mumbai, is considered one of the largest slums in Asia, but deep within this neighborhood, below the shanty grey roofs, loosely comprised of scavenged, upcycled metal, lives a resourceful and innovative community that plays an imperative role in Mumbai’s city-wide waste management. Read more
India Off the Beaten Path Social Responsibility
Exploring the Depths of Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park
By Michael FilLush rainforest and land transformed for millions of years by volcanic activity, all spread across 520 square miles of protected space. Welcome to Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park! Read more
United States Adventure History Social Responsibility
How Tourists Play a Role in Protecting Thailand’s Elephants
By Bianca CaruanaIn the last century, Thailand has lost roughly 92 percent of its elephant population. Read more
Asia Social Responsibility
How Breckenridge Turned a Sled Problem into Precious Plastic
By Kirsten HarringtonBreckenridge, Colorado, best known for its world-famous ski resort, had a plastics problem. Every year visitors flock to this charming historic mining town to enjoy schussing and sledding down the slopes. What do they leave behind? Sleds. Read more
United States Eco-tourism Social Responsibility
Following Dracula’s Trail, Paranormal Photography and Defeating Human Traffickers
Do you believe in ghosts or vampires? On today’s show you’ll meet two people that do—a paranormal photographer and a writer who traveled along dracula’s trail. Read more
The World Experiences Off the Beaten Path The Arts Human Trafficking Social Responsibility
Meaningful Travel: When Your Trip Isn’t Just a Vacation
By Cara SieraOur trip could be labeled volunteering since the primary purpose of the trip was to serve. “Voluntourism” – tourist travel with a volunteering component – has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to make travel more meaningful and give back to the places visited. Read more
The World Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Developing a Consciousness for Marine Conservation
By Tonya Fitzpatrick, Esq.If you were to hear that by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans (by weight) than there will be fish, would you be alarmed? I definitely was alarmed when I read white paper about the plastic economy projected by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Read more
The World Conservation Social Responsibility
How to Make Your Trip More Eco-Friendly
By Ali JenningsMore and more of us are becoming aware of the impact our carbon footprint has on the globe and are already taking steps to limit this. Read more
The World Social Responsibility Sustainability
Discovering Traditional Arts in Thailand’s Golden Triangle
By Katie DundasThe Golden Triangle region of Northern Thailand sits at the intersection of three Southeast Asian countries along the Mekong and Ruak Rivers: Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. A visit to this area is an incredible way to learn about the culture, history, and traditional arts of the region, which have been … Read more Read more
Asia History The Arts Social Responsibility
Can an Airline Amenity Kit Really Change Lives?
By Kirsten HarringtonWho doesn’t love to be spoiled by airline amenity kits? It’s a perk of upper-class travel to receive those little goodie bags filled with silk eye masks, rich hand lotion, lip balm, and maybe even a pair of pajamas. Sometimes the kits themselves are keepsakes, with brand name designers crafting handsome … Read more Read more
The World Social Responsibility
Dark Tourism in Cambodia: Exploitation and Cultural Insensitivity
By Tara TadlockOver four years in the early 1970s, Cambodia, a Southeast Asian country now frequented by backpacking tourists, faced one of the worst human atrocities imaginable– a state-sponsored genocide wiping out one-third of the nation’s population. Read more
Asia Insights Social Responsibility
Kenya Embraces Sustainable Tourism As The New Normal
By Bianca CaruanaSince 2013, tourism has expanded and evolved in the region, welcoming a more sustainable narrative — one far more inclusive of a positive social and environmental impact than at any time in Kenya’s tourism history. Read more
Africa Social Responsibility
How to Travel Sustainably Post-Pandemic
By Elizabeth WaddingtonAfter months of lockdowns and restrictions, many of us are understandably raring to get back out there and travel again. Read more
The World Social Responsibility Sustainability
A South Carolina Plantation Shows Us the Way Forward
By Erica ChatmanIt is no secret to anyone that tourism is a major industry and draw for Charleston, South Carolina. However, on my most recent visit, I became a fan of their county parks because of one particular experience. I visited MacLeod Plantation Historic Site. Read more
United States History Social Responsibility