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.
Township tourism: The good, the bad, and the ugly
By Rachel FlynnIf you have traveled to a developing country, you have probably seen tours that visit favelas, slums, or in South Africa’s case, townships. Read more
Africa Insights 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
Developing a Consciousness for Marine Conservation
By Tonya FitzpatrickIf 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
Cause for a change: The post-pandemic future of Asia’s elephant tourism
By Bianca CaruanaIn a small town in the southwestern region of Nepal, Eva the rescue elephant and her new companion Lhamo are sprouting a charming kinship. Read more
Asia Social Responsibility
Rick Steves “For the Love of Europe” and his Travel-Driven Social Ethos
Today on World Footprints, we welcome back, author and television host, Rick Steves. We enjoy a very thought-provoking discussion about a range of topics from the current pandemic and social issues to the challenging issues facing the travel industry today. Read more
Europe Social Responsibility
Norfolk’s Underground Railroad, Student Travel and Decoding Autism
Located in the heart of the mid-Atlantic the City of Norfolk is an important 400-year-old port city and home to the largest naval base in the world. Read more
United States History Social Responsibility
Why I advocate for slow travel—and why you should, too
By Jessica BarrettTravel used to be slow. Granted, it was slow because there was no other way…Somewhere along the way, we got (very) lost. Read more
The World Insights Social Responsibility
Teaching Children to Appreciate Diversity
By Breana JohnsonThe best way to travel with the intent of exploring diversity is to ditch the touristy places. Sometimes, tourist attractions bring people from all over the world — the Grand Canyon or Disneyland, for example. Read more
The World Family Travel Insights The Arts Social Responsibility
The Future of Sustainable Orangutan Treks in a Post-COVID World
By Nayla AzmiAs the only primate that only can be found outside of Africa, the orangutan lures people from all over the world to see its uniqueness of being strikingly similar to human beings. Read more
Asia 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
How to Social Impact Travel (Without the Price Tag)
By Natasha TuckerFor many people, including myself, while travelling the world is a passion, it is important to simultaneously make a positive change in communities and the environment in which we are exploring. This is known as social impact travel. Read more
The World Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
The Women Making Tourism Powerful
By Lola MéndezCelebrate International Women’s Day by supporting women around the globe through unique tourism experiences that benefit women’s empowerment and travel with female-led groups. International Women’s Day is honored annually on March 8th to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and serves as a call to action … Read more Read more
The World Events & Festivals Social Responsibility
Travel Beyond Black History Month
By Ann-Marie CahillDuring February, there is an influx of travel stories for the “Best Places to Celebrate Black History Month”. It’s great and there are so many places I want to visit! However, the same list almost disappears into the ether as soon as March 1st arrives. Read more
The World Insights History Social Responsibility
Bali battles a plastic ocean while eagerly awaiting economic respite
By Bianca CaruanaAs if Bali hasn’t been suffering enough with the economic blow of COVID-19, locals are also battling a catastrophic environmental disaster as an abnormal amount of plastic washes up along popular tourist beaches Kuta & Seminyak. Read more
Asia Social Responsibility Sustainability
Travel during a pandemic: Responsible or reckless?
By Jessica BarrettMy last trip was in February 2020, just a month before the coronavirus pandemic shut much of the world down for months on end. Read more
The World Safety Social Responsibility