Rather than social
change impacting in a negative, my research proves "social change" in
travel has a positive effect.
According to
kiva.org, only 5% of monies spent for travel stays in the local communities,
and they also claim, "Social Impact travel is a growing trend in the
travel industry that aims to support local communities and make a positive
impact in host communities..."
And kiva.org also
says that travelers are seeking a local cultural experience that respects the
community.
Also, the well known
PBS travel expert Rick Steves doesn't hide the fact that he is a social
activist, he says this about his philanthropic activities: "...Apart from the good of travel
itself, Rick Steves, our company, and our employees engage in several areas of
activism and philanthropy to help bring about greater social good..."
All of the above
about Rick Steves doesn't tell us what he promotes for 'the social good,' but
nevertheless, he believes 'travel promotes acceptance for other cultures.'
By tapping into the
current fad-like use of travel to improve the communities that host travelers,
is effected by giving the locals a better standard of living, which is
especially needed in the areas of Africa that are patriarchal and offer women
no opportunity to improve the lives of their children—however, Rick isn't
visiting the Congo on a hunting expedition, he tends to stay in Western Europe,
and comes back to the USA to spread the cultural experience of the socialist
European Union where the "social class system" is always in evidence.
Moreover, some are
making a 'business' about 'travel" and 'self worth.'
The advent of the
fad-like 'responsible travel' and 'self worth' is amply discussed by travelbugtonic.com,
they advise how a 'travel coach' can be hired to make a responsible trip happen
which adds substantially to a traveler's self-worth.
And finally, airandspacesi.edu/explore/stories,
offers proof that the airline industry brought about real "social change."
The ability to travel
away somewhere, anywhere, even overseas, shores up the positive impact of
"social change" travel, with travel only for the privileged as was
practiced prior to WWII, changed, mainly by the airline industry's leveling of the cost,
so that even the ordinary wage earner could see the world.
Thanks to Frommer's
best selling paperback Europe on $5 per day,
I personally benefited by the ability to travel and see Europe, even though I
wasn't born with 'a silver spoon in my mouth' (reference to a trust fund enabling
living the good life), I was able to experience all that Europe had to offer,
often spending a night in a castle for $5, which is why I started this blog in
2013, comforttravel@less$
Sadly those days are
over, inflation has attacked 1st class travel more than any other
luxury pursuit.
Even if it is a 2nd
or 3rd class experience, travel produces the memories that are priceless,
especially those inevitable 'Murphy's Law' moments.
Happy traveling!!
