Tuesday, December 17, 2024

What is "social change" travel?

 

     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!! 
 

No comments:

Post a Comment