Ethical Travel: What is a Traveler’s Responsibility?

Travel Blog  •  Michael Yessis  •  06.28.06 | 9:27 PM ET

World Hum books editor Frank Bures explores the idea of ethical travel in a piece for the July/August 2006 issue of Mother Jones. “Last year more than 800 million tourists traveled internationally, and in 2004 tourism generated $623 billion, making it one of the largest industries in the world,” he writes. “Yet somehow that rising tide has not lifted all the boats (except, perhaps, cruise liners), and a growing number of travelers are ...  looking to such movements as pro-poor tourism, fair trade tourism, and ethical travel for answers.”

Let’s hope the movements gain momentum. There are so many of us—with so many dollars to spend—that travelers have a big influence on the developing world.



2 Comments for Ethical Travel: What is a Traveler’s Responsibility?

Ron Mader 07.05.06 | 10:10 PM ET

Frank’s article is quite interesting even if it touts Green Globe. What’s that about? Worse, the feature places the burden on ‘ethical travel’ on the visitor and there are many other actors who need to improve their work and this includes government officials, ngos, academics and publishers.

I would encourage Frank and other Hummers to check out the current dialogue on ethical travel taking place online the Planeta Forum. It runs through July 21. That said, registration ends tomorrow! So if you’d like to be an active participant, please sign up and introduce yourself by Friday

Details
http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/tour/etd.html

Martijn 03.01.07 | 5:50 PM ET

I absolutely agree with this article. This movement needs to get the high profile that it deserves. Hopefully some other large organisations in the industry will pick it up and start taking responsiblity for the influence they have on this world.

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