Assessing our travel impact
It’s easy to visit a new place, tick off the most popular sites and restaurants, snap some photos and call it a day. We may feel exhilarated when we return home. We may feel reluctant to drop back into our normal routine. We may feel more exhausted than when we left and like we need a “vacation from our vacation.” We will likely spend the weeks after recapping the highlights of our trip to friends and family (or anyone who will listen). And of course posting the best pics on social for the world to see.
But how often do we leave a place and pause to really reflect on the impact it had on us? How often do we leave a place and reflect on the impact we had on it?
My sense of the answer to both of these questions is: not nearly often enough.
Now, it may feel far-fetched to think that any single trip could possibly have that much impact – whether good or bad – on any person or community. But as we know, our actions and words don’t live in a vacuum. What we do and say has ripple effects on the people around us, our communities, our spheres of influence, and yes, ourselves. It’s important to remember that just as what we do in our own homes, workplaces and communities has impact, what we do as we venture into the world has impact as well.
So how do we assess this impact? It’s a complex, multi-layered and ever-evolving process. But generally speaking, the more thoughtful, intentional and conscientious we can be regarding how and why we’re traveling (or doing anything for that matter), the better. In that regard, assessing impact doesn’t begin after our trip. It actually begins in the planning, as we look at where we want to go and what we want to do when we get there. And it continues as we travel and once we’ve returned home.
So for kicks, let’s start with why it is we’re traveling in the first place. (In case you haven’t caught on yet, this is always our favorite place to start.) Is it to learn and really experience the culture? Is it to challenge ourselves and expand our perspectives? Is it primarily to take selfies of us following the latest travel trend? Understanding our why will inevitably affect how we show up and the impact we have as we travel, and will help clarify the underlying values that are present.
As we clarify our values, we can consider how we will embody those values on our trip. How will we show up and interact with others? What kind of example will we set? What kind of attitude and approach will we choose as we engage with different people, cultures and experiences?
From there, we can be intentional about our travel planning process, asking questions such as: What impact is tourism having on this destination? Are the places we are staying and the organizations we are working with pouring back into the local community? Or are they exploiting it? What are the missions and values of the people we are partnering with? Questions like these begin to look at the economic and environmental impacts, or how our travel impacts the wellbeing and success of the places we’re traveling to and the communities within those places.
We can also assess the personal and interpersonal impact of our travel, considering not only how we will pause to reflect on our own experiences, but also how we can invite and learn from the experiences of others. How can we make sure we’re present throughout our trip and taking intentional time to pause and process what’s happening? How much time are we prioritizing to interact with people from the local community and learn about the culture and history? As we learn, what are we communicating to others?
As you can see, there are many different kinds of impact to consider. And within those different kinds of impact, there are several ways to be thoughtful, intentional and curious. Ultimately, being aware of the impact of our travel is about being mindful to why and how we’re traveling, what values we’re embodying and how responsibly we’re engaging with places and people along the way.
Below is a list of some of the questions presented throughout this article, compiled here for easy reference. While this list may feel a bit daunting, remember that you don’t need to start with all of them. Ease into the process. Pick one or two, and then add on a couple with each trip. Revisit these questions often — as you plan for your trip, as a way of checking in during your trip and a way of reflecting after you return home. And as you travel more, be sure to add your own questions too!
Why do I want to travel to this place?
What impact is tourism having on this destination?
How would I like to engage with the local community while I’m there?
What values do I want to embody as I travel and interact with others?
How can I support local businesses?
What effort can I make to learn about the language, culture and history?
How can I make more conscious choices about the places I stay and the organizations I work with? How do those places and organizations support the local community? If I’m not sure, can I commit to asking?
How much research will I commit to doing beforehand?
How much time will I take to talk with and build relationships with the local people?
How can I make sure I’m present to the places I visit and the experiences I have?
How can I pause to reflect and make meaning of my experiences as I go and after I return? What support do I need in doing this?
How can I learn about the needs or challenges of the people & places I’m visiting?
How will I talk with others about my experience?
What will I recommend others do or not do?
What sort of reviews or feedback will I leave about my experience for the world to see?
At Compass, we believe that travel is a privilege. As with any privilege, we can ignore it, exploit it, or use it for good. Travel helps us connect more with the world and ourselves so that we can make positive change for both. So how will you travel for good?
As always, we get that these are big questions, and we would love to help you explore them. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Until next time…
Happy traveling!
~Tiffany