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SPOTLIGHT Community-Focused Travel By Emma Gregg
How to plan a post-pandemic vacation that supports local communities in meaningful ways
Everyone has special memories of favourite vacations, and very often, they’re all about people. Travel brings people together, after all. What better way to reconnect with those closest to us than by spending precious days with them, doing something incredible? And where better to find new friends than somewhere inspiring, among fellow adventurers and locals? While quality time with family and friends is a gift, there’s another important human dimension to our trips. Every traveller is a guest. Whether we encounter our hosts face to face or simply pass through their home patch, we affect their environment and their lives. Most of us are eco-conscious these days. But what if you’d like to take things further? What can you
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do to ensure your trip has a positive impact on the local community you’re visiting? There has never been a better time to consider this and act. All over the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has hammered communities which rely, to a lesser or greater extent, on international tourism. When we get back on the road, we can help businesses and individuals recover. An all-important first step is to choose your destination and operator with care, being mindful of differing economic circumstances and priorities. Here, the advice of a travel advisor that works closely with local communities is invaluable. Some destinations have been harder hit than others, and are desperate for visitors. If you’re making a list, you might want to put these at the top. Well-informed advisors also know which operators have been particularly supportive of disadvantaged communities during the
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s the world’s travel destinations prepare to welcome visitors again, you can take steps to become a good guest.
