Written by Rebecca Woolford

Are you ready for some tourism truths?

To mark the launch of ‘The Last Tourist’, a hard-hitting documentary by Tyson Sadler and Bruce Poon Tip founder of G-Adventures, I have put together these 5 questions for any responsible traveller or conscious travel agency.

5 essential questions…

1. Where does the majority of the money I spend go?

Tourism leakage is a term everyone would do well to learn more about. Most people believe that the majority of the money spent on a holiday ends up in the pockets of the communities and countries they visit.

From import to export leakage, tourism leakage hurts the very places people are paying to go and visit.

This hard-hitting film shares that in Kenya – a popular safari destination – reportedly only 14% of the money from tourism stays within the country, with the remaining 86% jumping out of the country to foreign-owned tour operators, airlines, lodge owners, and already wealthy brands.

And Kenya isn’t the only one. In Fiji, it is estimated that 60% of the money from tourism ends up leaving the country. In India, it’s 40%, and a shocking 80% in the Caribbean. (Reference: Smart Destinations).

“Travel is a privilege, and with privilege comes great responsibility” Bruce Poon.

2. Is my travel agent or booking platform failing Wildlife?

Some of the world’s leading travel companies e.g Tui are severely failing wildlife.

There is no better first step to take as a responsible traveller or travel agency than standing up for animal welfare; by giving the voiceless a voice, and by voting with your wallet.

Don’t be fooled by the images of happy-looking dolphins. Dolphins or any captive animal for that matter are suffering in silence.

If you love dolphins, don’t swim with them. If you love tigers, don’t pose with them.

We’ve hosted the industries only ‘Rethinking Wildlife Tourism’ series designed for travel professionals from elephants, to big cats, and captive marine animals. In collaboration with World Animal Protection and Wildlife Heritage areas, our members have access to this educational series and many more.

I wrote a piece on this topic here.

3. What does my holiday say about my values and beliefs?

If you’re reading this article I’m going to go ahead and assume you have a conscience.

From switching to plant-based diets, changing to clean energy providers, or engaging in #NOMOWMAY to help the bees – travel is another key element to consider.

If we are privileged enough to travel and have the disposable income to visit different cultures and places, don’t we have a duty to make it count?

From the accommodation you book to stay in, to the travel agent who gets a commission fee. From the restaurant you choose to visit or the local guide you hire, every purchase sends a clear message about the kind of world you want.

Start with 2 or 3 areas you are passionate about. Maybe that’s wildlife and engaging in natural, wild encounters only. Perhaps it’s only buying local, seasonal, organic food.

“Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”

Anna Lappe

4. What’s my mindset when exploring a destination? Am I a Tourist or a Guest?

The good news is people’s perception of travel is changing. However, often missing in these healthy conversations is the mindset shift from tourist to guest.

Imagine you are invited to stay with a great friend in another country.

When entering their home, do you respect their way of life? Clean up after yourself? Listen to them? Ask them for advice on where is best to explore?

If so, then you’ll likely identify as a guest in their home, not as a tourist. When we travel we are visiting someone’s home.

Dr. Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, one of the guest teachers in our masterclass, the power and potential of community tourism, talks about redefining tourism by the local community. Although this approach is no guarantee of zero environmental impact, it’s a really good place to start.

“This approach shifts the power equation, that it’s not the tourist and the tourism industry that are demanding things. It is centered on the local communities rights which changes the interactions.”

So often local communities are not part of the conversations, decision-making, and planning that define the experience for visitors whether that’s in a city, on a beach, or in a mountain resort.

When local people are in charge of creating and delivering travel experiences, amazing things happen.

5. How can I play my part and make a meaningful contribution?

The good news? There are 2 immediate actions you can take.

Firstly, ask yourself these 4 questions above before booking a trip or speaking to your travel agent.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not comfortable with this fact…

“The world has become extraordinarily unequal: The world’s richest 1% now own more wealth than all the other 99% put together.”

Kate Raworth, Author of the Donut of Economics

Discover more insights from Kate’s amazing book with me in this video.

Secondly, skip your usual TV show and watch The Last Tourist.

There are 2 ways in which to do this: The Last Tourist can be found on Amazon Video & Apple TV.

Rachel Tredwell, who has been part of Kiwano Tourism for a number of years got the opportunity to attend the exclusive premiere of The Last Tourist by G-Adventures. Here’s what she said…

“Last night I was privileged to have been invited to the premiere of The Last Tourist. This came about thanks to Kiwano and the fabulous sustainable travel masterclass I undertook. It was a documentary film which was very hard-hitting and powerful. I urge anyone with an interest in travel to watch it and maybe think long and hard about your future trips. My passion is wildlife and the film exposed the exploitation of many species for tourist pleasure. It is appalling and I actually had to shield my eyes from parts of the film as it was just too horrific to watch… Thanks so much to Rebecca Woolford for giving me such a fabulous opportunity…”

Rachel Tredwell, Tredwell Travel.

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