Not all who wander are lost.....but some of us are and that's okay! Let's wander together.

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Approximate Read Time: 4 minutes


"To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted."
~Bill Bryson

Joshua Tree National Park. October 2018

 

Hello! Welcome to my little corner of the world. It is cozy here, but also full of adventure! You've found the inaugural post of this blog. Let's look at some essentials..... 

So, who am I?

My friends call me Kel. I work a desk job by day, am a tango dancer and rock climber by choice, a lover of travel, and a student always. Currently, I am in a graduate program studying conservation biology. My focus is Ecotourism, empowering mindful travelers, and encouraging global citizenship.

Wait….what does that mean?

Ecotourism, as defined by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education”.

Mindful Travelers, as defined by me, are travelers who are aware of the negative impacts associated with travel and who make decisions to lessen this impact. They are people who are aware they are visitors in a different community, respect those differences, and are open to new experiences.

Global Citizens, as defined by me, are people and travelers who are connected to global issues. One way to become a global citizen is to travel and learn about different lifestyles and challenges associated with environmental issues. What can we do to help; not just in our community, but as part of the the larger-global community?

I will use some of my blog posts to dive deeper into those labels and discuss how they are described in the scientific and travel communities. 

 I believe that traveling is an integral experience to help develop people as individuals and as global citizens. Personally, I have learned about history, different cultures, diverse lifestyles, and realized insights about who I am and the person I want to be.

Sea of Cortez, Baja California Mexico. July 2017.

Why?

The travel industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world.According to the world tourism organization, there were 1.4 billion international global arrivals in 2018.1 

1.4 BILLION

Let that sink in for a moment.....

...that number continues to grow. As consumers, we have the power to influence how the travel industry operates. I want to bring awareness to the benefits, challenges, and impacts associated with travel. Knowledge is power and with power change can follow. We can be part of the change we want to see.

 Also, I believe travel is am important educational and developmental experience. If we can find ways to be more responsible, to connect with other cultures, and to grow personally, I think the world would be a better place. With these connections and values we can help each other and our earth to be healthier, united, and happier. 

How?

Well, to start, let’s learn a bit together. I found many blog posts, scientific articles, textbooks, and news stories focused on the topics I would like to explore. For the most part I thought they were either a shallow wade or a deep dive into the subjects. I would like this blog to be a middle ground; providing an introduction to a wide range of ideas, allowing for a quick insight into issues, and also taking the time to go further into certain topics. 

 Once we learn, let's chat. Comments are encouraged! This blog is also meant to be a discussion forum. In an effort to make the posts more interactive, I will include a challenge, task, suggestion for change, and/or a question for you, the reader.  

To what extent?

Every little bit helps. You can make small changes to be more mindful, not just in how you travel, but in your day-to-day lifestyle. These changes can help you, your community, and other communities around the globe. For those of you interested in more in-depth information about the studies being conducted on the topics I am discussing, I will include citations when available. Most of the resources I will reference are open source and can be found on google scholar.  
Mt. Rainier, Washington, USA. September 2016


 So sit back, grab a nice beverage (I’ve got some delightful tea), and travel with me. 
Let’s explore!

A quick Question:I have a few ideas of topics to explore, but would love it if you had suggestions. Leave a comment to let me know what about travel (mindful traveling, ecotourism, impacts, etc.) are you interested in learning about? 


References:

 All pictures in this post were taken by me.
1. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).  (2019). UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and Statistical Annex, January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/abs/10.18111/wtobarometereng.2019.17.1.1

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