Responsible Storytelling + Sustainable Tourism

St. Augustine famously said, “The world is a book, and those who don't travel only read one page.” Regardless of whether you only flip through a few chapters or devour the whole book, venturing beyond the first page is a powerful way to learn about the world beyond your front yard.

Historically, travel has been packaged as a way to “escape” the daily grind, and travelers have been encouraged to stay and play without a care in their desired destination. But times are changing, and travel is too.

When you travel, you do not travel in a void. Your presence in another place makes a difference, and the decisions you make when you travel have an impact — positive or negative — on the environment, the people you meet, their communities, and their culture.

Travel can be a powerful way to learn about other cultures, create connections with people you might not otherwise encounter, appreciate people’s dynamic differences, and develop new skills. But, when you travel, you should do all of these things thoughtfully, intentionally, and with respect.

You can do your part by:

• Learning about local customs and culture before leaving home.
• Staying in locally owned accommodations and shopping at locally owned businesses.
• Following Leave No Trace principles.
• Being aware of water usage and waste creation.
• Thoughtfully sharing your travel experiences with family and friends.
• Avoiding activities that harm or exploit people and animals.
• Choosing tour operators committed to sustainable practices.

Tourism doesn’t exist without travelers. As a traveler, you wield great influence over how the tourism industry harms and helps people and places around the world. Use that influence with care by making mindful decisions and holding the tourism industry at large accountable for doing the same.

While Rooted is designed to specifically support the tourism industry, you will find tools, resources, and ideas here that you can use to become a better traveler.

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Rooted Resources for Travelers