Afghanistan

Åland Islands

Albania

Algeria

American Samoa

Andorra

Angola

Anguilla

Antarctica

Antigua & Barbuda

Argentina

Armenia

Aruba

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahamas

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

Benin

Bermuda

Bhutan

Bolivia

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Botswana

Bouvet Island

Brazil

British Indian Ocean Territory

British Virgin Islands

Brunei

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Cape Verde

Caribbean Netherlands

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Chad

Chile

China

Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Colombia

Comoros

Congo - Brazzaville

Congo - Kinshasa

Cook Islands

Costa Rica

Côte d’Ivoire

Croatia

Cuba

Curaçao

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Djibouti

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Estonia

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Falkland Islands

Faroe Islands

Fiji

Finland

France

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French Southern Territories

Gabon

Gambia

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Gibraltar

Greece

Greenland

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Guam

Guatemala

Guernsey

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Guyana

Haiti

Heard & McDonald Islands

Honduras

Singapore

United States

Travel is allowed with restrictions for vaccinated travelers

Mexico

Travel is allowed

United Kingdom

Travel is allowed with restrictions for vaccinated travelers 

Spain

Travel is allowed with restrictions

Switzerland

South Africa

Thailand

Italy

Morocco

Portugal

Feeling like he was on the edge of burnout in 2008, Keith Jenkins decided to leave his banking job to travel solo. His plan was to travel around the world for 5-6 months, then return home to pick up his career again at a new company. During his solo adventure, Keith traveled to Hong Kong, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and more.

Halfway through the trip, the major Global Financial Crisis happened. He tried not to worry too much about the crisis as he finished his travels, but upon returning home to Amsterdam, Keith realized that he was not going back to his banking career soon. 

During his travels, he started a hobby blog where his friends and family kept up with his trip and the experiences he had along the way. He decided to focus full-time on travel writing and his blog, which he named 

. For the last 14 years, Keith has written about luxury travel, but, as you’ll read in this interview, luxury travel goes beyond the definition many may think of.

Velvet Escape has since become an award-winning travel blog and has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, BBC Travel, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic Traveler, to name a few. 

Keith is also the Founder and CEO of iambassador, a multi-award-winning digital marketing agency that works with professional travel content creators and influencers. He founded the agency in 2011 and has worked with global brands and tourism agencies worldwide.

We talked to Keith about luxury travel, the power of traveling solo, advice for a career in writing, and what travels he is looking forward to next.

Keith Jenkins Jewel-Changi-Airport-Singapore.jpeg

What were some of the challenging aspects of transitioning the blog you started as a hobby into your full-time focus?

The first thing I did after deciding that I wanted to be a professional travel blogger was create a business plan. It contained the vision for my blog, my objectives, monetization ideas and how to develop them, and a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. I kept this document on my computer’s desktop so that I could read it every so often and adjust it over time.

The main challenges were increasing brand awareness and traffic and growing my income. My business plan was my guide. I tried to be creative in how I created content and in the ways I marketed the blog, while constantly keeping an eye on the vision and objectives. Increasing brand awareness and traffic led to more business opportunities and income. Again, the business plan guided me through the process of choosing the right opportunities for me and my blog. 

Another challenge was the technical aspect, such as maintaining the back-end of the blog and learning about SEO. These I learned as I went along. In addition, picking up tips and tricks from fellow bloggers sure helped.

You write about luxury travel but have mentioned that, to you, luxury travel is beyond “five-star experiences and traveling like a millionaire.” Can you talk to us about how you define luxury travel and how it shapes the way you travel and write about your experiences?

To me, luxury travel is more than just about staying at five-star hotels, traveling in first-class, or fine dining. It also encompasses unique experiences which make travel more meaningful and memorable. When I travel, I may stay at a luxury hotel or resort, but more importantly, I love seeking out immersive experiences that allow me to truly appreciate local cultures and nature. I often write about exploring a place and going off the beaten path to discover something surprising or unique. This is the way I like to travel, and I must say, it’s brought me many wondrous experiences that add depth and a certain richness to my travels.

In terms of its appearance, in the past 14 years, the blog has gone through four makeovers to keep it fresh and relevant. The last one, in late-2019, was the most rigorous. Things haven’t changed much in terms of content – the focus is always on experiences I enjoy, which reflect my interests in art/design, history, nature, architecture, food/wines, and aviation.

Keith Jenkins Easter Island.jpeg

Solo travel has seemed like a very transformative experience for you throughout your life. What has this type of travel taught you about yourself? Do you have advice for travelers looking to take a leap and venture on a solo trip?

Traveling solo around the world for almost six months in 2008 was certainly a transformative experience. I’d traveled alone on numerous occasions prior to 2008 but never longer than a week. I vividly remember how inspired, empowered, and confident I felt when I returned from that six-month trip. That trip taught me so much: I learned to be self-reliant and adaptable and how to confront my fears and enjoy my own company. I even picked up several new skills along the way, particularly in planning and organizing my travels and budget.

Ever since, I have always tried to plan one solo trip every year or whenever I feel stuck. These trips allow me to recharge, reflect and gain new inspiring or eye-opening experiences. I always encourage people to take that step and venture on a solo trip. Some hesitate because of various reasons, from safety issues to language barriers and eating alone. My advice is to simply leave those hesitations or fears behind and go for it. Start ‘small’ such as a solo weekend break before attempting longer trips (in foreign countries).

Can you share some of your favorite travel experiences or the most vivid travel memories you have had?

That’s a tough one as there are so many! Some of my most memorable travel experiences include 

; sitting on the deck of an overwater villa and gaping at the incredible colors of the 

 lagoon; witnessing an amazing nocturnal hunting scene involving seals, gulls and flying fish in the 

 and being totally enthralled by his stories; and cruising through 

Keith Jenkins Ice-floating Lapland.jpeg

You’ve visited over 80 countries - what destinations are at the top of your list that you haven’t traveled to yet?

Three countries that are at the top of my list are Peru, Colombia, and Madagascar. I would love to visit Sweden, one of the few countries in Europe I have yet to visit.

What advice would you share for anyone wanting to follow in your footsteps and begin travel writing?

Have a plan, stick to your interests and what you know best, and write from the heart. Do this, and you’ll soon find your unique ‘voice.’ There’s a lot to learn, from creative story-telling to technical aspects, so pick up as much as you can from the internet, YouTube, fellow writers, and conferences (a great opportunity to meet and get to know like-minded creatives). It’s also tough to stand out in this world of travel writers and influencers, so it’s important to have a consistent ‘voice,’ stay focused, and persevere.

Do you have any other projects or upcoming travels that you want to share?

I have quite a bit of travel coming up in the next few months, starting with a trip to Puglia in southern Italy, followed by Malaysia (to see my family and friends again after two years), Germany, France, and at some point, Italy and Spain. It’s anyone’s guess what the last quarter of the year will bring.

To learn more about Keith and keep up-to-date with his travels, 

Keith Jenkins Galapagos.jpeg

Feeling like he was on the edge of burnout in 2008, Keith Jenkins decided to leave his banking job to travel solo. His plan was to travel around the world for 5-6 months, then return home to pick up his career again at a new company. During his solo adventure, Keith traveled to Hong Kong, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and more.\nHalfway through the trip, the major Global Financial Crisis happened. He tried not to worry too much about the crisis as he finished his travels, but upon returning home to Amsterdam, Keith realized that he was not going back to his banking career soon. \nDuring his travels, he started a hobby blog where his friends and family kept up with his trip and the experiences he had along the way. He decided to focus full-time on travel writing and his blog, which he named \nVelvet Escape\n. For the last 14 years, Keith has written about luxury travel, but, as you’ll read in this interview, luxury travel goes beyond the definition many may think of.\nVelvet Escape has since become an award-winning travel blog and has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, BBC Travel, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic Traveler, to name a few. \nKeith is also the Founder and CEO of iambassador, a multi-award-winning digital marketing agency that works with professional travel content creators and influencers. He founded the agency in 2011 and has worked with global brands and tourism agencies worldwide.\nWe talked to Keith about luxury travel, the power of traveling solo, advice for a career in writing, and what travels he is looking forward to next.\n\nWhat were some of the challenging aspects of transitioning the blog you started as a hobby into your full-time focus?\nThe first thing I did after deciding that I wanted to be a professional travel blogger was create a business plan. It contained the vision for my blog, my objectives, monetization ideas and how to develop them, and a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. I kept this document on my computer’s desktop so that I could read it every so often and adjust it over time.\nThe main challenges were increasing brand awareness and traffic and growing my income. My business plan was my guide. I tried to be creative in how I created content and in the ways I marketed the blog, while constantly keeping an eye on the vision and objectives. Increasing brand awareness and traffic led to more business opportunities and income. Again, the business plan guided me through the process of choosing the right opportunities for me and my blog. \nAnother challenge was the technical aspect, such as maintaining the back-end of the blog and learning about SEO. These I learned as I went along. In addition, picking up tips and tricks from fellow bloggers sure helped.\nYou write about luxury travel but have mentioned that, to you, luxury travel is beyond “five-star experiences and traveling like a millionaire.” Can you talk to us about how you define luxury travel and how it shapes the way you travel and write about your experiences?\nTo me, luxury travel is more than just about staying at five-star hotels, traveling in first-class, or fine dining. It also encompasses unique experiences which make travel more meaningful and memorable. When I travel, I may stay at a luxury hotel or resort, but more importantly, I love seeking out immersive experiences that allow me to truly appreciate local cultures and nature. I often write about exploring a place and going off the beaten path to discover something surprising or unique. This is the way I like to travel, and I must say, it’s brought me many wondrous experiences that add depth and a certain richness to my travels.\nHow has your blog transformed over time?\nIn terms of its appearance, in the past 14 years, the blog has gone through four makeovers to keep it fresh and relevant. The last one, in late-2019, was the most rigorous. Things haven’t changed much in terms of content – the focus is always on experiences I enjoy, which reflect my interests in art/design, history, nature, architecture, food/wines, and aviation.\n\nSolo travel has seemed like a very transformative experience for you throughout your life. What has this type of travel taught you about yourself? Do you have advice for travelers looking to take a leap and venture on a solo trip?\nTraveling solo around the world for almost six months in 2008 was certainly a transformative experience. I’d traveled alone on numerous occasions prior to 2008 but never longer than a week. I vividly remember how inspired, empowered, and confident I felt when I returned from that six-month trip. That trip taught me so much: I learned to be self-reliant and adaptable and how to confront my fears and enjoy my own company. I even picked up several new skills along the way, particularly in planning and organizing my travels and budget.\nEver since, I have always tried to plan one solo trip every year or whenever I feel stuck. These trips allow me to recharge, reflect and gain new inspiring or eye-opening experiences. I always encourage people to take that step and venture on a solo trip. Some hesitate because of various reasons, from safety issues to language barriers and eating alone. My advice is to simply leave those hesitations or fears behind and go for it. Start ‘small’ such as a solo weekend break before attempting longer trips (in foreign countries).\nCan you share some of your favorite travel experiences or the most vivid travel memories you have had?\nThat’s a tough one as there are so many! Some of my most memorable travel experiences include \nfloating in a frozen lake in Lapland\n and spending the night in the \nSnow Hotel\n; sitting on the deck of an overwater villa and gaping at the incredible colors of the \nBora Bora\n lagoon; witnessing an amazing nocturnal hunting scene involving seals, gulls and flying fish in the \nGalapagos Islands\n; spending an afternoon with a \nLambrusco wine-maker in Emilia-Romagna\n and being totally enthralled by his stories; and cruising through \nAlaska’s Inside Passage\n.\n\nYou’ve visited over 80 countries - what destinations are at the top of your list that you haven’t traveled to yet?\nThree countries that are at the top of my list are Peru, Colombia, and Madagascar. I would love to visit Sweden, one of the few countries in Europe I have yet to visit.\nWhat advice would you share for anyone wanting to follow in your footsteps and begin travel writing?\nHave a plan, stick to your interests and what you know best, and write from the heart. Do this, and you’ll soon find your unique ‘voice.’ There’s a lot to learn, from creative story-telling to technical aspects, so pick up as much as you can from the internet, YouTube, fellow writers, and conferences (a great opportunity to meet and get to know like-minded creatives). It’s also tough to stand out in this world of travel writers and influencers, so it’s important to have a consistent ‘voice,’ stay focused, and persevere.\nDo you have any other projects or upcoming travels that you want to share?\nI have quite a bit of travel coming up in the next few months, starting with a trip to Puglia in southern Italy, followed by Malaysia (to see my family and friends again after two years), Germany, France, and at some point, Italy and Spain. It’s anyone’s guess what the last quarter of the year will bring.\nTo learn more about Keith and keep up-to-date with his travels, \nvisit his website\n.\n\n

Featured Explorer: Keith Jenkins

Keith talks about luxury travel, the power of traveling solo, advice for a career in writing, and what travels he is looking forward to next.

Happy Earth Day! All month long, Airheart has been celebrating travelers who are passionate about our planet and sustainable and responsible travel. Today, we’re featuring travel couple Margherita Ragg and Nick Burns of 

Margherita and Nick met in 2004 while they were both exploring the city of London. As they were both passionate about travel individually, it naturally became a big part of their lives as a couple. They began their popular blog, 

, over 10 years ago. Margherita shares her passion for travel through writing, while Nick captures the destinations they visit through photography. 

When they travel to a new destination, they focus on nature and outdoor adventure experiences to lower their carbon footprint. They share their tips, guides, and thoughts on ecotourism from the 50+ countries they have traveled to together.

We talked with Margherita and Nick about how they started their careers in travel writing and photography, thoughts on how all travelers can incorporate sustainable practices into their trips, and where they’re heading next.

Tell us about your blog. How did you come to the idea of creating it? How has it evolved since its creation?

We first came up with the idea of The Crowded Planet during our round-the-world backpacking trip in 2009/2010. We wanted a space to chronicle our adventures so everybody back home could read them. After that trip, the blog lay forgotten for a few years. Then, in 2013, we “revamped” it and started writing again, this time paying more attention to the design and quality of our articles. Over time, we started focusing less on traveling on a budget and more on sustainable travel, which also reflects the development of our interests and traveling style. 

marghe nick hiking.JPG

Your travel focuses on nature and adventure. What is it about this type of travel that interests you most?

We both really like nature and outdoor adventures. We love sports, so we like doing things that keep us active, like hiking, cycling, kayaking, and the like. These kinds of activities are also kinder to the environment. Since we often fly to our travel destinations, we try to engage in activities with a low carbon footprint once we’re there. 

What are some of your favorite activities to do to experience nature when visiting a new destination?

The tagline of The Crowded Planet is “Finding Nature Everywhere.” We like to check out parks and green spaces when we are in cities. One way to immerse ourselves in nature is through running. We both love running, and whenever we do it, we don’t take phones or music with us, so we are 100% at one with nature. We also love trail running in natural places, especially if we know we won’t get lost! If you don’t like running, you can have the same experience walking, but remember to leave your phone at home!

You’ve talked about traveling responsibly on your social media and website. What does that mean to you, and how do you think other travelers can incorporate more responsible practices into their traveling?

Prioritizing low-emission activities such as walking, hiking, or cycling is one way for sure. Everybody will also tell you about taking reusable bottles, cups, and straws, but there’s a part of responsible travel that is all too often overlooked: engaging with local people in a responsible manner. For instance, we always like to stay in local hotels, eat in local restaurants, and take tours that introduce us to local culture. We like to make sure locals benefit from our spending directly and try to avoid big international companies acting as middlemen.

What are some of your favorite memories from your travels?

Oh, there are so many, it’s very hard to choose one. I’ll go with two. One is standing in front of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela after a month and a half of walking the Camino. It was such a strong, emotional moment that we even forgot to take a picture of it! Another great memory took place in 

, on the day of our 10th wedding anniversary. We arrived at a waterhole in time for sunset and saw elephants, zebras, and other animals surrounded by the majestic setting sun.

marghe nick safari.JPG

What have you learned about yourselves through traveling?

When we started traveling, my dream was to find a way to work and travel at the same time so that I could travel forever. Many years later, this dream became a reality, and for a while, we traveled full time. To be honest, though, I think we are the kind of people that like to have a home base. We love our cat, our family and friends, and just the feeling of being home. By having a home base, we enjoy traveling more as we look forward to our trips. When we traveled full time, one destination just rolled onto the next and, after a while, it got old.

Do you have any advice for others looking to get into travel writing or photography?

Some say the market is saturated, but I say otherwise - there’s always a need for good writers and photographers! I would recommend studying and practicing before looking for paid work, perhaps asking some seasoned professionals to show you the ropes. In terms of writing, there are so many dime-a-dozen writers out there that good ones really stand out - and can be paid well. Take time to learn your craft, and success will follow. Avoid going too fast, too soon; success doesn’t come overnight. And please, don’t trust anyone who will say a $100 course will turn you into a travel writer/photographer!

Are there any upcoming projects or travels that you’d like to share?

We’ve just finished two really big trips - Australia to visit Nick’s family, with a stopover in Abu Dhabi on the way back, and Mexico for a sustainable tourism project (and tacos). During the summer, we typically travel around Italy and Europe, spend time on the beach and do some cycling trips or triathlon races. We usually leave for extended trips in October/November again, but after COVID, we find it really hard to plan ahead. Three countries we’d love to visit are South Korea, Costa Rica, and Colombia. One of these will be our next destination, but I don’t know which one!

Marghe and Nick - 2.jpg

To learn more about Margherita and Nick, and to keep up-to-date with their travels, 

Happy Earth Day! All month long, Airheart has been celebrating travelers who are passionate about our planet and sustainable and responsible travel. Today, we’re featuring travel couple Margherita Ragg and Nick Burns of \nThe Crowded Planet\n.\nMargherita and Nick met in 2004 while they were both exploring the city of London. As they were both passionate about travel individually, it naturally became a big part of their lives as a couple. They began their popular blog, \nThe Crowded Planet\n, over 10 years ago. Margherita shares her passion for travel through writing, while Nick captures the destinations they visit through photography. \nWhen they travel to a new destination, they focus on nature and outdoor adventure experiences to lower their carbon footprint. They share their tips, guides, and thoughts on ecotourism from the 50+ countries they have traveled to together.\nWe talked with Margherita and Nick about how they started their careers in travel writing and photography, thoughts on how all travelers can incorporate sustainable practices into their trips, and where they’re heading next.\nTell us about your blog. How did you come to the idea of creating it? How has it evolved since its creation?\nWe first came up with the idea of The Crowded Planet during our round-the-world backpacking trip in 2009/2010. We wanted a space to chronicle our adventures so everybody back home could read them. After that trip, the blog lay forgotten for a few years. Then, in 2013, we “revamped” it and started writing again, this time paying more attention to the design and quality of our articles. Over time, we started focusing less on traveling on a budget and more on sustainable travel, which also reflects the development of our interests and traveling style. \n\nYour travel focuses on nature and adventure. What is it about this type of travel that interests you most?\nWe both really like nature and outdoor adventures. We love sports, so we like doing things that keep us active, like hiking, cycling, kayaking, and the like. These kinds of activities are also kinder to the environment. Since we often fly to our travel destinations, we try to engage in activities with a low carbon footprint once we’re there. \nWhat are some of your favorite activities to do to experience nature when visiting a new destination?\nThe tagline of The Crowded Planet is “Finding Nature Everywhere.” We like to check out parks and green spaces when we are in cities. One way to immerse ourselves in nature is through running. We both love running, and whenever we do it, we don’t take phones or music with us, so we are 100% at one with nature. We also love trail running in natural places, especially if we know we won’t get lost! If you don’t like running, you can have the same experience walking, but remember to leave your phone at home!\nYou’ve talked about traveling responsibly on your social media and website. What does that mean to you, and how do you think other travelers can incorporate more responsible practices into their traveling?\nPrioritizing low-emission activities such as walking, hiking, or cycling is one way for sure. Everybody will also tell you about taking reusable bottles, cups, and straws, but there’s a part of responsible travel that is all too often overlooked: engaging with local people in a responsible manner. For instance, we always like to stay in local hotels, eat in local restaurants, and take tours that introduce us to local culture. We like to make sure locals benefit from our spending directly and try to avoid big international companies acting as middlemen.\nWhat are some of your favorite memories from your travels?\nOh, there are so many, it’s very hard to choose one. I’ll go with two. One is standing in front of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela after a month and a half of walking the Camino. It was such a strong, emotional moment that we even forgot to take a picture of it! Another great memory took place in \nEtosha, Namibia\n, on the day of our 10th wedding anniversary. We arrived at a waterhole in time for sunset and saw elephants, zebras, and other animals surrounded by the majestic setting sun.\n\nWhat have you learned about yourselves through traveling?\nWhen we started traveling, my dream was to find a way to work and travel at the same time so that I could travel forever. Many years later, this dream became a reality, and for a while, we traveled full time. To be honest, though, I think we are the kind of people that like to have a home base. We love our cat, our family and friends, and just the feeling of being home. By having a home base, we enjoy traveling more as we look forward to our trips. When we traveled full time, one destination just rolled onto the next and, after a while, it got old.\nDo you have any advice for others looking to get into travel writing or photography?\nSome say the market is saturated, but I say otherwise - there’s always a need for good writers and photographers! I would recommend studying and practicing before looking for paid work, perhaps asking some seasoned professionals to show you the ropes. In terms of writing, there are so many dime-a-dozen writers out there that good ones really stand out - and can be paid well. Take time to learn your craft, and success will follow. Avoid going too fast, too soon; success doesn’t come overnight. And please, don’t trust anyone who will say a $100 course will turn you into a travel writer/photographer!\nAre there any upcoming projects or travels that you’d like to share?\nWe’ve just finished two really big trips - Australia to visit Nick’s family, with a stopover in Abu Dhabi on the way back, and Mexico for a sustainable tourism project (and tacos). During the summer, we typically travel around Italy and Europe, spend time on the beach and do some cycling trips or triathlon races. We usually leave for extended trips in October/November again, but after COVID, we find it really hard to plan ahead. Three countries we’d love to visit are South Korea, Costa Rica, and Colombia. One of these will be our next destination, but I don’t know which one!\n\n
\nTo learn more about Margherita and Nick, and to keep up-to-date with their travels, \nvisit their website\n.

Featured Explorers: Margherita and Nick

Margherita and Nick share their love of nature and adventure travel, how to travel responsibly, and advice for a career in travel writing and photography.

This April, we’re sharing the stories of travelers making a difference in sustainable and responsible travel. In today's feature, we tap into the expertise of award-winning travel journalist and author Sarah Reid. 

Sarah has visited more than 120 countries and has a passion for positive-impact travel, where travelers support local communities and incorporate sustainable practices into their trip plans. She has been writing about sustainable travel for nearly 10 years, first through her job as an editor with Lonely Planet and now as a freelance writer. Her work has been published in more than 20 top travel publications, including AFAR, Travel + Leisure, Fodor’s, and more. In 2020, Sarah was named the Travel Writer of the Year at the 2020 Australian Society of Travel Writers Awards and Specialist Travel Writer of the Year: Emerging Destinations at the UK’s 2020 Travel Media Awards.

In addition to her freelance work, she has written two books for Lonely Planet, including 

 where she writes about topics including adventure travel, travel photography, food, and more.

We talked with Sarah about her career, the future of sustainable travel, her favorite travel memories, and more. She shares actionable tips for travelers looking to implement more sustainable practices when planning their trips. 

How did you become interested in sustainable and responsible travel and choose this focus for your writing? 

As a younger traveler, I participated in some classic travel experiences (including riding an elephant; cringe) that left me feeling uneasy about whether they were the right things to be doing on holiday. But there was a lack of resources available at the time to help me make more responsible decisions about how I spent my travel dollars.

 was a turning point. Suddenly we had this overwhelming proof that certain travel experiences we had been participating in for our own enjoyment were doing terrible harm to others. It forced the entire industry, from operators to travel editors, to take a good hard look at our roles in that. Around that time, I started a job as an editor at Lonely Planet, and it inspired me to better educate myself about sustainable travel and use that knowledge to help guide the content I was overseeing. When I went freelance in 2016, sustainable travel organically became my niche. 

Sarah Reid - 1.jpg

Throughout your career, have you seen a growing interest in the topic of sustainable travel? If so, what excites you the most about this?

Interest has exploded during the past five years in particular, which is really exciting because sustainable travel is essential in safeguarding our planet for the people and wildlife who live in it today, as well as the travelers who will be exploring it tomorrow. A shift in traveler awareness of (and desire to support) sustainable travel has helped to put pressure on the industry to shape up, but it’s still early days, particularly when it comes to social sustainability – supporting local communities meaningfully is just as important as minimizing harm to the environment.

What are some of the top ways all travelers can incorporate sustainable or responsible practices into their travels?

An absolutely critical aspect of sustainable travel today, as outlined in the 

Glasgow Declaration on Climate Change in Tourism

, is putting in the work to curb our emissions. There are countless ways to do this, from traveling closer to home, to choosing hotels that run on green energy, to staying longer in your travel destination rather than using the rest of your vacation days to take an emission-intensive trip elsewhere. 

Supporting sustainably-minded businesses is another great way to minimize negative travel impacts. Scour hotel and tour operator websites to find out what initiatives they are taking to protect the local environment and support local communities. Minimizing the waste you create on holiday is another easy way to make a big impact; there is absolutely no excuse in 2022 to use plastic bottles in any destination, for example. 

What do you think the future of sustainable travel is? 

Sustainable travel is already shifting from a nice-to-do to a must-do, at least in some markets, which is really encouraging. But the industry’s most impactful decision-makers – namely aviation and governments – are not currently doing enough to facilitate a future where travel can be truly sustainable. The world’s 1.4 billion travelers should not underestimate the power we have to put pressure on these decision-makers via the everyday decisions we make ourselves, from the tourism operators we support to the politicians we elect.

What are some of your favorite travel memories?

Too many to choose from! So I’ll stick to some of the recent ones. Right before the pandemic, I took a brilliant trip to Guyana and Suriname with local operator Wilderness Explorers, which has worked closely with indigenous communities to develop some really memorable community tourism experiences in the nation’s steamy jungle interior, and I recently made my first trip to Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions, which was just as transformative as I had hoped. As both of these trips were quite carbon-intensive, it was important to me to visit with operators dedicated to protecting the destinations they take travelers to. 

During the pandemic, I also really enjoyed exploring Australia with a number of Indigenous guides, who are masters at bringing landscapes to life with their incredible storytelling skills. 

This April, we’re sharing the stories of travelers making a difference in sustainable and responsible travel. In today's feature, we tap into the expertise of award-winning travel journalist and author Sarah Reid. \nSarah has visited more than 120 countries and has a passion for positive-impact travel, where travelers support local communities and incorporate sustainable practices into their trip plans. She has been writing about sustainable travel for nearly 10 years, first through her job as an editor with Lonely Planet and now as a freelance writer. Her work has been published in more than 20 top travel publications, including AFAR, Travel + Leisure, Fodor’s, and more. In 2020, Sarah was named the Travel Writer of the Year at the 2020 Australian Society of Travel Writers Awards and Specialist Travel Writer of the Year: Emerging Destinations at the UK’s 2020 Travel Media Awards.\nIn addition to her freelance work, she has written two books for Lonely Planet, including \nThe Sustainable Travel Handbook\n and \nThe Solo Travel Handbook\n. Sarah also runs the website \necotravelist.com\n where she writes about topics including adventure travel, travel photography, food, and more.\nWe talked with Sarah about her career, the future of sustainable travel, her favorite travel memories, and more. She shares actionable tips for travelers looking to implement more sustainable practices when planning their trips. \nHow did you become interested in sustainable and responsible travel and choose this focus for your writing? \nAs a younger traveler, I participated in some classic travel experiences (including riding an elephant; cringe) that left me feeling uneasy about whether they were the right things to be doing on holiday. But there was a lack of resources available at the time to help me make more responsible decisions about how I spent my travel dollars.\nThe 2013 release of the documentary \nBlackfish\n was a turning point. Suddenly we had this overwhelming proof that certain travel experiences we had been participating in for our own enjoyment were doing terrible harm to others. It forced the entire industry, from operators to travel editors, to take a good hard look at our roles in that. Around that time, I started a job as an editor at Lonely Planet, and it inspired me to better educate myself about sustainable travel and use that knowledge to help guide the content I was overseeing. When I went freelance in 2016, sustainable travel organically became my niche. \n\nThroughout your career, have you seen a growing interest in the topic of sustainable travel? If so, what excites you the most about this?\nInterest has exploded during the past five years in particular, which is really exciting because sustainable travel is essential in safeguarding our planet for the people and wildlife who live in it today, as well as the travelers who will be exploring it tomorrow. A shift in traveler awareness of (and desire to support) sustainable travel has helped to put pressure on the industry to shape up, but it’s still early days, particularly when it comes to social sustainability – supporting local communities meaningfully is just as important as minimizing harm to the environment.\nWhat are some of the top ways all travelers can incorporate sustainable or responsible practices into their travels?\nAn absolutely critical aspect of sustainable travel today, as outlined in the \nGlasgow Declaration on Climate Change in Tourism\n, is putting in the work to curb our emissions. There are countless ways to do this, from traveling closer to home, to choosing hotels that run on green energy, to staying longer in your travel destination rather than using the rest of your vacation days to take an emission-intensive trip elsewhere. \nSupporting sustainably-minded businesses is another great way to minimize negative travel impacts. Scour hotel and tour operator websites to find out what initiatives they are taking to protect the local environment and support local communities. Minimizing the waste you create on holiday is another easy way to make a big impact; there is absolutely no excuse in 2022 to use plastic bottles in any destination, for example. \nWhat do you think the future of sustainable travel is? \nSustainable travel is already shifting from a nice-to-do to a must-do, at least in some markets, which is really encouraging. But the industry’s most impactful decision-makers – namely aviation and governments – are not currently doing enough to facilitate a future where travel can be truly sustainable. The world’s 1.4 billion travelers should not underestimate the power we have to put pressure on these decision-makers via the everyday decisions we make ourselves, from the tourism operators we support to the politicians we elect.\nWhat are some of your favorite travel memories?\nToo many to choose from! So I’ll stick to some of the recent ones. Right before the pandemic, I took a brilliant trip to Guyana and Suriname with local operator Wilderness Explorers, which has worked closely with indigenous communities to develop some really memorable community tourism experiences in the nation’s steamy jungle interior, and I recently made my first trip to Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions, which was just as transformative as I had hoped. As both of these trips were quite carbon-intensive, it was important to me to visit with operators dedicated to protecting the destinations they take travelers to. \nDuring the pandemic, I also really enjoyed exploring Australia with a number of Indigenous guides, who are masters at bringing landscapes to life with their incredible storytelling skills. \n\nWhat has traveling taught you about yourself?\nNothing reveals your strengths, weaknesses, and privilege quite like traveling – especially solo travel, which is one of the best lessons in taking responsibility for yourself you will ever learn. Traveling for long periods (which I do often) has also completely changed my relationship with ‘stuff.’ These days, I only buy things I really need and then wear or use them until they fall apart. Not only do I have less stuff to worry about; it has also helped me save money. \nDo you have career advice for anyone that would want to follow in your footsteps?\nI’m a big believer in professional journalism training – not necessarily a university degree, but in a world where people are increasingly distrustful of the media, I think it’s incredibly important to have a solid grasp of essential skills like fact-checking, especially if you want to specialize in sustainable travel writing, as it’s not easy to see through the greenwashing. In 2020 I went back to university to complete a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Management to deepen my own knowledge about sustainable travel, but I’m still learning. \nDo you have any upcoming projects or travels that you’d like to share?\nThe pandemic has added a new dimension of flexibility to my life as a semi-nomadic travel writer that I am still figuring out how to manage. I’m currently based in the Middle East, where I’m enjoying the challenge of seeking out sustainable travel stories in unexpected places while also working on striking a more sustainable work/life balance. \n\nTo learn more about Sarah, and to keep up with her travels, \nvisit her website\n. 

Featured Explorer: Sarah Reid

Award-winning journalist Sarah Reid discusses tips for sustainable travel, her favorite travel memories, the future of sustainable travel, and more.

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