| “ Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness”
— Mark Twain
I have been so heartbroken of late; from the pandemic quarantine, to the racial injustice and abhorrent violence against peoples. When your heart is open to embrace other peoples, cultures, languages, food, and customs, the world is your book, and discovery so immense to fill your heart. Welcoming those who are different than yourself, will touch your life, increase your knowledge, and swell your happiness tenfold. When I ask my clients what was their favorite part of their trip, they consistently reply, “it was the local people; they will live on in our hearts and memories forever”!
As I have traveled, I have discovered that like many in the US, the world’s indigenous, minority, and women in cultures around the world have lived lives less advantageous of even a simple, comfortable life, and always in fear. But their incredible strength, determination, and true happiness is an incredible inspiration to us all. They inspire us all in the travel industry to give back; whether it be bed-nets to fight malaria, wells for clean water, support for women-only micro-financing to start a business, supplies for local schools and medical clinics, or support for anti-slave and sex-worker prevention.
The travel industry should always take a grounded and steady stance against bigotry around the world; in-bound travel is a huge GDP for many countries. WE can make it better by giving back with support for small, locally-owned tour guides and businesses to improve local infrastructure, and to help support local employment.
I hope when you travel, you recognize the uniqueness of peoples and cultures; not just museums, restaurants, attractions. I hope you learn about the food, the diet, the history, the culture, and have the chance to spend a day with a local to really get to know them; what makes them tick. Bringing home a little bit of each you meet, to live on in your hearts forever.
~ Mary