Kate Duthie

Kate Duthiehttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/kate-duthieKate Duthiehttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/practical/how-to-travel-with-a-suit-or-wedding-dressWith more of us traveling for work, weddings, or special events, how can you make sure your special outfits arrive ready to wear?2025-03-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/practical/how-to-travel-with-a-suit-or-wedding-dresshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Destination weddings are one of the fastest-growing travel trends, with busy couples combining their nuptials with a holiday for themselves and their guests, often overseas – an idea that can end up costing less than a separate wedding and honeymoon.</p> <p>Family reunions are also going inter-state and international, with guests flying in for special events that require fancy outfits to match the occasion. And, in the post-COVID world, the corporate sector has reverted to in-person meetings, often overseas, instead of online video calls.</p> <p>So, if a wedding dress, business or evening suit, or formal dress has to travel with you, here’s how to pack and transport your outfits so they’re crumple-free on arrival, even if you’re not.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#carry-on">Check or carry-on?</a></li> <li><a href="#prepare">Preparing to travel with a wedding dress or suit</a></li> <li><a href="#suit">How to pack a suit when you travel</a></li> <li><a href="#shirt">How to pack a dress shirt</a></li> <li><a href="#dress">How to pack a wedding dress</a></li> <li><a href="#unpack">How to make your clothes look great when you unpack</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="carry-on">Should I check-in or carry-on my wedding dress or suit?</h2> <p>Carry-on, carry-on, carry-on! You’ve spent a lot of money and effort on these clothes, and you absolutely need them to arrive at the same destination as you, at the same time, and in great condition. Don’t risk them getting <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/baggage">lost, delayed, damaged, or stolen</a> by checking them in on a flight.</p> <p>Plus, can you imagine what your suit or wedding dress would look like after a few trips around the baggage carousel at Arrivals?</p> <p>As you’ll probably have accessories, such as a bag, shoes, and jewelry, to go with your outfit, take those as carry-on too.</p> <h2 id="prepare">Preparing to travel with a wedding dress or suit</h2> <p>It’s a good idea to let your airline know in advance if you’re traveling with a bulky item such as wedding dress, suit, or hat box, to be sure there will be room in a closet or storage locker. Most airlines will do their best to accommodate you, but they can’t promise there will be space.</p> <p>Otherwise, you might consider upgrading your seat to ensure hanging space in a more premium cabin, buying a second seat (if the airline allows this), or paying more for early boarding to guarantee room in an overhead bin close to your seat. You don’t want to get this far and then have another traveler’s bag crush your clothes.</p> <p>Remember, your wedding dress will be counted in your allotment for carry-on luggage and may be subject to size and weight restrictions, or you might have to pay a fee.</p> <h2 id="suit">How to pack a suit when you travel</h2> <p>Whether you’re traveling with a suit for business or pleasure, use a proper garment bag to transport it. They are usually sturdy, with hangers for jackets, pants, and shirts, and often fold in half to be zipped up and made more portable. On board the flight, you can unzip the bag to allow the suit and shirts to hang down if there’s a closet available.</p> <p>If you don’t have a garment bag and must pack your suit in a case or duffel bag, you have a couple of options.</p> <ul> <li>With the suit on a hanger, put it inside a plastic dry-cleaning bag, fold it in half and put it on the top of the other clothes in your luggage.</li> <li>If you’re travelling with a smaller bag, turn the shoulders of the jacket inside out and fold the jacket in half vertically so the lapels touch, then lay it flat and fold it into thirds.</li> <li>On arrival, unfold and turn the shoulders back out again.</li> </ul> <p>If it’s not a long-haul flight, you could also consider wearing the suit pants, and either folding the jacket in half to be laid flat in the overhead locker on top of any luggage or laid flat over your lap.</p> <p><em>Planning a destination wedding? Find out <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered">how travel insurance can cover</a> lost or stolen baggage, sudden illness, or other travel mishaps.</em></p> <h2 id="shirt">How to pack a dress shirt</h2> <p>Shirts are tricky to pack because they are usually made of cotton which easily creases, even after a short amount of time. However, if you fold it the right way, you can minimize wrinkles.</p> <ul> <li>Lay the shirt flat on a table, buttoned, front side down.</li> <li>Cross the sleeves across the back to form an X, and then fold each sleeve up so the cuff touches the collar.</li> <li>Fold the shirt in thirds lengthwise, bringing the shoulders in towards the center. Then, fold the shirt up from the bottom one third at a time.</li> <li>Place it in your luggage on top of the other clothes, or pop in a packing cube of its own.</li> </ul> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/travel-wiser/packing-dress-shirt.jpg" alt="A business traveler packs dress shirts into his suitcase." /><figcaption>Folding a dress shirt the right way can prevent wrinkles. Image credit: Getty Images / simonkr</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="dress">How to pack a wedding dress</h2> <p>Most wedding dresses come in a special garment bag that the dress hangs inside, usually with a zip to keep it safe from dust and dirt. When traveling with your wedding dress, this garment bag will come in handy. Your dress must go through security, on a dirty conveyor belt, as well as into an airplane overhead locker or closet which might not be clean, so make sure the bag is waterproof and sturdy enough to withstand being moved around.</p> <p>Ask the sales assistant to show you how to fold the dress to keep it as wrinkle-free as possible. Also, check that the garment can tolerate steaming or ironing and ask for any fabric-specific tips on how to get rid of wrinkles on arrival.</p> <h2 id="unpack">How to make your clothes look great when you unpack</h2> <p>Unpack your dress, shirt, or suit as soon as you arrive at your accommodation and hang it up to let any wrinkles fall out naturally which will usually happen overnight. If time is of the essence, your hotel room may have a steamer or iron, or a concierge service that can arrange that for you. If that's not going to be possible, you could travel with a portable steamer (be sure to use filtered water).</p> <p>If you’re not confident about using a steamer or iron on your dress or suit, or letting anyone else either, a good trick is to run a hot bath or shower, and to hang the garment in the bathroom for 10 minutes as the steam fills the room.</p>Getty Images / Thomas Barwick 1986052288 Getty Images A bride stands with her bridesmaids in a hotel room, preparing to put on her wedding dress.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/practical/how-to-avoid-bedbugs-when-travelingSleeping in beds previously occupied by many others is part of the joy of travel. But what can you do to limit your exposure to bedbugs?2023-10-03T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/practical/how-to-avoid-bedbugs-when-travelinghttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#1">Before you travel</a></li> <li><a href="#2">While traveling</a></li> <li><a href="#3">When you get home</a></li> </ul> <p>Unless you commit to carrying your own bedding when you travel (hello, van life?), you will have to sleep in beds and sit in chairs and seats on planes, trains and buses, that have previously been occupied for long periods of time by many, many others. And it doesn't matter where you travel.<br /><br />According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we can expect to encounter bed bugs anywhere in the world. <br /><br />Although typically, it has been assumed that bedbugs are a bigger problem in developing countries where hygiene is harder to control, in recent years bedbugs have been part of a rapid spread in the USA, Canada, the UK and parts of Europe. <br /><br />At the time of writing, <a href="/explore/europe/france">Paris</a>, France was experiencing an outbreak of bedbugs during Fashion Week that made it to the pages of <em>Time</em>, <em>Forbes</em>, <em>CNN</em> and <em>the New York Times</em>. With the <a href="https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/paris-20">Paris Olympics </a>and Paralympic Games set to kick off in less than a year, authorities in Paris are said to be implementing urgent plans to eradicate the biting pests well ahead of the Opening Ceremony. </p> <p>Annoyingly, bedbugs aren’t just confined to <a href="/explore/worldwide/how-to-break-free-from-the-hostel-bubble-and-go-local">hostels</a> or hotel beds, they can also be found on bedding and beds on planes, cruise ships, trains and buses, too. Don’t panic. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. While they might leave you with a bite that itches, few people will have a severe allergic reaction that may need medical attention.<br /><br />Feeling itchy? Aside from waiting for local governments to implement anti-bedbug strategies, what can you do to minimize the risk of being on the biting end of a bedbug when you’re traveling?</p> <h2 id="1">Avoiding bed bugs before you travel</h2> <ul> <li>Even before you head off, you can help minimize bedbug activity. Consider traveling with a hard-sided case or pack which is harder for bedbugs to infiltrate.</li> <li>Pack clothes in ziplock plastic bags and if you’re only on a short stay, leave your clothes in the case</li> <li>Consider carrying your own <a href="/create/learn/travelstorytelling/how-to-plan-a-winter-camping-trip">sleeping bag</a> liner and pillow slips.</li> <li>Check ahead with your accommodation to see if they have a bedbug policy around stopping them in the first place and controlling them. </li> </ul> <h2 id="1">Avoiding bed bugs while traveling</h2> <ul> <li>Use a <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-only-travel-with-hand-luggage">luggage</a> rack for your case or backpack that is off the floor, and harder for bedbugs to reach.</li> <li>Check for signs in the room before unpacking and settling in.</li> <li>Bedbugs like to hide in the creases and folds of fabrics. They can wait for a long time before needing to bite someone for their meal of blood.</li> <li>According to the CDC, “Bed bugs have been shown to be able to travel over 100 feet in a night but tend to live within 8 feet of where people sleep”.</li> <li>Bedbugs leave tell-tale signs behind – poo, basically – which resemble little black dots. Always pull back the sheets and have a good look at the mattress, before moving onto the pillows, the pillow slips and the top sheets and other bedding.</li> <li>The bedbugs themselves are brownish and are only a few millimeters long. Their eggs look like small grains of rice (gag).</li> <li>If you’re bitten, the bite mark might not show up for a few hours or even days, depending on the person.</li> <li>If you find signs of bedbugs, tell your accommodation provider straight away, you might want to ask to change rooms, and floors or to check out.</li> </ul> <h2 id="1">Avoiding bed bugs when you get home</h2> <ul> <li>Unpack in the laundry or bathroom, shaking out your clothes carefully before putting them straight into the washing machine.</li> <li>Drying on the highest heat can help eradicate, and if not dry or steam cleaning should work.</li> <li>If possible, store your luggage somewhere other than your bedroom to avoid any possibility of transferring bedbugs from your accommodation to your bed.</li> </ul>Getty Images/Dmitry Bezrukov 11338267708 Getty Images Infection with bed bugs, bugs are invisible on the mattress. Adults are able to reproduce quickly.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-only-travel-with-hand-luggageAvoiding queues at check in and arrivals, extra fees, and lost bags are just the beginning of why it’s always better to travel light. Here’s how to do it well.2022-06-14T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-only-travel-with-hand-luggagehttps://www.worldnomads.com<p><a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/why-traveling-overnight-means-traveling-light">Traveling light</a> is becoming more important than ever. Environmentally, a lighter aircraft means lower carbon emissions. You can get around more easily with just one bag, avoid fees for extra l<a href="/travel-insurance/what-to-do/luggage-is-delayed">uggage</a> and you don’t have to wait in queues to check in or at baggage carousels at your destination. Plus, you have everything you need with you in case flights are canceled or delayed.</p> <p>The latter became extra important in Europe in the summer of 2022, when hundreds of flights were canceled daily due to Brexit and COVID cases as airports struggled to find staff for everything from cabin crew to ground staff and baggage handlers. With the latter in short supply, so was the patience of many customers waiting for bags retrieved from canceled flights.</p> <p>I’ve been traveling with just hand luggage for years and I love it. I once cycled around Spain for two weeks with only the vest and bike shorts I wore in the day, and a sarong I wore with the washed and dried vest in the evenings. It can be done. Here’s how to only travel with carry-on.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#choose">Choose the right carry-on bag</a></li> <li><a href="#liquid">Be liquid-smart</a></li> <li><a href="#wear">What to wear on the flight</a></li> <li><a href="#pack">What to pack</a></li> <li><a href="#where">Where are you going?</a></li> <li><a href="#laundry">Toiletries and laundry</a></li> <li><a href="#benefits">The benefits</a></li> </ul> <h3 id="choose">Choose the right carry-on bag</h3> <p>A soft-sided bag or backpack will fit better under the seat in front or in the overhead locker than a hard-sided one. Also, the size of the bag matters. Most airlines prescribe a carry-on bag should be no bigger than 55cm (22in) by 35cm (14 in) by 20 cm (9 in). Weight is usually restricted to around 7kg. Choose a bag with plenty of pockets and zips so you can organize your clothes and toiletries.</p> <h3 id="liquid">Be liquid-smart</h3> <p>With carry-on, there is a limit to the amount of liquids you can carry – anything over 100ml will be discarded by security. Make sure you keep liquids to less than 100ml and have all your liquids ready in a clear plastic bag to show at security.</p> <h3 id="wear">What to wear on the flight</h3> <p>Wear the heaviest, bulkiest clothes you’re traveling with on the flight – a heavy jacket or winter boots will take up all the room in your luggage. A jacket can also double as a pillow or blanket on a long flight. Pack everything else by rolling it.</p> <h3 id="pack">What to pack</h3> <p>Choose neutral clothes that can be worn in diverse ways with other items to create multiple outfits with minimal items. Trousers that zip off to shorts, a sarong that can double as a wrap or skirt etc. Choose fabrics that don’t crease and that can be rolled up small.</p> <p>General packing list:</p> <ul> <li>one smart /casual outfit</li> <li>one evening outfit</li> <li>two pairs of shorts</li> <li>two tees</li> <li>socks and underwear</li> <li>one pair of long pants</li> <li>one dress</li> <li>a warm wrap</li> <li>a buff (that can be worn in multiple ways)</li> <li>a light scarf</li> <li>one pair of sandals or flip flops</li> <li>walking shoes or trainers (wear on the plane)</li> <li>a jacket (wear on the plane)</li> <li>a Kindle instead of books</li> <li>lightweight headphones</li> <li>an iPad instead of a laptop</li> <li>a smartphone instead of a camera</li> </ul> <h3 id="where">Where are you going?</h3> <p>Be mindful of the climate you are traveling to. It’s easier to pack light for <a href="/create/learn/how-to-stay-safe-and-hydrated">warmer weather</a> than cold. Are there some items – such as <a href="/create/learn/travelstorytelling/what-to-look-for-in-ski-gear">skiwear</a> – you could borrow, rent or buy second-hand once you arrive?</p> <p>Think about the activities you’ll be doing and what clothes you’ll need. Will you need an outfit for hiking, visiting a museum, time at the beach <em>and</em> a fancy night out?</p> <p>Think about what could be worn to one activity and dressed up or down to go to the next. Be sparing – don’t pack things you haven’t worn recently at home and think about how many of each item you really need.</p> <p><em>Planning an overseas adventure? Find out how<a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered"> travel insurance can cover</a> lost or stolen baggage, sudden illness, trip cancellation, or other mishaps.</em></p> <h3 id="laundry">Toiletries and laundry</h3> <p>You don’t need to transfer the contents of your bathroom cabinet to your luggage. <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/eco-friendly-toiletries-to-take-on-your-travels">Take only what you need</a>, and anything else you can buy when you reach your destination. Shampoo bars are better for the planet and take up less space than plastic bottles. Traveling with a bamboo toothbrush, <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-to-reduce-plastic-use-while-you-travel">plastic-free</a> razors and reef-safe sunscreen are all ways to travel light as well as responsibly. Instead of carrying multiple items, travel with or buy a small amount of laundry detergent and wash some essential items every day to be worn again the next day.</p> <h3 id="benefits">The benefits</h3> <p>Aside from the benefits to the planet, traveling light affects your state of mind – you’re more likely to walk or use public transport if you feel lighter. This will inevitably lead to you interacting with local people and finding out more about your destination. You can’t underestimate the sense of freedom when you can be flexible with your plans, make a last-minute connection, or get from A to B in a hurry when you don’t have to factor in extra luggage.</p> <p>You’re also less likely to be a <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/baggage">victim of crime</a> when you know exactly where your luggage is, and you are traveling with a confidence that makes you look less vulnerable. Travel isn’t about what you travel with, but the memories you bring home.</p> Pakkawit Anantaya/EyeEm/Getty Images 0 Hang luggage

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-wiser/survival/walking-safely-livestockWalking in the country inevitably means crossing fields where animals might be present. Here's how to enjoy the countryside without bothering the animals.2021-11-16T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-wiser/survival/walking-safely-livestockhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>A walk in the countryside is a pastime many travelers enjoy when exploring a new place, and in many countries miles of public footpaths criss-cross farmland where livestock can be found. In <a href="/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/5-great-hikes-west-midlands-england">England </a>and <a href="/travel-safety/northern-europe/united-kingdom/welsh-pride-and-nationalism">Wales</a> alone there are estimated to be 140,000 mi (225,000km) of public rights of way, including footpaths and bridleways.</p> <p>However, while sharks are responsible for around five deaths a year, horses cause 20 deaths and cows around 22, typically by trampling or kicking their unsuspecting victims, many of whom are out enjoying a countryside walk.</p> <p>To avoid being injured or killed by livestock, walkers can start by following guidelines such as the UK Government’s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code-advice-for-countryside-visitors">Countryside Code</a>. This a series of sensible guidelines highlighting the importance of protecting and respecting, people, <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/5-considerations-for-your-wildlife-conservation-holiday">animals</a> and property in the countryside including following signs (such as those for footpaths), making sure you leave gates the way you find them (if they're open leave them that way, and the same if they're closed), taking litter home with you, keeping your dog under control (a farmer can shoot a dog that attacks or chases livestock and may not be liable to compensate the dog’s owner) and giving any livestock you come across plenty of space.</p> <h2>How you can keep yourself, your dog and livestock safe</h2> <ul> <li>If your <a href="/explore/northern-europe/united-kingdom/trekking-hadrians-wall-in-winter">walking</a> route means entering a field where there are livestock, first consider if there is an alternative way to get to where you’re going. if you don't have to go through the field, don't</li> <li>Make sure you have a clear path and exit in sight, so you know where you're heading should there be any issues</li> <li>Stay close to the fence line or hedgerow rather than crossing the middle of the field</li> <li>If there are cows and their calves present, look for an alternative route and if that’s not possible, try not to get between mother and babies</li> <li>Move quickly and quietly and walk around the herd instead of through it</li> <li>Don’t worry if the cows saunter over for a look at you and your dog. If they are walking slowly they are unlikely to be a threat. If you speed up, they probably will too</li> <li>Keep your dog on the lead, and don’t enter a field at all if there is lambing happening</li> <li>Close any gates you enter or exit the field through. </li> </ul> <h2>What to do if the herd approaches at speed or charges?</h2> <ul> <li>Try stretching your hands out wide. If this doesn’t work, clap your hands and maybe shout “Hey, go on!”</li> <li>Let your dog off the lead – the cows will chase the dog instead of you, and it will be faster than the cows. This should give you enough time to get to a safe place</li> <li>Don’t panic or run – there’s a good chance they will lose interest in you and move on</li> <li>Move away to put distance between you and the cattle</li> <li>Report any incidents to the farmer or the police for more serious events such as injury or worse.</li> </ul> <br /><br />Getty Images / Paul Plews 0 Getty Images A family on a country walk with a dog

Initiation by Indian Railways | Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/initiation-by-indian-railwaysInitiation by Indian Railways | Travel StoryFri, 09 Aug 2019 18:25:06 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/discovery/initiation-by-indian-railwayshttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/tradition-or-tourism-manufactured-cultural-experiencesHow do you know when you're experiencing the real thing? Learn how to spot a manufactured cultural experience.2018-09-26T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/tradition-or-tourism-manufactured-cultural-experienceshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Getting under the skin of the places we visit is an essential part of a rewarding travel experience. But how do you know when you are experiencing the real thing or something put on for tourists? And, does that matter?</p> <p>With more of us traveling than ever before, the “Disneyfication" of tourism means we inevitably tread the same paths, go on the same tours and take a selfie in front of the same view. As a result, the quest for the authentic, the unique and the original is in demand.</p> <p>So, while returning home with a tale no one else can match is important to us, what this means for a community should also be a consideration. As a responsible traveler, you need to ask yourself, is this cultural experience – the traditional dance, the coming of age ceremony, the cooking demonstration – helping to keep cultures alive or are the customs of the local people being treated like inauthentic but entertaining Disney experiences?</p> <h2>What is a manufactured cultural experience?</h2> <p>A manufactured cultural experience is one that only exists for tourists, rather than reflecting the way a community or culture really live or have lived. Christian Wolters from <a href="https://www.tourradar.com/?utm_source=worldnomads">TourRadar</a> recalls a show that had authentic origins but was ruined by artificiality. "I experienced a desert belly dance show outside Dubai, which felt more like a Disney resort show,” he explains. “The majority of visitors were happy as the lack of authenticity escaped them. Clearly this activity only existed for the tourists."</p> <p>To learn about the relevance of a cultural experience, do your research. Read reviews and customer comments, ask the tour operator questions; is it run by locals, where do the profits from the experience go, have the local people been consulted in the creation of this activity, and is the experience respectful?</p> <p>Helen Abramson from <em><a href="https://www.roughguides.com/?utm_source=worldnomads">Rough Guides</a></em> has other suggestions: "Ask yourself what you want to get out of the experience – is it just to see people, or to meet them? To take something from them, or to share something with them?</p> <p>“Find out about the community you are visiting; who are they, what is their history as well as their current situation? Will visiting them be safe and enjoyable for both them and you?"</p> <h2>Would it be this way without tourists?</h2> <p>It’s a question for the tour operator, but you also have to consider if this matters. Ana Ines Figueroa of <a href="http://adventure-landscape.com/?utm_source=worldnomads">Adventure & Landscapes</a> says it depends on the nature of the experience. "If a ritual is sacred, it should be private," she says, "and if it’s public, it should be performed only on the proper date, circumstance or place. What is sacred should not be on sale, or expected to be, simply because it is interesting."</p> <p>Rituals and other cultural experiences offered as entertainment, or as a snapshot of a culture’s history, still have their place. Cultures aren’t static and to expect a group to keep dressing in a certain way or performing traditional songs to suit the expectation of travelers is wrong; all cultures need to evolve. The Maori people of New Zealand don’t customarily perform the haka, which was traditionally used by warriors before a battle, but it has become commonplace at rugby games.</p> <p>Obviously, any experiences that are exploiting or abusing people <a href="/make-a-difference/responsible-travel/planet/wildlife-experiences-to-avoid-on-your-next-adventure">and animals</a> should be avoided and reported.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/make-a-difference/index-responsible-travel/people/tradition-or-tourism-in-article1.jpeg " alt="Namibia" /><figcaption>Himba tribes are often visited by travelers and are one example of a culture impacted by an influx of inquisitive tourists. If visiting the Himba in <a href="/travel-safety/southern-africa/namibia/namibia-travel-safety">Namibia</a>, it's important to choose a responsible tour company that goes to efforts to make sure both parties are benefitting from the experience. Photo credit: Peter Teys</figcaption></figure> <h2>Watching vs. participating</h2> <p>Are you observing or taking part? Most commonly, you’ll be a spectator at local events; a dance, a race, a performance, but there may opportunities to participate, too. If such opportunities do present themselves, make sure you are invited by a local community member, and act respectfully, in accordance with social rules and traditions.</p> <p>"Guests will always be guests," says <a href="http://bannikin.com/?utm_source=worldnomads">Bannikin</a>’s Natasha Martin. "Travelers are, for the most part, watching another culture, though they may have the chance to participate in a ritual."</p> <p>"I would encourage tourists to consider leaving the camera behind. Sometimes capturing the experience also acts as a way of putting a wall between the visitor and the host/guide."</p> <h2>Keeping the culture alive or just for display?</h2> <p>As cultures evolve, languages, customs and rituals can become a thing of the past. Being able to preserve these, even if only for visitors, is important. "If visits from tourists are handled sensitively, in places where traditions are dwindling and in danger of dying out," says Abramson, "real engagement and sharing of knowledge enable locals to play an active role in maintaining their heritage."</p> <p>Do you want to experience a culture as it is now, or as it was? Because a ritual or tradition is old, does that make it more important than the way people live today? <a href="http://bannikin.com/?utm_source=worldnomads">Natasha Martin from Bannikin</a> prefers to live in the now. "I’ve often found that experiencing ‘modern culture’ to be a much more interesting experience than what has been referred to as ‘frozen culture’ – cultural experiences that tourism boards and operators promote, but may not actually exist anymore."</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/make-a-difference/index-responsible-travel/people/tradition-or-tourism-in-article.jpeg " alt="2 women cooking as a part of a locally run tour" /><figcaption>Locally run tour operators, such as <a href="/make-a-difference/responsible-travel/people/trailblazing-education-through-tourism-in-sapa-vietnam">Sapa O'Chau in Vietnam</a>, have used sustainable tourism to enhance their way of life and as a form of cultural exchange. Photo credit: Brian Rapsey</figcaption></figure> <h2>Being invited to join in vs. paying for the experience</h2> <p>Joining in a game of football with a group of locals or being invited to a local wedding are fantastic ways to meet people and experience their culture, while experiences you pay for might be less authentic but still worthwhile. Figueroa asks a good question: "Would you act differently when you invite friends for dinner versus having paying guests you don’t know come for a meal at your home?"</p> <h2>Who is benefitting?</h2> <p>"Cultural experiences are educational (as is all travel!)," says Martin. "I believe that if the exchange is genuine, both sides stand to benefit and learn."</p> <p>If you do the right research and find travel with a reputable company and guide, the right tour or walk will benefit both you as the traveler and the local providing the service, through an exchange of ideas, customs and social interaction.</p> <h2>What would happen if the cultural tours stopped?</h2> <p>The biggest impact to communities who rely on tourists would be financial. Did they turn to tourism in the first place due a change in circumstances – a natural disaster, the end of a traditional industry – and will they be able to replace the income generated by tourism? A lesser impact would also be felt by visitors who could no longer learn about the culture and people of the place. Knowing your money is helping a community is a rewarding part of travel, especially if the experience is a financial imperative for that community.</p>Ingolfur Bjargmundsson 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/wildlife-experiences-to-avoid-on-your-next-adventureA bad wildlife experience may not always be easy to spot. As with any aspect of responsible travel, do your research.2025-12-03T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/wildlife-experiences-to-avoid-on-your-next-adventurehttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Encountering wildlife in its natural habitat can be a thrilling and life-changing experience, and is one of the ways travel helps us connect with the world around us. But wildlife experiences that involve cruelty, unnecessary captivity or inappropriate interaction with humans should be a cause for concern, avoided and reported. Here’s why.</p> <h2>Why captive and interactive animal experiences are wrong</h2> <p>Seeing a leopard <a href="/travel-safety/africa/kenya/african-safari-safety-guide">on safari</a>, <a href="/make-a-difference/responsible-travel/planet/redefine-the-dive-10-tips-for-sustainable-divers">scuba diving</a> with reef sharks, or spotting a bear in the distance in a <a href="/explore/north-america/united-states/adventure-junkies-these-national-parks-are-for-you">national park</a> are all positive wildlife experiences where the animals are observed and left alone. However, keeping animals captive for a tourist-based wildlife experience is cruelty. It causes animals to lose their wild instincts, to rely on humans for their survival and makes them vulnerable to hunters.</p> <p>Wildlife should not be touched or handled for the same reason, and, under no circumstances, should you feed any animals you encounter.</p> <p>“It is likely to disturb their natural diet and health,” explains Hamish Keith from <a href="https://www.exotravel.com/?utm_source=worldnomads">EXO Travel</a>, “and distorts their natural social behavior. Animals may die because of your touch, however <g class="gr_ gr_97 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="97" data-gr-id="97">soft,</g> because they are more sensitive to human disease.”</p> <p>If an animal comes to you of its own <g class="gr_ gr_101 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="101" data-gr-id="101">choice</g> and is free to go when it pleases, for example, a pod of curious dolphins in the ocean, this is a bit different, but as a general rule avoid encounters where animals have no option but to interact with you. </p> <p>Other exceptions might include animal sanctuaries taking care of orphaned animals or those stolen from their parents, who can no longer survive in the wild and rely on humans for their survival. Examples include <a href="https://www.chimpeden.com/">Jane Goodall’s Chimp Eden</a> and Lemur Island in <a href="/travel-safety/africa/madagascar/local-laws-and-customs-madagascar">Madagascar</a>.</p> <h2>Animal experiences to avoid </h2> <p>Avoid any wildlife encounter that exploits an animal, or where there are signs of neglect or abuse. Removing animals, that belong in the wild from their natural habitat, to be used for performance and entertainment, including fighting, is unacceptable.</p> <p>Avoid situations where an animal is being harassed, either by its handlers or visitors, where animals are kept in cages or enclosures that are too small for them or where performance or interaction is encouraged.</p> <p>“The gold standard is an unforced encounter with wildlife in its natural environment,” advises <em><a href="https://www.roughguides.com/?utm_source=worldnomads">Rough Guides</a></em> editor Rebecca Hallet. “Avoid any operator who <em>promises</em> an interaction with the animal.”</p> <p>Experiences, where you are able to come too close to wildlife, are a common problem, explains Wendy Redal from <a href="https://www.nathab.com/?utm_source=worldnomads">Natural Habitat Adventures</a>. “I have observed Hawaiian endangered monk seals on a <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/north-america/united-states/5-things-hawaii">beach in Kauai</a>, and was distressed to see a number of visitors stepping inside the boundary rope in order to get a better look.”</p> <p>“But when wildlife tourism is done right,” she continues, “it holds the power to protect nature and crucial habitats, pays communities to protect rather than exploit natural resources, and helps support them economically and preserve their cultural heritage in the process.”</p> <p>Often, local communities rely on experiences, like elephant rides, to earn money from travelers, explains Hallett, “simply boycotting the practice may perpetuate poverty, and cause the animals to be sold for use as beasts of burden, or killed. Instead, try to look for alternatives in the area, thereby showing locals that they can earn a stable income by offering ethical animal experiences.”</p> <p>Heavy numbers of tourists can also leave communities struggling to manage the negative impacts of too many visitors in fragile ecosystems including litter, trail erosion, and noise.</p> <p>Extraordinary wildlife destinations, like the <a href="/travel-safety/south-america/ecuador/galapagos-islands-safety-guide">Galapagos Islands</a>, where many species approach humans because they are so unused to them, have introduced strict rules limiting visitor numbers and opportunities to interact with wildlife.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/make-a-difference/index-responsible-travel/planet/wildlife-experiences-to-avoid/wildlife-experiences-to-avoid-in-article.jpeg " alt="Diver Viewing Green Sea Turtle" /><figcaption>Diver viewing an endangered green sea turtle. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Photo credit: Getty Images/Michele Westmorland</figcaption></figure> <h2>How to spot a bad experience and what questions to ask</h2> <p>A bad wildlife experience may not always be easy to spot. Much of the cruelty is hidden from view and takes place once visitors have left. As with any aspect of responsible travel, do your research.</p> <p>“It is<em> our</em> responsibility to make sure that animal-related tourism is done ethically,” says Joyce Wang from the <a href="https://wildnet.org/?utm_source=worldnomads">Wildlife Conservation Network</a>. “Don’t rely on the venue to tell you.”</p> <p>Ask the tour operator about their commitment to animal welfare. Do they have a set of principles or guidelines, and how are they implemented in the travelers’ experience? Are they keeping within legal guidelines regarding the way animals in the wild should be treated; for example, safe distances between whale-watching boats and whales, and letting the whales follow the boats rather than the other way around?</p> <p>Fran Kearney from <a href="https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.au/?utm_source=worldnomads">World Animal Protection</a>, says “As a rule, if you can ride, hug or have a selfie with a wild animal, you can be sure it is cruel.”</p> <p><a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/responsible-travel/?utm_source=worldnomads">Intrepid Travel’s Responsible Travel</a> Business Manager, Liz Manning advises using the Five Freedoms checklist. Does the animal have:<br />1. Freedom from hunger and thirst<br />2. Freedom from discomfort<br />3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease<br />4. Freedom to express normal behavior<br />5. Freedom from fear and distress. </p> <p>Most importantly, complain when you see animal cruelty and report it to the local authorities or a local animal welfare organization. </p> <h2>What positive wildlife experiences can I have?</h2> <p>There are many ways to have a positive wildlife experience that is enjoyable for you and the animals. Seeing animals in their natural habitat is best; in a genuine wildlife reserve, sanctuary or national park. An exception might be China's famous panda research bases, as you are highly unlikely ever to see these rare and elusive creatures in the wild.</p> <p>There are many places in the world where wildlife tourism has been vital in bolstering local economies, and in so doing, helped threatened species thrive. Examples include “India’s tiger territories,” explains Redal, “and <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/brazil/the-central-west/the-pantanal">Brazil's Pantanal</a>, where jaguar-focused tourism is aiding sustainable forestry.”</p> <p>Observing wildlife undisturbed by humans has to be one of the most amazing experiences, as the animals will behave in natural, non-threatening ways.</p> <p>“A captive wild animal can never truly experience a life free from suffering and cruelty,” says Fran Kearney, of World Animal Protection, “no matter how well they are looked after in captivity. Only in their wild environment can all the animals’ needs be fully met. The best place to see wild animals on your holiday is in the wild – where they belong.”</p>Getty Images/Elizabeth Wachsberg 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-evolution-and-future-of-voluntourismHelping out communities while traveling can be a worthwhile experience for all involved, as long as your work has sustainable benefits.2018-08-09T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-evolution-and-future-of-voluntourismhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>When we are bombarded with images of poverty, disaster <g class="gr_ gr_90 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="90" data-gr-id="90">and</g> war, many of us want to do more than watch from afar. We choose to travel to the affected areas to help as part of our own travel experience. But, before you engage in voluntourism, make sure the help you are giving is needed and productive, and not doing more harm than good.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://www.savethechildren.org.au/?utm_source=worldnomads">Save the Children</a>, voluntourism is one of the fastest-growing travel trends, with 1.6 million people volunteering overseas each year, in a sector worth an estimated AU$2.6 billion annually. It’s big business for travel companies and, in some cases, unscrupulous operators.</p> <ul> <li><span><a href="#evolution">The Evolution of Voluntourism</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="#should">Should Travelers Volunteer on Their Trips?</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="#right">Choosing the 'Right' Volunteering Experience</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="#future">The Future of Voluntourism</a></span></li> </ul> <h2 id="evolution">The evolution of voluntourism</h2> <p>Some of the earliest examples of voluntourism organizations include Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), set up in the UK in 1958 in response to a request for volunteers to teach English in Borneo, and the US-based Peace Corps which followed in 1961, similarly matching volunteers to projects in developing countries. Earthwatch was one of the first organizations offering paid-for volunteer placements in 1971. </p> <p>But it was the aftermath of recent disasters, including the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, broadcast to a horrified global audience, which encouraged millions of people to want to combine travel with helping rebuild shattered communities.</p> <p>“Travelers wrote to us with an outpouring of good intentions,” says Donna Lawrence from <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/?utm_source=worldnomads">World Expeditions</a> Travel Group. “They wanted to do more than just donate money to help the victims of the devastating events. It became clear to us that adventure travelers were looking for more meaning from their travels; they wanted to give back in a real and impactful way. From this, our Community Project Travel program was born.”</p> <h2 id="should">Should travelers volunteer on their trips?</h2> <p>Volunteering while traveling can be a very worthwhile experience for you and the communities you are helping, as long as:</p> <ul> <li>the projects you work on aren’t taking jobs from local people</li> <li>that you are doing it for the right reasons, and</li> <li>the benefit of your work is felt long after you have left.</li> </ul> <p>Avoid short-term volunteering projects – organizations can become dependent on the money they bring, which can lead to the manufacture of projects that address the wrong needs.</p> <p>“Consultation and collaboration are at the core of our projects,” explains Lawrence. “We consult with the heads of a community to learn what their greatest needs are, and we ensure that guests and hosts work alongside each other at the worksite, allowing for the transference of skills.” </p> <p>Helping communities doesn’t only mean building a school or working in a hospital, consider lending a hand with charity or community administration, fundraising or advocacy work; organizing petitions, writing letters to politicians and buying goods and services locally or from organizations with a social conscience can also make a real difference.</p> <h2 id="right">Choosing the 'right' volunteering experience</h2> <p>“We believe recruiting volunteers is not something that travel companies should be involved in, it’s something that should be left to the professionals,” says <a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/">Intrepid Travel</a>’s Liz Manning. “There are many excellent agencies around the world that recruit and place skilled volunteers in communities requesting assistance.” </p> <p>Do your research before signing up for a project. Make sure the volunteering project brings real benefit to the community and that the help being offered is in collaboration with local people rather being imposed on them.</p> <p>Look for projects that have long-term goals for continued support, and that it is a learning experience for you as well as those you are helping. Only volunteer to do work you are skilled to do.</p> <p>“If you are in a teaching role, you should be a qualified teacher,” says Lawrence. “If you are providing medical treatment, you should be fully qualified to provide that treatment.”</p> <p>It’s also important to look for projects that empower the community to take ownership of the project and manage it going forward for their own benefit. “There are better ways of helping,” says Manning, “and that is to give communities a hand-up, not a hand-out.”</p> <p>Find out where the money you have paid to volunteer is going; good organizations will make sure the bulk of your donation goes to the great cause you are working on.</p> <p>Consider whether donating your money rather than your time would be more helpful; many communities facing challenges already have the skills to rebuild but don’t have the funds to go about it.</p> <p>Think about how much of your desire to volunteer is actually ego – are you only partaking in this activity to share your generosity on social media? If you’re not in it for the right reasons, you probably shouldn’t be there.</p> <p>It goes without saying that any volunteering projects that put children, animals or natural environments at risk should be avoided and reported.</p> <p>Save the Children suggests asking these succinct questions before signing up:</p> <ul> <li>What will be the outcome of my volunteering adventure?</li> <li>Am I doing it for the right reasons?</li> <li>What skills can I offer developing countries to empower the next generation to be self-sufficient?</li> </ul> <h2 id="future">The future of voluntourism</h2> <p>Voluntourism still has a place – there will always be people in need, and people who want to help them – but travelers are now seeking more sustainable ways to give back to the countries they wish to visit.</p> <p>“My hope for the future is that organizations offering voluntourism become better at what they do,” says Lawrence. “The motivation to care for and help humanity and nature is intrinsic to the psyche of the adventure traveler. We are being challenged on a daily basis to consider the world outside of our front door, to play a role in making the world a better place, to become an <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/make-a-difference/manifesto">active global citizen</a>.”</p>Jules2013 0 Locals in front of destroyed building

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/orphanage-tourism-more-harmful-than-helpfulKnow the impact orphanage tourism has on communities and learn how to make a positive change when you travel.2018-07-26T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/orphanage-tourism-more-harmful-than-helpfulhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The idea of helping orphaned children is popular with many travelers, but mounting evidence suggests that the most vulnerable in our communities aren’t benefitting at all – but are being exploited and damaged by the experience. How can we swap orphanage tourism for a better outcome for all? </p> <ul> <ul> <li><span><a href="#what">What is Orphanage Tourism?</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="#negatives">What Are the Negatives of Orphanage Tourism?</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="#help">How Can Travelers Help?</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="#end">Ending the Pattern and Orphanage Tourism Alternatives</a></span></li> </ul> </ul> <h2 id="what">What is orphanage tourism?</h2> <p>Orphanage tourism is a way that volunteers can be involved in the lives of children in care during their travels, helping to fund orphanages to, in theory, offer children better lives. In reality, it’s not always the case.</p> <p>Orphanage tourism originated from an appetite to experience real life, and an increased ability to travel to more of the world, including developing countries. Most commonly, volunteers who want to work with orphaned children come from backgrounds of comparative <g class="gr_ gr_88 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="88" data-gr-id="88">wealth</g> and genuinely hope their involvement will help the children, while also enriching their own travel experience. As the media exposes us to more and more images of children in need around the world, the desire to give back in this way increases.</p> <h2 id="negatives">What are the negatives of orphanage tourism?</h2> <p>According to the charity <a href="https://www.footprintsnetwork.org/partner/1/Save-The-Children-Australia.aspx?utm_source=worldnomads">Save The Children</a>, the number of orphanages in some countries has increased, while the number of orphaned children has not. In <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southeast-asia/cambodia">Cambodia</a>, for example, the number of residential care institutions has dramatically risen in the past 10 years, while the number of orphans has significantly reduced.</p> <p>“Well-intentioned tourists visit orphanages and donate money,” explains LearningService.info co-founder Daniela Papi-Thornton. “In direct response to these good intentions, an industry has formed to profit from vulnerable children. In many cases, the children are not orphans; they are taken from parents who have been sold a story that a better life awaits them in the city, where they will be given an education and be well cared for. At its very core, this amounts to child slavery, and travelers should avoid participating in it.”</p> <p>Another issue is allowing travelers access to children, unchecked, which raises an important issue of child safety; not everyone visiting orphanages has the children’s best interests at heart. “It’s crazy when you think that orphanages are allowing foreign, unskilled and transient strangers intimate access to children,” says Liz Manning, Intrepid Travel’s Responsible Business Manager. “It’s a major child protection risk.”</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/make-a-difference/index-responsible-travel/people/orphanage-tourism-in-article-image.jpeg " alt="Mother from Samburu tribe, East Africa, kissing her baby." /><figcaption>Kenya. Photo credit: Getty Images/Bartosz Hadyniak</figcaption></figure> <p>There is also the issue of the effect encounters with an ever-changing group of carers have on children. “The constant rotation of adults coming in and out of vulnerable children’s lives also creates attachment disorders,” says Manning, “the effects of which are lifelong and inter-generational.”</p> <p>While no doubt, a traveler who has signed up to help at an orphanage hopes they will offer a helpful extra pair of hands to benefit the day-to-day running of the place, in reality, this is often just a way of eliciting an emotional connection from volunteers who then feel compelled to donate. “This is what fuels the proliferation of orphanages,” says Manning, “and the need to fill them with children. Research has found 80 percent of orphans have at least one parent at home.”</p> <p>For orphanage owners and managers, this is how they make money, and while the volunteers might feel social gratification, the children almost certainly don’t. Children are not and never should be tourist attractions, and yet many orphanages are profiting from the good intentions of well-meaning volunteers. </p> <h2 id="help">How can travelers help in a different way?</h2> <p>While stopping orphanage tourism suddenly could have a hugely negative impact on the communities that are supported by the income, tourism operators could gradually phase out their support, to give communities a chance to find another way of funding themselves. This is where volunteers could be of great help. “Individuals who have relevant expertise, like a child protection background, or experience working with children who are or have been in residential care, can play an important role in supporting the organizations’ transition to better models of care,” says Manning. </p> <p>If communities can see a life without the need to put their children in care for financial gain, they are less likely to do it.</p> <h2 id="end">Ending the pattern and orphanage tourism alternatives</h2> <p>Orphanage care will only end if better models of care are developed and encouraged so that communities see the benefit of change.<br /><br />Instead of choosing to volunteer at an orphanage, research and support organizations that work to keep families together<g class="gr_ gr_316 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="316" data-gr-id="316">.</g></p> <ul> <li><g class="gr_ gr_316 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style replaceWithoutSep" id="316" data-gr-id="316">Trave</g>l to and support regions where local governments are trying to slow the growth of orphanage tourism by encouraging travelers not to include these activities in their itineraries.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Make a point of eating, shopping and buying tours and experiences from small family businesses so that putting their children into an orphanage does not become a financial imperative.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Research and donate to organizations that work to return children to their families or communities.</li> </ul> “<span><a href="https://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/forget-me-not?utm_source=worldnomads">Forget Me Not</a></span> is one example in Nepal,” says Manning, “which we support through our not-for-profit, <span><a href="https://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/?utm_source=worldnomads">The Intrepid Foundation</a></span>; we match all traveler donations dollar for dollar.”<br /> <p>We don’t want anyone to curb their strong desire to give back, but you can do more by helping organizations that provide support services to families in need, and, instead of orphanages, visit community-based social enterprises that provide skills training to young people and their caregivers. One great example is the network of restaurants and other businesses run by <span><a href="https://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/friends-international-building-futures?utm_source=worldnomads">Friends International</a></span> across Southeast Asia.</p> <p>Save The <g class="gr_ gr_84 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="84" data-gr-id="84">Children</g> is a member of Rethink Orphanages, which aims to prevent the institutionalization of children by shifting the way Australia engages with overseas aid and development. “It is staggering to think that around the world, there are up to eight million children living in institutions,” says Karen Flanagan AM, Save the Children’s Child Protection Technical Unit Manager, “despite the fact that approximately 80 percent of these children have family who could care for them if they had the right support.”</p> <p>When more of us are informed about the orphanage industry, we will help each child realize their right to grow up in a family or familiar community.</p>Getty Images/gawrav 0 Woman and children

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/is-dark-tourism-ever-okVisiting sites of inhumanity isn’t for everyone, so make sure you are comfortable with where you are going and why.2018-07-09T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/is-dark-tourism-ever-okhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Visiting sites of inhumanity can be a deeply moving and emotional experience, but while discovering what took place might make us uneasy, remembering what happened and why is essential.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#what">What Is Dark Tourism</a></li> <li><a href="#value">Is dark tourism ethical?</a></li> <li><a href="#positives">Why is dark tourism popular?<br /></a></li> <li><a href="#positives">Why is dark tourism controversial?</a></li> <li><a href="#before">What to Ask Yourself Before You Go</a></li> <li><a href="#behave">How to Behave</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="what">What is dark tourism?</h2> <p>When you visit a site such as Cape Town’s Robben Island, the Killing Fields of Cambodia, Hỏa Lò Prison in Hanoi, or Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam, you are engaging in dark tourism. And you’re not alone.</p> <p>According to the blog <a href="https://www.thecommonwanderer.com/">The Common Wanderer</a>, more than 23 million people have paid their respects at the 9/11 Memorial since it opened in 2011. In 2015, the Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration Camp accepted 1.53 million visitors, and Cambodia’s Killing Fields (Choeung Ek) drew more than 210,000 in 2014.</p> <p>And, this is not necessarily a new travel trend; Mark Twain wrote a chapter about Pompeii in his book <span><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3176/3176-h/3176-h.htm"><em>Innocents Abroad</em></a></span>, and within days of the end of the major US civil war battle of Gettysburg, the residents of the town had created a tourism industry around the still-smoking fields, which included tours and entertainment.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/make-a-difference/index-responsible-travel/participation/dark-tourism/dark-tourism-hanoi.jpeg " alt="Hao Lo Prison, Hanoi, Vietnam" /><figcaption><span>Hỏa Lò</span> Prison, Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo credit: Parinaz Bilimoria</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="value">Is dark tourism ethical?</h2> <p>The key to any visit to a dark tourism destination is intent – why do you want to visit? Hopefully, because of a desire to pay respects to the dead and to learn from what happened there. By avoiding these signposts of past wrongs, we can hopefully prevent them from being repeated.</p> <p>“We <em>should</em> be visiting these sites,” says travel writer Kendall Hill. “To remind us of the events that led up to, for example, the Holocaust, and how to prevent that from happening again. We can't be responsible custodians of the future without understanding our past. And one could argue, with the world now hostage to several despots, it's more important than ever to be armed with that knowledge and be vigilant. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.”</p> <h2 id="positives"><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW100308659 BCX0"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW100308659 BCX0">Why is dark tourism popular?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW100308659 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></h2> <p>“I think tourism is one of the strongest forces to help devastated communities earn income and get back on their feet,” says Hill. “Whether war zones or former pariah states that are now tourism hotspots.”</p> <p>Many countries have benefitted from tourism after trauma including Rwanda, Mozambique, and <a href="/explore/southeast-asia/cambodia">Cambodia</a>. When visiting <a href="/explore/europe/croatia/places-in-croatia-you-havent-heard-of">Croatia</a>, it’s hard to believe a civil war took place there just 20 years ago, so successful is its tourism industry.</p> <p>There are benefits for travelers, too. Visiting the sites of atrocities gives us more of an understanding than reading about it in a book ever could.</p> <p>“What I remember most about the time I spent in Warsaw's WWII-era Jewish ghetto,<span>”</span> says <em>National Geographic</em> writer Robert Reid, “is a fellow visitor, a white-haired man who, when I noticed the number tattooed on his arm, acknowledged my silent inquiry with a nod. The experience made history more real for me.”</p> <p>For travel editor, Sarah-Kate Lynch, one of the positives of dark tourism is being able to make a connection to the past, in particular during a visit to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp near Berlin. “Instagram wasn’t invented when I went,” she explains, “but this memorial is not a place to smile and take selfies. I found it moving and sad, and it made the horrific history of what happened, exactly where I was standing, mean something more to me. Understanding humanity, good or bad, is what travel is all about.” </p> <h2 id="positives"><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW100308659 BCX0"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW100308659 BCX0">Why is dark tourism<span> controversial</span>?</span></span></h2> <p>Despite the positives, there can be negative aspects of dark tourism, too. Avoid tourism sites being run purely for profit rather than to educate, or tour operators and museums that are insensitively sharing the view of both the victims and the perpetrators. If going on a guided tour, research ethical or non-profit tour companies, or those that give something back to the communities or the place you are visiting. Make sure the site is respectful to the people who lost their lives, and that visitors are encouraged to behave appropriately.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/make-a-difference/index-responsible-travel/participation/dark-tourism/dark-tourism-new-york.jpeg " alt="World Trade Center Memorial, New York, USA" /><figcaption>World Trade Center Memorial, New York, USA. Photo credit: Getty Images/Matthew T. Carrol</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="before">What to ask yourself before you go</h2> <p>Ask yourself why you want to visit a particular site; are you traveling to a place to heighten your understanding, or simply to show off or indulge some morbid curiosity?</p> <p>Do you want to gawp, or remember and build your understanding of what took place and why? What is your intent?</p> <p>Dark tourism isn’t for everyone, so make sure you are comfortable with where you are going.</p> <p>“If you’re worried about being upset or challenged by visiting something you’re not sure of,” says Lynch, “you might be better to stay away. But, if you’re curious enough to stretch the boundaries, research is key – when to go, who to go with, and how to behave when you get there are all things you should find out.”</p> <h2 id="behave">How to behave</h2> <p>Online photos on social media of a group of men on a stag weekend in New York holding an inflatable sex doll at the 9/11 Memorial sparked outrage, as have other images of people giving a thumbs-up with the gates of Auschwitz in the background<strong>. </strong></p> <p>Be mindful of what events took place at the site you are visiting – in many cases, you are effectively visiting a site of mass graves and murder.</p> <p>Think about how that makes you feel, and respond accordingly.</p> <p>Talk quietly or not at all.</p> <p>Ask staff if it’s ok to take photos, and only do so if it’s appropriate, and don’t use big flashes or noisy recording equipment. Only photograph people if you have <a href="/create/learn/photography/photo-etiquette-in-nepal-travel-tips">asked permission</a> first.</p>Getty Images/SPC#JAYJAY 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-ethical-traveler-s-guide-to-souvenir-shoppingWhat can you do to be a conscious consumer? Find out how to support the local economy and stay away from cheap imports.2018-06-14T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-ethical-traveler-s-guide-to-souvenir-shoppinghttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>There is nothing wrong with wanting a keepsake of a trip away, but before you add to your luggage allowance, think about what you are buying, where and why, and whether you have considered the supply chain and ethics of your purchase. Here are some tips to remember in order to become conscious consumers.</p> <ul> <li><span><a href="#industry">The Souvenir Industry</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="#supply">What Comes First, Supply or Demand</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="#support">Supporting Local Economy vs. Made Abroad</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="#avoid">Souvenirs to Avoid</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="#ethical">How to Be an Ethical Shopper</a></span></li> </ul> <h2 id="industry">The souvenir industry</h2> <p>The global souvenir business is worth billions of dollars and often provides vital income to the people who need it most, but in a largely unregulated industry, it’s almost impossible to stop the flood of cheap imports that take business away from genuine local craftspeople.</p> <p>As conscious consumers, it’s important we think about buying souvenirs more as a way to support and learn about communities we visit than about the new object soon to grace our mantelpiece.</p> <p>“Souvenir shopping can be as much about obtaining an item you want,” says Dave, from the travel blog <span><a href="https://www.thelongestwayhome.com/" target="_blank">The Longest Way Home</a></span>, “as it can be about gaining cultural insight, interacting and helping local people.”</p> <h2 id="supply">What comes first, supply or demand?</h2> <p>In an ideal world, demand from travelers wanting to support the communities while getting a memento of their trip should be the start of the supply train, and that’s often the case. However, with many shops and markets flooded with ubiquitous souvenirs that can be found anywhere in the world, supply often wins out. The result can be very little choice of genuine and unique souvenirs for travelers and a loss of income for those who are crafting culturally appropriate souvenirs locally.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/make-a-difference/index-responsible-travel/participation/guide-to-ethical-souvenirs/ethical-guide-to-souvenir-shopping-in-article1.jpeg " alt=". Chiang Mai, Thailand" /><figcaption>Chiang Mai Night Market, Thailand. Photo credit: iStock.com/talkrixel</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="support">Supporting local economy vs. made abroad</h2> <p>Always try and support local producers, makers and artisans. This way, you are giving back to the community that is supporting you on your travels, and you will meet fascinating people and have more interesting stories to tell.</p> <p>“Our advice on shopping is always pretty much the same,” says Tony Carne from <span><a href="https://www.urbanadventures.com/" target="_blank">Urban Adventures</a></span>. “Try to get as close to the source of production as you can, and you’ve got the chance to engage with artisans. It is through shopping that you, as a traveler can directly affect a positive, responsible tourism outcome.” </p> <p>For some travelers, haggling and bartering might be unfamiliar, however, in many countries haggling is commonplace and expected. Bartering can help you understand a community and culture. Plus, you’ll have fun.   </p> <p>“Know and understand the culture you are haggling and bartering in before you try!” says Dave. “Some cultures are aggressive, others not so. Smiling and keeping the whole process light-hearted is probably the best advice.”</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/make-a-difference/index-responsible-travel/participation/guide-to-ethical-souvenirs/ethical-guide-to-souvenir-shopping-in-article.jpeg" alt="Selling bananas at the Bac Ha Market " /><figcaption>Bac Ha Market, <a href="/explore/southeast-asia/vietnam/trailblazing-education-through-tourism-in-sapa-vietnam">Sapa, Vietnam</a>. Photo credit: Brian Rapsey</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="avoid">Souvenirs to avoid</h2> <p>There are obvious no-no’s here. Avoid animal products. Purchasing products such as ivory or tiger parts used in Chinese medicine; could be supporting poachers and endangering rare species.</p> <p>“Tortoiseshell is the original plastic,” says Brad Nahill from <span><a href="https://www.seeturtles.org/" target="_blank">SEE Turtles</a></span>. “Its beauty and ability to mold into different shapes made it a popular and useful product for hundreds of years before plastic was invented. However, this material comes from the shell of the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle, and these turtles are still hunted for their shells despite being illegal to sell, buy, or transport in most countries. Travelers who buy these products are not only contributing to the extinction of an animal that is vitally important for coral reefs, they also put themselves at risk of fines or jail time.”</p> <p>Never take things from monuments such as the Berlin Wall, ancient ruins, or places with deep cultural or religious significance.</p> <p>“Aside from damaging local facilities,” says Dave, “local laws will often be in place to forbid this. Furthermore, customs agencies are likely to stop you too.”</p> <p>Ask questions to make sure what you are buying isn’t stolen especially if the seller is claiming the item has historical or cultural significance. </p> <p>“Enquire about the origin of what you are buying,” says <span><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/" target="_blank">World Expeditions</a></span>’ Donna Lawrence. “Go so far as to insist that the item you are purchasing has a documented and legal history. Resist the temptation to buy counterfeit because usually, behind the scenes, there are criminal interests.”</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/make-a-difference/index-responsible-travel/participation/guide-to-ethical-souvenirs/ethical-guide-to-souvenir-shopping-in-article3.jpeg " alt="2 local women selling colorful fabric. Chichicastenango, Guatemala" /><figcaption>Chichicastenango, Guatemala. Photo credit: iStock.com/VisualCommunications</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="ethical">How to be an ethical shopper</h2> <p>Buy locally; buy directly from the maker if possible, and ask questions about how the item is made and where the components come from.</p> <p>“It’s really the only way to be certain that the locals are receiving a fair price for their work,” says Jennine Cohen from <span><a href="https://www.geoex.com/" target="_blank">Geographic Expeditions</a></span>,  “some weavings in Latin America, for example, take weeks or even months to make. Many artisans are proud of their wares and like to imagine their products finding a good home. If you can get the story directly from the artisan, the object comes to life with its story.”</p> <p>Beware of shops that buy direct from the makers but on-sell the item to you for several times more than they paid; ask questions and be curious.</p> <p>“In the end,” continues Cohen, “your best guide really is your intuition about the shop owner and their intentions and trustworthiness with the products they are selling. Some shop owners truly desire to help local communities, while others are just looking to make a buck. If you pay attention, you can usually tell the difference.”</p> <p>Perhaps we should ask if we need to buy souvenirs at all?</p> <p>“<a href="/explore/worldwide/whats-in-my-pack-travelers-reveal-their-backpacking-essentials">Backpacking</a> teaches us that we need very little in the way of material goods to be happy,” says Nikki Scott from <a href="https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/" target="_blank">South East Asia Backpacker</a>. “Why not buy a delicious mango, eat it and rejoice in nature!” Your stories are the best souvenirs, and you can take a photo for good measure.</p>iStock.com/xavierarnau 0 A traditional souk

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/northern-europe/norway/is-norway-safe-scams-and-safety-tipsNorway is a very safe place for travelers, but here are a few tips to keep you safe while exploring the wilderness and streets of Norway's cities.2021-04-30T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/northern-europe/norway/is-norway-safe-scams-and-safety-tipshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Overall, Norway is a very safe country, with very low levels of crime, and the vast majority of visitors to Norway have a problem-free stay. Like in most countries, the usual common-sense measures to protect yourself from crime in and around transport hubs, tourist attractions and when out at night. Theft of credit cards, passports and other valuables can occur in Norway, and is most probably fuelled by drug-related criminal activity. Most crimes reported to police are theft-related, mostly centered around transport services and the inner city areas, so be aware of your surroundings and belongings when in these areas.</p> <h2>Crime in Norway</h2> <p>Gun crime is increasing in Norway, but relatively rare. This is particularly problematic in Eastern Oslo and run-down areas where gang and drug-related crime is prevalent. Rape is another problem in Eastern Oslo, and women should avoid walking through these areas alone and particularly at night. The US Department of State reports that sexual assault crime increased in 2016, mostly large assault cases with many victims.</p> <p>Visitors should avoid buying bootleg goods in Norway, as there are strict restrictions on counterfeit and pirated material. If you buy something you could find yourself on the wrong side of the law in Norway very quickly.</p> <h2>Extreme weather</h2> <p>Norway can experience extreme weather such as strong winds, snowstorms, avalanches and occasional earthquakes, which may cause floods, tsunamis or landslides. Always listen to local advice in an emergency. Note that certain attractions or hiking routes may be closed at certain times of the year due to extreme weather. It's a good idea to travel with a range of clothing for all weather variants as the weather can change quickly, even in summer.</p> <h2>Road safety</h2> <p>Pedestrians and cyclists on Norwegian roads are respected and will expect you to slow down and stop for them. Norwegians drive on the right. Despite its apparent size, Norway is a long country that would take around 40 hours to drive from end to end. Distances can be deceptive and Norway has many long and winding roads which may be dangerous or even impassable during the winter months. Always use snow chains when driving in snow, or winter tires fitted on all wheels with a tread depth of 3mm. Find out more at the<a href="https://www.vegvesen.no/en/"> State Highways website</a>.<br /><br />Seat belts are mandatory, drive with headlights on, don't speed and be aware that when driving on roads that do not have a yellow diamond priority sign, you must give way to the right.<br /><br />Rules around drink-driving are very strict and there are regular roadside checks. penalties are severe and can include imprisonment. </p> <h2>Adventure and Arctic travel in Norway</h2> <p>The terrain of Norway lends itself to lots of adventure activities including hiking, skiing and glacier walking.  Only partake in any of these and other adventure activities if you are fit and well and have the proper training or guides. the archipelago of Svalbard (in the Barents Sea off the coast of Norway near Greenland) is home to polar bears that have injured and killed travelers. Avalanches and glacier accidents can also occur here.<br /><br />The most northern area of Norway sits in the Arctic Circle. This is a vast, remote area some distance from help should you become unwell or injured. Always check weather and travel factors and make sure you have safety precautions in hand before visiting.</p>Getty Images/Tatsiana Volskaya 11012060596 Getty Images Reine, Moskenes, Lofoten Islands, Norway