In our journey towards a more sustainable world, “impact travel” solutions can provide travellers with experiences that positively mark the destinations they visit.
However, there are a few considerations that are crucial to a major breakthrough in impact travel:
1. The paradox that “going mainstream” is not sustainable by its very nature (e.g. mass tourism)
2. Protecting the authentic essence and brand value of “impact travel” so it doesn’t become another marketing tagline
3. Moving beyond simple KPIs to ensure we make a measurable, positive change in the real lives of people
Do you think "impact travel" is feasible for the tourism industry to achieve at a wider scale? What other challenges does impact travel face to become a significant force and transform people's lives and society? Appreciate your feedback!
PS: If you are interested in this topic, we invite you to join the TravaPowa impact travel community (follow the links in my profile).
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Comments
So inpired by the work Dani & Evan are doing which is documented on this interesting YouTube channel called "BENTON HOMESTEAD". Dani and Evan are a young American couple who moved to the beautiful island of Omishima in the middle of Japan- not far from the famous Shimanami-Kaido cycling route.
They came to Japan on a (new) startup visa program with a plan to renovate old houses into guest houses (decorated with many of the salvaged antiques found in the houses) and reuse abandoned farmland into bee farms, as well as fields to grow organic vegetables and peppers.
As well as beekeepers, artists and talented renovators they are also picklers and have started selling their honey, vegetables as well as starting to create pickles to sell. They document their projects so well on the channel and have helped many other people navigate the tricky paperwork to find nearby abandoned properties for them to move into as well.
If you are thinking of traveling to lesser known, off-the-beaten track destinations in Japan - the area where Dani and Evan are set up is a great area to explore and meet interesting local people, do some cycling along the beautiful coast, see great scenic views as well as visit interesting temples, shops and eateries.
Here's a video of the house when they initially purchased it.
I also had the chance to visit their guest house and do a walk through tour:
Very interesting conversation! Thanks for sharing.
thanks for watching and commenting Scott- glad you enjoyed it, Dani & Evan are doing great things!