What is it about traveling that brings out the best in some and the worst in others? I'm not entirely sure but I've observed that the happiest, most relaxed of my guests (whether at the hotel or on a cruise ship) are those who come with the desire to immerse themselves in the experience. In most cases, these are the very same guests who have done research about our surroundings and our culture so that they are not surprised and they understand our basic customs and even our economies, just as we (the hosts if you will) have studied theirs. The result is mutual respect and the willingness and ability to learn from one another, enhancing everyone's time and experience. This, combined with a commitment to the environment and conservation, is central to the concept known as "ethical travel."
Anais Nin is credited with saying,
“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other
souls.” Responsible travelers not only seek, but touch, others in a conscious
and special way. They leave behind a special footprint, not one that harms or
impacts the environment, but one that leaves a lasting and positive impression on
those around them.
