Ethical Traveler

02/09/2026

Dear Ethical Travelers,

On August 26, devastating flash floods swept through northern Nepal, destroying homes, roads, bridges and essential infrastructure. Entire communities have been affected, thousands of people have been displaced, and search-and-rescue efforts remain underway.

Nepal has long held a special place in Ethical Traveler’s story. Our founder and Executive Director, Jeff Greenwald, first visited the country more than four decades ago and has returned many times since.

In his latest Substack article, “Wake of the Flood,” Jeff reflects on the places and people affected by this disaster—and the painful reality of watching a country so close to his heart endure such profound loss.

For those wishing to help, financial contributions through established relief organisations are one of the most effective ways to support locally coordinated emergency efforts:

Support the Nepal Red Cross response
Support UNICEF’s emergency response for children and families
Donate to the Government of Nepal’s official Disaster Relief Fund

Please donate only through verified organisations and official fundraising pages. Even a small contribution can help provide food, clean water, emergency shelter, medical assistance and other essential support.
Our thoughts are with everyone who has lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods, as well as the local responders and community members working under extraordinarily difficult conditions.

With solidarity,
The Ethical Traveler Team

Special Bulletin: The Flooding in Nepal

02/09/2026

Perhaps the most meaningful journeys are not those that confirm who we are, but those that leave us questioning what we thought we knew.

📷 Robert Holmes

18/08/2026

Travel has a way of stripping away the familiar.

Without our usual routines, surroundings and certainties, we are invited to pay closer attention—not only to the world around us, but to ourselves within it.

03/08/2026

Whether you realise it or not, every time you travel, you become an accidental ambassador. 🌍

The way you act can shape how others see travellers from your country.

Our 13 tips offer practical ways to travel respectfully, avoid common mistakes and leave a positive mark on the places you visit—just as they leave a mark on you.

27/07/2026

It's easy to come home with photos.

It's much harder—and far more valuable—to come home with changed assumptions.

The best journeys challenge us to listen more, judge less, and see the world through someone else's eyes.

21/07/2026

We were privileged to attend the Regenerative Travel Asia Symposium in Singapore.

For years, the tourism industry has focused on becoming more sustainable. But as the climate crisis intensifies and destinations face growing environmental and social pressures, an important question is emerging:

Is minimising harm enough? What if the travel and tourism industry could actively restore ecosystems, strengthen local communities, and rebuild our relationship with the natural world?

The symposium explored regenerative tourism from the vision behind the movement to what it looks like in practice. Discussions ranged from the growing role of wellness tourism in today's travel landscape to environmental restoration, community-led tourism, and collaborative decision-making with host communities.

We heard from leaders already implementing regenerative practices, while also acknowledging how far the wider industry still has to go.

Inspired by these conversations, here is an article exploring the shift from consumption to connection to contribution, and why regeneration should be more than the industry's next buzzword. It also explores some of the harder questions around true collaboration, accessibility, transparency, the accountability and commitment of hoteliers, hospitality and tourism operators, as well as the role travellers can play in shaping a more regenerative future.

Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gBvaUvKt

16/07/2026

When does cultural exchange become content?

We sat down with Anniina Sandberg, founder and CEO of Visit Natives, to discuss Indigenous-led tourism, the impact of social media on travel, and why meaningful cultural exchange requires more than just a quick stop and a photo.

With more than two decades of experience working alongside Indigenous communities around the world, Anniina shares her perspective on ethical tourism, consent, representation, and the responsibility we all have—travellers and the tourism industry alike—to protect the rights, dignity, and autonomy of the communities we visit.

🎥 Watch this excerpt, then head to our YouTube channel for the full conversation. https://youtu.be/u7dBd_OmV5k?si=q1oZnsglR9IHLd4c

10/07/2026

Where is the line between meaningful cultural exchange and turning people into tourism products or social media content?

Ethical Traveler spoke with Anniina Sandberg, founder and CEO of Visit Natives, about Indigenous-led tourism, social media, consent, and responsible cultural exchange.

"When we talk about sustainable tourism, we have focused on environmental issues and social issues, but we rarely talk about the impact of social media."

Anniina believes the tourism industry has a responsibility to create stronger safeguards and educate travellers on how to engage in ways that protect the rights, dignity, and autonomy of Indigenous communities.

Because ethical travel is not about simply visiting, capturing, and leaving — it is about respect, reciprocity, and genuine human connection.

Read the full article here.
https://ethicaltraveler.org/2026/07/the-ethical-tourism-conversation-were-not-having-social-media-and-meaningful-cultural-exchange/

See the full interview here
https://youtu.be/u7dBd_OmV5k

17/06/2026

Some journeys aren't about finding a place on a map. They're about discovering new perspectives, challenging old assumptions, and reconnecting with what matters most.

The most meaningful experiences often happen when we step away from the itinerary and open ourselves to the people, cultures, and places we encounter along the way.