Past Clinton School speaker Kevin Salwen, co-author with his daughter, Hannah, of “The Power of Half: One Family’s Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back,” has written an Op-Ed in the New York Times about responsible tourism.
In it, Salwen lays out some guidelines he’s developed for people who want to make responsible decisions to help others when they are traveling in other parts of the world. Here’s an excerpt:
The idea of “responsible tourism” has taken hold in recent years, largely in the guise of eco-travel, in which environmental factors become central. But one stumbles into many other ethical issues when traveling. One of the most unavoidable — especially when in the developing world — is how to help. Some groups are making this easier, notes Martha Honey, executive director of the Center for Responsible Travel in Washington. Many tour operators and hotels help travelers work with charities that improve life in local communities, connecting them with orphanages, farms or schools.
Other companies focus more on education and raising funds. Lindblad Expeditions, for example, which operates cruises to eco-sensitive destinations, has raised over $6.3 million for environmental partners like Galápagos National Park by soliciting passengers during trips (and offering credits for future travel). And a British nonprofit, TravelPledge.org, allows users to donate money to nonprofit organizations in the areas they have visited.
But what if you travel on your own? Are there ways to make your spending matter? How much should we tip the bellhop? How aggressively to bargain? When to give to panhandlers?
Salwen and his daughter Hannah discussed their book at the Clinton School in April of last year. Prodded by Hannah, the Salwens sold their 6,500 square-foot Atlanta home and donated more than $800,000 to aid two dozen impoverished villages in Ghana. Click here to watch their Clinton School lecture.