If we, the “Local Travel” lobby want to make a real difference in the way people travel then it will not be achieved by trying to convert ourselves in perpetuity in these travel blogs.
Confined space / Flickr photo by Kurt Eckhardt
Be heard, be active, take the argument where it makes a difference
Let’s face it, who else reads these but the same people that are already traveling local?… We are preaching to the converted, ourselves.
We are not initiating real change, we are reassuring each other that we are doing the right thing. Good for us! But 95% of the world still “Holidays” oblivious of all our efforts. Our approach is as effective as advertising in a vacuum…
If you really want to influence the way the world travels then go where you can make the greatest noise (take a page from the Greenpeace book). Be heard, be active, take the argument (preferably in a non confrontational manner) where it makes a difference… in the middle of the “Holidayers camp” so to speak.
Most people discussing “Holidays” are found on Tripadvisor
Forget Lonely Planet (LP), the “Holiday” person sees LP as strictly backpacker. Register with Tripadvisor and start answering questions in the Forum, offer alternative solutions to people coming to your destination (or others you know well) other than the ones offered by other “Holidayers” in the Forum. Provide practical solutions (advice to questions that are in tune with our “Local Travel” values.
Talk to people still hooked on “things” rather than “experiences”
I have been doing this (under a non de plume) and it is very successful for my destination Vanuatu. Just imagine the change in global tourism if we all started to really talk to people that are still hooked on “things” rather than “experiences”? Now that would be progress, not self endorsement!
LOL you are a real revolutionary! I have the same impression. We often preach to the choir! I also totally agree on the importance of participating in forums.
You talk a lot of sense here John. Good piece.
Great post – - the internets really allows people with similar thoughts to easily come together and mutually endorse and build off each other’s ideas, but the problem is that people rarely bother to step out of their comfort zones to influence other people in their domains or to hear these other opinions. Love how you’ve encouraged this in this article, and I think it’ll make a big difference in making the local travel movement — or indeed any movement — more influential. Great insight in this post! Certainly takes some experience to know the characteristics of different forums well too.
Thanks for your comments Wanderfly. Will be keeping an eye out for your launch. Sounds interesting.
Fair play Jon, you are spot on, (you too Wanderfly). Have had the same thoughts since we started. The same argument can be applied to ‘responsible travel’ or whatever you want to call genuine eco tourism. Most people don’t want a lecture or a guilt trip, they want a holiday, an escape. The challenge now is to compete on the mainstream selling points that exist for a reason, using the enhanced experiences local travel offers to set you apart, rather than selling local travel or responsible travel per say.
Yes we have to be heard in the real world.
As well as Tripadvisor (travellers domain) join Travelmole (policy makers domain), create a profile and write in. It is a very influencial & authoritative forum in the tourism world.
I have been commenting in this forum for a number of years now on issues that I am passionate about, join me
See:
http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1143307.php http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1143306.php
Have found Valere Tjolle (Travelmole’s editor of Sustainable issues) to be a positive force in the cause, give him support, he is in the right place.
Cheers,
John