The world is changing, and the way that we travel is no exception. The rise of social media has given us unprecedented access to other cultures and lifestyles. At the same time, we've seen a backlash against tourism as people increasingly understand how their actions impact those around them. With all these factors at play, it's more important than ever for travelers to be thoughtful about how they interact with their destinations. Below are ten ways you can be a transformative traveler when you're on your next trip:

1. Be an authentic Traveler, not a tourist.

A traveler is someone who has learned to think like a local, speak the language and feel comfortable in foreign surroundings. A tourist is someone who stays in hotels and visits sites with other tourists who speak their own language.

Travel with an open mind: Don't let fear dictate your travel plans! If you don't want to do something because it's "weird" or "different", that's probably exactly what you should do.

2. Stay in a local residence or locally owned hotel

• Stay in a local residence or locally owned hotel.
• Stay in a place that is not owned by a big chain, but rather by a local person or family.
• Stay in bed and breakfasts, where you can really get to know your hosts' stories and experiences.
• Stay in hostels, which will give you the opportunity to meet other like-minded travelers from around the world—and learn about their cultures!
• Eco-friendly hotels are another option that gives travelers an opportunity to learn more about what makes eco-friendly hotels unique and different from other types of hotels.
• And finally, if none of these options work out for you (or if they do!), consider finding guest houses instead—they have tons of benefits too!

3. Read up on the history of the country you are visiting

Reading up on the history of the country you are visiting is a great way to get an understanding of why things are the way they are today. History isn’t just about dates and events, but also about people and their lives. By understanding what happened prior to your visit, you can spot patterns in history that have led to current problems or identify historical figures whose actions may have influenced current events.

For example, when I was traveling through India earlier this year, I learned about Gandhi’s role in securing independence from Britain for his countrymen in 1947. This knowledge helped me understand why there were so many statues around town depicting him as he stood with folded hands and peaceful eyes—and why it is still considered rude to touch someone else’s head (a gesture that would be disrespectful toward him).

4. Write something about your experience

The best way to take advantage of the transformative power of travel is to share it with others in a way that helps them see things differently. The world is full of people who are living their lives exactly as you used to live yours, and they need inspiration from somewhere. Write down your thoughts and feelings from each place you visit, whether it be through blogging, journaling or photography. You may even want to consider doing this while you’re still in the moment—if so, make sure not to leave out anything important! Your memories will be more valuable if they come straight from your heart instead of being filtered through time and distance."

5. Don't go to places that exploit animals for entertainment

Animals are not for us to use for entertainment or food. If you get into a situation where an animal is being exploited for profit, speak up! Speak up loudly and let the people running the show know that you do not support it.

‍

‍

6. Volunteer in a local sustainable project

If you want to be a transformative traveler, you need to do more than just learn about the culture and history of your destination. You also need to contribute back by volunteering in your community. This is how we can ensure that tourism is not an industry that exploits locals but rather one that works alongside them.

• Volunteer at a local school or community center
• Volunteer at a local farm or garden
• Volunteer at a local animal shelter
• Volunteer at a local art studio
• Volunteer at a local homeless shelter (or any other kind of social service)

7. Avoid all-inclusive resorts and mega cruise ships

If you’re the type of person who wants to spend your vacation in a bubble, then all-inclusive resorts and mega cruise ships are for you. But for people who want to be transformative travelers (i.e., all other people), this is not the ideal way to travel.

Here's why: All-inclusive resorts and mega cruise ships negatively impact the local economy, environment and culture of any country they visit. Here's how:

• All-inclusive resorts don't support local businesses because they provide everything right there on site – food, entertainment, even sometimes lodging – with no need for anything else outside those walls. This means that tourists don't need to venture out into town or even explore their own resort when they're done relaxing by the poolside bar or spa treatment center or whatever it is they were doing while staying at an all-inclusive resort instead of exploring their destination like real adults with functioning limbs should be doing instead of sitting around playing cards like retirees do when they go on cruises (more on this later).
• Mega cruise ships contribute significantly more pollution than small boats due to their size alone; however, mega cruise companies also have another big environmental impact: waste management practices that use chemicals harmful for marine life such as bleach and detergent instead of biodegradable soaps/etc., which can kill fish if dumped overboard from these large vessels during cleaning processes (a problem we've seen first hand while sailing through Alaska). Additionally, some companies dump sewage directly into waterways where humans swim after eating fish caught directly off those same beaches...meaning contaminated water could lead back up through your vegetables later! Yuck!

8. Go to small towns and villages outside of major cities

You'll learn more about the local culture if you visit small towns and villages outside of major cities. You'll see how people live their daily lives, what makes a place unique and experience the culture of a place that might not be so accessible if you're just visiting an urban center.

Doing this will also help you understand the history of your destination better because these places often hold important cultural events or relics from past times.

9. Eat foods that are produced locally as much as possible, such as food from farmers markets, restaurants with locally sourced menus, or food trucks serving traditional dishes.

Eat foods that are produced locally as much as possible, such as food from farmers markets, restaurants with locally sourced menus, or food trucks serving traditional dishes.

‍

‍

10. Good travelers always take into account how their actions impact the place they visit

Want to be the most transformative traveler on Earth? Here’s what you have to do:

• Be a good citizen
• Be a good guest
• Be a good neighbor

Conclusion

This list is not exhaustive, but it should give you a good idea of how to transform yourself from just another tourist into a more thoughtful traveler who cares about the people and places visited.