To Travel is a Privilege and a Responsibility!

“To travel is a privilege,” said Colin in Bridgerton Season 3. Yes, I've also been swept up in the Bridgerton madness. But this isn't about the series. It's about the profound truth in Colin's words. In the show, Colin, with his family's support, embarks on years of solo travel. He shares this wisdom with Ms. Cowper, who is scorned by her family for failing to secure a marriage and seen as a burden by her father, who wants to marry her off to an elderly man. She longs to escape and see the world, but societal norms deem it unfit for young women to wander.

This scene made me realise how much travelling can empower someone. It reminded me of my first solo trip from Bangalore to Chennai, and then to places like Kochi, Udupi, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Gaya, Patna, Himachal Pradesh, Kolkata, Pushkar, and many more. Travelling solo boosted my confidence, shed my inhibitions, and taught me about the world through real interactions.

However, travel today has lost some of its essence. Social media buzzes with endless holiday lists and travel packages. Mass tourism dominates, with everyone eager to share the next hidden gem, making it not so hidden. Every second person is a travel influencer, and while it's inspiring to see diverse groups travelling and embracing cultures, the beauty of travel feels diminished. It often seems like people travel just to check items off a list, take photos for Instagram and adhering strictly to itineraries.

What we need is a shift towards mindful travel—travel that is sustainable in its approach and promotes responsible tourism. To truly immerse in the places one visits, leave a part of your old self behind and step into the world of those you visit, respecting their culture and local traditions, and most importanly- NOT LITTER.

Today, the world is witnessing anti-tourism protests in Spain, where locals demand tourists leave due to disruptions in daily life and rising rental costs. In Japan, concerns have been raised about tourists ignoring traffic rules and misbehaving. Popular spots like Mt. Fuji face ecological distress due to mass tourism. Venice has become the first city to charge a 5 Euro fee for day-trippers to curb overtourism, aiming to make the city more livable for residents. Austria's Hallstatt protests against mass tourism, and Greece plans to limit the number of tourists visiting the Acropolis. Closer home, we see traffic jams on roads leading to Himachal Pradesh, and viral videos show trekkers in long queues to scale Mt. Everest.

These instances highlight the need to rethink our approach to travel. It's time to step back and travel more mindfully. Travel, but responsibly.

Reflecting on these issues, I am reminded of my work with the Recity Network team. We focused on social and behavioural change interventions to promote waste management practices in tourist cities across the country. We leveraged underutilised public spaces and transformed them into creative hubs to showcase messages promoting responsible tourism. Using an arts-based approach, we placed recycled plastic benches and litter bins to ensure proper waste disposal. We collaborated with artists to create wall art that promoted positive waste management behaviour targeting tourists. Additionally, we transformed a park into an upcycled playscape for the residents.

In closing, sharing one of my favourite photos from Udupi: solo, happy, on a clean beach and travelling responsibly, always!