Responsible tourism has generally had an uneasy relationship with technological development, which is often seen as disempowering and detaching us from the world around. However if – and it is still a big early days if – the likes of blockchain and the growing ‘reputation economy’ deliver on the promises they are making – it may one day become its new best friend.
Tightly integrated, multi-billion dollar global enterprises mix with weak local institutions populated by local officials, some corrupt, vying for more investment to create a toxic cocktail with diminished social benefits as the hangover.
As travelers, we have a choice. We can go with international brands and companies or we can purposely chose to support local and use our money wisely to promote sustainable tourism.
Two-way storytelling helps remove preconceptions and stereotypes by breaking down barriers on both sides of a conversation, not just for the traveller.
