Four Habits of a Mindful Traveler
(That Just May Create a Better Travel Experience)
Once upon a time, every hole in my calendar was simply an opportunity to travel somewhere new and pack my schedule with things to do. But over the past several years, as my work in responsible tourism and understanding of tourism’s role in society has evolved, so has my travel style.
Today, when I look at that blank spot on the calendar, it’s far more than a chance to pull out the bucket list. It’s an opportunity to put into practice those actions that can turn tourism into a tool that holistically supports communities, surfaces new narratives, and financially benefits a wider net of people without being a burden. Here are a few of the go-to travel planning strategies I use now – which you can put into practice too.
1. GO AGAINST THE FLOW BY CONSIDERING DESTINATION NEEDS AND SEASONALITY
Before booking any travel, I research whether destinations want travelers, when, and under what conditions. High season, especially in popular places, has become unbearable not only for travelers but especially for residents. Instead, I go all in on the off-season: The streets of Venice and Dubrovnik were essentially empty the first few days of the new year when I visited. Some sites don’t run at peak capacity, but I’m more than happy to support open local businesses – plus everyone is so much more relaxed.
I also have my eye on severe weather events and global issues. I don’t want to place strain on local resources, so I avoid, for example, California during its “fire season.” I consider which places are overly eager for visitors: I’m seriously considering booking a trip to Jordan in the coming months because its tourism industry has taken a hard hit with the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
2. FIND – AND SUPPORT – THE CHANGEMAKERS
Travelers are exposed to the places and activities created for them, or that it is presumed they have an interest in. While I still have those on my radar, I’m particularly interested in finding and supporting social impact projects, community initiatives, and innovative people prioritizing sustainability and locally based solutions. Sometimes these specifically bump up against tourism, especially for those experiences falling under the “community tourism” umbrella, but often they’re simply where I find engaged residents.
To do this, once I’ve decided where I’m traveling, I look for any local “weeklies” or information sites that inform residents of issues, events, and gatherings. I also do an online search with words like “social business” or “community project” and the name of the destination, and I always have an eye open for notices posted in public community spaces like cafes and parks. This is how, on a recent trip through Vienna, I discovered the Klima Biennale Wien, a two-month-long art festival focused on the climate.
3. LEARN FROM DOING
I can’t cook and I don’t know how to weave – but I’ve done both while traveling! I don’t mind the occasional museum or experience where there’s a heavy dose of one-way communication, but I much prefer doing something as a way of learning: In rural Nepal, I learned how to make momos from my community homestay host. In London, I got to try my hand as a street artist. And in the Faroe Islands, I worked on a trail restoration project.
I’ve found that hands-on activities like these are not only a fun way to learn a new skill, but they also directly financially support the people and organizations facilitating the experiences. Additionally, they tend to be a comfortable icebreaker for connecting with other people. This is a great opportunity to ask about cultural traditions and day-to-day life, but I always keep in mind that I’m still a visitor and no one owes me their life story.
4. DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING, APPRECIATION, AND CONNECTION BY VISITING AGAIN
I still love visiting new places and the overwhelming sensations that come with being surrounded by something completely unfamiliar. However, I increasingly find myself drawn back to places I’ve visited before.
Many travelers feel like they have to “do it all” because they’re so eager to keep moving forward, but when I know I can come back, I intentionally slow down. By intentionally slowing down, I find myself wandering down unusual streets, stopping at shops that catch my attention, and observing things I would have missed if I was in a rush.
Visiting the same place during different seasons offers entirely different experiences, and participating in different kinds of activities also surfaces the multi-faceted face of a place while spreading economic resources into different pockets of a community. For example, I love to hike in rural Slovenia, but on my last visit, I ate ice cream cones while engrossed by a water volleyball tournament taking place in downtown Ljubljana.
So, what will my next journey take me? It’s hard to say at the moment, but I’m mulling over my options while being very aware that my decisions as a traveler matter. Being a more mindful traveler sometimes requires an unconventional approach, but it turns out, I’m also much more invested, interested, and appreciative of these trips when I make them with intention.
JoAnna Haugen is a speaker, consultant, and founder of Rooted Storytelling.