Recently I have been thinking a lot about how travel is one of the greatest gateways to serendipity. A chance encounter with the unexpected, a window into the joy of the unplanned.
Now, I realise that ‘things not going to plan’ doesn’t necessarily sound like something to look forward to, but in my experience, when we leave space for those unplanned moments during our travels they can become moments of pure happiness, a space to embrace the new world around us and, on occasion, when we’re really lucky, life affirming.
It won’t surprise you to hear that I’m not thinking of the pre-packaged, over-prescribed kind of trips here. In our journeys, it’s not about meticulously planned itineraries or scripted experiences. It’s about the spontaneous connections with local communities, and the flavours that tantalise our taste buds. Those moments are the part of travel we love most; they’re what we do.
And the best bit? The qualities that make this kind of travel so special for the traveller are also what make it the most enriching path for everyone else involved, from the communities benefiting from our travel spend, to spreading visitor footfall over a wider range of sights, to ensuring that the environment is better protected by treading lightly. Life-changing journeys and responsible travel go hand in hand…
It’s about momentum, not perfection.
Things are changing, for the better. And it’s not just us who see it this way, by collaborating with our local partners and other key travel allies alike, we’re shaping an industry where responsibility is the norm, not the exception.
Read the full article on Selective Asia’s website to learn more about how we, and others across the industry, are reimagining the role that responsible travel will play in your next journey.