Can we make better travel decisions—and inspire readers to do the same?

I have always loved to explore new places. As a kid, my family went on camping trips and epic road trips across the American Southwest. Starting in college, when my finances would allow it, I started to travel more broadly, stamping my passport at destinations around the world throughout my 20s.

Along the way, I did some travel writing. At first, the purpose of these articles was to record my experiences. Memory is fleeting and I knew I needed to write down as much as I could to preserve the highlights of the adventure I’d just returned from. Over time, I realized that other people were interested in learning from my experiences and that I had something to offer. So, I endeavored to pen a travelogue for every vacation I went on—especially locations off the beaten path.

Over time, I gradually became aware of some of the ethical dilemmas that plague the modern travel industry. By now, you’ve probably heard about how tourists are trampling wilderness areas and how short-term rentals are displacing families in favor of catering to travelers looking for a convenient home base. Hospitality workers being exploited and underpaid. The immense carbon footprint of travel by car or plane. The list goes on and on.

When so much of travel gets boiled down to selfies and viral moments on the internet, it’s no surprise there’s a backlash. I even read an article by someone who was giving up travel altogether, seeing it as the only way to be sure they weren’t having a negative impact on the places they were visiting.

I don’t think we need to go that far. I think there are ways to see the world ethically—by choosing eco-friendly options, directing money spent into the local economy, and doing the research to avoid inadvertently supporting systems of oppression, impoverishment, and human or animal rights abuse. We can make the right choices. But we need resources.

That’s where travel writers come in. Travel writers, be they professional or amateur, have a duty to guide their readers beyond just pointing them to a good bed and breakfast or sharing restaurant recommendations. We can equip ourselves and our readers to be ethically-conscious travelers just as easily as we can perpetuate the very worst aspects of tourism. It’s simply a choice.

Four years ago, my wife and I visited Patagonia. It was the trip of a lifetime, a chance to see penguins, glaciers, and epic vistas. That experience changed me and will always stay with me, but the whole time we were there, I had this nagging feeling that maybe we shouldn’t have come. Patagonia is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet—but it’s also one of the most vulnerable. Climate change and development threaten to destroy it. And tourism plays a part in that destruction. We did our research, we went with the best guides and tour companies who seemed committed to responsible environmental stewardship, and we did our best to lessen our impact when and where we could. But was it worth it? I hope so.

In the article I wrote following the trip, I was transparent about my concerns. In the end, I left it up to readers to decide if making the trek is ultimately in the best interests of preserving the Patagonian wilderness.

Travel can be many things, but when done well, it can open us up to life-changing experiences. It can connect us to other cultures, inspire us to become advocates, and break down the barriers that separate us. I think it makes me a better person, and by sharing it with the world, maybe it can do the same for someone else.

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Jonny Eberle is a writer, podcaster, and globetrotter. He lives in Tacoma, WA with his family, a dog, and three adorable typewriters. His writing has been published in Creative Colloquy, Grit City Magazine, and All Worlds Wayfarer. You can listen to his audio drama, The Adventures of Captain Radio, and his writing podcast, Dispatches with Jonny Eberle, wherever you enjoy podcasts.

Read more of Jonny’s travel writing.

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