Third World Traveler
and
Responsible Travel in the Third World
Why we travel to the Third World
We visit Third World countries to see and meet people different
from ourselves. They live in places unlike our own communities
with values at variance from those we have grown up with. They
touch us with their openness and honesty and with the simplicity
of their lives. A vacation to the Third World often changes the
way we look at ourselves, at our country and at the world.
Traveling responsibly
We want to travel to the Third World, but we want to do it
responsibly. We realize that our vacation destination is some
else's home, and that both the people and their culture should
be respected. We do not want to support, either financially or
psychologically, a government that abuses its citizens or restricts
their political rights or civil liberties, nor do we want to worsen
the plight of these people or make their lives more difficult
because of our visit. We also do not want to avoid these countries,
denying ourselves the experience of the visit, while at the same
time, isolating the people from the outside world.
Informing ourselves about human rights, and government and
corporate policies
It is for practical reasons that we find out as much as possible
about a country we plan to visit. But, it is out of respect for
the people of the Third World that we learn about the human rights
situation in each country before we go. Third World Traveler provides
responsible travelers with information about the Third World,
and about the impact of policies of countries and corporations
of the First World on the lives and human rights of Third World
peoples.
The meaning of traveling responsibly
Well-informed, responsible travelers have a unique opportunity.
We can tell others about the people, cultures, and governments
of Third World countries. We can describe a travel philosophy
that values Third World people not as objects of curiosity, but
as individuals with feelings and values similar to our own, who
need to tell the people of the First World about their lives and
their hopes for a better world. We try to explain to the people
of the First World how the policies of their governments and their
corporations affect the lives of Third World peoples.
Through our actions, we may be able to change government and
corporate policies, and we may be able to improve the lives of
some of the people who have touched us. This is the true meaning
of traveling responsibly, and it is an important purpose of this
website.
Third World Travel