tourism
A convinced LOCAL tour operator
There are several ways to identify what I call niche tourisms and LOCAL is just perfect. Unfortunately many naïve tourists are still attracted by big groups and being passively transported to places. Price is certainly an issue and this kind of mass tourism can be perceived as affordable. However, what do they learn? Whom do […]
Going local: are we driven by selfish motives?
If anyone mentions that they’re travelling to Ushuaia in Argentina, I instinctively want to tell them about the guest house in which we spent three memorable nights. The two young owners were on hand for anything we wanted, but otherwise left us in peace to enjoy their beautiful property and its outstanding views. It’s a […]
Anyone for a Lime&Tonic in Prague?
The WHL Group has this past week launched its latest online venture, called Lime&Tonic (L&T), an exciting new business in the service of independent travellers and locals alike. L&T is a fresh twist on the travel industry that is breaking new ground. It’s a GroupOn-style ‘collective-buying’ site with a TripAdvisor-style traveller-rated destination guide. See how […]
The Tourism Development Bank: a new funding channel for small and local accommodation providers
In international development, access to finance at the local level is one of the biggest obstacles to real and sustainable progress. Wealthy donor agencies bring exciting promise of great opportunities, but many require matching funding or only agree to short-term engagements after which local businesses scramble to secure ongoing support. The local businesses find it […]
Think locally, transform globally – a manifesto
I started the Portland Untourist because I believe in the power of travel. I believe in its potential to awaken our senses to the vast wonders of this world, in the transformative power of place and people, in the zen-like clarity that arises from finding oneself in a situation that feels completely foreign yet completely […]
Travelling irresponsibly – the impact of the package travel regulations
Do you like to travel independently? Maybe you have done a little backpacking or taken time out and enjoyed the pleasure of exploring, discovering local gems and getting off the beaten track. Maybe you try to book locally and pay a fair price (and make sure as much of your money as possible goes to […]
Local Travel is Slow Travel in Berlin
Berlin is an ideal city for Local Travel – or what we at Slow Travel Berlin would call “Slow Travel”. It’s a distinctive city in both German and European terms, with a unique historical development. In the last century it has endured two world wars and a cold war, which, as you can imagine, creates […]
A world of misguided tourism campaigns
Blamed for “casting Australia as a nation of tone-deaf people and drawing on dowdy 50-year-old stereotypes“, the latest Tourism Australia campaign hasn’t gone down well on home shores since launching earlier this week. You can watch ‘There’s Nothing like Australia‘ here, but be warned: jabbing yourself in the ears with hot barbecue tongs would bring […]
Peace and Tourism
Stumbled upon a very interesting article about the increasing role of tourism in achieving peace in the world. I got permission from Dr. Craig Zelizer to publish the first few paragraphs of the article. There are quite a few people who believe that one of the key aspects to promoting increased peace and understanding in […]