The RISE Traveler: Unpacking Conversations of Sustainable Travel

Mira Shah is on a personal journey, exploring sustainable travel across India, Australia, Kenya, and Colombia. This is one of the reasons why she opted to participate in The RISE Travel Institute's Flagship Program- to gain a deeper understanding of conscious travel. Over time, Mira has embraced intentional and sustainable travel, placing a strong emphasis on forming genuine connections with local communities.

In conversation with host Amy Hager, Mira shares insights from her travels– from meaningful encounters with sustainability advocate Michael Mobbs in Australia to acknowledging less-than-ideal decisions, like visiting an ethically questionable elephant sanctuary in Thailand. She recognizes the ongoing learning process and the space for improvement.

Contemplating a potential venture into the sustainable travel industry, Mira hopes for a shift in how people approach travel. Her focus is on making travel experiences more meaningful and authentic, with the goal of bringing a positive transformation to the travel industry.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod (License) 

Laura Kelly is a sustainability advocate with Brendan Vacations, a tour operator focused on Ireland and Scotland. In this interview with host Amy Hager, Laura shares her journey from growing up in an eco-minded household to her current role evaluating and crafting sustainable travel experiences.

Laura's background in European Languages and Medieval History, coupled with her experience guiding tours in Ireland, prompted her realization of the necessity for a shift in travel practices. This realization ignited her interest in reforming unsustainable tourism habits prevalent in the industry. Discussing her participation in the RISE Flagship Program, Laura sheds light on voluntourism and on the challenges of fostering more meaningful and slower-paced travel experiences.

In particular Laura shares the importance of responsible tourism in Ireland, and advocates for smaller, more authentic experiences that benefit local communities. She highlights the role of tour operators in steering towards a more sustainable future, and encourages a collective shift in mindset toward sustainability in various professional domains. Laura's insights offer a pragmatic approach to redefining travel practices, focusing on tangible changes that can positively impact the industry and the communities it touches.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod (License) 

Author and travel expert Lily Ann Fouts is dedicated to advocating for sustainable and culturally sensitive travel experiences that benefit both travelers and local communities. She was a participant in RISE's Flagship Program, where she earned her certificate in Sustainability and Anti-Oppression in Travel. Additionally, Lily Ann joined RISE's Experiential Journey to Guatemala in 2022.

During her conversation with host Amy Hager, Lily Ann reflects on the invaluable lessons gleaned from the Flagship Program. She highlights the program's comprehensive approach, and discusses how various facets of travel intertwine in complex ways. For instance, she elaborates on the complex balancing act involved in making travel decisions, citing certain examples of activities that harm the environment (eg. airline travel), also benefits the local economy.

Lily Ann also shares how she has reframed the way she thinks about being budget conscious when she travels. She now understands the value in compensating vendors fairly for the product they are producing or selling, and not trying to haggle down to the absolute minimum.

According to Lily, the Experiential Journey was an impactful experience, allowing her to immediately apply the course teachings to real-life situations. Her journey to Guatemala with the RISE Travel Institute provided a singular opportunity to engage with fellow students and foster meaningful discussions, and ultimately led to  practical applications of course concepts.

In addition, Lily Ann also delves into her current project, a guidebook centered on responsible travel in Latin America for travelers who seek longer-term Latin American stays  in order to nurture strong, long-term connections with locals. She provides suggestions on how to foster these connections in ways that make travelers feel welcome without inadvertently causing resentment or discomfiture within local communities.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod (License) 

Aurora Christy Oktavia, an Alumni of the RISE Travel Institute's Pilot Program, currently resides in Bali, Indonesia. She recently completed her Master's degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management at Griffith University in Australia. In her conversation with host Amy Hager, Aurora shared insights into her journey in sustainable tourism, leveraging her educational background in forest conservation and tourism management, as well as her role as a luxury travel agent.

Aurora emphasized the challenges of community-based tourism, pointing out that while mass tourism can be problematic for some destinations, they often have the necessary infrastructure to handle it. Conversely, less frequented, "off the beaten path" locations – like Komodo Island in Indonesia, for example – may struggle due to the lack of infrastructure. She also delved into the concept of "keeping it secret" destinations, where locals prefer not to disclose hidden gems to tourists, underscoring the delicate balance between satisfying traveler curiosity and respecting the desires of local communities.

Aurora credited the RISE Flagship Program with enhancing her ability to ask probing questions, fostering open-mindedness, and shedding light on the complexities of sustainable tourism. She voiced concerns about "greenwashing" in the travel industry, and stressed the importance of long-term sustainability. Her ultimate legacy aspiration is to enhance people's lives through better travel experiences and to foster positive, transformative changes.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod (License) 

Tracey Ford is the Founder of Local Insights, a social enterprise dedicated to connecting locals with tourists, offering them authentic personal encounters that go well beyond the typical guidebook experience. Previously, Tracey held a government role working with the armed services, where she specialized in coordinating logistics for events with a focus on cultural considerations among attendees.

In this conversation with host Amy Hager, Tracey Ford shares her journey and the unique path that led her to her current role. During this discussion, Amy and Tracey dive into the impact of The RISE Travel Institute's Flagship Certificate Program. This program has played a pivotal role in enhancing Tracey’s comprehension of responsible tourism, cultural sensitivity, and inclusivity. 

Tracey’s goal is to create a positive impact on the world through tourism, making it a better place one friendship at a time. She aims to leave behind a legacy of promoting world peace by connecting people from diverse backgrounds.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod (License) 

Jabulile Ngwenya is a travel coach and advocate for sustainable and responsible travel at Travel Africa with Jabu. With a vision to reshape perceptions of travel to Africa, Jabulile's impactful work is rooted in changing the narrative. In her RISE Flagship Course Capstone Project, she focused on tribal photography, aiming to bring attention to the profound identities behind the subjects. She firmly believes that every individual carries a story and a name, urging us to see beyond the surface.

In a conversation hosted by Amy Hager, Jabulile delves into the essence of travel as an avenue of abundance. She underscores the significance of understanding the lives of the people we encounter on our journeys, stressing that they are more than just extras in our personal narratives. Her insights illuminate the transformative power of travel, as it expands horizons and challenges our perspectives.

Jabulile's perspective on the world is a testament to her belief that there's always more to explore, learn, and experience. In a moment where all we may have is a screenshot of our current reality, travel serves as a reminder of the boundless opportunities and connections awaiting us. This interview is an invitation to venture beyond our assumptions and engage with the richness of the world through meaningful interactions.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod (License) 

As the owner of Travel with Ann Experiential, Ann Becker consults with nonprofits and small travel businesses with the goal of raising and including more diverse voices, making strategic connections, contributing fresh perspectives as well as thought leadership and counseling. Ann's extensive experience includes successfully operating experiential tours in lesser-known destinations in Costa Rica and neighboring countries.

In this interview with host Amy Hager, Ann emphasizes the significance of sustainable and thoughtful tourism, highlighting its ability to create meaningful and enduring experiences for host communities, travelers, and the environment. She discusses the importance of travel leaders to design immersive trips, enabling visitors to listen, learn, share stories, and actively support the development of sustainable communities that benefit everyone involved. Through her work, Ann aims to promote responsible travel practices and contribute to the well-being of local populations and the planet. Ann is also the Principal Strategic Advisor at RISE Travel Institute.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod (License) 

A leader in the field of sustainability in tourism, Lambert Hategekimana is General Manager at Rwanda Eco Company and Safari. Before his 10+ years in the tourism sector, Lambert worked as an educator. Now, he works alongside some of his former pupils to introduce travelers to Rwanda and other East African countries. In 2022, Lambert was a guest instructor for the course “Conscious Travel in Rwanda” as part of the RISE Conscious Travel Series.

Lambert discusses with host Amy Hager about the value of communities’ sustainable development through empowerment and exposure to the external world.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod (License) 

Keri Pfeiffer, a digital nomad for almost seven years, works remotely as the Head of Account Management at WeTravel, an online payment platform for tour companies. Following completion of the Sustainability and Anti-Oppression in Travel program at RISE, Keri is now a guest instructor with the course "How to Travel Ethically as a Digital Nomad." In this interview with host Amy Hager, Keri discusses her views on being an ethical digital nomad and how completing the RISE Certificate Flagship Program has inspired more thoughtful travel habits.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute
Video and Audio Editing: Kate Mulvihill - Video and Podcast Producer at The RISE Travel Institute
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director
Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod (License) 

Sofia Godoy is the Founder and Chief Operations Officer at Etnica, a social enterprise that connects locals to travelers that visit Guatemala and Mexico. She shares the history of Etnica as well as some key examples of how to plan a Guatemala itinerary that is community-based and intentional about supporting local artisans.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 
Video and Audio Editing: Kara King
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses

Thinley Choden is a social entrepreneur and consultant devoted to showing travelers the "real" Bhutan as the Co-Owner and CEO of Bhutan Tours and Travel. She sits down with host Amy Hager to talk through the meaning of conscious travel, encouraging travelers to put aside the romanticized image of Bhutan and explore the multi-faceted identity of this fascinating country.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 
Video and Audio Editing: Kara King
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses

Kim Hass is the President and Founder of Haas Media and the Executive Director of the public television series “Afro-Latinos with Kim Haas.” Her travel show explores the tremendous impact that Afro-Latinos have had and continue to have on the culture and history of Latin America. She shares some of her experiences creating a public television series and how she hopes the show will amplify the contributions and powerful voices of the Afro-Latino community.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 
Video and Audio Editing: Kara King
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses

James Mwenda, Founder of James Mwenda Expeditions, shares his expertise in sustainable safari adventures and provides some tips on how to make a safari more than just an Instagram photo opportunity. He shares how to be a responsible wildlife tourist and truly reconnect with the natural world.

Host: Host (Amy) Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 
Video and Audio Editing: Kara King
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses

Gabriela Sonnleitner is the General Manager of the Magdas Hotel in Vienna, Austria. Austria's first hotel run as a social business, the Magdas provides job training to refugees and asylum seekers, offering support to those struggling to find employment in the city. Listen to Gabriela explain the joys and difficulties of running a social business and elaborate on her hotel’s commitment to sustainability. 

Host: Host (Amy) Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 
Video and Audio Editing: Kara King
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses

Mary Pat Champeau, Director of Graduate Programs at The Institute for Humane Education and Board Secretary at RISE Travel Institute, discusses the importance of learning how one’s everyday choices in their lives can impact their surroundings. She explores how activism is sometimes as simple as educating oneself about how the environment, human, and animal welfare are all interconnected.

Host: Host (Amy) Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 

Video and Audio Editing: Kaelyn Sanders
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, Amy sits down with Dr. Anu Taranath, Author of “Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World.” Dr. Taranath is also co-teaching a course entitled Locating Ourselves in the Spectrum of Power for RISE Travel Institute. Through a discussion of her book and her work with RISE Travel Institute, she details how to approach difficult conversations about worldwide inequities with grace, encouraging building community and the space to work through these tough questions together.

Host: Host (Amy) Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 
Video and Audio Editing: Kara King
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses

Today on GivingTuesday 2021, we are raising funds for RISE Travel Institute. All donations made today will go toward tuition grants and travel scholarships for students with demonstrated financial need. Our goal is to raise $10,000 by the end of the year. We have raised just over $6,500 so far and so we need your help to reach our goal.
Our guest is Taylor Ruoff, a tuition grant recipient and graduate of our Pilot Program. Hear about Taylor's experience as a RISE student, why the grant she received helped her in a time of need, and what she'll be doing next.

Please donate here: https://www.risetravelinstitute.org/ways-to-give

Host: Host (Amy) Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute Video and Audio Editing: Kaelyn Sanders
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hyungjoon Jin, a K-12 educator, and the Board Treasurer at RISE Travel Institute discusses his approach to making real, lasting systemic change in education and travel. He delves into his powerful and sustainable long-term project in Guatemala and gives examples of how to think strategically about the systemic issues at play in many aspects of our lives, including travel.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Kayra Martinez is a flight attendant and Founder and Director of the non-profit Love Without Borders for Refugees in Need, which supports refugees in Greece by building spaces where art and creativity flourish.  She touches on how she got started, the powerful stories within her refugee art exhibitions,  and the importance of travel as a method to learn, share, and create.

Host: Amy Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 
Digital Editing: Kara King - Digital Content Producer
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Catarina Rivera, Co-Founder of ExplorEquity (https://www.explorequity.com), which supports local communities by partnering with small businesses, community-based tourism initiatives and sustainable travel operators globally while connecting travelers to real social justice issues, discusses her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in both workspaces and travel and what it is like for her to travel as a disabled individual.

Host: Host (Amy) Hager - Social Media Manager at The RISE Travel Institute 

Video and Audio Editing: Kaelyn Sanders 
Graphic Design: Shirley Wong - Freelance Art Director

Music: On My Way by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4163-on-my-way

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/