Ethiopian children.
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors… Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” – Terry Pratchett
Are you pondering travelling overseas to a new location for your next holiday? If so, the world is filled with unique places to visit. It’s a matter of choosing where to go, and who to travel with.
There is a small caveat that must be mentioned here, based on the recent global collapse of Thomas Cook, one of the world’s largest travel agencies. It is vital to ensure that, if you are booking a tour or safari, you book with a reputable company. And, without being a fatalist, it is equally important to make sure that you take out travel insurance so that you can be repatriated back to your home country in the event of an emergency.
Travel Benefits
Furthermore, there are well-known and well-documented benefits of travelling to new continents, countries, and regions. Calida Jenkins, in her article titled “10 Wonderful Benefits of Traveling” highlights some of the more valuable advantages of travel, including personal growth and development, mental health, and education.
Furthermore, the definite advantages of travel are also summarised in this quotation mentioned above by Terry Pratchett, the well-known author of the Discworld series as well as other fantasy and humorous novels. His statement: “So that you can see the place you come from with new eyes and extra colors” should be considered a succinct summary and final word on the benefits of travel.
Sustainable growth and development
Therefore, the question that should be asked and answered is not why you should travel, rather, it is where you should travel. And, if you decide to tour parts of East Africa, it is important to partner with a safari company that considers positive impact and sustainability.
What is sustainable development?
According to the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the most widely accepted definition is that “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Furthermore, it is vital for safari companies and tourist organisations to give back to the community in terms of infrastructure development, education, and work opportunities for the local communities. In other words, it is important to form business partnerships with the local communities as a way to drive community upliftment programs and to ensure a steady cash injection into the community.
The primary reason for this is that sustainable business programs will provide the local community with the means to purchase the basic necessities like food, clothing, and heating sources.
Without sounding arrogant and superior, this partnership will allow for the growth and protection of the natural resources like wild animals. Otherwise, the natural resources will end up being food sources. And this is not a long-term solution for anyone, especially the local community.
