News & Dispatches

Going Beyond Hospitality

As an increasing number of travelers are preferring homestays over hotels, it’s not surprising that farms all over the world have emerged as a popular accommodation option. Indeed, a simple Google search reveals a large number of choices for people who prefer the comforts of a farm during their travels. While World Wide Opportunities on […]

Wildlife Tourism: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Wildlife tourism has long been an attraction for people. From bullfighting halfway across the world to visiting the local zoo, it has played a predominant role in not only the way we learn as adults, but also in the way we teach our children about the natural world and our interactions with that world. However, […]

Pope Francis Takes a Stand on Climate Change

On June 18, 2015, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church released an encyclical, one of the most formal documents that can be published regarding Catholic doctrine. This particular release, however, was one for the history books as it is highly controversial within the church. Pope Francis released a statement discussing climate change and environmental […]

Nepal’s Road to Recovery

On April 25, 2015, Nepal experienced the first of several devastating earthquakes and aftershocks, the strongest of which rated a 7.8 on the Richter scale. While the initial search and rescue efforts have ended, Nepal is still in the midst of recovering from these deadly earthquakes. Damage assessments estimate that recovery in Nepal will cost […]

Position Papers – Elephant Rides and Trekking / Swimming With Dolphins

Ethical Traveler proudly presents our first two position papers, written by our Animal Welfare researchers. If you’re thinking about swimming with dolphins or trekking with elephants during your travels, please read these reports first! And stay tuned for our future position papers on Voluntourism, Carbon Offsets and other important subjects. Elephant Rides and Trekking: Big […]

‘The Ladies of Managua,’ by Eleni Gage

Three generations of personal secrets float steadily beneath the surface in Eleni Gage’s newest novel, The Ladies of Mangua. Isabela’s husband, Ninexin’s father, and Mariana’s grandfather has passed away, and they’ve all returned to Managua to pay their respects. Still, each character has their own cross to bear, and the difficulties and complexities of having […]

A Conservation Success: The Return of the Giant Tortoise

The Galapagos Islands sit on the Equator approximately 620 miles off the coast of Ecuador as a series of remote islands created by lava formations, similar in their nature to Hawaii. Boasting an ecosystem uniquely showcasing incredible biodiversity and exotic landscapes, they are quite deserving of their nickname given by Charles Darwin during the time […]

Is Safari Tourism Encroaching on African Wildlife?

Recent close encounters between tourists and wildlife in the African safari have renewed some longstanding questions about the issues between tourism and its’ encroachment on native wildlife and their habitat. Less than a month ago, an Australian tourist was enjoying his safari tour and taking in the beauty of what is perhaps Africa’s most impressive […]

Nepal Rocked by Devastating Quake

On Saturday, April 25, 2015, an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale devastated Nepal. With damages cost estimates looking to exceed 20% of the country’s GDP, the recent earthquake has also left in its wake a death toll of at least 8,000 people so far and laid waste to vast areas of land […]