News & Dispatches

The Syrian Refugee Crisis

In recent weeks and months, the news has been filled with images and stories of human suffering in the form of what’s being called the Syrian Refugee Crisis. Among these are the heartbreaking photograph of 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi and stories about refugees walking hundreds of miles to find safety. These images and stories have left […]

Expats for Impacting Change

Issues of responsible tourism are in the forefront of many travelers’ minds. And it’s not surprising that many of them volunteer during their travels. However, it’s not just visitors that are working to make the tourism product more responsible. Many expats are making significant contributions in their new countries. We’ve added the limelight to a […]

Child Marriage in Bangladesh

Child marriage is a worldwide epidemic. It’s especially problematic in Bangladesh. Maybe, you’ve read the heartbreaking story about Nasoin Akhter, a 15-year-old girl from Bangladesh who was recently married to a 32-year-old man. Many girls in Bangladesh have similar stories. In fact, when it comes to rates of child marriage, Bangladesh ranks fourth in the […]

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 […]