ETHICAL TRAVELLER: CATHERINE MACKon responsible tourism
I HEADED TO PARIS for a three-year stint in the early 1980s, knowing nobody and feeling very much the stranger in town. Someone recommended that I post an ad for digs at the city’s American church, where English-speaking expats congregated to exchange information. It worked: I found a flat, some cool flatmates, a bike, a futon and a few party invites to boot. Social rather than spiritual guidance, it has to be said.
Times have changed, however, and as my travels take me farther afield I, like many others, use the internet as my starting point for international guidance.
Tripbod is my newly chosen, and invaluable, first port of call when heading off to new frontiers. It is a web-based service that independent travellers sign up for, so they can be introduced online to a vetted local expert who will offer real insight to his or her home country, as well as inspiration to discover an authentic rather than tourist-driven destination.
These experts, or Tripbods, equip visitors with the most up-to-date information and on-the-spot knowledge, for a fee ranging from £10.99 (€12.50) to £150 (€170). The basic package, called Trip Planner Light, allows you to ask your Tripbod five questions, and receive advice, along with a Google map of recommended places to visit or stay.
The full package provides a private online space for real-time communication between the traveller and Tripbod, starting at £35 (€40) and going up in price, depending on the period of time you want to maintain contact with him or her.
Sally Broom, the founder of Tripbod, is one of the most dynamic, passionate and committed proponents of responsible tourism I have met. She has organised international conferences, created an inspiring network of businesses working in this field, and rightly gained high praise from Rough Guides this year for Tripbod’s contribution to ethical travel.
Broom chooses her friends carefully, with each Tripbod thoroughly vetted to ensure they really are the best local travel experts.
Tripbods can be found in 30 countries at the moment. They range in age and profession. Examples include Albert, the son of a Tenerife farmer, who is keen to show visitors the island he grew up on and loves, hidden well behind the bars and binge drinkers; Allan, in Mexico, an ecotourism consultant for nature-tourism businesses; or Lee from Laos who, between working as a tourism consultant and Tripbod, has won 10 international caps playing rugby for his country.
There is, however, one gaping hole in Tripbod’s service, and that is in Ireland. The search is on for a new Irish Tripbod, someone who is committed to responsible travel and knows how to guide a visitor well beyond the Book of Kells and the Blarney Stone. If you’re interested, contact Tripbod via its website.
Back in Paris, there is something comforting about the fact that the American church is still going strong and, not to be left behind, also has a website (acparis.org). It describes itself as a “beacon on the Seine”, and way back in my youth it certainly helped me find my way.
Tripbod is, however, shining its light across many continents now, sharing information, goodwill and a much-needed first point of contact for people who are going to be new in town. So there really is no need to feel like a stranger any more.
* ethicaltraveller.ie and twitter.com/catherinemack