Nearly a year ago, Keith Bellows, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler, spoke at the North American Travel Journalists Association conference in Cleveland. He spoke to the fact that travel is changing. He said we will see more people traveling with their families and more people traveling via backpacking, hiking, and by more environmentally-friendly means.

Boy was he right. In the past 11 months, we’ve seen a huge influx of “green travel” as well as multi-generational family travel. Some say that the economy has driven people to “less expensive” ways to travel. I say, “So What??” Perhaps what’s bad for the economy is good for the environment.

I think the economic woes of the country are changing travel for the better. Yes, luxury travel will suffer losses. No way around that. But if the family can economize and travel together, what a great boost for family dynamics! If people are forced to travel more by train or foot, what a better way to see the sites! The experiences that folks will have now are very different than those they would experience if the economy was not in the tank. AND our planet will be better off for it. Yeehaw!

I’m constantly telling my 10-year-old daughter to look at challenges as opportunities. Turn the negative around to a positive, and watch the magic happen. I say the same to today’s traveller.

Green is good. Having money is very good, but so is not having as much. Going green in travel is an amazing opportunity. And watching more cruise lines, hotels and restaurants go green is very exciting. I challenge everyone to have a “green” travel experience. It will change your life!

Jerri Hemsworth
Publisher
E: jerrih@natja.org 
B: www.travelworldmagazine.com/blog/publisher