Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast

Erin Elizabeth Hynes of Pina Travels

What does it take to make travel better for people and the planet? Join travel writer Erin Hynes, podcast producer, Kattie Laur, and their guests, as they explore their curiosities about what truly makes travel and tourism responsible. Formerly known as Alpaca My Bags Podcast. Follow us on Instagram: @curioustourismpod read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

S6 Ep98: Is Tourism Gentrifying Mexico?
Oct 18 2023
S6 Ep98: Is Tourism Gentrifying Mexico?
In Oaxaca, Mexico, there’s a growing trend of Canadian snowbirds buying up  beachfront land, being promised that these properties will be the perfect vacation home. The problem is, the land that is being developed is not up for grabs. It’s communally owned by Indigenous and rural residents.  Erin chats with Dawn Marie Paley, a journalist and author based in Mexico who covered this phenomenon in a piece for Breach Media, to unpack why this is able to happen, and how gentrification and tourism is impacting Mexico. Because lets be real, it sounds pretty colonial. Erin and Kattie also discuss some recent travel news around New York City's ban on Airbnb, and Egypt's new visa restrictions for Canadian travellers. Links:  Read Dawn's Article on The Breach: Canadian developers are gentrifying Mexico’s beaches LISTEN: Media Indigena with Rick Harp: Why settlers may be the ultimate tourists Dawn Marie Paley on Twitter  YouTube: A Walk Thru Gringo Hill - Sayulita, Mexico  https://www.ojala.mx/ Egypt imposes new restrictions on Canadian travellersThis Is the True Scale of New York’s Airbnb ApocalypseNew York City’s 'De Facto Ban' on Airbnb If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast! Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod. Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels. Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North. CREDITS Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes Producer: Kattie Laur Music from Motion Array Logo by Nicole Hall
S6 Ep95: Is It Time For The Last Tourist?
Sep 6 2023
S6 Ep95: Is It Time For The Last Tourist?
In 2021, a documentary came out that addresses the inconvenient truths of the tourism industry. The Last Tourist explores the benefits, and the harms of tourism, as well as the myriad of social issues that factor into the current tourism landscape. Ultimately, the film argues that tourism has reached a tipping point.  Today on Curious Tourism, the responsible travel podcast, we’re chatting with Tyson Sadler, the director behind The Last Tourist. Tyson shares with us some of the themes that come up in the film - like, why we need to address value chains in tourism. And, he shares his thoughts on the state of tourism, and what needs to change, for a better tourism future. PLUS, we have an exciting announcement - we're taking Curious Tourism to the skies! We discuss our upcoming trip to Guatemela with Origin Travels, and what to expect when you join us!   Guest: Tyson Sadler Learn more about the film: The Last Tourist. Want to join Curious Tourism on a group tour to Guatemala? Learn more and sign up for the trip: Origin Travels x Curious Tourism Guatemala Trip If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast! Read Erin's award-winning blog, Pina Travels. Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod. Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter, Pod the North. CREDITS Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes Producer: Kattie Laur Music from Motion Array Logo by Nicole Hall
S6 Ep94: Unpacking Representation of Women in Aviation
Aug 23 2023
S6 Ep94: Unpacking Representation of Women in Aviation
Thinking back to the flights you've taken in the last few years, how many times have you noticed a woman-identifying pilot boarding the plane, or making those in-flight announcements? According to 2020 data from the FAA's Aeronautical Center, about 7% of commercial airline pilots that year were women, and it’s been reported that less than 1% of pilots in the US are Black women. Joi Schweitzer is part of that 1% and she joins the podcast to unpack the ins and outs of what it takes to become a pilot as a black woman and the state of represention in the skys. She also shares where her love of flying came from and what's ahead for the next generate of pilots.  PLUS, Erin and Kattie discuss the latest news about Air 4 All's wheelchair accessible airplane seats being developed in partnership with Delta. Guest: Joi Schweitzer is a commercial airline pilot who got her start in the industry working as a flight attendant. She is also an athlete, and known for her appearance on the reality TV show, The Mole. Resources: https://www.instagram.com/thejoischweitzer/  Joi Schweitzer (@joiridehigh) | TikTok Diversifying the flight deck: Less than 1% of US pilots are Black women  Industry Stats - Women in Aviation International  Sisters of the Skies  https://www-insider-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.insider.com/delta-developing-first-of-its-kind-seat-for-wheelchair-users-2023-6?amp  If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast! Read Erin's award-winning blog: https://pinatravels.org/ Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter Pod the North, here. SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month! CREDITS Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes Producer: Kattie Laur Music from Motion Array Logo by Nicole Hall
S5 Ep89: Where is Indigeneity in Canada's Tourism Identity?
Jan 4 2023
S5 Ep89: Where is Indigeneity in Canada's Tourism Identity?
Global travelers still don't think much about Indigenous tourism when they think about travel to Canada. Post cards show Royal Canadian Mounted Police and maple syrup. But Canada has a long, rich, and diverse history that was shaped by the people who were here first: Canada’s First Nations. We're talking to Keith Henry, President and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) to find out what economic reconciliation looks like for the travel industry. We discuss the impact of bringing back place names across the country, the importance of bloggers and travel influencers on Indigenous tourism, and get a sense of the demand for Indigenous knowledge across the sector, the country, and the world. In the opening, we discuss recent criticisms of AirBnB - from outrageous cleaning fees and long lists of chores, to its impact on housing crisis' - and share some hacks on how to avoid AirBnB all together. GUEST: Keith Henry, President and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) | https://indigenoustourism.ca/ RESOURCES: https://destinationindigenous.ca/ https://indigenoustourism.ca/  https://www.indigenousbc.com/how-to-travel-responsibly  https://indigenoustourism.ca/tools-resources/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-canadas-indigenous-tourism-sector-2021-update/  https://www.travelpress.com/itac-parks-canada-renew-3-year-deal/#.Y5NCHnbMLMY  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/22/travel/barcelona-airbnb.html  https://www.callingbullshitpodcast.com/airbnb-a-house-of-cards/  THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR, WORLD NOMADS! Inspiration, opportunities and travel insurance to help you fuel your curiosity, find your journey and travel bravely. Check out www.worldnomads.com. Benefits limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Be sure to read your policy wording. If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast! Read Erin's award-winning blog: https://pinatravels.org/ Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter Pod the North, here. SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month! CREDITS Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes Producer: Kattie Laur Music from Motion Array Logo by Nicole Hall
S5 Ep88: What Does Mount Everest Mean to Nepal?
Dec 9 2022
S5 Ep88: What Does Mount Everest Mean to Nepal?
You cannot travel through Nepal without thinking about the world’s tallest mountain.  So what does Mount Everest mean to Nepalese people, and how is it shaping Nepal’s culture, economy, and tourism? And what is it like to climb Mount Everest in the first place? We’re chatting with Philip Henderson, a member of the first all Black team of climbers to have summited Mount Everest, and Amrit Ale and Shanta Nepali, two friends of Philip’s who call Nepal home and have special connections to the local climbing community as well as Mount Everest itself. GUESTS: Guests: Philip Henderson - Expedition Lead https://www.fullcircleeverest.com/   Amrit Ale - Sherpa Climber https://www.amritale.com/ Shanta Nepali - Documentary https://www.shantanepaliproductions.com/ Full Circle summit team: Manoah Ainuu @adreadedclimber Evan Green @thegreenevan KG Kagami @kg_mountain_exp Thomas Moore @thomasdmoore Dom Mullins @domthesoulifugid Rosemary Saal @everywhere.rose Eddie Taylor @alldayeddie Sherpa climbers: Pasang Nima Sherpa Lakpa Chhiri Sherpa Phurtemba Sherpa Dawa Chhiri Sherpa Sonam Gaylje Sherpa Nima Nuru Sherpa Chopal Sherpa chawang Lhendup Sherpa Tashi Gyalje Sherpa Amrit Ale @himalayanquests Camera crew: Pemba Sherpa @pemba_sharwa Nawang Tenji Sherpa @ngawang_tenjing RESOURCES: https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2020/09/20/more-people-are-climbing-to-the-top-of-mount-everest-than-ever-before  https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/mount-everest https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-everest-reopening-sherpa-supply-chain/https://himalayanquests.com/https://www.khumbuclimbingcenter.com/ THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR, WORLD NOMADS! Inspiration, opportunities and travel insurance to help you fuel your curiosity, find your journey and travel bravely. Check out www.worldnomads.com. Benefits limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Be sure to read your policy wording. If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast! Read Erin's award-winning blog: https://pinatravels.org/ Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter Pod the North, here. SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month! CREDITS Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes Producer: Kattie Laur Music from Motion Array Logo by Nicole Hall
S5 Ep87: Why Can’t Wheelchairs Roll Onto Airplanes?
Nov 23 2022
S5 Ep87: Why Can’t Wheelchairs Roll Onto Airplanes?
Wheelchair users around the globe are having some of the worst travel experiences imaginable, because aircrafts do not allow wheelchairs to roll right on. Most mobility devices have to be stowed in the cargo hold along with luggage. But mobility devices aren’t just luggage. This system is resulting in thousands of dollars worth of damage to wheelchairs, and scary, uncomfortable experiences for travelers with disabilities. We talk to Maayan Ziv and Chris Wood to unpack why inclusive air travel is lagging, how accessible air travel in a human right, and what legislation and changes are needed to make it possible for wheelchairs to roll right on. GUESTS: Maayan Ziv Founder of the Access Now App. Disability Activist. Canada’s Top 40 under 40. Find Maayan on Instagram here. (@maayanziv_) Christopher Wood Bio Founder of Flying Disabled and Air4All. Christopher lobbies and campaigns for the aviation industry and governments to make commercial airlines power wheelchair accessible. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR, WORLD NOMADS! Inspiration, opportunities and travel insurance to help you fuel your curiosity, find your journey and travel bravely. Check out www.worldnomads.com. Benefits limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Be sure to read your policy wording. If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast! Read Erin's award-winning blog: https://pinatravels.org/ Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter Pod the North, here. SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month! CREDITS Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes Producer: Kattie Laur Music from Motion Array Logo by Nicole Hall
S5 Ep86: Why It’s So Hard to Travel Canada
Nov 9 2022
S5 Ep86: Why It’s So Hard to Travel Canada
Traveling within Canada is incredibly difficult. The quick options are expensive and the cheap options take FOREVER! The transport landscape in Canada is extremely limited, which means that if you don’t have a car, there are barriers to get around. This is a problem not just for people in Canada, but for people who would like to visit and spend tourism dollars here.  Paris Marx joins us to help us understand why getting around Canada is so hard and the deep structural changes needed to create a sustainable mobility system that serves the public good. GUEST: Paris Marx is a socialist writer, podcast host of Tech Won't Save Us, and critic of tech futures. Paris is the host of Tech Won’t Save Us, a weekly podcast that critiques the worldview of Silicon Valley. Their first book, Road to Nowhere: What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation, is out now from Verso Books. Follow Paris on Twitter. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR, WORLD NOMADS! Inspiration, opportunities and travel insurance to help you fuel your curiosity, find your journey and travel bravely. Check out www.worldnomads.com. Benefits limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Be sure to read your policy wording. If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast! Read Erin's award-winning blog: https://pinatravels.org/ Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter Pod the North, here. SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month! CREDITS Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes Producer: Kattie Laur Music from Motion Array Logo by Nicole Hall
S5 Ep85: What Does it Mean to Travel “Home?”
Oct 26 2022
S5 Ep85: What Does it Mean to Travel “Home?”
For immigrants and the generations that follow them, traveling back to a “home” country can be a complicated experience. For some, visiting a place that their parents, grandparents, or generations even further back left by choice, or fled, can bring happiness and learning. But for others, it might bring conflicted feelings. Leah from the Ticket 2 Anywhere podcast joins Erin to talk about her experience of traveling for the first time to her homeland, The Philippines. GUEST: Leah is one of the hosts of the Ticket 2 Anywhere Travel Podcast. Leah's Instagram  Ticket 2 Anywhere Podcast - YouTube Ticket 2 Anywhere Podcast on Apple Podcasts   RESOURCES: Black & Abroad  For Black Americans, a Heritage Trip to West Africa Can Be Life-Changing  Generation Status: Canadian-Born Children of Immigrants  THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR, WORLD NOMADS! Inspiration, opportunities and travel insurance to help you fuel your curiosity, find your journey and travel bravely. @worldnomads Check out www.worldnomads.com. Benefits limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Be sure to read your policy wording. If you're a fan of the show, don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast! Read Erin's award-winning blog: https://pinatravels.org/ Follow us on social media @curioustourismpod Subscribe to Kattie's podcasting newsletter Pod the North, here. SUPPORT US ON PATREON for as little as $5 a month! CREDITS Written and Hosted by: Erin Hynes Producer: Kattie Laur Music from Motion Array Logo by Nicole Hall