Ethics in Travel: 8 Ethical Dilemmas in Travel and How to Navigate Them Posted on October 9, 2024November 17, 2024 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Travel pushes you to confront your values in ways you never expect. What’s right? What’s wrong? Do you look the other way, or do you take a stand? Every choice matters when you’re out there—on the streets, in the markets, or face-to-face with a wild elephant. These ethical dilemmas don’t come with easy answers but are part of the journey. Let’s discuss the eight ethical dilemmas in travel and how you might navigate them. Ethics in Travel: 8 Ethical Dilemmas in Travel Child Beggars/ Vendors Animal Tourism Animal Sanctuaries Insta-Fame Controversial(?) Activities Terrorism Over-Tourism/ Mass Tourism Controversial Countries 1. Child Beggars/ Vendors Situation: A child comes up to you selling bracelets in Cambodia. Do you buy the bracelets or give them any money at all? Considerations: This is one of the trickier dilemmas in travel. If you buy from them, you’ll inspire them to keep selling, possibly skipping school which limits their potential. Furthermore, they may be willing or unwilling participants in illegal child labor practices. Outcome: I chose not to give money, as supporting their truancy does more harm than good. These kids have other options, and encouraging them to skip school isn’t the answer. 2. Animal Tourism Situation: You are considering taking an elephant ride in Thailand. You can attack dilemmas in travel by doing some due diligence. After researching tour operators, I am torn between the reports regarding animal cruelty and proper humane treatment by ethical operators. Considerations: When we were planning our trip to Thailand, I came across an article about the Mahout. The Mahout tribesmen are elephant riders– skilled trainers who live with their animal at an early age and remain so for many years. The handlers take care of all the elephants’ needs, and the bond between man and elephant becomes very strong and affectionate. After reading this, I looked for a Mahout animal tour guide. Outcome: I love elephants and did go on the above tour. And although I had an amazing time, I’ve come to the conclusion that captivity is still captivity which is why I don’t endorse zoos where animals are caged or kept in small pens. However, there are ethical opportunities like sanctuaries 3. Animal Sanctuaries Situation: On that same trip, you consider bathing elephants at a popular elephant sanctuary because you hear the elephants roam free and are treated well. Considerations: Research tells you that all elephant sanctuaries are not the same. However, your decision is complicated by the fact you can find articles that reinforce either argument. So, how do you make a decision on whether or not elephant sanctuaries are humane or not? Outcome: I can’t tell you one way or the other. You have to decide that for yourself. But I can offer a few things you should consider. First, you should never go to a park that advertises shows or elephant rides. Don’t go to parks where there’s peculiar behavior, tricks, or painting. 4. Insta-Fame Situation: Everyone wants to go viral on Instagram these days. So more and more people are doing things that are either dangerous or disrespectful to capture a one of a kind photo. Considerations: We’ve all seen the photo of the line of people at the summit of Mount Everest. Turns out many of those climbers weren’t qualified, climbers. And many of those were only there for the photo. Likewise, you’ve probably seen the 3 vloggers who fell to their deaths at a Canadian waterfall or the guys arrested for disobeying the rules at Yellowstone National Park a couple of years ago. Outcome: You’ll have to answer this question for yourself. What ethical or legal boundaries would you cross in the name of getting a great photograph or content for your vlog? 5. Controversial(?) Activities Situation: On a recent trip to Spain, I decided to check out the San Fermin (Running of the Bulls) in Pamplona, Spain. I had a few friends who told me it was cruel, medieval torture and should not spend my money on this kind of tourism. Considerations: Should I refrain from attending an event considered controversial? Outcome: I consider myself a traveler and not a tourist. I enjoy writing about cultural events. It’s not my place to interfere or judge what happens in other cultures. So I went. On a side note, at least one of my so-called friends unfriended me on Facebook. 6. Terrorism Situation: I found a really cheap flight to Italy a few months ago. However, the plane had a long detour in Istanbul– a city I’ve always been fascinated by. Unfortunately, the State Department has placed cautionary traveler warnings on travel to Turkey. Considerations: I totally disagree with Turkey’s politics and recent reforms to stifle democracy. And although Turkey had recently lifted restricted travel by citizens of the United States, the concerns over State-sponsored terrorism still persists. Outcome: Terrorism can occur anywhere. And since the basic tenant of terrorism is fear, I refuse to give in. While there are some concerns about the government’s involvement with radicals, that can be said about many countries around the world. As far as travel to Turkey is concerned, we did our due diligence and limited our adventures to the city. 7. Over-Tourism/ Mass Tourism Situation: The sheer number of people traveling poses a problem, but it’s the way tourists congregate that makes it unsustainable. The World Tourism and Travel Council estimated that 36% (of a billion and a half) travelers went to the same destinations in 2018. Social media. I was fortunate enough to travel all around Maya Bay way before it closed down for several months. Unfortunately, many destinations are grappling with the travel dilemma of over-tourism. Popular culture has created problems in Thailand and Indonesia, They have to balance tourism and economic prosperity in a way that is environmentally and logistically sustainable. Considerations: There aren’t any easy answers to the problems resulting from mass tourism. We have to consider that over the past 10 years, global tourism has increased. Unfortunately, the majority of sites travelers are visiting aren’t getting any larger. These crowds create greater logistical and security problems. Outcome: The tourist takes but can also give and, awareness is definitely a step forward. Knowledge helps us as travel consumers help us decide where, how, and even whether to travel. We, collectively, need to take better care of the planet. When I was researching Thailand, I made sure I went with a tour operator fully invested in ecotourism. I also try to avoid the path well-chosen, opting instead for one of a kind travel. Tourism boards, governments, and the private sector have to work together to protect and preserve cultural heritage and traditions while accommodating the growing number of visitors. 8. Controversial Countries Situation: Countries like Myanmar, China, and the Philippines are in the news every day regarding social, cultural, ethical, or political troubles? Do these issues make certain destinations off-limit? Considerations: My first consideration regarding travel is always our safety. It’s for this reason, I didn’t visit Egypt or Saudi Arabia when I had a chance. There is an ethnic cleansing going on in Sudan and in Myanmar. China is a communist country where they are suppressing its citizens in Hong Kong. I had no idea that Thailand wasn’t safe for citizens of South Korea until a friend told me so. Outcome: That being said, always do your due diligence. I did that when visiting Turkey last year and we didn’t have a single problem. The world is a dangerous place that also includes the United States of America. Final Thoughts Travel isn’t always pretty, and neither are the choices we face. You’ll see beauty, but you’ll also confront uncomfortable truths. Whether it’s child vendors, animal tourism, or controversial destinations, the road forces you to decide which dilemmas in travel you face. And that’s the point—travel should challenge you. It’s not about being perfect, but about being aware, making conscious choices, and understanding the impact you leave behind. Because in the end, we’re all just travelers, figuring it out as we go. Like it. Pin it. Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe! Share this:FacebookXLinkedInTwitterPinterestThreadsEmailPrintLike this:Like Loading... 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I loved reading your post and it is really very unique and well explained. Sometimes we are into many ethical dilemmas or on crossroads about what to do when we get into such situations. And on the top of this, nowadays social media is really playing a culprit in losing all ethics while traveling. People really want to get Insta-famous instead of traveling logically and beautifully. Reply
When we visited Thailand a few years back we did a lot of research on the Elephant Sanctuary that we visited. They don’t ride the elephants, and they rescue ones that were abused/ridden/in the logging industry. They taught us about how riding them hurts them, and breaks the tiny bones in their backs 🙁 Like you, I no longer support zoo’s either. I don’t support any form of animal abuse/caging now. I believe they all deserve the freedom to live in their natural habitat, and it’s time for humans to respect that. Thank for for sharing, these are topics that must be talked about. Reply
It is difficult facing these dilemmas when you travel. I try to avoid child beggars to encourage them to go to school. I have provided schools with books and pens to then discover the teachers selling them later in the markets. We can only do what we can, but yes, it can be hard to do the right thing at times. Reply
I’ve heard that too and there is nothing we can do about someone else’s behavior. We have to follow our own internal compass and keep that in the forefront when faced with these things that don’t feel right. Reply
I was also conflicted about supporting children in Cambodia, especially those selling bracelets in Siem Reap, but I didn’t want to contribute. Luckily there’s lots of organizations that help to support to keep them in school, and that’s where these kids need to be, and like you, I didn’t want to support the truancy. Reply
Thank you for bringing these points as a way to discuss some of the issues the tourism industry faces. Social media and the need to ‘be seen’ are certainly a factor of why we do some of the things outlined here. Reply
So true. My hope is that people will take their responsibility to the others and the planet a little more serious. And I’m not concerned how they get there, just that they don’t keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Reply
Hi-while you have a few good points around ethics, I’m terribly disappointed that a) you rode an elephant and b) still posted a happy pic about it. You should surely be aware of what goes into training an elephant to accept a human on its back? The torture and abuse is common knowledge. Your post lost immediate credibility the minute I saw this. Reply
Thanks for taking the time to read but not understand the post— your opinion is greatly appreciated. Reply