Before embarking on a journey, Dr Kiona advises travellers to check their bank accounts and reassess their finances. She believes that at the heart of ethical travel is its impact on local economies and communities. She wants to challenge the enduring backpacker culture that celebrates budget travel: travelling is a luxury, and backpackers, when not contributing adequately, are “leeches to society”.

Having lived under the poverty line until she was 27, Dr Kiona is acutely aware of the implications of spending—or lack thereof. “We’re talking about people’s livelihoods and futures,” she states. “If you’re travelling, you need to pay the price. Stop negotiating.”

Against all odds, she says that large luxury hotels aren’t necessarily the biggest obstacle to responsible travel. “Big resorts aren’t necessarily the worst enemy of ethical travel,” she explains. “At least you’re in your world there and you pay full price. But it’s crucial to research whether tourism benefits the local economy.” 

From Kyoto to Hawaii, numerous destinations have witnessed local communities expressing their concerns about the negative impacts of tourism on their way of life. To prevent this from happening, observing a place from a local perspective is essential; Dr Kiona encourages travellers to heed the advice of locals about visiting their communities: “If locals say ‘don’t come,’ then don’t come. If they say ‘come’, then engage with them on their terms.”

Read more: World Tourism Day: 5 slow travel destinations in Asia

Integrating local voices into your expedition is a fundamental duty for Dr Kiona. But more than being willing to learn from them, travellers have a responsibility to share these perspectives correctly once back home. She cautions against spreading broad judgments and misinformation, as even a simple social media post can perpetuate damaging narratives. 

“If you’re going to publish an Instagram caption, a Facebook or blog post about your trip, you have a responsibility to provide accurate information,” she emphasises. “Misinformation can have long-lasting effects across populations, especially as it tends to over-generalise them.” 

She gives the example of El Salvador’s infamous representation. “People still have this perception that El Salvador is particularly dangerous, which is not the case,” she says. “By feeding this narrative, we’re not only preventing their economy from benefiting from tourism, but we also affect the lives of people on the ground. These people aren’t dangerous, but get denied from hotels when they travel abroad because they’re from a country that is deemed ‘dangerous’.”

Travellers must recognise their role in shaping perceptions and narratives about the places they visit. By embracing education and accuracy in their representations, they can help uplift local communities and foster a more nuanced understanding of diverse cultures.

The significance of women’s perspectives is inherently highlighted through travel, as studies show that most travellers are female. According to Condor Ferries, in 2023, 64 per cent of travellers worldwide were female and 36 per cent male. “Women are more prone to travelling alone because they push through discomfort, while men often wait for friends or feel uneasy,” Dr Kiona notes. This imbalance naturally impacts the way travellers plan their trips, from making safety a top priority to searching for alternative perspectives.

Male narratives often dominate cultural discussions, Dr Kiona explains. That’s why she urges travellers to seek out and amplify female perspectives. Supporting women-owned businesses—from cafés to guided tours—can also significantly impact local economies. For this, Facebook groups and blogs are amazing resources, she says: just a few minutes of research can have a big impact.

“Be generous with businesses owned by women,” Dr Kiona adds. “I love getting my nails done in each country I visit. It’s a small but effective way to contribute, as they’re more often than not women-owned.” She highlights how economic empowerment through travel can provide women with opportunities to break free from generational poverty, a sentiment echoed by her observation that many employees of the nail salons she has visited are single mothers navigating complex familial situations. “These women often carry additional burdens, unlike their male counterparts,” she explains.

However, in these situations, a traveller may encounter a situation where their privilege is being highlighted. While Dr Kiona emphasises the importance of recognising and utilising privilege responsibly, she stresses that saviourism should have no place in this approach.

“Don’t feel sorry for your privilege; it does no one any good,” she advises. “Use it to make a positive impact.” The fundamental aspect of responsible travel is to engage with local populations on their own terms, she says, whether in terms of customs, values, or needs. An interesting case study she likes to look at is the women’s rights one. Dr Kiona adopts an intersectional approach to feminism within the context of travel. “Feminism should come from an understanding of what women go through in their cultural context,” she insists. “It’s crucial to ask about women’s places in each country’s history, and to not push an agenda onto themselves.”

Ultimately, her vision of ethical travel calls for a renewed commitment to being responsible citizens of the world—one that honours the people, cultures, and environments that travellers encounter. Through mindful travel, Dr Kiona illustrates that exploration can be a force for good, transforming adventures into opportunities for education and empowerment both at home and abroad.

Front & Female Changemakers celebrates the extraordinary journeys of inspiring women who have emerged as powerful changemakers in a range of fields, offering a glimpse into their lives and showcasing their courage, vision and relentless pursuit of change and progress. From social entrepreneurs and business leaders to educators, artists, activists and scientists, Front & Female changemakers exemplify the ability to challenge the status quo and demonstrate the power of women to effect change.

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