There’s an old saying that travel broadens the mind, but in our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, does it always? Tourism, as it stands, is a paradox—a gateway to discovery and a force of destruction, a tool for personal growth and a mechanism for inequity. What if we approached travel differently? What if we sought to be not just tourists but mindful stewards, intentional gatherers, and engaged learners?
Here’s a collection of books and resources that invite us to reimagine what travel can be—moving beyond consumption toward transformation.
I have read many of these books and plan to read the others. I am sharing here as the books I have not read came from trusted travel industry colleagues.
The Industry Unveiled: The Hidden Costs of Travel
Before we can change the way we travel, we need to understand how the industry works:
"Overbooked" by Elizabeth Becker – Reveals how mass tourism is reshaping many of the most popular global cities, cultures, and ecosystems—sometimes beyond repair.
"The Last Resort" by Sarah Stodola – Chronicles the rise of the beach vacation and its complicated impact on paradise itself.
"The New Tourist" by Paige McClanahan – Questions whether we can rethink the tourism industry’s future.
Mindful Travel: Ethics, Privilege, and the Unequal World We Explore
Travel is not neutral. These books urge us to confront the privilege we carry as we move through the world:
"Beyond Guilt Trips" by Dr. Anu Taranath – Challenges us to reflect on travel through the lens of privilege and responsibility.
"Ours to Explore" by Pippa Biddle – Unpacks the ethical dilemmas of voluntourism, challenging the "do good, feel good" narrative. (
RISE Travel Institute’s Decolonization Ebook – A must-read for understanding how colonial legacies still shape the way we see (and sell) destinations.
The Art of Seeing: Travel as a Practice in Attention and Presence
What if travel wasn’t about how many places we visit, but how deeply we engage?
"The Art of Travel" by Alain de Botton – Explores the philosophy behind why we travel and what we seek.
"The Art Engager" by Claire Bown – Teaches us how to slow down and truly see.
"The Art of Pilgrimage" by Phil Cousineau – Reframes travel as a sacred journey, a quest for meaning rather than mere escape.
A Sustainable Future: Rethinking Travel’s Environmental and Social Impact
The way we move through the world leaves a footprint—sometimes deeper than we realize:
"Drawdown" by Paul Hawken – Lays out the solutions for reversing climate change, many of which intersect with travel.
"Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer – A beautiful book written by an extraordinary author that reminds us how connected we are to nature.
"Happy City" by Charles Montgomery – Reimagines urban spaces that work for people, not just tourists.
JoAnna Haugen’s Rooted Storytelling resources – Guide us toward ethical travel narratives that uplift communities rather than exploit them.
Gathering with Purpose: How We Travel Together Matters
Travel is not just about where we go, but who we meet and how we connect:
"The Art of Gathering" by Priya Parker – Challenges us to create meaningful interactions, whether at home or abroad.
"Wander Woman" by Beth Santos – Speaks to the power of travel for women seeking independence and connection.
"The Transformational Travel Journal" by Eric Rupp – Encourages us to document our journeys with intention, turning experiences into catalysts for change.
A New Way Forward
Tourism doesn’t have to be a tale of overconsumption, inequity, and environmental harm. It can be a story of learning, connection, and transformation—if we let it. The question is no longer just "Where do we go next?" but "How do we go?" and "Who do we become in the process?"
This list will continue to evolve as I discover new resources and perspectives. If you have recommendations, I’d love to hear them! Contact me.
Thank you to the following for their recommendations: Salomé Wysocki, JoAnna Haugen, Tami Fairweather, Wen Minkoff, Harry Emmanuel Alvarez, Beth Santos, Jake Haupert, Sarah Bartesaghi, Sallie Fraenkal
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