Conquering Travel Criticism: My Journey to Embrace Adventure Despite the Naysayers

• There is an increase in travel shaming, driven by worries about climate change and attitudes toward travel post-pandemic.
• Authorities recommend reacting to travel shamers with compassion and comprehension instead of defensiveness.
• Travelers may reduce the likelihood of being shamed by selecting less frequented locations and being ready to discuss the advantages of their journeys.

Leah Frazier is fed up with being travel-shamed.

She recently shared a video on her social media about her experiences in Dubai, which featured brunch at one of the famous luxury hotels in the Gulf region.

“The video depicted a group of travelers enjoying themselves immensely,” Frazier noted, who operates a marketing agency in Dallas.

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However, the feedback was furious and belittling. Why did she travel across the globe merely to have brunch? How could she be so ignorant of cultural sensitivities? Was she not ashamed of her actions?

“I received numerous ‘shame-on-you’ replies,” she reflected.

Frazier isn’t the only one experiencing this. Although travel shaming has existed as long as people have traveled, it has been gaining traction recently. During the pandemic, many Americans mistakenly believed they had the right to dictate each other’s travel choices. Furthermore, the growing awareness of climate change intensified this trend.

Now, anybody who travels might face travel shaming. That includes you.

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What constitutes travel shaming?

If someone criticizes you for your frequent travels, they are engaging in travel shaming.

This shaming can manifest in various ways:

◾ Environmental travel shaming. Consider the Swedish term flygskam, which gained popularity shortly before the pandemic. Most air travel adversely affects the environment, leading to significant embarrassment.

◾ Political travel shaming. This occurs when you visit a contentious nation, such as North Korea or Iran, or a region with a substantial indigenous populace and a history of exploitation.

◾ Animal travel shaming. If you participate in a Big Five hunting trip in Africa or engage in a swim-with-the-dolphins activity, you could attract criticism from individuals concerned about animal welfare.

A recent investigation of travel shaming by Temple University scholars discovered that the embarrassment stemming from travel shaming may alter people’s conduct. Nevertheless, it observed that the reward method is more effective than punishment; presenting concerns in a “positive light” was significantly more successful. Yet, perhaps this approach lacks amusement.

And there’s no doubt, travel shaming in the digital age is entertaining – at least for those administering it. Even airlines participate. If you’ve ever explored the comments section of any travel blog, you comprehend what I mean.

So, what is the resolution? Specialists advise employing some rhetorical jiu-jitsu, thoughtfully selecting your travel destination and understanding what to articulate if someone attempts to chastise you.

Avoid reacting defensively – and exhibit some compassion

The instant someone approaches you with a reprimanding gesture, your instinct is to retaliate. Naturally, you want to! However, pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and allow them to express their thoughts.

“Reflect on the motive behind the person’s attempt to shame you,” stated Abbe Depretis, an instructor of business communication at Carnegie Mellon University. “Are they envious because they can no longer afford to travel or take time off from work, causing them to lash out? Are they worried about the rights of individuals in the destination or the ecological impact of travel?”

Once you comprehend the perspective of the individual, you can engage in a constructive dialogue, added Depretis.

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Select locations away from the cringe-worthy spots

That’s the advice given by Jay Ternavan, founder of Jayway Travel. For instance, you may face criticism for visiting a location like Dubrovnik, Croatia, a stunning fortified city on the Adriatic known for being inundated with cruise ship visitors.

“Instead of adding to the pressure on Dubrovnik, why not seek out hidden treasures like Rovinj, Šibenik, and Korčula?” he suggests. “These enchanting towns feature rich histories, breathtaking architecture, and equally stunning coastlines – all without the overwhelming throngs of tourists.”

Prepare a response in advance

One certainty is that if you embark on any travel in 2025, someone will likely criticize you. Shel Horowitz, an expert in consulting businesses on environmental matters, advises having a tactful reply prepared.

“I explain that my travels enable me to bring back solutions from other nations,” he stated. “For instance, in Iceland, I found out that the nation is almost completely powered by renewable energy. Additionally, it provides me with a deeper insight into the ecological challenges faced by others across various regions of the globe.”

As someone who focuses on sustainability and tourism writing, I have employed Horowitz’s tactic previously. Yes, my flights contribute to CO₂ emissions just like anyone else’s, but my journeys also raise awareness of the environmental hurdles that the tourism sector encounters.

How I handle travel critics

Confession: If anyone is deserving of travel shaming, it’s probably me. I am frequently on the move, and I fly everywhere. This year alone, I’ve resided on five continents.

Ironically, I encounter a different sort of travel shame from my journalist peers, some of whom travel even more than I do.

There’s an unspoken guideline that you must have visited at least 100 countries to earn the title of travel expert. Whenever I meet a colleague, we tend to exchange experiences. And when they inquire, “Have you ever been to X” – and I respond “no” – I confess I feel embarrassed.

So we encourage each other to travel more.

But when people question how I can rationalize all that traveling, I remind the critics that humans were nomadic until approximately 12,000 years ago. A wandering lifestyle is far more traditional than a stationary one. So please don’t criticize me for being normal.

Frazier, the woman featured in the Dubai video, mentioned that initially, the shaming comments upset her. She asserts she wasn’t being wasteful or disrespectful; she and her friends were simply enjoying themselves.

However, as she continued to review the comments, Frazier realized that individuals were making incorrect assumptions about her. She started to respond to the remarks but soon recognized that the shamers were likely just envious because they hadn’t had the chance to stay at a luxury hotel in the United Arab Emirates.

“So I simply let them be,” she remarked.

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He established Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to resolving consumer concerns. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news outlet about customer service. If you require assistance with a consumer issue, you can contact him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.