Back in March this year, Coronavirus halted travel as we know it. And while we might not be able to actually get out there and see the world, we can dream, we can reminisce, and well, we can talk about it! Don’t worry – this season of Curious Tourism won’t be all about Coronavirus, I…
In the old days, around the year 2014, a “travel influencer” was usually a blogger, who earned a decent amount of hits on their website, and some social media followers. But since then, travel influencing has changed alot, and now, there are more travel influencers than ever before. So what goes into being a “travel…
Do you consider yourself to be a budget traveler? There’s an entire industry built around the idea of budget travel, and I get why – travel is expensive. In this episode, we’re joined by Kate McCully and Danielle Desir in discussing all things budget travel. How does mooching happen? How can we travel cheaply and…
How do you know if something you’re doing, or wearing, is cultural appropriation? What is cultural appropriation? And is it bad? These seem like questions that would have straight-forward answers. But they don’t. That’s because cultural appropriation is full of nuance, and it’s this nuance that we’re unpacking. In this episode, we’re joined by Melissa…
Instead of releasing a new episode, we’re dedicating this week to revisiting episodes that are essential listening, especially right now. Each of these episodes centres the voice of a Black creator, or traveler, or activist. The travel community and industry is overwhelmingly white. It’s about time we talk about this, so we are chatting with…
Instead of releasing a new episode, we’re dedicating this week to revisiting episodes that are essential listening, especially right now. Each of these episodes centres the voice of a Black creator, or traveler, or activist. How many travelers do you see posting “poverty porn” to their social accounts, and, is this okay? Erin chats with…
Instead of releasing a new episode, we’re dedicating this week to revisiting episodes that are essential listening, especially right now. Each of these episodes centres the voice of a Black creator, or traveler, or activist. According to a US transgender survey from 2015, nearly half of those who flew in 2014 experienced problems relating to…
We are some of the many podcasters who are uniting to condemn the tragic murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and many many others at the hands of police. This is a continuation of the systemic racism pervasive in the United States, and Canada since their inceptions. We are committed to standing against racism…
Traveling blind means adapting and experiencing travel through touch, sound, smell, and human support. Erin chats with Sassy Wyatt from Blind Girl Adventures about what it is like to live with blindness, at home and while traveling. She explains the stereotypes that blind people face, and the ways that we can all do better in…
The travel community and industry is overwhelmingly white. It’s about time we talk about this, so we are chatting with black travel consultant, Martinique Lewis. Her work strives to change the existing narratives of travel by advocating for travelers that represent different demographics across multiple platforms. What is the Black Travel Movement? How important is…
The pandemic has brought worldwide travel to a complete halt, leaving many of us wondering when we’ll be able to travel again, and what travel will be like post-pandemic. Join us as we chat with travel writers and influencers from the UK, Hong Kong, the US, Europe, and Canada. In this episode, they share the…
For most of us, “where we are from” in the geographical sense, is a big part of our identity. So how does a relationship to homeland impact “travel”? Travel Blogger, Lily Wunders, joins us in this episode to tackle this complex theme of identity and belonging as an American Born Chinese (ABC) woman living in…
In November 2019, The Guardian published a headline reading,“Concerns over rise in dark tourism in Syria as war enters ninth year.” The piece argued that there’s been a rise of western tourists heading to Syria, and that they’ve been met with criticism from locals. Tourists headed to Saudi Arabia and to Afghanistan have been met…
We wanted to quickly check in with you and let you know how things are going during these wild times – what’s happening with production, and what you can expect in the future. We’ll give you a mental picture though of our current states in the meantime: Erin has been binge watching Trailer Park Boys…
We’re looking at sustainable travel at ground level. We’re back with Earth Wanderess, Evelina Utterdahl, and this time Greg Hill to discuss our earth-bound travel habits and how we can do better. We dissect what it really means to be a sustainable traveler. For decades, nature has provided Greg the opportunity to adventure in the…
According to a consumer report released this week, out of about 18.2 million adult Canadians planning on taking a vacation, 20% said that they are now avoiding travel, and 32% are making changes to their vacation. About 10 million adult Canadians – due to COVID-19. Emily Scott, nurse and travel blogger at Two Dusty Travelers,…
Did you know that in Sweden, flying is NOT something to be proud of? The notion that you should feel guilty every time you board a plane is a feeling plaguing Scandinavia. In this first part of our two part sustainable travel series, we’re joined by Evelina Utterdahl, an environmentalist, climate activist, and sustainable traveler…
Last season we did an episode where Erin chatted with her partner Lucas and you seemed to really enjoy it. This time, we asked Chris and Bri from TravelingMitch and the podcast Rick Steves Over Brunch to join us in discussing #travelcouples and dissecting what travel instagrammers are really selling. We also discuss culture shock…
How many travelers do you see posting “poverty porn” to their social accounts, and, is this okay? Erin chats with Wendy and Olivia from @NoWhiteSaviors about voluntourism, the white savior complex, and how white travelers, celebrities, and influencers can do better when traveling in Africa. The tagline of the @NoWhiteSaviors Instagram account reads, “We never…
Around the world, from Nicaragua to Morocco, women’s surf camps are popping up. It seems clear that in countries with traditional views of gender, surfing has emerged as hobby for women. But it’s also an expression of freedom, and sometimes protest. Karam Masri joins Erin to discuss her experience at surf camps around the world,…
The way that we travel is constantly changing. Just 20 years ago, for example, travelers didn’t have Google Maps to guide them, or social media to keep them connected to family and friends at home. Join Erin as she chats with a fellow solo woman traveler, Valika Kunkel. Valika tells the story of how she…
Erin is joined by her producer, Kattie, to end the year off on a more personal note. You’ve heard Erin talk A LOT all year, and heard Kattie chuckling in the background, but we’ve never really shared what makes us… us! We thought we’d share whats been going on with us throughout 2019, what we’ve…
There is a small subset of travelers that take travel thrills to the extreme. Very extreme. Andrew Drury joins us in this episode to discuss the ethics around extreme travel. To date, Andrew has ventured into insurgent Afghanistan, he’s been threatened at gun-point by the KKK, and he’s encountered ISIS in the Middle East. Andrew’s…
According to a US transgender survey from 2015, nearly half of those who flew in 2014 experienced problems relating to being transgender. In this episode, Erin is joined by the amazing Peppermint, a trans black woman to discuss further (you might also recognize her as the runner up from season 9 of RuPauls Drag Race!). …
When people talk about travel, they often bring up “danger.” When you share where you’re traveling to next, how often are you asked, “But is that safe?”. In this episode, we break this down into three facets, perceptions of danger, political danger, and danger imposed on local communities (plus we threw a few extras in…
Canada is known for its beautiful mountains, wild nature, cosmopolitan cities and more. But what’s lacking from our tourism is Indigenous representation. The National Post published an article earlier this year arguing that Canada’s “branding” as a place to visit is completely void of Indigenous culture, and that incorporating Indigenous culture would boost tourism and…
Riding elephants, swimming with sharks, and posing with tigers make for popular content on social media. Travelers and influencers post perfectly curated images with captive wild animals… for the likes. Often, wildlife tourist attractions pose problems in animal welfare that are only worsened by consumer demand. Natasha Daly, journalist for National Geographic, joins us to…
The average able-bodied traveler has the privilege of not needing to consider certain things while on the road, like checking for elevators and avoiding cobblestone streets. Andrew Gurza joins Erin to discuss the realities of traveling as a disabled person, where airlines are going wrong (take note, Air Canada), and what can be done to…
Erin and Kattie meet up with Daniel Scheffler of iHeartMedia’s travel podcast “Everywhere” to join him in this episodes third part. Daniel discovers that preparing for anything leads to the best adventures. Anything can happen, serendipity will make sure of it, as he sees in in Burma. Shavo Odadjian from System of a Down weighs…
Catch a sneak peek here of our first four episodes coming to your ears this October 2019. Featuring: Andrew Drury; extreme tourist notabley featured on Netflix series “Dark Tourist”, Andrew Gurza; host of Disability After Dark podcast, Miss Peppermint; trans-activist and iconic Drag Queen seen on Rupaul’s Drag Race, and Natasha Daly; animal tourism journalist…
A departure from our normal structure, join Erin on her trip to Lily Dale, New York for a totally unique, narrative bonus episode. What makes Lily Dale special is the fact that its population of around 300 people, is made up of, mostly, Spiritualist mediums – people who communicate with the dead. Erin, her friends…
In part two of our Disney Parks dissection, Erin and return guest, Sennah, dive into the depths of reddit threads from Disney “cast members” past and present! We had to know the dark truth behind the veil of Disney Park happiness, and boy, did we find some juicy and disturbing stories. Resources: 23 Disney World…
Are you a Disney fan, or maybe a Disney skeptic? Erin chats with her guest Sennah, who has researched the hyperrealist tactics behind the Disney parks. They dive into everything from why it’s the Happiest Place on Earth to the “incidents” that have happened in the parks. Plus, during our hiatus we’ll be posting…
Erin is joined by global runner, Karolina, in part two of our Sport Tourism episode to discuss everything Olympics, its impact on host cities and plenty of fun facts. Karolina tells us about how her very first half-marathon went in Copenhagen… or, nearly didn’t! Notes: We apologize for the bit of background noise, it was…
We’ve got a more light-hearted episode for you this time, as Erin sits down with runner Karolina to talk about sport tourism and her global running! Ever heard of the secret global running group events called “Bridge-the-Gap”? Karolina give us all the insider details, how she got in and how these events changed the way she…
In honour of Lauren’s podcast, Somebody Date Us, we’re talking all about finding love and hooking up abroad! Lauren’s got a particular knack for finding Spanish romances, while although Erin ultimately found love while traveling, she’s seen some shit while working abroad too. Backpacking’s hookup culture is strange territory! Find Lauren’s travel blog, Twirl the…
Erin is joined by Lauren, co-host of the hilarious and insightful podcast “Somebody Date Us”, and fellow travel blogger, to discuss their most commonly asked question: how do you balance work and travel?! It’s no easy feat! We discuss what the internet is saying you should do in order to have the best of both…
Traveling as a couple must be soooo romantic! Well, not always. In this episode, Erin’s partner Lucas joins her to chat about the many many times they’ve encountered disaster while traveling. Some of these stories are scary, some are cautionary, and some are just plain funny. If you’re a fan of the show, don’t forget…
By now you’ve heard Curious Tourism host Erin talk ALOT. It’s about time you got to know her a little better! In this bonus episode Kattie asks Erin all about her relationship to travel, day to day life, and more! If you’re a fan of the show, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious…
Erin is joined by former cruise staffer Jessica to talk all things cruising! From what happens behind the scenes on cruise ships to the impact of cruising on the environment, Erin and Jessica delve deep into the world of floating vacations. If you’re a fan of the show, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review…
Erin and Carleigh share their experiences of traveling with severe allergies, as well as tips on how to do it yourself – from hoarding food everywhere possible, and how to stay safe when there’s a language barrier. Plus, the ridiculousness of it all when it comes to dealing with airlines – seriously, why can’t they…
Food allergies are serious and scary. Erin chats with her producer, Kattie, and guest Carleigh about life with allergies. When you put three allergy kids in the same room, there’s lots of shared experiences to laugh about! But FYI, there is talk about needles, hospitals, and medical stuff that might be triggering for some listeners. …
In this bonus episode Erin and Kattie head to rural Ontario to meet REAL ALPACAS! Many thanks to Caroline and Doug at Kickin’ Back Alpaca Ranch in Ontario for the amazing day of learning all about alpacas: http://www.kickinbackalpacaranch.com/ Side note: We apologize for the sketchy audio is this episode, we’re not sure where we went…
Immigration is pretty different from travel, and Erin wanted to learn more about the experience. Anabelle tells us about her experience of moving to Canada from Mexico, and then she shares some hot tips for visitors to Mexico City! If you’re a fan of the show, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious Tourism:…
Most of us experience homesickness at one point in our lives. Erin chats with Anabelle about the experience of homesickness: what it feels like, when it happens, and how to cope with it. 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…
Warning: This episode is descriptive, fairly graphic and not necessarily for the faint of heart. If you have trouble with injury and blood, or are listening with kids, please feel free to skip this one! In this episode, guest, Daniel, recounts the horrific story of being bitten (several times) by a Fer-de-Lance viper while traveling…
Dan and Erin discuss a whole bunch of deadly animals that you might want to avoid while traveling abroad – and that’s the jist! 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…
Erin and Laurelle talk about what they do to keep safe while traveling alone, as women, and they share some hilarious stories about their solo adventures. 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…
Recent articles floating around the internet claim that women travel solo more than men. Why is this? And what are the challenges that women face when they choose to travel alone? Erin chats with Laurelle about her experiences traveling the world, solo. Notes: Resources mentioned: https://alittleadrift.com/solo-female-travel-safety/ https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/1/18/18188581/women-travel-alone-men?fbclid=IwAR2Cn4bHcMtUlt60vw_aTNWtfK4K0DP_96q-JO46rKndOldGCOiiQIRE0MU If you’re a fan of the show, don’t…
In part two of group travel, Erin and Britt unpack self care. They discuss what self care actually is, how to experience is, criticisms against it, and how self care is an element of travel. If you’re a fan of the show, don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast! Read…
Erin chats group travel with Britt Kasco, the founder of an all-women group travel company called Origin Travels. Britt shares why she felt women-only groups are so important in the travel industry, and Erin debates the benefits of group travel versus solo travel. If you’re a fan of the show, don’t forget to subscribe, rate…
We have some EXTRA alpaca goodness for y’all this week – a bonus episode! And this one is a little (actually, alot!) different than your usual dose of curious tourism. Erin plans a trip for Kattie LIVE, plus, it’s full of heckin’ hot tips on how to save on your budget while planning a vacation….
Erin chats with guest Zach about his experiences as a queer traveler: the good, the bad, the unique challenges and how he copes with them. Zach also tells us about how traveling has made him so overwhelmed with emotion, that he’s ended up with crying selfies. Haven’t we all? If you’re a fan of the…
Erin and guest Shir take on a difficult topic this week: the Holocaust, and Auschwitz. Tune in to hear them discuss and debate this form of dark tourism, everything from whether it is okay to take a selfie in a death camp to whether these sites of trauma can be commercialized in an educational way….
Cuba is famous for being one of the only remaining socialist countries in the world. With this in mind, Erin and Rashid explain Cuba’s history, how socialism has shaped Cuba’s tourism industry, and share stories of their experiences backpacking there. Ultimately, they debate: how authentic can Cuba really be to a foreign tourist? If you’re…
Erin and guest Bella discuss and debate their experiences of sexism in Morocco as women travelers – whether or not the sexism tainted their trip (and how). And, guess what, Bella’s HAD IT with influencer culture. Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault and harassment, including a described event. If you are sensitive to…
Cambodia is popular on the backpacker trail. With a dark history of genocide, it is surprising to hear that some tourists go to shooting ranges and fire weapons that would be inaccessible (and illegal) in their home countries. Erin and two friends talk about this dark tourism phenomenon, and also share some of their personal…