Teotihuacan, Mexique - 2010

​What will we do when we come back?

We will share our experiences by creating a photo-video exhibition, reflecting our findings and newfound thoughts on mass tourism, which we plan to showcase through the venues of our proposed partnerships.



In schools we will conduct activities to increase not only environmental awareness but also promote the social mores of the various regions we have encountered in order to preserve their traditions for the preservation of future generations to respect and appreciate.  We will tell stories and show video interviews of people we have met. A special attention will be given to exotic animals.

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We want to thank you for your attention. This project is very important for us.  Thank you.



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Growth of mass tourism: between opportunities and threats​

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Twelve percent of the world’s population relies upon tourism as its only source of sustainable income. However, this type of mass travel presents real concerns. What is the psychological impact of mass tourism on the people of visited countries ? How does the daily influx of tourism affect the lives of locals ? How has the coming prospect of future tourism altered and influenced the expectations and lifestyles of locals?

Mass tourism is defined as the high concentration of people residing in major tourist locations. This type of tourism expanded in the 60’s with the pervasion of paid leaves, the development of new technologies of information and communication as well as modes of transportation, most notably by airplane. These changes have influenced not only our interpersonal relationships but our interaction with nature as well.

 

The project itself :
Throughout our travel we will publish online interviews with merchants, farmers, and biodiversity experts to expound upon the impact culture and environment has had on the social relationships of the locals living in high concentration tourist areas.  This project is brought forth by the culmination of our collective personal experiences as travelers and reflects our deeply entrenched interest in the causes and consequences of global tourism.

We will share our project with you by creating two partnerships. The first one will be with libraries and places of cultural significance where we will present the interviews, texts and pictures we have gathered in order to reflect the concerns and hopes of others, such as those living in South America, Oceania and Asia.

Similarly, we would like to establish a partnership with primary schools and colleges where students can follow our progress, with the help of our website, and interact with us by way of postcards and other various activities.  Our project will revolve around history, geography, natural sciences, and languages. It will be a tremendous opportunity for students, of any age, who wish to enhance their understanding of cultural diversity throughout the world and cultivate an awareness and unique appreciation for environmental issues.

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How would we travel ?
We will travel by flight and utilize local transportation whenever possible. We plan to use Couchsurfing (an online network of trusted travelers who host other fellow travelers for free) to secure our needs of room and board, which is a service we are familiar with and employed during our three-week trip in Japan last year. This type of hosting will allow us to live and interact with locals on a much more personal level which will dramatically enrich the quality of our interviews.

Our round-the-world trip includes Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia.

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