When I travel, I open myself to the warmness of genuine human beings, who like me, are also passionate about local travel. It is a movement, a collaborative effort - an ambitious quest shaped by inspiring individuals trying to share a positive message. Shouldn’t we all be heading in a positive direction?

When I travel, I try to become more local in order to learn and master the local ways and customs. I absorb (like a true sponge), everything the destination and its people have on offer. All in good faith and with an open heart - as I’m sure many of you do too.

When I travel, I am “adopted” by foreign families and soon enough their reality becomes my own. I am smitten by kindness and humility. I get used to the lack of electricity, shortage of water, basic lifestyle and everything foreign. Using sign language becomes natural just like eating with my hands does too.

I get called “machan”, “papu”, “farang” and eventually Juan (actually more like Quan or Wan). I develop cravings for; exotic foods, local brews, insane modes of transport, noise, crowds, unbearable smells, chaos, peace, nature, tranquility, beauty, kindness, respect, authenticity, local logic and local ways of thinking and acting.

Pilgrimage in Kattaragama, Sri Lanka

Lanka Challenge, with the South African & Lankan Crew

Environmental Campaign at Wattegama School, Sri Lanka

Phew, ok let me slow down and give you my views of why are we travelling more local…

Perhaps it is time to introduce my two good friends; curiosity and guilt.

Curiosity, simply because there is nothing like living curious (just ask Nat Geo). It is in our nature to live curious. From the “get-go” we try to feel, see, smell, hear and eat pretty much anything and everything. And, as we grow up and get to know what incited this previous curiosity, we decide to look elsewhere - and so the curiosities go beyond borders (ask CNN this time).

These uncontrollable curiosities have now led us to a travel era where we seek authentic, genuine, rural and real travel experiences. What is ordinary, popular and associated with the masses does little for us.

I speak about guilt, because as a global society we’ve hit rock bottom, and have finally understood the devastating environmental impact we’ve brought upon ourselves. This has led to a change in mindset, attitude and behavior. So when we travel, we now embrace sustainable travel, responsible initiatives and community-based projects.

I also speak about guilt because for most of us, raised in urban metropolises, rural life used to be a distant dream. So now, we look for rural travel experiences which allow us to get our hands dirty, learn about nature, go back to basics and become more local.

Our generation is responsible for shaping a sustainable future. So the question is - will we be capable of crafting an unprecedented collaborative effort in which both environmental and social responsibilities become the pinnacle of our existence?

I would like to think so, especially because we’ve reached the stage where we can no longer point fingers at one other. Nor can we blame past generations. We must move forward, and when doing so, travel should play a vital role.

So let us reflect on how we started this hodgepodge of local travel ideas and understand that we must come together and create a local travel movement which fosters passion and commitment. A movement which supports positive local-travel-initiatives and encourages responsible business practices.

Together, we will become the LARGEST of minorities.