Social and Cultural Experiences Lead Traveler Preferences in 2020
Have you ever read something that made you sit back and say “Yes, that is exactly it.” The story striking a chord with me was published in The Daily Californian for Earth Day 2020. In her blog titled Reevaluating how we wander the Earth: Tips to become a more conscious traveler, author, Sunny Sichi tells her readers to experience travel by being more mindful. She urges them to dig deep by “talking to locals and getting their recommendations once you’re there, or even before,” and that “recommendations from people who know the ins and outs of the place will ensure you (sic) have a fuller experience.”
We applaud the author’s perceptive understanding that the most memorable experiences will be those that include time invested in learning more about the culture and history of the destination and by traveling “like a local.” Geotourists as defined by National Geographic are Ms. Sichi’s “mindful” travelers. The principles of geotourism are not integrated in most mass tourism campaigns in spite of published studies indicating that travelers prefer authentic experiences. Recent data from the 2020 US Travel and Tourism statistics shows that there is marked traveler interest in booking activities that provide experiences in meeting new people and opportunities for “finding themselves” across most demographic groups. Also trending is solitary travel which includes solo experiences such as kayaking and volunteerism. Travelers are seeking trips that will allow them to immerse themselves into active experiences and connect with the destination’s unique geographic and cultural assets.
The ExploreTRV site is an online insider’s guide to places, events and activities recommended by locals. The mapguide encompasses a range of experiences including adventure and nature-based travel, eco- and agri-tourism, cultural and heritage travel. The indirect benefit of this guide is that it promotes a business ethic that places a high value on protecting the world’s distinctive places through wisely managed tourism and destination stewardship, while providing the visitor an authentic or in Ms. Sichi’s words, “fuller” experience.
We agree with the author and urge visitors to plan their future trips “in the most socially, culturally and environmentally responsible way” to protect the experiences for future generations.
Tennessee River Valley Celebrates Earth Day
The 50th anniversary of Earth Day is April 22, 2020, and the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council encourages everyone to appreciate and take care of the environment.
Along with many other organizations and people across the world, the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council will honor the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2020. This annual event marks a calendar date for mankind to reaffirm its commitment to respecting the interconnected systems of the world and to have the resolve to help protect the earth for future generations.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council will:
Reaffirm its mission to further the goals of geotourism by educating travelers, communities and decision makers on the benefits of geotourism principles,
Reaffirm its partnerships with agencies that work to preserve and protect the waterways and public lands through their projects and research,
Continue to showcase the natural, cultural and historic attractions that are authentic to the Tennessee River and encourage people to be geotourists.
Today, mankind is challenged with unpredictable and widely fluctuating weather patterns amid an interconnected world that has led to a global pandemic and deepening recession. The Tennessee River Valley was a witness to the destructive forces of nature during April 2020. Violent spring storms brought flooding and tornadoes across portions of Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and North Georgia. The destruction left behind is an indelible reminder that mankind must be stewards of the lands and waters that they are entrusted with, and that climate has a profound effect on human life.
Less than one hundred years ago, the Tennessee River Valley and the Nation were facing similar human suffering. The Great Depression was taking a toll on the lives of families, small businesses and farmers. The land was scarred with erosion caused by over logging, poor farming practices and repeated flooding. Unemployment was rampant and people struggled to secure basic human needs such as food and housing. It would only be forty years later that pollution of rivers and streams from industrial run-off and inattention were causing health issues for many communities. For many, water was unsafe to drink. Earth Day was launched to raise awareness of how the condition of the environment negatively impacts people’s lives.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council is excited to share this video clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veXTxl0Moy4 with the world, to not only celebrate the beauty of the Tennessee River Valley but to remind of what can be lost without an affirmation to steward the lands and waters that so many call home.
ExploreTRV Mapguide Migration to Elebase Platform Completed
The TRV Stewardship Council leadership has announced that the planned system migration to the Elebase platform was completed on March 26, 2020. The new platform is a cloud based system with greater geospatial mapping and end user applications.
For current contributors, passwords will need to be updated during the login process. If you need assistance, please contact Angie: angiepierce2@charter.net
Additional features in the system will be rolled out over the next six months. These include the ability to package trips, and to offer discounts, and blogging.
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