‘Dangerous’ travel habit new trend wants to get rid of
Transformative travel is emerging as one of the world’s biggest travel trends as we head towards 2027.
The movement was highlighted at GX2026 a global travel summit held on World Tourism Day in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Comfort travel is proving a dangerous travel trend. Adobe Stock
Transformative travel is a new buzz word that encompasses aspects of many recent trends including intentional travel, slow travel, and cultural immersion.
It allows you to experience personal change, whether it’s through your perceptions, beliefs or understanding and just as importantly involves positive transformation for the communities you are encountering in your travels.
“It amazes me how many people don’t want to leave the comforts of home when they travel,” G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip told podcaster Dan Christian on stage at the summit.
Poon Tip was critical of travel that accommodates those who want “to eat Italian or sushi” no matter where they are on the planet.
“These companies are selling amenities…. catering to people’s comfort zone instead of taking them out of their comfort zone, which is where transformation happens,” he said.
“I just think it’s a very dangerous place for tourism.”
G Adventures has been one of the pioneers of the transformative travel movement. The Canadian-based company specialises in small group tours with an emphasis on supporting community tourism in the 100 or so countries it operates.
John Walsh was invited to attend the annual GX global summit in Cambodia. Supplied/John Walsh
G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip warned some travellers are too comfortable. Supplied/GX
The community aspect of their tours is driven largely by their relationship with Planeterra, a non-profit also established by Poon Tip.
Basically, Planeterra is on the ground developing community enterprises and G Adventures incorporates them into its itineraries delivering a steady stream of customers to the fledgling businesses.
“There’s a danger of seeing culture as entertainment. Community travel, though, is about shared responsibility,” said Poon Tip.
In Siem Reap – which is the gateway to Cambodia’s biggest attraction, Angkor Wat – some of the community enterprises supported by Planeterra and G Adventures include the country’s first all female Tuk Tuk company, a restaurant called Spoons which trains disadvantaged youth for jobs in hospitality, and a homestay program.
G Adventures champions Cambodia’s first all female Tuk Tuk company. Supplied/John Walsh
The summit is held annually. Supplied/John Walsh
The conference announced that Project 300, an ambitious plan to incorporate 300 community programs into G Adventures itineraries with Planeterra globally by 2030, had passed the 160 mark.
GX is an annual global travel conference run jointly between G Adventures and Planeterra bringing together travel advisers, media, tourism businesses and community organisations.
The conference was originally set down for Morocco but was shifted to Cambodia after identifying a greater need for tourism support. GX2027 will be held in Brazil.
John Walsh was Executive Producer of the TV travel series Getaway from 1999-2024. John was one of the international media representatives invited to attend GX. You can follow John on Instagram @thegetawayexpert.
