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Patagonia's quiet shift to eco travel stood out on my last trip
I was there last month and saw solar power at every lodge I stayed in. Trails had strict caps on daily hikers to keep things clean. Local guides focused on teaching us how to respect the land. It felt like a real step up from the busy, messy tours I used to see.
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hunt.rowan6mo ago
Wonder if locals see the same benefits we do.
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wendyburns6mo ago
My friend Lisa lived in a coastal village in Mexico. The new hotels brought tourists but took over beach access. Local fishermen couldn't get to their boats. Visitors thought the area was improved, but residents lost their jobs. It really showed the gap in how benefits are seen.
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spencer_ross6mo ago
Nothing says improved local area like a fancy hotel renaming the public beach after itself. Fishermen lose their jobs so visitors can pay forty dollars for a watered down drink with a little umbrella. They probably call the old boat launch a charming local artifact now. The best kind of progress is when it paves over someone else's way of life.
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