So what is this aspect of travel that we are missing? It is likely nothing more than having a broader perspective. What if, during our journeys, we began to see the people we met as members of the global community, just as we are, and to have a genuine interest in their lives and culture? To have respect for the towns and communities we visit and minimize the footprints, both figurative and literal, we leave behind? The concept is simple—to travel with a purpose, to travel and experience with the intent of being a citizen of the world, not just a consumer of it. Again, I’ll cite Chesterton, who summarized this in one simple sentence: “The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.” I hope he wouldn’t mind if I embellished that just slightly and said, “The evolved traveler sees what he sees; the tourist sees what he has come to see.”

Some might ask, “What good will this do, and what good will I do?” We believe simple acts of care and compassion on our journeys are like a pebble thrown into still waters—the ripples are perpetual. The Evolved Traveler team truly believes in these ideas and values, and while others might approach the world carelessly or unaware, we actively choose kindness and compassion, believing these are the attributes that collectively change the world for the better. Margaret Mead summarized this best when she said, “Never doubt that a small group of citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

We hope you will not only allow us the opportunity to provide you with exceptional journeys around the world but also share our vision of what responsible travel can be. If enough of us share this idea, we might hopefully be asked one day, “What is right with the world today? ” and we can all say, “I am.”