Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast

From transit to food and customs, what is it that makes so many travelers question the way things are done in the places they visit? We're talking about a concept that might explain these moments: the white gaze. What is it? How does it show up in tourism and travel media, and how does it impact the communities we visit? Emma (@ThatTravel) and Audrey (@BonsVoyagesEtc) join the show to discuss. Lin...

Erin and Kattie recap a milestone trip to Japan, from Kattie's food obsession and the days where everything goes right, to confronting our own romanticization of the places we visit. POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in travel-related media and hot-button topics. Send your questions or commentary to the sho...

Before any trip, most of us will ask ourselves the same question: what am I going to pack? Advertising, social media, and travel content all push the idea travel is another reason to buy more. Lily Fang joins the show to unpack the intersection of tourism and fashion, and how can we approach consumption more thoughtfully when we travel. Lily Fang is the creator of Imperfect Idealist , a blog focus...

Erin and Kattie unpack travel dysmorphia: the feeling that you haven't traveled enough, especially compared to others. Travel Dysmorphia Is a Real Thing—Do You Have It? This Is the Perfect Vacation for You, Based on Your Zodiac Sign POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in travel-related media and hot-button to...

At first glance Orphanage Tourism sounds really positive. Helping while you travel feels meaningful. But over the years, researchers and child protection advocates have raised serious concerns about some forms of voluntourism, especially those involving children. Dayvee Sutton, the author of a recent article on this topic, “Stop Visiting Orphanages: The Feel-Good Travel Trend That’s Hurting Kids,”...

Erin and Kattie discuss what visa runs are, and why Thailand is cracking down on this travel "hack" to extend visa eligibility. POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in travel-related media and hot-button topics. Send your questions or commentary to the show on Instagram @curioustourismpod or email erin@pinatra...

The island of Socotra has recently become popularized online. But in January 2026, geopolitics broke this illusion of this island being a detached, apolitical escape. Foreign tourists found themselves stranded there. Flights were canceled, and there was no clear timeline for when they would be able to leave, all due to rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, tied to Yemen’s ongoing confl...

Erin and Kattie unpack the troubling nuances of trophy hunting tourism, sharing an unaired clip from their interview with Janna Giacoppo about just how much more fruitful safari photo tourism in comparison. They also take the discussion home, looking at trophy hunting and Canada's vulnerable polar bears. POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch c...

In early 2025, a new luxury hotel development from Marriot was announced. The Ritz-Carlton Maasai Mara Safari Camp promises visitors “front row seats” to the Great Migration. But soon after the hotel was announced, community members and wildlife experts spoke out, saying that the lodge was approved in a place it never should have been. Janna Giacoppo joins the show to discuss. She is a photographe...

Erin and Kattie unpack the ongoing Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and why the Mayor of Milan is saying they're set to be most sustainable Olympic Games yet. They look what what we can expect this year, the addition of a fun new decipline, and what Italy has to learn from the Games of the past. POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid...

Climate change is having an impact on how predictable seasons are, affecting ecosystems and as well as the daily life and livelihoods of people and communities around the world. And it’s having a trickle-down effect on how we plan our trips.  We chat with Tarang Mohnot about why the 'best time to visit' no longer applies. Tarang Mohnot is a freelance writer and journalist. Her work has appear...

Erin and Kattie dig into interesting travel predictions for 2026, from noctourism and hushpitality to cold-weather travel and literary tourism. National Geographic | How travel will look in 2026—here's what you need to know BBC | Seven travel trends that will define 2026 POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in...

HomeExchange got a lot of love after the release 2006's Christmas RomCom, "The Holiday". Now, there's a new rise in house swapping! Erin and Kattie discuss why and then Erin shares some interesting and wildly cute Christmas traditions from around the world. POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in travel-relate...

What is it like to travel with severe food allergies? Erin and Kattie chat with food allergy consultant Allie Bahn about what it takes to travel confidently with severe allergies. We discuss how allergic travelers experience travel slightly differently, the misconceptions that still exist about food allergies, and how the tourism industry can make small changes that make travel more inclusive for...

AI is becoming increasingly embedded into the travel planning experience. While AI might seem like a great hack for creating a travel itinerary, it does come with problems. We unpack these issues, from hallucinated locations to incorrect logistical information. POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in travel-re...

Joi Schweitzer joins the podcast to unpack the ins and outs of what it takes to become a pilot as a black woman and the state of represention in the skys. She also shares where her love of flying came from and what's ahead for the next generate of pilots.  PLUS, Erin and Kattie discuss the latest news about Air 4 All's wheelchair accessible airplane seats being developed in partnership with D...

Erin and Kattie discuss the recent fireworks display in the Himalayan region of Tibet, which drew backlash and an apology from outdoor brand Arc'teryx. They also discuss Bad Bunny's decision to not tour the US and the economic and tourism impact of the 30-show residency on his home island of Puerto Rico. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1eddw19042o https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/13/americas/bad-bun...

Erin chats with Cary Lowe and his wife Trish Butler. Trish lives with multiple sclerosis and uses a mobility scooter, and she and Cary have continued to travel well into their seventies, traveling to nearly half the US states and another twenty countries. We talk about the realities of disabled and elderly travel, what it takes to plan accessible trips, and how travel can remain rewarding even as...

Erin and Kattie discuss Germany Tourism's latest AI Travel Influencer, Emma and the nuances around authentic travel content. They also review the chaotic and hilarious posts coming from TSA on Threads that have the internet cracking up. .instagram.com/emmatravelsgermany POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions on the latest in...

Erin chats with Julian Hockin‑Grant about the Tribal Park Allies program, an initiative created by the Claoquiat First Nation on Vancouver Island. The program invites local businesses, from coffee shops to surf resorts, to become Indigenous Allies by contributing an ecosystem service fee and committing to reciprocal, respectful tourism. Learn more about the Tribal Parks Allies program: https://www...

Erin and Kattie discuss what constitutes a "New World Wonder," and why Egypt refused to participate in the contest to decide what would appear on this list. We also dive into the sticky world of travel scams, and react to a hilarious before/after backpacking trend blowing up on TikTok. POSTCARD episodes come out mid-month, between each regular episode of Curious Tourism. Catch candid discussions o...

Travel media still often presents a narrow version of what travel looks like, and interracial couples are rarely a part of that picture. For these couples traveling together across cultures and borders can bring unique challenges, but also, really special and meaningful moments.  Katie and Bhavik join the show having just returned to Canada after spending 14 months traveling through Asia and...

Erin and Kattie are hitting the feed with a new monthly series of "POSTCARDS"! In between each regular episode, catch discussions on the latest in travel-related media and one hot topic that's fresh on Erin's mind. In this POSTCARD: A first-time-traveler heads to Fiji to star reality TV. The extreme day trip content flooding social media. The illegal stairway to heaven hike makes us question the e...

Sex tourism has existed for hundreds of years. And with the rise of globalization, it’s become a booming industry that exists in most corners of the earth. Sex work and sex tourism is complex. This kind of work intersects with history, power, race, economics, and global inequality.  Dr. Christopher Ewing joins the show to unpacking the history, misconceptions, impacts of sex tourism on local...

Over the last few years, we’ve all noticed and felt the impact of growing inflation. During economic downturns, the tourism industry typically takes a hit. People are either nervous to spend money, or just don’t have the disposable income to put towards travel. In moments like these, budget travel is on everyone’s mind. But can we actually do that responsibly? Guest: Emma Cartwright is a travel bl...