For the previous 20 years, we’ve journeyed throughout the globe, embracing the idea that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” as Mark Twain so eloquently acknowledged. We’ve shared our adventures, our pictures, and our experiences in several cultures, believing that by showcasing the fantastic thing about the world, we might assist folks see past borders and variations.
But instances have modified. The world we’re touring in now’s not nearly sharing stunning footage—it’s extra advanced, extra divided, and extra fragile than ever earlier than.
Travel Used to Unite Us. Now, It Feels Different.
When we first began touring, every part was new. Social media was in its infancy, and other people have been being launched to locations they’d by no means seen earlier than. Travel felt like a device for connection—a method to expertise completely different cultures, break down limitations, and open minds to new prospects.
But now, we see a world that isn’t solely extra divided but additionally extra cynical. Travel has been commodified, lowered to an Instagram backdrop relatively than a chance for studying. Instead of sparking curiosity and empathy, it typically fuels comparability, competitors, and apathy. Instead of uniting us, journey content material typically reinforces the divide between those that can discover freely and those that are struggling simply to outlive.
And whereas the world scrolls previous one other good sundown, too many individuals are preventing simply to reside.
The Reality We Can No Longer Ignore
Conflicts are raging throughout locations we’ve visited.
Sudan is within the grip of a devastating civil battle, displacing hundreds of thousands.
Ukraine remains to be beneath assault, with civilians struggling every day.
Myanmar’s folks stay beneath the management of a brutal army junta.
In Gaza, whole households have been worn out, and harmless lives proceed to be misplaced
In Yemen, Haiti, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and so many others stay in turmoil.
And these are simply the conflicts that make headlines.
The World Is Burning—Literally
We can also’t ignore one other disaster unfolding in entrance of our eyes: Climate Change.
The locations we have now visited—the glaciers of Patagonia, the seashores of the Maldives, the rainforests of the Amazon—are altering, and never for the higher.
Wildfires have ravaged Greece, Canada, Australia, and California, displacing folks and devastating landscapes.
Floods have swallowed whole villages in Pakistan, Libya, and Germany, leaving destruction of their wake.
Coral reefs that we as soon as marveled at whereas diving are bleaching and dying at an alarming price.
The Arctic ice we as soon as stood on is disappearing, and island nations like Tuvalu and the Maldives are actually sinking.
We’ve witnessed these adjustments firsthand. We’ve spoken to locals who’ve misplaced their houses. We’ve walked via landscapes that not exist. And we’ve realized—we are able to’t simply preserve sharing fairly footage whereas pretending every part is ok.
We Can’t Stay Silent Anymore
We can’t proceed to walk round pondering every part is a dream anymore. We can’t sit in a spa, pretending all is effectively, ready for another person to say one thing or climb mountains for our personal private achieve.
We have to talk up.
We want to speak about politics, poverty, and human rights abuses within the locations we go to. We want to speak about how tourism impacts native communities and whether or not it helps or harms them. We want to speak about local weather change, in regards to the industries destroying our planet, and about what we, as vacationers, can do to make an actual distinction.
We wish to rise up towards fascism, authoritarianism, and oppression—and assist others rise up as effectively.
We Don’t Blame Anyone for Staying Silent—But We Can’t Anymore
We don’t blame anybody who chooses to not communicate out. This is our selection alone.
For folks with jobs, households, and even our fellow journey bloggers and vloggers who’ve partnerships, talking out might imply shedding every part—contracts, alternatives, and even their whole livelihoods. We perceive why many keep quiet.
But we’re able the place we are able to take that danger. And when the danger is talking out towards cruelty, corruption, and fascism—we expect it’s value it.
For practically 20 years, The Planet D has stood for discovery—the journey of exploring the world. But transferring ahead, we wish it to face for one thing higher:
1. Decency – Because human rights ought to by no means be up for debate.2. Democracy – Because freedom is just not assured; it should be defended.3. Determination – Because change doesn’t occur with out motion.
What’s Next for The Planet D
We’re not saying goodbye to journey. We’re nonetheless going to discover, nonetheless going to share guides and itineraries, and nonetheless going that will help you uncover the world. But we’re additionally going to inform the entire story.
We’ll nonetheless showcase unbelievable locations, however we’ll additionally expose what’s taking place behind the gorgeous footage. We’ll discuss in regards to the folks preventing for justice, the communities on the entrance traces of local weather change, and the vacationers and locals making an actual distinction.
Because, similar to that hammam therapeutic massage expertise we as soon as instructed you about—there’s at all times extra to the story. And it’s time we begin telling it.
A New Journey, Together
We know this shift may really feel sudden, however it’s the suitable one. Travel has at all times been about discovery—and typically, meaning going through uncomfortable truths.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. It gained’t at all times be simple, however it will likely be value it.
Dave & Deb