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8 travel resolutions for the New Year

For 2018 as with every other year, I have vowed to make some travel resolutions which I would like to share with you. I hope that some of my resolutions will inspire you to make some changes in the way you travel too.

For 2018 as with every other year, I have vowed to make some travel resolutions which I would like to share with you. I hope that some of my resolutions will inspire you to make some changes in the way you travel too.

 

1. This year, I want to support more local communities when I travel

Many people take the opportunity to travel for granted. Sure, travel can be a reward for hard work and you want to splurge a little, but what about those who have less than you? What about those regions that you visit that are still living a traditional life like it was 500 years ago? Don’t you want to help sustain and maintain that culture and lifestyle?

Travelling with companies who work with local ground operators is one of many ways to keep your tourism dollars within local communities. This year, I will travel only with companies who use local tour operators.

 

2. This year, I want to seek a deeper meaning from my travels

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Sure, we all travel for different reasons, but the satisfying feeling of giving back or even seeking a deeper understanding of other cultures, religions and lifestyles is far more rewarding than sipping the most expensive cocktail in the worlds most lavish bar. This year, I will travel to understand the world more.

 

3. This year, I want to travel outside my comfort zone

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We are all culprits of it – sticking to comfortable and familiar ways. I urge you to travel outside your comfort zone, even if it’s only a little – it might be you take local transport from an airport instead of a pre organised chauffer driven car. I don’t expect everyone to go hiking in the K2 Mountains of Pakistan using a compass for guidance, but just alter your style of travel slightly – you will be amazed at how eye opening and exciting it can make things! This year I will travel on more local transport and spend more time living with locals in their homes.

 

4. This year, I want to visit at least 3 countries I have never been to before

Sounds pretty straight forward and simple, but many travellers, like many humans are creatures of habit. Returning to the same travel spots year on year. Many people also don’t know that you can get amazing airfare combinations allowing you to visit multiple countries on one trip.

Did you know you can get an airfare in the South Pacific that allows you to travel through Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands? Start ticking more places of your list! This year I want to visit Peru, Cuba and Mexico.

 

5. This year, I want to make that bucket list trip a bit more of a reality

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We all have those countries on our list that we want to get to one day like Antarctica or for me, a 6 month trip through West Africa.

There is always excuses of I can’t afford it at the moment, I don’t have enough annual leave. Instead of making excuses, start making it happen. Open a separate bank account for that once-in-a-lifetime trip and start filtering money into it each pay day. It may only be $100 a month, but it’s a start and will bring it to life sooner! This year I will start saving for my West African overland dream trip.

 

6. This year, I want to explore my own country more

We often forget the beauty that is right at in our backyard. We also often think that travel within our country is expensive compared to heading overseas. While that may be true in some cases, there are plenty of amazing experiences you can have at a fraction of the cost.

Cabins in National Parks are often only $30 a night in low season, camping, even less! Research and look for cool things to do that aren’t too far from home – like waterfalls you can swim in, festivals you can attend or secluded beaches you can hike to. This year I will explore my own country more.

 

7. This year, I want to remember that travel is all about the people who join you on the journey and the people you meet along the way

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I love to travel, and it’s not because I go to amazing destinations, continuously learn about our amazing planet and experience unusual encounters and adventures, yes, that’s all great and wonderful, but it’s also because of the people I meet on my travels who come on the journey with me.

To me travel is about the memories we make throughout our entire travel journey. This year I will travel more with others and embrace the opportunity to share my encounters with other travellers.

 

8. Finally, this year, I want to become a better me

You may not think this last resolution has much to do about travel, but you’d be wrong. It has everything to do with travel.

If I want to be more supportive of local communities and economies, seek a deeper meaning from my travel, travel outside my comfort zone, explore new styles of travel and destinations and have more fulfilling and immersive travel experiences, it’s going to require a bit of hard work and effort from my end.

Read more blog posts from Lisa Pagotto at www.crooked-compass.com/travel-blog

What are your travel resolutions for 2016?