Thursday 19 January 2017

Trump and the impact on travel - Travel bloggers

Claudia Rabin-Manning has owned Trump Travel & Tours since 1989.
The fineprint on her business cards and signage is a disclaimer that reads,
"Not affiliated with Donald J.Trump or the Trump Organization" - as required
 by the conditions of a lawsuit initiated by The Donald in 1989 (which she won).
(Photo from NYDailyNews - read the original story on their website)
Not long after the surprising election result south of the border, we captured a few stories in the news about what Trump-as-President could mean for travel.

Now we take a look at what travel bloggers have had to say on the subject. Here is a sampling:

These are pre-inauguration stories, or course, captured for all time... (we are wondering what the stories will be afterwards?)...

Why I Think Travel Is So Important Now - Wendy Perrin

"Since last week’s U.S. presidential election, there’s been a lot of talk about how certain groups of voters... are living in a bubble. But isn’t it true that everyone’s always lived in a bubble? That’s the reason why we travel—to get outside the bubbles we were born and raised in or currently inhabit, see how other people live and think, and broaden our worldview. Whatever your political leanings, I think this election reinforced how important it is to experience new places (especially within our own country), connect with people who aren’t like us, listen to different perspectives, and find common ground. As Mark Twain put it, “Travel is fatal to prejudice.” With America’s role on the international stage unclear, though, some people are wondering how they will be treated when they go abroad now.
As someone who has traveled in a number of risky countries at times when U.S. government policies were not in favor, I’m here to tell you that, in my experience, as long as you don’t behave like an “ugly American,” people don’t judge you based on your government. That’s because they don’t want you to judge them based on their government..." [read this story].


How the Trump Presidency Will Affect Travel Bloggers - Global Girl Travels

I didn’t plan to write this post and I’m not happy that I need to. I’m also aware it will be misinterpreted, so please read it carefully...

Jessica Peterson's thoughtful post goes on to explore a number of troubling possibilities, including the future of sexual harassment online (it will get worse), sexual harassment of women in the USA (it will become excusable behaviour), the possibly impossible travel to environmental hot spots and, yes, travel to Muslim countries becoming more dangerous for Americans... [read the story]


Disappointed yet Undaunted, We Shall Keep on Travelin’! - Rick Steves

OK, the forces of Trump have taken the White House. For people who love our world and celebrate diversity, it’s a setback…a big setback. We internationalists, progressives, and people who want to build bridges rather than walls lost... [read the story].

 

Traveling Abroad In The Age Of Trump? Wear Dark Clothes - Around The World

Roland and I just got back from 3 weeks in Thailand. People there aren’t obsessing over Trump... Roland has been asking me for weeks how I thought travel for Americans would be impacted by Trump’s presidency. I started traveling abroad while Nixon was president and found people sympathetic. In Holland I was... [read the story].


Traveling as an American in the Age of Trump: What to Expect - Twenty-Something Travel

I realize that having to travel internationally when you president is an unpopular orange blowhard is small potatoes on the scale of potential issues with a Trump presidency. But as travelers it’s something we have to deal with. So here’s what you can expect... [read the story].


Travel Is Political: Inauguration Day Digital Trump Protest - Dopes on the Road

I’m one of those lucky people who have multiple passions - travel, the queer community, and digital activism. It’s no secret that I started my career as an LGBT activist. I’ve facilitated social justice workshops and given speeches all over the world, I’ve even written a book about it. But I haven’t been implicit about how I see the intersection of these passions. Well - travel is political. And to be a queer traveler is a radical act. Every time I step foot in an anti-LGBT area I’m making a political statement. We live in a world where there are still 83 countries that... [read the story].



There are many more, of course, but we hope you found this cross-section of perspectives interesting.

Related resources
Trump and the impact on travel - News stories
Trump fallout - from Uber to F1
Donald Trump was a 'bully' when he sued a tiny travel agency in 1989
Comedian Joy Behar on Travel During the Trump Era and Why She Never Takes Red-Eyes

Suggested reading
Brexit and the impact on travel - travel bloggers
Brexit and the impact on travel - new stories
Headed to one of the 10 most dreaded airports (2016)
Airports of the Future - New Perspectives