Dr. Vincie Ho takes us on her journey growing up in Hong Kong, studying abroad in France, traveling through Europe, and having her social and political consciousness raised. She explains the dynamics of the uprising in Hong Kong and then talks about her experiences doing refugee advocacy work in Senegal and learning the importance of solidarity and empowerment. Vincie then discusses her transition from academia into the nonprofit space, and founding RISE Travel Institute in 2020. She explains the problems with “voluntourism”, and breaks down some of the unsustainable tourism practices associated with the “extractive model” of tourism. Vincie then explains the “regenerative tourism” model as an alternative and shares tips on how we can all be more responsible, impactful, sustainable and ethical travelers. She explains the interconnected systems of oppression in the travel industry and why it’s important to use an “anti-oppression lens” when making travel decisions. Vincie also talks about global vaccine inequity and gives some tips on making travel decisions during the pandemic. Finally, she talks about the team at RISE Travel institute, the courses and resources offered, and how she envisions the future of RISE. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: www.TheMaverickShow.com
Episode #160: How to Travel More Responsibly, Impactfully, Sustainably and Ethically with Dr. Vincie Ho
Episode Summary
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About the Guest
Dr. Vincie Ho
Dr. Vincie Ho is the Founder and Executive Director of RISE Travel Institute, an educational nonprofit that aims to inspire Responsible, Impactful, Sustainable and Ethical travel. RISE envisions a world where travel is a force of positive transformation for both travelers and travel destinations, and offers an online certificate program in Sustainability and Anti-Oppression in Travel. Originally from Hong Kong, Vincie worked as a linguist and French lecturer at the University of Hong Kong before transitioning into the non-profit space to focus on human rights education, refugee advocacy, and empowerment of vulnerable communities around the world. After relocating to the United States in 2014, she dedicated her educational focus to sustainable travel and tourism, rooted in social, animal and environmental justice, in order to provide travelers with the knowledge and tools to visit places more mindfully and ethically. She speaks 5 languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, Thai, French and English. She holds a PhD in Linguistics, a Graduate Certificate from the Institute for Humane Education, and a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism.
What You'll Learn
- How to contribute to “regenerative tourism” as opposed to “extractive tourism”
- How to make ethical travel decisions in the context of global vaccine inequity
- How to act in solidarity and move beyond charity and voluntourism
Links From the Episode
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RISE TRAVEL INSTITUTE COURSES
Get a 10% Credit for Rise Travel Institute Courses (Code: MAVERICK COMMUNITY)
TAKE VINCIE’S FREE COURSE ON “THE ETHICS OF TRAVEL IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC”
#1 BOOK THAT VINCIE RECOMMENDS
PEOPLE WITH WHOM VINCIE MOST WANT TO HAVE DINNER
TOP 3 FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
TOP 3 BUCKET LIST DESTINATIONS
LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Africa
- Bhutan
- Mainland, China
- Costa Rica
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- India
- Europe
- France
- Guatemala
- Dublin, Ireland
- Hokkaido Japan
- New Zealand
- Peru
- Rwanda
- Santorini
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Thailand
- Uganda
- USA
CONNECT WITH VINCIE
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[3:40] Vincie’s experience Skydiving and Paragliding
[6:38] Growing up in Hong Kong and Traveling as a Kid
[8:24] Studying Abroad in France and Backpacking Through Europe
[10:23] How Vincie’s Social and Political Consciousness Developed
[14:32] The Uprising in Hong Kong
[18:11] Pivoting Careers to Work in the Non-Profit Advocacy Space
[22:59] Vincie’s Refugee empowerment work in Senegal
[26:20] Vincie’s lessons from her volunteer work in Rwanda
[27:47] Understanding “Travel” as More than Leisure and Tourism
[29:40] The Shortcomings of Charity and “Voluntourism”
[32:37] Founding RISE Travel Institute
[34:45] Unsustainable and “Extractive” Tourism Practices
[37:32] Understanding and Contributing to “Regenerative Tourism”
[39:54] Using an Anti-Oppression Lens when Making Travel Decisions
[42:28] Global Vaccine Inequity and Travel Considerations During the Pandemic
[45:33] RISE Travel Institute Courses and Resources
[48:20] The RISE Travel Institute Team
[50:05] How Travel Has Impacted Vincie
[51:03] The Future of RISE Travel Institute
[52:04] How to Support RISE Travel Institute
[53:12] Get a 10% Maverick Show Discount on RISE Travel Courses
[53:56] The Lightning Round
- #1 Book
- #1 Person to Have Dinner With
- #1 Piece of Advice to Her 18 Year Old Self
- Top 3 Favorite Travel Destinations
- Top 3 Bucket List Bucket Destinations
[57:05] Contact and Follow Vincie
