BLOGPOST #7: Traveling in Developing Countries

When I asked my friends which countries they want to visit, all of them answered the exact same set of places such as: New York, Paris, Seoul, London,etc. I asked them if they would consider going to Thailand, Vietnam or even Kenya but most of them didn't see the point of going to those places. I, however, love visiting developing countries. I feel like it always provides me the most authentic cultural experiences and human interactions on the planet. In my experience traveling in some of the world’s poorest countries is as challenging as it is rewarding, and planning your trip can be a balancing act: how to stay safe but still embrace the unknown, how to promote sustainable tourism when faced with heart-wrenching poverty, how to adopt local customs but maintain both your dignity and sanity, how not to end up with an extortionately-priced Persian carpet strapped to the back of your backpack.

Traveling through the world’s poorest regions can be a minefield of dilemmas: how to enjoy the sights without causing a negative impact, how to turn away from the pleas of the under-privileged or help without it seeming like charity, how to behave in environments far from your comfort zone? According to an article entitled "8 Secrets to Guilt-Free Travel in Developing Nations" by Zoe Smith from www.bootsnall.com, with a bit of consideration, pre-planning and sensitivity, there’s no reason why traveling in the developing world can’t be a positive experience all-round. The article gave eight points that should give first-timers some food-for-thought for planning their trip. I am sharing 3 of the things I find most important. First one is the question wether to help those in need without giving into the often-overwhelming demands of beggars and street kids. We should be wary of encouraging beggars and further accentuating the gap between rich and poor; instead try to focus on positive exchange by supporting those who are attempting to help themselves. Second is foreigners should read through the customs and taboos; watch carefully how the locals greet each other and the respect they show to elders or religious officials. Be particularly respectful of modest dress codes, alcohol restrictions and religious rituals and be aware of the fact that what’s deemed ‘normal’ at home may be very different overseas. Third is how to spend our money wisely.Think carefully about where and how you spend your money and remember that one of the best ways to help a struggling population is to provide job opportunities wherever you can. Distribute your money as locally as possible. Not only will you save money and get a chance to interact with a greater number of locals, but you can rest assured that every penny spent is going to a worthwhile cause. 

"There is no reason why you have to adhere to all local customs, but taking part can offer a much greater insight into the country’s unique culture" states the author.

I find that traveling in a developing country offers the chance for much more than sightseeing – it can be an opportunity to learn about different cultural practices, religions and political situations, as well as opening your eyes to some of the injustices of the world. However, in order to make the most of your experience do your research before traveling. Read up on current events, famous figures and traditional practices, but remember to keep an open-mind until you get there.

According to an article entitled "The Art of Traveling in a Developing Country" by Zoe Smith from www.bootsnall.com, pre-formed opinions can sometimes be as harmful as ignorance. The real education takes place on location so make the most of it – learn a bit of the language, ask as many questions as possible and speak to as many locals as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask about practices or occurrences that you are unsure about – as long as you are polite and respectful, many locals are happy to teach you about their culture and laughing about your differences can often be a bonding experience.

Travel in developing countries can pose an added challenge to even the most experienced adventurer. The key is to come prepared with an open mind.

BLOGPOST #8: TRAVEL RITUALS

Those of us who travel regularly have their own rituals and superstitions. There are things that we must do, whether we’re taking a hour-long flight to New York City or traveling to the other side of the world. These rituals and superstitions came up during a recent chat I had on Twitter. I recently had to fly to Cagayan de Oro for a family trip. I made the offhand tweet that I always touch the aircraft fuselage as I board a flight. I don’t know why, but I was amazed at the number of my Twitter followers do the exact same thing. Another thing is I cannot travel without creating and printing my packing list. It keeps me organized and I have a complete inventory on the off chance that the airlines lose my luggage. I make sure my bottles of hand sanitizer and hand lotion are full, and that I have an adequate supply of cough drops (none are better for dry airplane throat, in my opinion) and mints. I have ibuprofen, hand lotion, Claratin, band-aids and 2 portable Wisp toothbrushes. I also keep my handy-dandy baby wipes packed. I must have the aisle seat, because I can’t stand being boxed in. I make sure all my electronics are charged and that I carry AA and AAA batteries. I don’t make a move without my Sharper Image noise-cancelling headphones. Those are just some of my travel rituals but sometimes I question myself why do people feel the need to comply?

While I was doing my research, I stumbled upon an article by Franceska Gina entitled "Why Rituals Work" from www.scientificamerican.com, it explained that people facing situations that induce anxiety typically take comfort in engaging in preparatory activities, inducing a feeling of being back in control and reducing uncertainty. While a little extra preparation seems perfectly reasonable, people also engage in seemingly less logical behaviors in such situations.

"What travel rituals probably do psychologically is help an individual release some of that anxiety and remind them of the safety and comfort of their home," says Scott Tracy, an assistant professor in Chatham College's counseling psychology department.

Rituals seem to be an important part of a lot of people's travel experience. For me I find that it grounds me, allows me to decompress from my stresses and look forward to the trip ahead. Having a prescribed list of things to do before embarking on a trip may seem contrived, but it can be efficient and effective in smooth sailing. Travel rituals — like all rituals — satisfy our need to feel safe, to establish a link to something, and to connect back into our personal, and familiar, lives. And the best part is, in many ways they enrich our lives by bringing us closer or creating a satisfying event. However, what really qualifies as a ritual?

According to an article entitled "Travel Rituals Provides Influence" by L.A. Johnson from www.knoxnews.com, travel rituals can be any behavior exhibited more or less automatically or out of compulsion, whether it serves a genuine purpose or not. Many of us do it subconsciously.

BLOGPOST #8: Travel Behavior

Most of us don't realize that we 'travel' everyday. One way or the other. Wether it be to work, to school or even to our neighborhood; and through time, we develop a routine. My daily routine on my way to school and work includes: getting in the car and out of our house by 6:00 am, stoping at a gas station for a gas refill, stoping at Starbucks for my daily caffeine and then arriving at my destination at around 7:25 am; And since I do this almost everyday, this routine is what analysts call "Travel Behavior".

According to an article by Nancy McGukin, a travel behavior analysis, entitled "What is Travel Behavior" from www.wisegeek.com, it was explained that travel behavior is the way people move in the public field by all means of travel and for all purposes. Some of the activities people want to engage in are separated by space, which requires people to travel. The choices they make in order to travel are based on options, constraints, habits, and opportunities. For instance, how people travel to work (by car, bus, subway, or walk), the time they leave, and the duration and type of stops they make on the way, are important aspects of travel behavior.

"Travel behavior can be used for purposes like finding out which type of transportation people favor most, the reasons why they prefer that mode of transport, the most popular destinations, and the reason why people travel there." explained the author.

Sometimes we go to a place just to see what everyone's raving about. Most establishments use this kind of marketing especially now that we rely mostly on social media when it comes to recommendations in terms of food, apparels, etc. Not only establishments though because according to an article entitled "Life Transitions and Life Projects" by Graham Carter from www.travelbehavior.com, understanding people’s travel routines and how they change is important to help governments around the world plan effective transport systems and policies. In order to make an important contribution in the society to make it a better place for everyone.They found out that significant changes in travel behaviour are often associated with life transitions. Life transitions involve a change in personal circumstances, typically marked by observable life events such as joining the labour force, moving home, having children or retiring.

"Such policies are expected to make an important contribution to tackling some of the big issues of the day, including: energy security and climate change, public health and obesity, how to create healthy urban environments, and supporting economic growth and reducing congestion." says the author.

I didn't realize that managing a community would be so complex. Travel Behavior has indeed help run our society. It balances out everything especially the allocation of our resources.

BLOGPOST #6: Tourist vs. Travelers

One day I was asked if I'm in fact a traveler or a tourist? My first reaction was I asked myself if there is actually a difference between the two. A tourist, via definition, is somewhat similar to a traveler. But the connotation of a traveler, to me, implies a deeper intent than a tourist. Someone who's wearing shorts with patterns, Hawaiian t-shirts, and white socks with sandals personifies a tourist, at least from what I see in movies. The tourist might be someone who gets the basics down, see some sights, take a few pictures, and go home, experiencing only the surface of a country; basically what I picture an australian would be like. A traveler goes deeper. A traveler explores the culture, the people, the traditions, the food, the lifestyles and inner workings of a country. A traveler gets more involved.

My perception, however, isn't far from the research I gathered. An article entitled "Difference Between a Traveler and a Tourist" from www.differencebetween.net, states that travelers are those persons who travel or go from one place to the other. In some cases, they simply pass through a location. Tourists on the other hand come to a place in order to see the sights and listen to the sounds of their destinations. They almost always look forward to the inherent attractions present within a particular area. With regard to the specifics, there are lots of differences between the two. In general, travelers carry a towel for their travels unlike tourists who don’t carry any because they have it inside their hotels anyway. A reading light is important for travelers because they still find time to read amidst traveling. Tourists almost have no time to do other less significant things because they consider their trip as a tour "a once in a lifetime opportunity". Another obvious characteristic of travelers stated in the article is that they do not shop or buy many items from their foreign destination. If they arrived in a country bringing one bag, most likely they’ll end up leaving from that country still with a single bag. Tourists love to shop so if they arrived with only one bag, they are expected to come home bringing lots of bags or goodies. Moreover, travelers are risk takers. They buy a one-way ticket compared to tourists who make sure they get home by buying a round trip ticket, not just for land trips but also for their flights. Similarly, travelers want to explore new locations; that’s why they seldom or rarely take the same path in going back home. With regard to communication, travelers are not readily seen carrying mobile phones. They just want to enjoy their travels. But for tourists, they want to have the greatest assurance for safety that’s why they need to bring with them their cellphones so that they can communicate with somebody else when the case so desires.

"Travelers just come and go from one place to the other while tourists love to pay attention to the sights and sounds of the places they are going to." that article states.

Sometimes I think these stereotypes are what makes people in my generation thrive on labeling themselves “travelers,” and are more preoccupied with not looking like a tourist than actually enjoying the place/people! I feel like being a tourist has been spoiled by a few bad apples, while travelers have been over-romanticized.

An article entitled "Why I Hate The Traveler vs. Tourist Argument" by Caroline Eaton from www.traveling9to5.com, the author states that in order to be good ‘traveler’ we are supposed to leave our stereotypes and preconceived opinions at home. All this traveler vs tourist debate does is bring out the worst stereotypes about traveling, which is a great education for anyone no matter how you travel. According to her, the point of travel is to explore and experience, meet new people and be open to changing your perspective. We are all different people with unique preferences, it only makes sense that we will all travel in different ways. While one person can argue that if your entire vacation is spent at a resort or with a group tour, then you aren’t a true traveler… just a tourist. I would argue, we are all travelers and all tourists. We are all visiting new cities and our individual preferences take us in different directions.The adventurous stories that travelers tell, I think are personality-driven and may not interest someone else – not making you less of a traveler, but a different type of traveler with a different style.

"To look down on the ‘tourist’ is to be a travel snob. The vaste majority of people who travel cannot adopt a long term travel style that allows them to travel slow and immerse themselves in the culture." states the author.

Whatever we want to call ourselves – or others – what’s more important than what we call ourselves is how we travel, how we experience a place and its people, how much we get out of that experience, and how much we give back. I see more value in focusing less on ourselves and our own identities and more on the world and the culture and people around us.

BLOGPOST #5: The Impact of Social Media With Tourism

Ever since social networks have gained popularity in recent years, numerous studies and surveys have been conducted to prove if social media does have negative or positive effect in our society. Truth is, social media impacts our every day relationships, how we interact with long-lost friends or mates from college, colleagues at work and even new relationships borne out of Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter or Instagram where we share thoughts, pictures and video moments of our everyday life. It’s no surprise, then, that social media should also affect how we travel and experience hospitality, at home or abroad. For many travelers, social media has become an invaluable tool for virtually every part of planning and taking a trip: they find inspiration on Pinterest, hunt down deals on Twitter, get restaurant tips on Foursquare and share photos on Facebook. 

In an article entitled "How Social Media Impacts Travel" from www.socialmediatoday.com, the author, Fredric Gonzalo, shared his personal pros and cons about social media within the travel experience:First one is sharing in real time. Gone are the days wherein people load their cameras with films that would take weeks to develop. During those times, people were very keen when it comes to taking pictures in order to make sure that their film wouldn't go to waste. Nowadays, people just take out their smartphone, take numerous pictures and keep the best ones, add a filter and some comments, then share instantly via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or perhaps Pinterest. Second is social media proves to be good company when you travel by yourself, whether by choice or by circumstances. With various blogger groups, user-generated sites and travel forums, there are more ways than ever to connect with fellow travelers and get to meet people. Before social media, you’d just show up in the common area, kitchen or bar of the Youth Hostel and hope to start a conversation with other interesting travelers. That was, and certainly remains, lots of fun. Social media is just a different way to reach that same goal. And if you want to do your own thing and be left alone, the challenge will be in finding the will to disconnect from the mobile devices and social networks long enough to bask into the local culture, wherever you may be. Third is quantity and quality of information available. Nowadays, between travel blogs, user reviews sites like Tripadvisor and Yelp, or niche forums, i.e. backpackers, solo travelers, etc. there is plenty to choose from in order to get fresh, updated information. Destinations have also embraced social networks, so one can find quality blogs, Pinterest boards, Instagram ideas or Vine videos that give glimpses into what the experience can be, like a movie trailer or teaser to entice travelers to come and visit. And lastly is easy interaction with brands and fellow travelers. Customer service now takes place on Twitter (think of most airlines or major hotel chains), on Foursquare or Facebook. And with collaborative platforms, we can now choose to deal directly with vacation rental owners, experience a home-cooked meal or park in someone’s backyard through one of the various peer-to-peer networks that seem to be popping up.

"I can attest that backpackers I see in common areas indeed do seem to interact a lot less with each other, preferring to sit back behind the comfort of a laptop, tablet or smartphone and chat away with girlfriends or family at home." shares the author.

What the author had observe is in fact due to the increase in number of travelers preferring social media as an important tool in traveling. In fact, according an article entitled "Hospitality Industry Continues to Grapple with Effects of Social Media" by Roncha Revensencio from www.hotelmarketing.com, the hospitality industry continues to engage with the effects of social medias. A research by Bill Carroll, senior lecturer at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, indicated that over 80 percent of online travelers use social media, with the most prominent use being the posting of reviews on online travel agent sites and peer-to-peer review sites, like Trip Advisor and IgoUgo. A second major result was that there was a correlation between positive comments (sentiment) and the hotel quality level. Another research were conducted by two seniors at the School of Hotel Administration, Laura McCarthy and Debra Stock, studying how travelers use social media and mobile tools (e.g., smart phones) to gather information about and choose a hotel or restaurant. As a preliminary finding, they explained that hospitality guests place more weight on consumer reviews than they do on ratings from the established organizations, such as AAA and Forbes, even though the latter use clearly stated criteria. Interestingly, McCarthy and Stock found that people are just as likely to post a favorable review as an unfavorable review.

"An important aspect of consumers' use of social media is that technology use has spread throughout most consumer demographics." explained the author.

In my personal opinion, I do think social media is important. It may have changed the course of traveling over time but for me, it makes traveling all the more exciting. Social media inspires travelers like me. My family and I usually rely on social networking sites to discuss where we are going, what attractions we are seeing, and what restaurants we are visiting. My sister usually provide feedback about our experiences when she gets home by using services such as TripAdvisor. Social media and the Internet are not just a part of traveler's lives; with most carrying Internet enabled cell phones, the Internet is integrated into their activities.

BLOGPOST #4: TRAVEL FOR EDUCATION

Traveling is the best way to learn. My dad always say that the best form of learning is active learning. He believes that individuals are more prone to learning when given the freedom to explore and experience real life; that's why he really made it a point for us, his children, to travel whenever our time and budget permits it. Rather than spending our money on materialistic things, we would rather save up and travel. Aside from finding inner peace, tranquility, recreation, enjoyment, health and fitness in traveling, one important factor that is gained through traveling is education.

According to an article from www.traveltips.USAtoday.com entitled "Educational Reasons to Travel" written by Nina Makofsky, traveling abroad presents numerous educational benefits that can last for a lifetime. The first one is geography. Nothing reinforces the abstract concepts of geography and cartography better than traveling, especially if you are traveling by road or to several places. It's better to see the land masses and bodies of water firsthand and explore it rather than just stare at maps and rely on symbols that indicates these places. It will also develop our sense of direction and time. Second is culture. The primary educational reason many people travel is to learn about other cultures. Traveling abroad can illuminate cultural differences even further, and bring home concepts. Such concepts were mentioned in the article like the Japanese preferring shoes to be removed indoors, the Mexicans disliking saying no to any request, the Chinese believing red to be lucky and the French always greeting people upon entering a shop or a small restaurant. The third one is language. Learning a foreign language is one of the more challenging educational reasons to travel. Many people travel for this purpose. It's always better to learn language through conversing with locals, that way, you can not only practice the language itself but the diction and accent as well. The fourth and last one is history. History is a fascinating subject because what is often represented in textbooks is only one version of what happened at a particular time and place. Traveling can illuminate the multiple perspectives of a place's history. You can visit art museums and historical museums, as well as monuments, but you can also talk to people who may have firsthand knowledge of monumental events. Become a student of oral history, attending to locals' stories and customs, to supplement what you read.

"There are a myriad of educational reasons to travel, but you must travel with the intent of breaking free of your comfort zone and being open to new experiences." says the author.

Based on my experience, traveling has helped me strengthen my independence and confidence in myself by discovering things that can only be discovered when you travel to foreign countries. Personally, I think I learn more things by traveling than just by sitting around in a classroom. I believe that discovering and experiencing the world as it really stands are far better approaches to learning than reading about places in a textbook. By traveling, the World is your teacher and it's the most reliable source anyone could hope for. 

More and more people realize the importance of traveling for the sole purpose of education that numerous traveling organizations offer study tours in collaboration with educational institutes. A study tour is a travel experience with specific learning goals. The learning goals of each study tour vary, but are always spelled out in the course syllabus that is distributed to each learner. Study tours emphasize experiential learning and offer both group and self-directed activities that enable learners to explore new territories, cultures, and people.

According to an article from www. hbculifestyle.com entitled "Learners of the World" by Kaylee Willson, a study tour helps students appreciate their field of study more and it really helps them better realize the interaction between their chosen fields of study to the rest of the world. Study tours help students open themselves to many possibilities that are not just contained in one geographical location or culture.

"Inside the classroom, we can read, listen, write and talk about different topics or see them on pictures where we are able to use our imagination;and only our imagination sets the limit." states the author.

We may have heard from someone before that "we learn from experience." While good teaching is still an important learning foundation for each of us (especially during our younger years – and I don’t think that can be easily replaced) the world is also an effective classroom. Although classroom learning can be rewarding, long hours of lectures may sometimes be a daunting event; an option for a study tour anytime in the course of study can be an exciting and fun new experience that students may look forward to. Whether we travel alone or with a group,  in the end, we all acquire the same things: increase our knowledge and understanding, and explore new terrains, people and culture. 

BLOGPOST # 3: SLUM TOURISM

I remember when the movie Bourne Legacy was filmed here in Manila. Filipinos were very optimistic that the World would finally see the beauty of our country however many of the film locations are not exactly noted for their physical beauty. Many of the scenes were shot in what we filipinos call "Squatter Areas". While the government hoped that the movie would help boost the tourism in the Philippines, it gave birth to another type of tourism here in our country: Slum Tourism.

Slum Tourism is a tourist practice wherein travelers visit poor areas (mostly slums) to observe the local inhabitant's way of living. This type of practice started in the late 1800s; Wealthy New Yorkers would visit the Lower East Side to observe how the people from the poorest side of the city lives. Nowadays, more and more people get curious of a slum lifestyle; thanks to movies such as Slumdog Millionaire and Fast5, organized slum tours exist in many parts of the World such as Rio de Jenero, Mumbai, Egyt, Mexico, Johannesburg and recently, joining a long list slum capitals, the Philippines.

Slum tourism has been heavily criticized, especially for being voyeuristic and not bringing significant benefits to locals. However, several travel agencies who organizes slum tours continue to persuade locals and tourists alike that slum tourism could actually help ease the situation of these areas. In an article entitled "Slum tourism: Patronizing or social enlightenment?" from www.bbc.co.uk, an interview with Mr. Krishna Pujari, owner of Reality Tours and Travels, states that he tries to show a positive side of the slum, to people who think slums are just about poverty, danger or begging. He explains how his company is a social business with 80% of all profits given to its sister organization - the charity Reality Gives.

"We do we do this because a large percentage of our income is generated through the slum tours and we felt that it was right to put most of the money back," Mr Pujari asserts.

As a traveler I do think there are benefits to these tours. Most of the tourists who participates in slum tours are from developed counties. Slum tours increases awareness of poverty issues, making it more real rather than just seeing it on television or reading about it in books and magazines. Many tourists often come to put their life into perspective and experience world problems first hand. It is also a chance to see how these people struggle with their day to day lives. It is also good, however, to see that these places aren't just a place full of misery, but are vibrant communities that knows how to deal with their problems.

While doing my research on slum tourism, I stumbled upon another article entitled "Slumdog Tourism" by Kennedy Odede from www.nytimes.com, it states that slum tourism is a one-way street: tourist get photos and the locals lose a piece of their dignity. Odede is a Kenyan from Nairobi’s Kibera slum. In the article he narrates his experience with slum tourism. He was 16 when he first saw tourist roaming around his neighborhood taking pictures of everything they find interesting; It didn't bother him at first but the moment of enlightenment of the real situation happened when he turned 18. He founded an organization that provides education, health and economic services for Kibera residents. While doing a documentary for a Greek filmmaker, Odede realized the real condition of Kibera: feces, rats, starvation, houses so close together that no one can breathe. He then realized that he didn’t want the people to see it, didn’t want to give them the opportunity to judge his community for its poverty — a condition that few tourists, no matter how well intentioned, could ever understand.

"Slum tourism turns poverty into entertainment, something that can be momentarily experienced and then escaped from. People think they’ve really “seen” something — and then go back to their lives and leave me, my family and my community right where we were before." Kibera said.

His article spurred endless debates on wether slum tourism could be a responsible practice. Odede's article made me think about my positive attitude toward slum tours. He raised very strong points from a resident’s perspective against slum tourism. I realized that the huge part of the problem was the fact that the practice is actually insulting and degrading to the local community and even more bluntly creates a situation wherein one person thinks that they are inherently better than the other. We're usually reminded by our parents that we are fortunate by comparing our situation to people living in slums. It's a shame that we have to look outside our lives to be recognize how fortunate we all are. Growing up, we develop guilt simply because we are living in a comfortable life and we get rid of the guilt by trying to "give back" to the community where in fact the truth is all human activity is at least partially (and I would argue mostly) motivated by self-interest, even when it comes to helping others- an arguably inescapable component of self-hood.

In conclusion, I think slum tourism will take its toll on the culture of traveling. One of the main purpose of traveling is to close gaps between the people's culture and religion; However, the extreme differences of wealth and lifestyle between locals from slum areas and tourists can cause resentment.

BLOGPOST 2: TRAVELING ALONE

An article entitled "Find Yourself in Solitude" by Cameron Karsten from www.matadornetwork.com, basically implies that traveling alone will help us find answers we've been seeking and discover the questions to all our unfounded thoughts. Solo travel gives us complete freedom and independence.

"Isolation, solitude, being alone-these words derive a connotation of growth and progress. They emphasize a deeper understanding not only of one’s surroundings, but also of the most significant and empowering quality-finding oneself within the present moment.", states Karsten.

Traveling alone helps us reconnect with ourselves, we start feeling those senses which we had never experienced before. For example when I travelled alone, I have this heightened sense of freedom and 'can do everything' feeling which I don't feel often. It gave me a sense of confidence which I'm not aware of in regular living. I also drape an extra active, vigilant and protective shell over myself which is not witnessed usually, amongst friends and family. Point to note here is that traveling alone is not making me a different individual, but makes me aware of my personality extensions. I am this, and so much more.

Traveling solo has its advantages. You are your own boss and you don't have to tailor your travel plans to suit others tastes. However, it is always better to take extra precautions especially for women travelers. Although, times have changed and the world is increasingly becoming a secure place for women traveling alone, unwanted attention from males and being considered easy targets by thieves are some of the common problems women tend to face inevitably.  

An article entitled "Should Women Avoid Traveling Alone?" by Karina Martinez-Carter from www.bbctravel.com, states that women face greater obstacles when traveling alone compared to men when it comes to health and security, and how travellers are affected by the religious and cultural beliefs of the foreign countries they visit. In fact, there have been an alarming high-profile violent incidents this year alone and has pushed the topic of solo female travel into the forefront of public dialogue. Several murders involving women were mentioned in the article such as Sarai Sierra, a mother who was killed while traveling independently in Istanbul, her body found near the city’s ancient walls; her killer was never convicted. Another incident also happened in March, a Norwegian woman who reported being rapedwhile on business in Dubai was charged with having extramarital sex, perjury and drinking alcohol, and sentenced to 16 months in jail. The article also states that in the first three months of 2013, female visitors to Dubai fell 35% compared to the previous year, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, probably due to the increased number of rape reports the year before. For many, the response has been to speak against women travelling alone, labelling it as shocking or unwise especially to countries who discriminates women. The article also mentioned Jodi Ettenberg, travel/food blogger at Legal Nomads, who said the number of women reaching out to her with concerns about travelling solo has spiked due to the numerous incidents where Western women travelling alone can face unjust stereotypes regarding promiscuity, especially in more conservative cultures such as in the Middle East.

"But discussing the subject of solo female travel as it relates to such incidents is a faulty simplification, The real issue is violence against women, regardless of where they are and where they are from." states Ettenberg.

I believe violence against women can transpire anywhere and with anyone. My sister traveled alone countless of time and while she did prepare herself to possible worst case scenarios, she was responsible enough to avoid getting herself into dangerous situations. Also, the key is to stay alert at all times. Traveling alone can be a very fulfilling opportunity but we should understand the risk and should take other factors involve into consideration. We should always make our safety our number one priority and it all comes down to how how a person values his security and the precautions he's willing to adapt but never let those precautions and fear stop you from exploring.