How To Be a “New Tourist,” the Powers and Perils of Tourism, Embracing Tourist Traps, and the Impact of Travel with Paige McClanahan

06/11/2025 1h 40min
How To Be a “New Tourist,” the Powers and Perils of Tourism, Embracing Tourist Traps, and the Impact of Travel with Paige McClanahan

Listen "How To Be a “New Tourist,” the Powers and Perils of Tourism, Embracing Tourist Traps, and the Impact of Travel with Paige McClanahan"

Episode Synopsis

How is tourism impacting communities, and what can we do about it? Paige McClanahan joins me to talk about the dualities of the tourism industry and how we can have deeper travel experiences while benefiting the world.

Paige McClanahan is the author of The New Tourist: Waking up to the Power and Perils of Travel. She is an American journalist based in France and a regular contributor to The New York Times, where she reports on the impacts of tourism. She is also the host of The Better Travel Podcast, which aims to make sure that our travels have a positive impact on the world. 

We talk about the evolution of tourism as context to how it got to where it is today, the consequences of travel on local communities (good and bad) and what we can do about it, and insights into how we can become what Paige calls a “new tourist.” She also shares a behind-the-scenes look at how she wrote this book and used her professional journalism skills to her advantage.

*This is a previously released episode from the archives! Zero To Travel interviews are timeless, offering valuable insight whenever you listen.

How will you become a “new tourist?” I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.


Tune In To Learn:


The evolution of tourism and travel and why it’s so complicated

How guidebooks and social media have shaped the industry

The complexities of influencers and why we are all influencers in some way

How destinations can minimize the negative impact of tourism and promote responsible travel

The fantasy of tourist traps and how tourism affects the quality of life for residents

How she approaches serendipitous moments and genuine connections as an author

The impact of AI on the future of tourism

Insights on navigating digital nomadism and its effects on residents

And so much more


Resources:


Sign up for our FREE newsletter

Visit Paige’s website


Get a copy of her book, The New Tourist


Listen to The Better Travel Podcast


Follow her on Instagram


Check out the book Do Travel Writers Go to Hell?


Take a MasterClass


Transcribe with Trint



Want More?


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Avoiding The Instagram Trap w/ Kashlee

Conscious Travel Mindset With Robin Greenfield


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