Travel is more than just a way to see new places and have fun. It can also be a powerful force for positive change, both for the travelers themselves and for the people and places they encounter. Travel can inspire curiosity, creativity, empathy, and action, and can foster cross-cultural understanding, social justice, and environmental awareness. Some travelers are especially good at using their journeys as a platform to share their stories, insights, and passions, and to inspire others to follow their footsteps or create their own paths.
As an example the beloved documentary, The White Continent, has inspired many travelers to visit Antarctica as a way to learn about climate change. It can be seen on the free Access Luxury channel on Roku.
These are the travelers who are changing the world through travel, and who deserve our recognition and admiration. Here are some of the most inspiring and influential travelers of 2023, who are using travel as a tool for discovery, learning, creativity, impact, and transformation. They are explorers, adventurers, activists, entrepreneurs, artists, and celebrities, who have traveled to various corners of the globe and have made a difference in their own ways.
• Jessica Nabongo – The first black woman to visit every country in the world, Jessica Nabongo is a travel writer, photographer, entrepreneur, and activist who aims to challenge stereotypes, promote diversity, and empower women through her travels. She documents her experiences on her blog The Catch Me If You Can and her Instagram @thecatchmeifyoucan, where she showcases the beauty, culture, and humanity of each destination. She also runs a boutique travel company called Jet Black, which specializes in curating trips to Africa, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, and supports local businesses and communities.
• Céline Cousteau – A filmmaker, explorer, and environmentalist, Céline Cousteau is the granddaughter of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, and the founder and director of CauseCentric Productions, a non-profit organization that creates and distributes multimedia content to raise awareness and support for social and environmental causes. She also leads expeditions and projects around the world, such as Tribes on the Edge, a documentary and impact campaign that explores the plight and the wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon. She is passionate about telling stories that connect humans and nature, and that inspire action and change.
• Alex Honnold – A professional rock climber and free soloist, Alex Honnold is best known for his daring ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, which was documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo. He is also an avid traveler and adventurer, who has climbed some of the most challenging and spectacular routes in the world, from Antarctica to Morocco. He is also the founder of the Honnold Foundation, which supports solar energy initiatives to improve lives and reduce environmental impact in various communities around the world.
• Lily Cole – A model, actress, author, and social entrepreneur, Lily Cole is a multifaceted traveler who uses her fame and influence to support various causes and projects that she cares about. She is an ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund and the Environmental Justice Foundation, and a patron of the Cambridge Literary Festival. She also wrote a book called Who Cares Wins, which explores the issues and solutions for a more sustainable and compassionate future.
