WHY WE NEED TO GET VEGAN TRAVEL ON THE MAP

I love all the things most people hate about traveling; aeroplane food, early mornings, hanging around in airports /  bus stations / train stations, why do I find it all so thrilling, even after ten years plus on the road?

The anticipation of movement, it’s addictive.

I also appreciate that for some, the thought of vegan travel may make bring you out in a cold sweat and thats exactly why, this November during international vegan month we need to get vegan travel on the map.

So what are the benefits?

1. To create the demand

Recently, whilst in an airport in Spain I went to order a coffee and then thought to myself, I’ll just check to see if they have soya milk (leche de soja) and the barista replied:

“No (mi amor, my darling) but do you know what, people asking for this so I’m going to speak to my manager to see if we can get it on the menu and I heard that it’s healthier for you than ‘normal’ milk anyway”.

The more we travel, the more demand for vegan friendly products will be created. Businesses of all sizes have always and will always react to demand, I have seen evidence of this first hand over the course of the past twelve months in Guatemala. In the eighteen months that Veganbnb Travel has been established, two local coffee shops have added a plant based milk alternative, one restaurant has added the V symbol to it’s menu and many more have approached me to ask how they can add more vege and vegan options to their menus, result!

2. To promote the availability of lifestyle in which animals and the environment are not exploited

Many people (specifically my mum) are surprised when they find out that I have plenty of people who are not vegan travel with me in both Guatemala and Spain.

Last season in Guatemala I had a lovely couple from the US on a trip, they were both vegetarian and interested in making the move towards a completely vegan lifestyle but still felt that although they would be safe back on home turf where they could shop locally and prepare food at home, they thought being completely vegan would restrict their lifestyle.

As I shifted their focus towards what they would gain if they went vegan as opposed to what they believed they would loose, I’m happy to say that after their week in Guatemala they saw that there is absolutely nothing restrictive at all about being vegan, it is very much available to anybody looking to lead a healthier more compassionate  lifestyle.

3. To support existing vegan businesses & conscious economies

Holidays are exciting, lets imagine you have booked on my New Years Eve Special in Guatemala, by just booking your trip you will have supported one vegan business, you decide to treat yourself to a few goodies before your holiday; some vegan friendly sandals, toiletries and cosmetics from that new vegan business you heard of, maybe a vegan magazine for some holiday reading and then before you actually go on holiday you’ll have to have lunch at your favourite vegan restaurant with your friends (to make them all a jealous) and say goodbye!

Many people work extremely hard to get small businesses off the ground and running so a show of support is the best we can do for existing vegan businesses in order for them to be able to continue to do what they do, support themselves and ultimately grow, that is the conscious economy effect.

Em x

OVER TO YOU

What would you like to see in the future of vegan travel, I would love to know! Please let me know in the comments box below.

DECEMBER EXPERIENCES

Vegan dinner parties, organic farms, chocolate workshops, nature walks, vegan Guatemalan cooking class and more on this years New Year's Eve Special here >>>

If you would you like to listen to this blog then come on over to Sound Cloud for vegan story time here >>>