In this episode, host Amy Hager sits down with Chi, a sustainability professional based in Hong Kong, who wears multiple hats! Chi shares her journey of relocating her family from the US back to Hong Kong, pursuing a PhD focused on the intersection of motherhood and female entrepreneurship in eco-tourism, and helping run her family's camp and adventure playground,Saiyuen, on one of Hong Kong's outlying islands, Cheung Chau. The conversation explores cultural differences in tourism management, the financial realities of running a sustainable business, and what it means to balance idealism with practicality.

Links to follow!

Saiyuen: www.saiyuen.com

Saiyuen's page on the Meaningful Travel Map: https://maps.meaningfultravelmap.org/tourism-cares/resource/saiyuen

Hong Kong Marine Protection Alliance: https://www.hkmpa.org/

Website: https://www.risetravelinstitute.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risetravelinstitute/featured

Instagram: instagram.com/risetravelinstitute

What does it truly mean to travel with purpose?

In this episode of RISE Traveler, host Amy Hager sits down with Candice Young, founder of Trek Relief, to explore how adventure travel can become a force for meaningful, community-led change. Rather than focusing on "voluntourism," Candice shares how Trek Relief partners directly with local communities to support projects they have identified as priorities—ensuring that travel empowers rather than unintentionally harms.

Drawing from her experience following the devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake, Candice explains how a single fundraising effort evolved into a nonprofit that has spent the last decade combining adventure travel with ethical community development.

Together, Amy and Candice discuss the importance of listening before acting, avoiding the "white savior" mindset, setting realistic expectations for volunteers, and recognizing that the greatest impact often comes from supporting local leadership—not being the hero.

Whether you're planning your next adventure, organizing a volunteer trip, or simply interested in sustainable tourism, this conversation offers valuable insights into becoming a more thoughtful, responsible traveler.

Trek Relief's Website: www.trekrelief.org

Website: https://www.risetravelinstitute.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risetravelinstitute/featured

Instagram: instagram.com/risetravelinstitute

What if travel could do more than create unforgettable memories? What if it could create lasting change for the communities we visit?

If you were able to attend the RISE Travel Institute Annual Conference this is a wonderful follow up to Jame’s presentation. And if you weren’t able to attend, take a listen to this interview and then head to our YouTube channel to catch his presentation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbMeOB4AA_0.

In this episode of RISE Traveler: Unpacking Conversations of Sustainable Travel, host Amy Hager sits down with James Nadiope, Founder and CEO of the Justice Tourism Foundation in Uganda. Together, they explore the concept of justice tourism and how travelers can become active participants in creating positive social, economic, and environmental impact.

James shares the inspiration behind launching the Justice Tourism Foundation after witnessing the disconnect between thriving tourism industries and the persistent poverty experienced by communities living alongside Uganda's most visited national parks. He discusses how traditional tourism models often leave local people out of the economic benefits while international operators maintain most of the influence and revenue.

The conversation dives into the importance of community-centered travel, equitable partnerships, fair wages for tourism workers, and helping travelers understand where their tourism dollars actually go. James challenges listeners to rethink travel as more than recreation—encouraging intentional journeys that foster meaningful connections, support local communities, and contribute to long-term sustainability.

Website: https://www.risetravelinstitute.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@risetravelinstitute/featured

Instagram: instagram.com/risetravelinstitute