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

Nov 6, 2025

Paige McClanahan, an author and journalist based in France, dives into the intricate world of tourism. She discusses the evolution of travel, highlighting its complexities and dualities—both the cultural benefits and potential harms to local communities. Paige shares insights on becoming a 'new tourist,' advocating for deeper, respectful engagement with destinations. She also reflects on her writing process for her book, the role of social media in shaping travel choices, and the importance of hiring local guides to maximize positive impacts.

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ADVICE

Prioritize Human Connections

Aim to form authentic human connections with locals when you travel.
Hire local guides or spend time talking to residents to create meaningful exchanges.

INSIGHT

Tourism's Recent Industry Turn

Tourism began as an elite 'Grand Tour' and only recently became an industry.
Thinking of travel primarily as consumerism is a modern shift with big consequences.

INSIGHT

Guidebooks Shaped Global Travel

Guidebooks like Lonely Planet massively shaped travel flows and destinations.
Early travel publishing filled an information gap that now social media and search can replicate.

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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

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