Ep 193 w/ Amanda Kendle - Why We Shouldn't Be Travelling to Antarctica, Being A Thoughtful Traveller & The Cruel Reality of Wildlife Tourism

Check out the new Smart Travel PodcastThis episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel PodcastEp 193 w/ Amanda Kendle - Should You Travel to Antarctica? Ethical Travel & The Cruel Reality of Wildlife TourismIn this thought-provoking episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I’m joined by Amanda Kendle from The Thoughtful Travel Podcast to unpack two of the most controversial topics in modern travel: Antarctica tourism and wildlife experiences.We dive deep into the ethical dilemma of visiting one of the most fragile places on Earth. With Antarctica losing billions of tons of ice every year and tourism numbers rising fast, is it still justifiable to go? Or are we contributing to the very destruction we claim to care about?Then we shift to wildlife tourism—an industry many travellers engage with without fully understanding the consequences. From elephant riding in Thailand to tiger encounters and zoo ethics, we explore what’s really happening behind the scenes and how travel has evolved over the years.This isn’t about guilt—it’s about awareness. We both reflect honestly on our own past travel experiences, mistakes included, and discuss how travellers can make better, more responsible choices moving forward.If you’ve ever questioned the impact of your travels, this episode will challenge your perspective and help you think more critically about how you explore the world.Amanda Kendle/The Thoughtful Travel PodcastWebsite - https://www.notaballerina.comApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-thoughtful-travel-podcast/id1269489189Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3AwRGIPRytKa9Txnz1cGBK?si=644319aec60f4f92Support Winging It Travel PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode:⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit🌍 Explore more episodes at wingingittravelpodcast.com✈️ Check out more great travel podcasts at https://voyascape.com📺 Now also on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@wingingittravelpodcast⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro & welcome to Amanda Kendle02:15 – Perth vs Vancouver: travel memories & lifestyle chat06:45 – Topic 1: Should we travel to Antarctica?09:50 – Shocking facts about Antarctica’s ice loss11:15 – Tourism boom & rising visitor numbers12:30 – The real cost of visiting Antarctica14:30 – Carbon footprint & environmental impact explained17:05 – Why even scientists are choosing not to return20:00 – Can tourism ever be justified in Antarctica?23:00 – The problem with regulation & greenwashing25:20 – Final thoughts: would we go?26:10 – Topic 2: Wildlife tourism ethics26:30 – Personal stories: elephant rides & tiger encounters31:00 – The brutal reality behind elephant tourism34:50 – How wildlife tourism has evolved (and still needs to change)36:00 – Seeing animals in the wild vs captivity38:00 – Cultural differences & lack of awareness globally39:30 – Elephant riding bans & progress in Southeast Asia41:00 – Sanctuaries vs exploitation: what’s real?43:00 – Are zoos ethical? The grey areas explained46:10 – Can wildlife tourism ever be responsible?49:30 – Safari tourism vs trophy hunting debate51:20 – What should be banned immediately?54:00 – Final reflections on ethical travel choices--------------------------------------------------------------Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/Winging It Travel Podcast - Website--------------------------------------------------------------Winging It Travel Podcast CreditsHost/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James HammondContact me - [email protected] or [email protected] Media - follow me on:InstagramTikTok Facebook--------------------------------------------------------------Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.Book Flights with Skyscanner - HereUse Revolut Travel Card - HereBook Hostels With Hostelworld - HereBooking.com - HereBook Experiences With Viator - HereDiscovery Car Hire - HereBook Buses With Busbud - HereBook Trains With Trainline - HereTravel Insurance with SafetyWing - HereBook Flights With Expedia Canada - Here--------------------------------------------------------------Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!Cheers James.Check out all of our other travel podcasts from aroundthe worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.