It’s hard to fault people who are cynical about the effects of tourism on developing countries.

The environment, traditional ways of life, and affordable rents are just a few of the victims of ‘runaway tourism.’ For many commentators, this is simply the latest chapter in an ongoing story of colonisation and Western privilege.

Travel is changing, however. Digital disruption and modern habits and tastes have all but ended the need for travel agencies, and it’s probably reasonable to suggest conventional holiday resorts are next on the chopping block. Hostels, seemingly unaffected by the meteoric rise of Airbnb, are more popular than ever. The gig economy and a movement towards remote work now enables people to live abroad as digital expats, while smartphones have made it practically effortless to translate, plan and navigate trips off the beaten track.

But even as tourism gives way to a new travel paradigm, the ghosts of historical and present-day exploitation haunt conscientious travellers and expats. Businesses keen to extract their share of incoming foreign wealth continue to offer services catering to the whims and desires of yesteryear’s travellers. The habits of the most careless and abusive tourists are inevitably ingrained in the historical memory of the local community, becoming the default and expected behaviour for future tourists. Meanwhile an insidious voluntourism industry takes advantage of young backpackers and their desire to make a difference. Put simply, breaking the cycle and being a ‘good traveller’ is harder than it looks!