The World is a Big, Safe Place

“Actually, you’d be surprised…”

That phrase is how a lot of my answers these days begin when I’m asked a travel question. We operate in a society that seemingly craves information at our fingertips yet also seems to cater in ignorance and fear when it comes to actually accessing that information.

“Isn’t…”

*looks around nervously*

*lowers voice*

“Isn’t Mexico full of gangs?”

“Actually, you’d be surprised,” I start, “Mexico is a really big place. And, even if there are some bad news reports, tourist areas have always remained some of the safest places in the world and the country overall is as safe if not safer than the the place you call home.”

“Oh…?”

“Yes, really.”

Mexico is a great example, but this happens everywhere, with Hawaii the most recent victim of this phenomenon.

While we can be sympathetic to the plight of those residents who have been displaced by the recent volcanic eruption and vigilant about issues related to ongoing concerns there, the truth is that Hawaii remains now (and always was) a very safe place to travel.

Governor David Ige, recently released a statement to that very point:

Visitors to Hawai'i can be assured that the volcanic activity is having no effect whatsoever on the other islands, O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaua'i. Visitors can book their trips comfortable in the knowledge that their vacation experience will provide all the enjoyment they expect when coming to our beautiful islands.

All of Hawai'i is open for business and welcoming visitors with the hospitality, aloha, warmth and picturesque settings visitors seek in our islands. This includes Hilo, Pahoa and the Kona and Kohala coasts on the island of Hawai'i. The one area that people need to avoid is lower Puna where the eruption is ongoing

In the past few years, I’ve had well-meaning friends and family warn me about the dangers of traveling everywhere from Alaska to Greece, Jamaica to El Salvador, Florida to New York City and all parts in between. I get forwarded notices about how it’s dangerous to travel by car, rail, plane and cruise ship. People love to mention how it’s bad to get too much sun and not enough, not enough fresh air but how dirty the air is, etc etc etc.

How do any of us travelers even stay alive?

We manage to get through this dangerous, terror-packed, hellscape of a world because it’s really not all that bad. Statistically speaking, travel is one of the safest things you can do, because waiting around in plastic bubbles for heart disease, cancer or random home accidents to kill us isn’t actually any safer and is far less rewarding.

We get by because we understand that living in world where bad things can happen doesn’t mean bad things will happen to us and living in fear is a terrible way to live—especially when the fears are unfounded and irrational.

So, we travel.

We walk out our front doors and go to amazing places. We go to benefit ourselves, but we also go to benefit the places to which we travel. Because, places that are going through any sort of hard time don’t need your sympathy and your warnings near as much as they need your tourism dollars.

That’s the story of Hawaii right now. Their biggest problem isn’t a volcano. It’s always been there. It’s fine. They’re used to it. Hawaii’s biggest problem is convincing people not to cancel trips 100s of miles away from the aforementioned volcano, because a significant loss of tourism money would actually affect the lives of so many more of Hawaii’s citizens.

It’s the story of Puerto Rico, which is very much open for tourism business (and business as normal) even though there’s an ongoing issue with infrastructure due to last season’s hurricanes. It does not help Puerto Rico’s citizens for you to avoid Puerto Rico out of some sort of warped respect for those who do not have power. It actually hurts those same residents.

Puerto Rico is safe, and an amazing place to visit—yes, right now.

Hawaii is safe, and an amazing place to visit—yes, right now.

Mexico is safe, and an amazing place to visit—yes, right now.

Insert any place name, and…listen, I know this might be hard for you to believe is actually true…but it is probably safe, and is almost certainly an amazing place to visit—yes, even right now.

Turn off the incindiary news reports. Log off your echo chambered social media. Don't listen to uninformed people or that little voice in the back of your head that tells you to worry about people or places that are different. The best way to learn about the world? It's always been to experience it. Those experiences will always be far richer and more well-rounded than the constant din of people who want you to worry.

So, go.

I'll probably already be there, waiting for you.