This is a New Day for Travel

A new way, new paradigm, a shift in why and how we travel now exists. It has not fully emerged into the mainstream yet, though it is brewing, a remarkable undercurrent.

Travel has always been a way to deepen understanding. Consider, why we travel, there are many reasons. Change of scenery can lift the mood, change thought patterns, reconnect with a place of joy through being more present rather than stuck in unconscious thinking, habits and roles.

Often one travels to explore other cultures and lifestyles, to see and experience new ways of life, from cuisine to day-to-day doings.

We get to see our commonalities as humans. Mark Twain’s age-old adage comes true that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness”.

This shift is that and more. The idea of travel as a practice, to better ourselves and better the places we go. Better for one another.

That is a tall order. Yet, it is time, it is desired, it is happening.

Travel does happen, though, more for those who can afford this luxury. That is an important part of the puzzle. Acknowledging this is hard.

And if we do travel, we want to be sure doing so not only benefits the traveler, but also the people, the animals, the environment.

The Transformational Travel Council and RISE Travel Institute and are two organizations leading the charge with a new breed of certified experience designers invested in the development of regenerative travel. Tourism Cares is another organization dedicated to meaningful travel and stewardship.

These types of travel experiences range from self-care retreats to service-focused journeys.

As a young child who traveled with my family to places very different from my middle-class home, I felt deeply, even at a young age, the visible injustices existed within the tourism industry. In the Caribbean in the 1960s, I saw developing hotels and resorts that took away local access to peoples’ own land. Exploiting cultures for the sake of a tourist attraction. Using animals to generate income.

It is complex and layered. Where does the line between helping fuel an economy cross into having negative impact to the indigenous cultures and environment?

All these things are considered within this paradigm shift of regenerative travel - prioritizing justice.

More travelers nowadays seek authentic experiences. To meet people where they are. To learn and to serve.

With Heart Travel is my version.

I call it a “giving exchange” rather than “giving back” because everyone benefits from the experience.

Humans are welcoming to one another when it generates from a place of curiosity and care.

I am in process now of coordinating the partnership for my December 2026 Sync the Dink Pickleball experience in Cancún. This aspect of my work is my why. Transformation through learning, through service, through connection with others in a way that elevates all.

This is compassion in action and it is what brings me energy to organize and lead these trips!

With all that, I still get a lot of feedback from people who say, I won’t ever travel to Mexico. That is a heavy reality. Is it brought about because of the news? The state of the world? The view that certain people and places are “bad”.

I have always experienced when traveling, more trust and care than division. My group trip participants have shared time with Calasanz Bavaro School in Dominican Republic, Women in Sports and Girls On A Mission in Turks and Caicos, the Victory Center and Pickleball 268 in Antigua, and Rayo de Sol a in Nicaragua. And that is the tip of the iceberg on how and where we can be welcomed and greeted with kindness and care.

My With Heart team also includes great pickleball coaches who have their hearts in the game. Group participants receive daily instruction that focuses on “survive the five” (play at least 5 shots per game) how to play pickleball with the strategy and knowhow to work together as a team, have longer rallies, lots of laughter and fun.

And then Pickleball also becomes the pathway to a shared experience with the local organizations and communities to build bridges and build community. We bring nets and paddles and introduce the game to youth, adults and play together. We also will join in on projects that are important or part of their work and world.

This is the start and the intention is clear.

Once I find a local organization doing great work, I begin the process to connect, with an email such as this:

Hello Ciudad Alegria,

Greetings and thank you for the great work you do for your community.

I run With Heart Travel and plan to bring a group to Club Med in Cancun 3 - 8 December for a group pickleball trip.

My group trips always support and partner with local organizations as a way to connect, foster friendship, and make a positive impact.

I am very interested to learn more about your organization and how we might plan a way for us to serve.

Might you be interested in our sharing pickleball with youth and/or adults? Are there other projects we could assist with for a part of a day?

I also always ask my group participants to bring an item so if you have things we could donate, please let me know.

I hope to hear from you.

Thank you,
Melinda