Discover Your World Travel Experience: Synthia Achoh
I am Synthia Achoh, from Cameroon, and currently an international student in Japan. I have always been passionate about traveling, and before receiving the Travel Unity Discover Your World Scholarship, I have had the opportunity to visit Uganda and Japan. What made this travel experience unique was that, for the first time, I was fully responsible for planning my trip—choosing the places to visit, making bus bookings, handling hotel reservations, and navigating local transportation within the towns I explored. To me, travel is the greatest teacher. It has continually challenged my perspectives, deepened my cultural understanding, and fueled my curiosity. More than just a hobby, traveling is shaping the person I am becoming. I first heard about the Travel Unity Discover Your World Scholarship through a WhatsApp group. With the scholarship, I traveled from Yaoundé, Cameroon, to Limbe from February 23rd to February 28th, 2025. While in Limbe, I visited the Limbe Botanic Garden, the Limbe Wildlife Center, Limbe Downtown Beach, the Alfred Saker Monument, and, as the final highlight of my trip, I hiked to Lake Nachtigal in Debundscha. Walking through Limbe’s historic sites and landscapes felt like stepping into the pages of my primary school lessons—except this time, I was experiencing them firsthand rather than just imagining them. This trip deepened my appreciation for conservation and history, as I met passionate conservationists, explored iconic landmarks, and embraced the beauty of nature. This journey rekindled my curiosity about the world, inspiring me to explore more of Cameroon and beyond. As I packed for my return to Japan, I felt an even stronger desire to travel, meet diverse people, and immerse myself in new experiences. While my career aspirations in international relations remain unchanged, this experience reinforced my passion for cross-cultural interactions and global connections. It reminded me that understanding history, conservation, and different communities plays a crucial role in shaping meaningful international engagements.
DEI MYTHS
Myth #1: There are way too many ways to go wrong, so it is better to just avoid DEI. Fact: Look at your employee base. Is everyone from a fairly similar background? Look at your marketing collateral. Do most of the people look like one another? This won’t change on its own. While taking action means potentially making a mistake, sincere recognition and an apology (when necessary) can go a long way. Myth #2: ‘Diversity’ is just another word for “not white”. Fact: Race/ethnicity are one part of diversity; diversity is about all the different aspects of someone that make them an individual with a specific perspective. Travel Unity’s working definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) considers Myth #3: As long as you’re not discriminating against people, it is up to them to feel welcome. Most organizations realize that marketing is a necessary part of operations. You can’t just sit back and wait for people to come to you. It is the same for DEI. There needs to be a thoughtful, deliberate approach to making communities feel welcome. Myth #4: Working on attracting certain groups only helps by attracting those groups. Fact: Thoughtful approaches to inclusion go beyond the specific groups you are trying to appeal to, as those who value inclusion will notice it, no matter how they identify. Myth #5: With the right consulting/training/procedures, we will be set for DEI going forward. Fact: DEI is a journey. There will always be more that you can do. While this might be daunting, it means that you can pace and plan your efforts accordingly.
Diversity in Outdoor Recreation: A Personal Journey
By Tiffany Chan, Destinations Program Manager, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) This article shares my personal journey navigating the outdoor recreation landscape as a bicultural woman of Hong Kong descent. My understanding and advocacy for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are deeply influenced by my identity. Experiences as a hiking and rock climbing mentor for Mountain Mentors, a Girl In The Wild leader, and a participant in programs offered by organizations such as Colour The Trails, Soul of Miistaki, All Access Adventures, and Incluskivity have further shaped my perspective. The ongoing journey of unlearning and relearning, while addressing knowledge gaps and unconscious biases, fosters a deeper connection with communities and the land where we recreate. Outdoor Beginnings Every summer during childhood, my family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins, would pack three minivans full of camping gear and venture around the Pacific Northwest. For my parents, camping wasn’t just a way to enjoy nature; it was an affordable means of taking family vacations while embracing life in Canada. These opportunities gave me the immense privilege of access and exposure to the outdoors from an early age. However, during these trips, I became aware that we were the only Asian family at the campsites, feeling embarrassed when my mom spoke Cantonese in the communal spaces. These early experiences reinforced a narrative that the outdoors was not designed for people like me. In early adulthood, as my interest in backcountry hiking and camping grew, I often struggled to find peers who shared my passion. Gear was—and still is—expensive, so my cousin and I pooled our money together to buy our first tent. We then got into rock climbing, which in 2012 was less popular and predominantly characterized by white men and an ego-driven culture. I learned that being a climber meant pushing hard, so I tried. As I transitioned from climbing to mountaineering and from snowboarding to splitboarding, the lack of representation and barriers to entry became increasingly apparent. Financial barriers to gear and courses, combined with the skills gap and lack of knowledge sharing, inhibited my entry for many years. Women and people of color were rarely seen in these spaces, and the discrimination encountered both on and off the mountain was disheartening. It wasn’t until the rise of affinity outdoor groups that this shifted for me. Throughout these years, I learned that, beyond the activities themselves, what I truly sought was community. xThe Importance of DEI in Outdoor Spaces Addressing DEI in outdoor spaces is essential, as access to nature should be a right, not a privilege. Racialized people are often less likely to engage in outdoor recreation, primarily due to historical discrimination. Additionally, it’s challenging to be in spaces where one feels unwelcome or out of place, and a skewed sense of belonging can arise from stereotypes about what it means to be “outdoorsy.” Reframing this narrative is vital. The outdoor industry remains predominantly white and continues to promote a culture of extremes, emphasizing the “conquering” of peaks and objectives. The language used is often colonial, as are the narratives that accompany it. The growth of advocacy for diversity in outdoor spaces has led to inclusive programming tailored to diverse interests and skill levels for Black peoples, Indigenous peoples, people of color, women, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and other underrepresented groups. Most importantly, these organizations not only address issues of access and representation in the outdoors but create supportive spaces for cultural connection and community building. They are essential for fostering psychological safety, mentorship, and skill development. Moving Forward As we continue to make strides toward inclusivity in outdoor spaces, it’s important to bridge the leadership gap by increasing representation among mentors, guides, and role models. Mentorship is a crucial component, offering guidance from individuals who understand the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities and their lived experiences. Informal mentorships, such as group hikes and skills workshops, can also empower participation and build confidence in outdoor abilities. However, mentorship programs, partnerships, grants, scholarships, and inclusive training initiatives require continuous progress to be sustainable. Supporting diverse outdoor athletes, filmmakers, and storytellers further amplifies underrepresented voices and inspires future generations. Additionally, education is important for building understanding and respect for the land. By learning about Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and histories, we deepen our connection to the outdoors and encourage responsible stewardship of natural spaces. While progress has been made, there is much more to be done to ensure that outdoor spaces are welcoming to all. By advocating for DEI in outdoor recreation and fostering connections among diverse communities, we can create a more inclusive environment that enriches the outdoor experience for everyone. As we move forward, let’s redefine what it means to be an outdoors person.