Geoff Stamp has a passion for all things travel and all things vegan. This is evident in his vegan travel club Vegan on the Map. Geoff was on hand to answer a few questions about his vegan travel business and his upcoming round the world vegan tour. He also discusses how travel may look like post COVID-19.
What is Vegan on the Map and how did you come up with the idea?
We started as a classic vegan travel agency. In the beginning were listing all the offers from other vegan travel agencies and tour operators, bringing them all together onto one site. This is how we are able to offer such a large selection of trips. We also list detailed information for independent travellers about veganism in each country, including listings of vegan community groups, restaurants, culinary schools and vegan businesses. We also support local animal sanctuaries and wildlife conservation projects. We create a dedicated website for each country we visit; so far we have over one hundred websites.
Due to COVID we pushed all our travel plans back by a year. In this time we have developed our full service media marketing agency. You want to turn your passion into a business? You want to turn your dreams into a sustainable lifestyle? More and more people are questioning lifestyle choices. Creative souls can work remotely and travel the world as digital nomads. Our focus is now on slow travel. You do not need to travel at all to work online.
Whether you are on social media for fun, activism or to promote a business, it helps to be heard. Connecting with the right people, who have the same interests and who are also active and engaged. Connect with real people and make real friendships.
The ideas came because this is what I will be doing myself and I found nothing similar existing. There are many inspirational travel blogs which are great; however they do not offer group travel.
How long have you been vegan? Likewise, how long have you been in the travel industry for?
I stopped eating meat 46 years ago. At the time being vegetarian was already very challenging. The first question most people would ask me was not “why?” but “what is that?” When I explained that I was taking a stance against factory farming, everybody, with almost no exception would say they agreed with me, although they would not be changing themselves. A few people would take me to one side and tell me in a grave tone that I would soon die.
The worst was the plastic shoes, which totally killed your feet. The first veggie shoe shop opened in the south of England and saved me. My daughter has never tasted meat in her life and is now 24 years old. She was raised vegetarian because I did not want to take any chances, as the scientific evidence was not as clear as it is today.
I do not consider myself to be in the travel “industry”. I started my travel club four years ago.
You will be traveling around the world for the next three years and you’re asking people to come along for the ride, or parts of it. Where will you be travelling to?
We haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on the list; visiting every continent for at least six months, organised as a hop-on, hop-off trip, so you can join us for a specific country and maybe join us again later for another adventure. The highlight for me will be Antarctica; we sail out from the south of Argentina. You can also become a “facilitator” meaning that you help to organise and lead the tours. This way we will have many more tours available at all times, all around the world. We pass on to you all our notes and detailed planning from our previous visits. Each group can deviate from the plans as much as they like to accommodate individual wishes.
Your priority is on safe travel and sustainable eco-friendly trips, achievable through slow travel and staying for longer in places and learning about the local culture. How does veganism play a role in sustainable travel?
For me, veganism is far more than a diet. It’s a lifestyle that encompasses compassion and happiness. Likewise, travel for me is far more than just ticking off the biggest number of sites from a shopping list, just so that you can say that you have been there and done that. If travel is done right, it changes you. Some of the best memories come from the people you meet along the route. People everywhere are so generous and loving and happy. Joyful. When you experience a culture up close, you can see the richness that it brings beyond material obsession. Things like family and community; living in nature, seeing the positive, living and loving life. Many cultures, as well as animal conservation work, depend on tourism to survive.
Do you think there will be any areas on your itinerary where it might be difficult to travel vegan?
Yes, there are many regions where it is difficult. Of course, if it were easy, I might not have a job! Travelling as a group has many advantages. We can negotiate and plan in advance. We like to have our own place, with our own kitchen. We work with local people and businesses who are often happy to adapt for a group, which they would not do for solo travellers. Having a local guide can make a place come alive. They can bring us to hidden spots away from the hoards of tourists and explain the meanings of each detail of what we are seeing and experiencing. The cost is shared between the group and so it is very much worth doing.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has affected the majority of the world. The negative effects on social and economic aspects of society have been unimaginable. How are you planning to travel during the pandemic? What is your plan?
The countries that have high tourism have often been the best at containing the pandemic and putting in measures to ensure that tourists are safe. These countries are often far safer than the western countries our clients will be travelling from. Our concern is to not unwittingly bring in the virus and infect the people we are visiting. What is sure is that negative testing will be a requirement of most countries. By travelling in a group we can have our own accommodation and transport as often as possible. We are also staying flexible, so that we can adapt our plans to the situation.
What kinds of travel will you engage in and who are you hoping to meet out on the road?
Because we are a group of vegans, we are all going to have similar interests. Hunting down the local vegan restaurants is often the first thing we like to do. We love to organise culinary workshops, with culinary schools or local chefs and restaurants, which means we can learn about local cooking techniques and ingredients. Wildlife is something I love. Seeing animals in nature is so sensational and thrilling. We also like to learn about animal conservation and may visit sanctuaries that are doing such important work. It is the economics of ecotourism that will ensure their survival; when they are worth more alive than dead.
We have built up a large network of contacts for each country. There are many community projects and local groups. Homestays and locally run accommodation are often possible. Another amazing experience is temple stays. In Sichuan, the highlight for me was chanting with the monks at 5am. The head monk was so generous with his time, explaining the lifestyle within the temple and their Buddhist philosophy. These beliefs permeate the local culture. The local people are so gentle.
What if there are countries on your list where the borders are shut indefinitely, like Australia?
We are planning on being in Australia in 2022. It is still a year away, so we will keep monitoring the situation. There are so many countries to visit in the world, the key is to stay flexible and adapt along the way. The pandemic is well under control in many countries and things will improve as our experience increases.
In my four years of research, Australia is the country that has inspired me the most. Whereas most people around the world will reply to me “I love your project, best of luck”. In Australia they say “How can we help?” The other country that is equally friendly in this way is India.
Where will you be visiting and what do you hope the trip will achieve overall? Will non-vegan travellers be welcome?
Life is like a dance. Live life to the fullest, every drop, every second. Be happy, be compassionate.
“When we dance, the journey itself is the point, as when we play music the playing itself is the point. And exactly the same thing is true of travel. Travel is the discovery that the point of life is always arrived at in the immediate moment.” To misquote Alan Watts
Achievement comes in many forms. My mission: a new era of peace on earth.
Yes, non-vegans are the most welcome! Anybody, open to moving towards a more plant based, loving lifestyle. I am not the vegan police. I am just so happy that the movement is finally taking off.
How can people learn more about Vegan on the Map and how can they join your world trip if they wish to join?
People can google us and find us on social media. Register on the website, or send us an email.
To learn more about Vegan on the Map and their World Tour, visit the website.
