What’s Gastro-Diplomacy & What Does it Have to Do with Thai Food?

There’s no shortage of ways that humans use culture to establish connections.

The Olympics, for example, bring the world together through the shared pastime of athletics. Even popular fashion weeks and international film festivals could be studied through a lens of intercultural exchange.

But let’s focus on a tastier option. One that explores culture through something known as gastro-diplomacy, aka culinary diplomacy.

Have you heard someone say that the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach? It’s like that, except gastro-diplomacy also touches on political topics like foreign relations and recreational topics like travel.

Italy is a great example, as some foodies wait years to save up and plan out the ultimate pan-Italy food tour. But what if I told you that some country’s have taken a purposeful and measured approach to building food-based tourism?

It all started in 2002 with Thailand’s inventive new push to put Thai dishes (and parts of Thai culture) on the map globally.

State-sponsored staples

Before I dive into Thailand’s ‘Global Thai’ program, I think it’s worth covering why food is used to endear and introduce people to a culture.

In short, it’s great press. Everyone eats, and finding a good meal locally is a much more accessible form of ‘travel’ than jet-setting on a plane.

In other words, what begins with a meal could transform into a deeper interest of a nation, culture, and people.

And gastro-diplomacy isn’t the only way that a country might decide to sharpen its presence abroad. Let’s go back to that first example of the Olympics. Sports, like food, are a part of life regardless of creed, religion, or nationality.

Saudi Arabia, for example, is currently unrolling a billions-dollar program designed to boost tourism. One of the key ways it’s increasing travel interest is by bolstering its sporting and athletic offers.

Over the last few years, Saudi Arabia has focused on multiple heavy-hitting sports pursuits. It managed to woo soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo to its Saudi Pro League, launched the successful LIV golf league that’s taken a bite out of the PGA’s business, and hosted major boxing matches like the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.

Will the efforts pay off? It’s too soon to tell. But the bottom line is this: Non-traditional PR efforts can go a long way in boosting travel interest in a country.

Now let’s shift back to food.

Thailand’s success story

Back in 2002, Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion had a novel idea—why not use food to curry interest in the country? (Heavy emphasis on the curry.)

Not only would delicious eats put Thai food on the map, but it might even boost tourism.

The challenge lay in the fact that Thailand isn’t culinarily homogenous. What people eat in Chiang Mai isn’t uniform to staples in Koh Phangan, for example.

First, the Thai Ministry of Commerce crafted a menu of dishes that all Thai cooks and restaurants could focus on. The goal was to find delicious eats that would be amenable to diverse palettes around the world, from Brazil to the US to South Africa.

Second, it rolled out an educational program designed to teach how to cook these hand-selected dishes, along with three restaurant templates to follow. The restaurants were structured by price, starting with a more general fast food option and ending with a fine dining ‘gold leaf’ selection.

But that’s not all. To sweeten the deal for prospective Thai cooks and restauranteurs, the country’s Export-Import Bank also offered loans designed to help nationals launch their restaurants.

Other loans could be used to create Thai food infrastructure abroad, which would make it easy to import and sell Thai ingredients like galangal roots.

By 2010, there were 10,000 Thai restaurants around the world. Today, that number is estimated to have risen to around 30,000. But you might not see regional favorites like Khao Soi available thanks to the presence of pre-set restaurant menus.

Can you name other gastro-diplomacy favorites?

Thailand led the charge when it came to gastro-diplomacy—but they’re hardly the last to undertake large-scale projects.

Here are some of my favorite treats, meals, and food habits that have come from gastro-diplomacy efforts post-2002.

Taiwan’s bubble tea craze.
Switzerland’s love of raclette.
South Korea’s bibimbap—which was spread by a campaign known as the Bibimbap Backpackers.
Scandinavia’s smoked fish.
Japan’s sake.

Gut Health Abroad: How to Avoid Constipation

Tips on how to stay healthy while traveling abound.

It’s a difficult art—one that usually starts during our first flight.

Most health and travel advice revolves around the core tenets of physical well-being: good sleep, some exercise, and a healthy diet.

But for those who struggle with gut health even while at home, maintaining diet, sleep, and exercise can be difficult. And one of the first ways that will manifest is through the stomach.

The most enduring problem for tummies while abroad? Constipation.

While many people are afraid of getting diarrhea after drinking tap water (and rightfully so), the most common challenge for travelers around the world is getting clogged up.

That’s because travel messes with our circadian rhythm which, in turn, affects our ability to digest and metabolize food. (Apparently, our stomachs really like routine.)

While constipation sounds pretty benign compared to Montezuma’s Revenge, it can be

Once upon a time, I was backpacking through the Himalayan foothills. Another backpacker in my group couldn’t go to the bathroom. A few days passed, then a week. As she approached Day 10 without any luck on the toilet, we headed to a village to seek medical care.

The solution? A suppository delivered by hand. It was go-time, to put it lightly. We weren’t near a hospital, and not going to the bathroom for almost two weeks can cause serious health problems.

Obviously, not everyone will experience the same type of discomfort while traveling. Still, I think it’s worth knowing what can we do to prevent similar episodes. After all, who’s having fun when they’re trying to figure out when their last bowel movement was?

I’ve taken advice from experts around the US about how to keep things moving when feeling good matters most.

The basics: Prioritize sleep & hydration

While constipation is an ongoing health issue for travelers, it’s worth pointing out (yet again) that this is actually due to our circadian rhythm.

Guts get mixed up when we shift onto a different schedule… even in the same time zone.

Forget all-nighters and booze-filled adventures. If you want to minimize the duration of your constipation, get at least eight hours of sleep. Or try to until you’re better adjusted to your new location. And slam water. Seriously, flights are dehydrating.

Stretch out & get moving

Travel is an endless adventure—but it’s not uncommon for tourists to be a little lazy. After all, vacation is about downtime… not counting steps.

Unfortunately, constipation is usually exacerbated by a lack of movement.

If you’re on a vacation that features a lot of lounging, then consider adding some walking routes to your routine, especially in the morning. Stretching and mind-body movements are also viable options—and something that you can do from your hotel room.

Even better, swimming is a great option. So if you’re bumming by the beach, get into the water and get moving. Your bowels will thank you. The same for dancing. So if a night out sounds like fun, then put on your dancing shoes.

Just make sure you know where the bathroom is.

Eat your fruits & veggies

When we hit the road, we’re often treated to new types of dishes—including local fruits and vegetables. The more you sample these foods, the better.

Fruits and vegetables are high in soluble fiber, which helps keep your digestion system active. But if fruits and vegetables really aren’t your thing, doctors also recommend high-fiber foods like lentils, black beans, whole grains like whole wheat pasta, and nuts like pecans and almonds.

Just don’t forget to drink plenty of water—your body can’t absorb that fiber without proper hydration.

Get situated (correctly)

Toilets aren’t uniform. If you’re well-traveled, you might have run into a few ‘squatties’.

A squat toilet is one that requires—you guessed it—a squatting position. Whether or not you’re traveling to a place that has a squat toilet, I suggest assuming the position.

Squat toilets are a little controversial in the West, so I’ll let you decide whether or not this is a viable option to alleviate constipation. Just know that many doctors agree that squatting is a better position for relieving the bowels than sitting down.

Take Probiotics

Want to learn even more about your gut? (I’m almost done, I promise.)

It’s full of bacteria that help break down food and turn it into energy. Probiotics are live bacteria supplements aimed to boost the count of that good bacteria.

While it might sound a little off-putting, many everyday foods have live bacteria that are good for us—including yogurt, for example.

While the science is still a little theoretical about how probiotics can help ease constipation, I wanted to include this option for anyone considering taking probiotics on the road.

Inside Wizz Air’s ‘All You Can Fly’ Pass

If you’ve been following my series on flights, airports, and the overall tourist transportation experience, you know I’ve given up.

By given up, I mean that I’ve said adieu to hopes of an on-time flight and organized experience at the airport. (For now, at least.) I plan ample time for layovers, I prepare for delays, and I even organize longer trips to account for day(s)-long transit.

In other words, I’m waiting for the day that airlines and airports are staffed and managed at the same level they were pre-pandemic.

In the meantime, there’s a new offer that’s caught my attention: Wizz Airline’s All You Can Fly pass.

Wizz Airlines, you say?

Wizz Airlines is a low-cost airline from Hungary, which offers transportation around Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia.

Though they’ve been around since 2004 (largely serving central European locations), their reach expanded in 2020 thanks to a new partnership.

During 2020, Wizz took the helm as Europe’s largest low-cost provider. Shortly after, the company sold just over half of its shares to become a joint venture with the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company.

In 2022, that helped usher in a ‘memorandum of understanding’ with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment. As far as I can tell, that memorandum covers added flights to and from Saudi Arabia with the goal of promoting tourism throughout the country.

With dozens of high-profile tourism efforts underway, Saudi Arabia needs more airlines touching down. In other words: Despite being a budget airline, Wizz has some serious wind under its wings.

And its unrolling a novel new concept in budget airfare.

In August 2024, the company launched an ‘All You Can Fly’ pass that costs €499 ($555) for the year. But with other options available to access solid airfare, is it worth it?

What’s included & how does the Wizz All You Can Fly pass work?

Wizz’s year-long pass allows flyers to access the company’s network of 780 flight routes across 53 countries. Though it’s often billed as a discount European airline, Wizz does have a broad reach.

Here’s the catch—flyers with the All You Can Fly pass are only able to book flights 72 hours before takeoff. There’s no minimum guarantee on free seats and availability is always subject to other conditions. Also, and maybe more importantly, carry-ons aren’t included.

Starting in September 2024, Wizz Airlines will open up bookings for all enrolled All You Can Fly subscribers.

The All You Can Fly Pass—what does it look like in practice?

The All You Can Fly arrangement is pretty straightforward. Pay an upfront, annual fee, then get access to seriously discounted flights, including international routes.

That lets flyers purchase tickets to and from international destinations and pay only around $10-20 for their seats. That might take them as far as New Delhi or as close as Barcelona. The choice is theirs.

Ideally, flyers with the All You Can Fly pass from Wizz gain access to cheap seats on flights heading around the world. But let’s take a closer look at how that might pan out.

Wizz Airlines isn’t the first airline to offer an unlimited pass (I’m going to cover Frontier’s scheme below). Other flyers who paid for similar passes noted that many flights were fully booked. Some have also pointed out that these types of passes are designed to help airlines fill their empty seats at the last minute… not necessarily to help flyers save.

That means the pass might not actually deliver any value. That’s doubly true when you consider Wizz’s hefty luggage fees and the fact that the All You Can Fly pass doesn’t include carry-ons.

Additionally, it’s possible to fly around Europe on cheap flights costing only $10-50, depending on the location and season. Wizz’s Hungarian hub in Budapest is no exception; flights are notoriously cheap around central and eastern Europe.

So why pay for a pass in the first place?

Learning from Frontier

Frontier Airlines offers a similar program with its All-You-Can-Fly pass.

I’ve combed through a few different review platforms to gauge whether flyers enjoy the program; it’s a pretty mixed bag. Some users said that Frontier’s annual flat fee took them to places they would have never been before, including around South America and Latin America.

But it seems like a positive experience is dependent on the local airport. If someone lives close to a Frontier-served airport that regularly offers flights to and from interesting destinations, it’s a clear win. The less busy the airport, the more likely pass-holders are to get on flights for cheap.

If not… well, what’s the point?

It’s worth noting (again) that the All You Can Fly pass from Wizz only makes seats available 72 hours from the takeoff time. If a pass holder wants to fly to a popular destination during high season (or even the shoulder season), they probably won’t find seats. Maybe for months on end.

Who should use the All You Can Fly pass?

I think Wizz’s All You Can Fly pass is only worth it for people who like to travel often and at the last minute from certain locations. Budapest, Wizz’s hub, would be an ideal spot. The same for its secondary hub in Romania’s capital Bucharest.

Similarly, if you’re interested in newer destinations like Abu Dhabi or the UAE’s Dubai, then it’s probably a great deal. (Though given the price tags at these locations, I’m not sure why you’d need a discount airline pass.)

So, if you’re living in a smaller destination that includes solid routes on the Wizz network, then go for it.

Just make sure you’re great at packing your handbag. And make sure you pay for your pass soon. Apparently, Wizz has limited the offer to only 10,000 flyers.

Terrible at Buying Souvenirs? Follow These 5 Tips

Finding a good souvenir is a deceptively high charge.

After all, we should know our loved ones enough to spot the perfect gift—right?

On top of that, most tourist destinations are dotted with brightly colored and well-lit trinket shops. Finding souvenirs isn’t difficult.

So, what goes wrong?

Most problems are caused by indecision. We know what our loved ones enjoy at home, but what about in faraway places like Milan, Bangkok, or Rio de Janeiro? And what about narrowing down the souvenir search from the dozens of options available?

Toss in practices like bartering and things get even more difficult.

Souvenir shopping, at best, is a little disorienting. At worst, you might shell over a few hundred dollars for an absolute dud of a gift.

If you want to avoid the stress, read through this guide. I’m covering the basics of souvenir shopping along with five tried-and-true tips to find a great gift every time.

The basics of bartering

You might be expected to barter when shopping at street markets and bazaars in certain regions. This is usually the case in places like South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

If you’re brand new to bartering, it can feel a little odd (or outright rude) to haggle over prices. Just remember that it’s cultural and that it’s usually meant to bring down the original asking price just a bit.

But don’t lose sight of how much you’re actually bartering over.

I’ve seen Americans stress out while haggling over an amount of around ten USD or less. Barter however passionately you like—but don’t lose sight of the total amount of USD you’re actually debating over.

What’s most important about bartering, in my experience, is knowing when to do it and when to pay full price. Aren’t sure if bartering is a thing in the market where you’re shopping? Do a little research beforehand (asking a concierge is a great idea) or wait for the seller to initiate.

Now onto how to find a great souvenir.

Tip #1: Ask beforehand

The easiest way to guarantee a great purchase is to ask your giftee what they’d like, especially if they already have a collection going.

Ideally, they’ll say they have an extensive magnet collection. Magnets and similarly small trinkets are easy to find, purchase, and take home with you.

Or maybe they’ve already done a little research into where you’re going and are dreaming of a specific product. Regardless, asking about what interests them is the most direct way to find the perfect souvenir.

Tip #2: Use the Marie Kondo method

Marie Kondo is a professional Japanese interior designer and organizer. The KonMari method revolves around decluttering using the simple metric of: Does an item spark joy?

Kondo usually sits with an object in mindful silence to gauge its personal meaning to her.

You don’t need to power down in a street bazaar with a tchotchke cradled in your hands—but the idea always serves me well. Before I buy a souvenir, I take a deep breath and consider the giftee holding it.

If I can’t easily imagine their reaction in a positive way, then I keep on shopping.

Tip #3: Treats are universal

Or if you can’t find a souvenir after extensive searching, then go for sweet treats.

Candy is a universal language, letting your giftee explore culture through the palette. In other words, even if they don’t love the treat, they’re going to be intrigued and engaged while sampling.

Just make sure to look out for food allergies. If the giftee is a little food-sensitive, it’s best to avoid this gift, as getting a clear sense of ingredients can be difficult when different alphabets and languages are involved.

Tip #4: So is liquor

Treats and candy go a long way… but if you’re shopping around for someone who doesn’t travel a lot and isn’t too interested in exploring new flavors, go for liquor.

Most countries have developed their own unique alcoholic drinks, from Poland’s soplica to Laos’s lao-lao to Brazil’s cachaça.

Just make sure to buy the correct size for your luggage. Most locations sell mini-bottles, which make it easy to take liquor souvenirs home in carry-ons. I’d avoid buying a full bottle unless you’re positive your giftee will enjoy the flavor.

Tip #5: The airport is your dirty little secret

If you’ve lost the reins, it’s okay. No need to barter. No need to find candies or liquor. No need to remember the name Marie Kondo.

Just make it to the airport with a few spare minutes before your flight and say goodbye to any money you haven’t spent already.

Airport gifts are notoriously pricey—but that doesn’t mean they’re low-quality. The more popular the destination, the more options you’ll have while rushing around the terminal looking for a souvenir.

Airbnb Experiences: Hang Out With Celebrities & Stay in Famous Homes

Airbnb is constantly expanding its horizons.

I’ve seen more than a few intriguing offers on the platform, along with a few surprises. Did you know that some hotels can list their rooms on the platform? And that you can also find rentals from world-famous architects?

It’s all on the docket… but that’s hardly all there is to Airbnb in 2024.

I recently covered one of Airbnb’s latest offers: an exclusive stay at a Mattel-powered Polly Pocket-themed house.

It’s unclear for how long Airbnb will offer the unique rental located in Littleton, Massachusetts—but to sweeten the deal, Airbnb is also offering single-day adventures (billed as ‘playdates’) at the compact rental.

That brought me to one of Airbnb’s latest and most intriguing ideas—to offer exclusive experiences geared at tourists.

Want to take a look for yourself? Head to the main page and click on ‘experiences’ at the top-center of the page next to ‘stays’.

It’ll take you straight to a page with all of Airbnb’s flashiest non-rental offers.

A few days ago, bookings for a Kevin Hart speakeasy experience wrapped. The experience will take the lucky few into a Grand Coramino-centric hangout session at a swanky lounge in Los Angeles. (Gran Coramino is Hart’s personal line of tequila, by the way.)

If you’re interested, there’s also a makeup session with Doja Cat that will open for bookings in October, along with a rental at Prince’s Purple Rain residence in September.

As we wait for new experiences from the world’s most expansive rental platform, I’m taking a look back at some of the coolest experiences launched so far. (How the hell did I miss these?! Y’all, I have retro-FOMO.) Remember, these rentals are wrapped, meaning you can’t apply for a stay, unfortunately.

Home Alone House

It’s exactly how Kevin McCallister’s Chicago suburb mansion looks from 1990’s Home Alone.

It’s a cozy holiday by any stretch of the imagination—but you also get to relive some of the film’s best moments. As Airbnb puts it, you can ‘let out your inner 8-year-old Kevin’, which involves eating deep-dish pizza and watching all the best junk TV.

The cherry on top? It’s hosted by Buzz.

Read more here

The Last Blockbuster

In case you didn’t know, there’s one final Blockbuster still in operation in Bend, Oregon. It’s a bit of a cultural icon—and, yes, you can still rent movies there.

This experience allows guests to relive the 1990s (I’m noticing a nostalgic theme here) with movie marathons, ghost summoning, and beanbag chair-centric lounges. Plus, guests walk away with plenty of Blockbuster swag. Assuming they don’t die at Bloody Mary’s hands first.

Read more here

Musée d’Orsay

Paris is home to close to a dozen world-famous museums—and Musée d’Orsay is one of the most iconic, home to works from Monet, van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, and more.

But this stay isn’t only about getting to spend the night in a legacy-level museum. This package was crafted with the 2024 Paris Olympics in mind, allowing guests the chance to watch the games and dine with a view of the Seine.

To be blunt, it almost sounds too fancy and life-changing for Airbnb.

Read more here

Shrek’s Swamp

I’m conflicted about this one. As someone with a lot of Donkey energy in them, I should be a shoo-in for this highly elaborate (and frankly stunning) Airbnb—should it ever come back on the market, that is. Along with fresh hot waffles in the morning, guests get access to a stellar location in the Scottish Highland.

There’s just one very serious hang-up I have: basking in something called ‘earwax candlelight’.

Read more here

Ferrari Museum

I’m a fan of Formula One racing who has an appreciation of Ferrari (and Charles LeClerc, specifically). Or, if not Ferrari, the type of passion its Tifosi is known for.

This Airbnb stay gives hardcore fans the chance to sleep on a bed made from Ferrari-caliber leather—and, more importantly, the chance to go 0 to 100 in less than three seconds (kmh not mph).

Oh, and tickets to the infamous Emilia-Romagna racetrack. If you’re an F1 fan, you understand how incredible the whole offer is.

Read more here

Success Stories: Tourism Saves the World

There’s a growing suspicion surrounding tourism.

The concept of traveling the world to explore and celebrate life isn’t a hard sell. Who doesn’t love downtime in scenic places, after all?

It’s all the little details in between that tend to breed problems. Transportation demands create environmental degradation; large tours and cruise ships cause overcrowding; scammers prey on unsuspecting tourists to make a quick dollar.

I live in Barcelona where a lot of the blame is thrown onto tourists. (A lot of water is also thrown on them.)

But is it actually the humble traveler whose responsible here?

Isn’t it the travel groups, hotels, rental companies, tour guides, and other hospitality-centric companies who benefit?

They benefit disproportionately from mass tourism, contributing to issues like rising housing costs, degradation of natural resources, and a hospitality-centric economy that doesn’t favor the worker.

When it comes to problematic tourism, the main culprit is irresponsible development that usually involves foreign investment, aggressive marketing approaches, and a cheap-at-all-costs approach.

(A quick caveat: I know that some tourists also behave very poorly, and my arguments here aren’t meant to excuse or ignore their behavior. Rude tourists are a perennial issue.)

Overdevelopment and overtourism manifest in many diverse ways. From locals pointing water guns at tourists to new trends that destroy fragile biomes, the travel industry has the potential to do serious harm on local and global levels.

But tourism, when done ethically, also has the potential to do wonderful things, like empower local communities, preserve (and even expand) important ecologies, and educate visitors on what life beyond their bubble is like.

Hungry for a little hope? I’ve got two tourism success stories that showcase the positive potential of travel.

Adventures On the Gorge

West Virginia

West Virginia is one of the poorest US states when it comes to median household income. Infrastructure is limited, while its economy has steadily declined thanks to the decline of mining and coal communities. (It’s also one of the lovelier states I’ve ever visited, blanketed with forested Appalachian hills.)

Back in 2017, I visited Adventures on the Gorge with my dad and brother. We spent a few days white-water rafting and otherwise enjoying the spoils of New River Gorge National Park. It was a blend of nature-driven downtime and white-water adventures.

During one rafting tour, our guide took out a black and white photo depicting a bombed-to-dirt landscape of barren hills

To our shock, he explained that those hills were the very same that we were drifting past. The fertile, lush hills looked nothing like the photo held up—despite the fact that mining only ended in this area in the early 1960s.

If you see a photo of the New River Gorge today, you’re likely to be just as starstruck as I was. This is the important lesson I’d like to pass on: nature regenerates when we let it, and not all tourist ventures damage natural wonders.

The New River Gorge National Park was first shortlisted for national park status in 1978 before nabbing the designation in 2020. Not only is the New River one of the oldest rivers in the US, but it now serves as a premier white water rafting destination.

In cases similar to these, natural restoration and preservation ensure the long-term viability of outdoors adventures.

Jamu Lodge, Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Ecuador

Let’s venture out of the US and into one of the world’s most important and threatened biomes: the Amazon.

Back in 2001, Jamu Lodge opened its doors in the Cuyabeno region of Ecudaro’s Amazon. A few years later, the hotel partnered with the Rainforest Alliance in order to roll out more sustainable operations.

Similar to treks to Ciudad Perdida in Colombia, access to the lodge is facilitated by the Siona tribe. Siona guides are also available for tours, allowing locals to earn income while also guiding travelers into the Amazon.

Both elements are important: locals should benefit directly and financially from tourist projects while also maintaining control of when and how visitors explore the jungle.

In terms of sustainability, the eco-lodge remains small in order to better handle infrastructural challenges.

For example, all wastewater is treated at the hotel, using enzymes and bacteria to treat the water on-site. The lodge also relies on solar panels to offset its electrical needs.

The result is a tourist experience that delivers cultural intrigue, environmental delights, educational opportunities, and, most importantly, a responsible way to visit the Amazon.

The lesson here is that there’s no environment too fragile for tourism, so long as visits are guided by locals and tourism ventures are scaled correctly for the area.