Inside My Writing Journey: Building a Book That Redefines Travel

When you’ve spent your life telling other people’s stories, sitting down to write your own—especially one with global implications—feels daunting, exhilarating, and deeply personal.

In a short behind-the-scenes video, my husband and World Footprints co-founder, Ian Fitzpatrick, interviewed me about the beginning of my writing journey for my first business book. This is more than just a publishing project. It’s a calling. A shift. A response to the urgent challenges facing the places we love to visit—and the people who call them home.

A Book I Never Planned to Write

This opportunity wasn’t something I chased. It found me.

I always thought my first book would be a soulful memoir about the transformative power of travel. But when Kogan Page approached me to write about destination stewardship, something clicked. The title we landed on gave me goosebumps—and I knew I had to lean in.

At first, the idea of writing a business book triggered flashbacks of legal briefs and technical documents. It felt rigid. But once I embraced it, I realized this book could be a powerful tool to move the travel industry forward—to take readers past performative sustainability and into the heart of stewardship.

The Shift from Sustainability to Stewardship

“Sustainability” has become a buzzword—one that often stops short of meaningful action. There’s greenwashing, bluewashing, and plenty of initiatives that look good on paper but leave communities behind.

What I’m writing about is different.

Destination stewardship is about honoring the full ecosystem of a place—its people, its land, its culture, and its future. It demands collective responsibility. It centers equity. And it asks all of us—governments, businesses, locals, and travelers—to act with intention.

Why This Book Matters Now

We’ve traveled the world for years. And in that time, we’ve seen firsthand the erosion of culture, the displacement of locals, the impacts of climate change, and the power of tourism to either help or harm.

Places like Venice, where we saw the effects of over-tourism. Cities recovering from disaster. Destinations where stewardship could have made all the difference.

This book is being written in that spirit—not to point fingers, but to offer a better path forward. A blueprint for tourism that uplifts rather than extracts.

A Work in Progress—And a Community Effort

At the time of this interview, I had just finished the preface and first chapter. I’m still deep in research, writing, and interviews with voices from around the world—many of whom were early guests on our podcast and are now collaborators in this book.

This is a layered, evolving work. And I’m learning every day that I don’t know what I don’t know. That’s humbling. But it’s also exciting. It means there’s room to grow, to listen, and to co-create something that resonates far beyond my own experiences.

Imposter Syndrome and the Voice Called “Agnes”

Yes, I’ve struggled. Writing this book has stirred up fears and doubts. I even gave my imposter voice a name—Agnes. She’s loud sometimes, especially when the deadlines loom and the stakes feel high.

But I’ve learned to tell Agnes to sit down. Because this story needs to be told—and I’m pouring everything I have into it.

Join Me on This Journey

This isn’t a finished product. It’s a process. And I want to bring you with me.

Whether you’re a tourism professional, a conscious traveler, a student, or a policymaker, this book is for you. It’s about you. Because stewardship can’t exist without all of us.

👣 Join the World Footprints Pathfinders community.

I’d love to hear from you:
🗣️ What do you want this book to explore? What does stewardship mean to you?

Thank you for walking with me. The journey continues.

—Tonya