A solo female traveller on a quest to visit every nation has publicly named three countries she refuses to revisit, citing a profound 'respect' for local populations enduring what she describes as 'horrific' conditions.
The Traveller's Ethical Stance
Chloe Jade, a content creator from New York City, has documented her journeys to 164 countries on her Instagram page, @chloejadetravels. Having experienced wonders from the Peruvian Amazon to Antarctica, she acknowledges her privilege but stresses the importance of witnessing global hardship. In a recent video, she outlined her decision to avoid future tourism in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan.
Afghanistan: A Question of Freedom
Despite finding Afghanistan 'beautiful' and having a pleasant visit, Chloe stated she will not return. Her primary reason is the severe restrictions imposed on locals, particularly women, under the Taliban regime which regained power in 2021. 'It's almost disrespectful to me, to take the freedoms they give to foreigners that aren't given to locals,' she explained, concluding it is not a destination for 'the every day traveller.'
The Democratic Republic of the Congo: Escalating Danger
Chloe noted she 'really enjoyed' her time in the DRC but will not go back due to extreme dangers. The country is in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced in the east due to conflict. The escalating violence, including the seizure of key areas by the M23 rebel group, creates significant risks for both residents and visitors alike.
Sudan: War and Restricted Access
Labelling Sudan as 'incredible', Chloe cited the 'serious misfortune' of an ongoing civil war, which she claims is 'backed by foreign powers'. She highlighted the 'horrific' daily reality for women and noted that tourist access is largely confined to Port Sudan, typically requiring a humanitarian visa. The country's instability makes ethical tourism impossible in her view.
Audience Reaction and Debate
Chloe's stance ignited a fierce debate among her followers. Some applauded her ethical position, while others criticised it as a privileged perspective. One Afghan commenter argued that foreign absence worsens the situation, writing: 'The state of Afghanistan is worse when foreigners don’t visit than if they do.' Another accused her of being used as a 'PR machine' for the Taliban.
Others pointed to the complex geopolitical contexts, with one user advising her to 'Consider reframing,' noting foreign powers' roles in conflicts across all three nations.
Chloe insists that while these destinations are 'amazing,' she chooses to avoid them 'out of respect for the people there in general' and urges other tourists to consider doing the same.
