SELLING dreams, that’s what the tourism industry does so well. But dreams are tenuous things and, on analysis, there’s more to them than brochure gloss and golden sun-tans.
As the world’s largest industry, it’s understandable that there will be problems to deal with and increasingly the tourism industry is realising that those problems are not just consumer led but destination led.
Although millions of people worldwide benefit from employment in the tourism industry, many communities are voicing their concerns over environmental, social and economic issues that relate to its development – particularly in poorer countries.
‘What’s the point of being inundated with foreign tourists, if the development of tourism means that local water supplies are used up on swimming pools and golf courses?’ say communities in Thailand. ‘What’s the point of a successful tourism industry if vulnerable children in our countries are exploited by sex tourists?’ say social workers in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa ‘What’s the point of tourism if hotels prefer to import produce?’ say farmers in The Gambia and the Caribbean?
Ten years on from the first attempts of Tourism Concern to raise some of these issues through seminars, publications, educational resources, campaigning and liaison with the industry, many members of the tourism industry have agreed that they have a responsibility to minimise some of these impacts. It’s something the travelling public want too.
Research by Saatchi and Saatchi showed that 72% of consumers surveyed thought that ‘business and corporations will need to take issues like social responsibility and the environment much more seriously in the new millennium’.
Recent research by charity Tearfund shows that this general concern extends to tourists too, even to the extent of people saying they would pay significantly more to tour operators that make extra environmental, social and financial commitments to the communities they operate in.
Tourism Concern sometimes raises issues that are uncomfortable for the travel industry. But that doesn’t mean the issues can be ignored. There are many positive moves too.
A simple tourists do’s and don’ts list is available for travel agents, tour guides and publishers to distribute to clients (see box above).
The Himalayan Trekking Code which we produced in 1991 is still going strong – it provides trekkers with guidelines on how to trek with minimum impact, encouraging tour guides to use kerosene for cooking and heating water instead of scarce firewood, burying or burning waste and following local customs like eating only with the right hand. And Tourism Concern is currently producing in-flight videos which provide cultural tips to tourists about the best way to travel in The Gambia, Thailand, Kenya and the Caribbean.
The Gambia video is already being shown on Air 2000 flights and in hotels to tourists on arrival. A Fairtrade in Tourism network has also been established for anyone interested in establishing tours which give a fairer deal to people in destination areas – allowing more money to filter through to local people and ensuring minimum environmental and cultural damage.
The new millennium provides us with a great opportunity – to make positive changes both for the long-term health of the industry and for the long-term well-being of the people and environments in destinations. Let’s make some dreams come true.
l Save precious natural resources. Try not to waste water and switch off lights and air conditioning if you go out
l Support local trade and crafts people by onlybuying locally madesouvenirs where possible
l Always ask before taking photographs or video recordings of people. If you don’t speak the language, a smile and gesture will be understood and appreciated
l Don’t give money or sweets to children. It encourages begging. Adonation to a recognised project, health centre or school is a moreconstructive way to help.
l Respect for localetiquette earns you respect. Loose, lightweight clothes are preferable to revealing shorts, skimpy tops and tight-fitting clothes in most non-western countries.
l Learning something about the history andcurrent affairs of a country helps prevent culturalmisunderstandings and frustrations
l Copies of the Do’s and Don’ts leaflet are available from Tourism Concern