VIRTUOUS CIRCLE
Travelers need to be educated before their journey and locals
need to know what is expected. In the best of all possible worlds,
there is a mutually beneficial experience.
Said Clay Hubbs, founder of Transitions Abroad in his essay
on the 30th anniversary of the publication: "Outside our
own country we are all seen as tourists; even we use the word
tourist to describe the 'other guy.' What distinguishes one
tourist from another is how we travel, not where or even why.
What distinguishes Transitions
Abroad readers from the other guy is a desire to learn from
our hosts and openness to change."
WHAT DO TOURISTS WANT?
It is not instructive to think of travelers, particular eco
travelers as a homogenous group.
Visitors want their expectations satisfied. Some will be demanding,
some not. But most will be very pleased if the bathrooms are
clean.
Some travelers are comforted by moving out of their comfort
zones and others need substantial hand-holding throughout the
journey. In most cases travelers wish to figure out how to interact
with locals that is not exploitative.
Visitors have different information demands. Eco travelers
want to know where the water comes from, what is growing in
the fields. Many are interested in language and want to know
the names of the trees.
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL
Seriously lacking is an accurate count of independent
traveler market, those traveling alone or in small groups.
"Foreign Independent Tourists" (FITs) are often ignored
by all except the individual operators who depend on this target
group for their livelihood.
For many tourism developers, backpackers are not a priority
market -- due to their being seen as not contributing financially.
But is this truly the case?
Many backpackers carry credit cards and are willing to spend
in the rural countryside. How much do independent travelers
contribute, compared to those taking a packaged tour or participating
in a conference? So far, few studies have been conducted.
Rural communities are often advised by consultants to raise
prices to reflect the "value" of what's offered. Price
inflation usually ensues.
If prices are raised to levels that tourists do not wish to
pay, the travelers stop coming, leaving operators or communities
with low occupancy rates and eventual bankruptcy. The only one
who profits from such an exercise is the globe-trotting consultant.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Most visitors do not wish to be interlopers, so here are a
few recommendations for travelers, locals and everyone inbetween:
TRAVELERS -- Share your impressions with tourism boards
and media, particularly that which you consult during the planning
stage of your trip. If there is a guest book, sign it. Use online
forums not only to research your trip but to post feedback for
future travelers.
Travelers seeking a responsible educational trip need to ask
the organizers how the trip benefits the visited communities:
Are locals involved in the trip creation? How does the organization
follow-up with local contacts? Does the operator demand exclusivity,
and if so, why?
LOCALS -- Educate travelers about local rules and customs
before they arrive. These efforts will help resolve problems
before they occur. And when they arrive, treat travelers not
as clients, but as friends.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT -- Install or improve clear
signage
at local transportation hubs, including bus stations and airports.
Explain to visitors how to find timely tourism information.
Don't forget group tours. Make sure there are dignified places
for large buses to park.
TOURISM BOARDS -- Use correspondence (including email)
and the tourism office guest book to develop practical summary
reports of what your office does well and what you are encouraged
to change.
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