Rewarding Escapes

Simon Sharpe, a seasoned traveller, reflects on his travels and how, with a little extra planning, the experience can be even more rewarding.

Simon Sharpe

I don’t think I’m alone in the feeling that the world is getting smaller. Not only is it now easier to get to places, in real terms it is also becoming cheaper. This has a huge impact on the developing world and in those places that people like to visit because they’re out of the way and not completely commercialised yet.

Understandably, many developing countries and developing tourist locations are attracted to the money, which tourists undoubtedly bring into an area. Whilst this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, this type of economic development does have the potential to irrevocably damage the local environment and infrastructure. One only has to look at the damage caused to the coral reefs in Bali, by the pollution from tourism development planned without sustainability in mind. Areas of natural wilderness, which attract those who want to escape the tourist crowds are often polluted with litter from previous tourists, Nepal and the Himalayas for example.

I often think of a trip I made to Colombia about eight years ago. I visited a small Island called San Andres, which had just been ‘opened up’ for tourism. I was speaking to one of the locals one day, who lived a hundred yards or so from the hotel. He told me that it was common local knowledge that the hotel had been built on a dinosaur graveyard of some kind. Whether this is true or not, the fact remains that the complex was developed without taking this into account. This type of development rarely takes into account local factors such as these, the lure of money takes over. The island is now tourist optimised and I’m sure has made and continues to make a small number of people very wealthy. Happily the further development of the island seems as though it is being handled more environmentally (if not sustainably) responsibly. UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme designated the island one of its Biosphere reserves in 2000. Fingers crossed, it will continue to develop in the right manner.

I believe that it is important we all consider carefully the holidays we take, there is an impact on the local community of every area that we visit as tourists. The key, I think, is to try and ensure that this impact is as positive as possible.

There are many excellent examples of ethical tourism of all kinds, but what is it that they have in common? First and foremost they are generally built upon the principles of sustainability. There are many definitions of what I have labelled ethical tourism, there is sustainable tourism, environmental tourism, eco tourism and the list goes on.

Elements included are things such as waste minimisation, refuse and recycling, energy efficiency, design for sustainability et cetera. Sources (some are listed below) suggest that travel and tourism should contribute to the conservation, protection and restoration of the earth’s eco systems and to assist people in leading healthy and productive lives in harmony with nature. All of these are goals that I sure most of us would concur with.

At its worst, tourism can strip an area of much of the character which attracted visitors in the first place. It can destroy the natural ecosystems and concrete over natural and diverse landscapes. Chasing the money can lead tourism on a path of destruction.

At its best, tourism integrates and benefits local communities, enhancing and promoting areas of beauty whilst encouraging respect for the diversity and differences which exist. After all, it is these differences and diversity which have encouraged us to want to visit these places in the first place. It is often said that you can walk into any major city and find the same shops wherever in the world you are, it is important that we do not allow our tourism destinations to follow suit.

If we as consumers begin to insist that tour operators take more note of sustainability and environmental issues, this will, eventually see an impact on the type of tourism development in the future. We can also support people attempting to live to these sort of tourism guidelines by booking and travelling independently to properties that show a commitment to these ideals. For example many people who have left UK for a more sustainable lifestyle abroad offer accommodation on their properties. There are a number of specialist websites providing contact details and information for this type of holiday.

I believe that not only should we have an interest in how tourism develops (and this includes our own countries), we also have a responsibility to try and influence this development. We do not necessarily need to become politically active in order to wield our influence, there are a number of things we can do both when planning and enjoying our holidays.

• Buying local products will support the local economy and put our tourist money directly in the hands of the people who will benefit most. Additionally, if we choose self-catering holidays then we can be sure that the produce that we buy (assuming that it is both fresh and local) will benefit the local area. When eating out or visiting a bar, try and stick to the local wines and beer. Whilst these might not directly benefit the area you are in, generally, they will benefit the country your are visiting rather than one of the giant US corporations whom I am sure I do not need to name

• Language – ah, the number of stereotypical British travellers I have seen shouting at someone in English because they are unable to speak the local language. It doesn’t take a huge amount of effort to learn a few basic phrases and a phrase book should be an essential. Learning some of the language and making an effort shows a degree of respect to your host country and community. And guess what, it’s really appreciated by the locals, the fact that you made an effort counts for a lot

• As previously touched upon, local self-catering or locally developed accommodation is preferable to a large hotel or chain.

One of the best local developments I have seen is El Momo in the Dutch West Indies. Developed along eco-friendly and sustainable principles by a young couple, living in and benefiting the local community, virtually from scratch. Hotel chains and tour operators rarely do more than offer local jobs, accommodation such as El Momo benefit the community on a far more integrated level

• Independent travel puts more money into the local community than booking through a travel operator and with the advent of the internet this is simple and pain free to organise. It is also very often better quality and more organised than the tour operators

• Take notice of green tourism & environmental awards for places you intend to travel and try to use them as one of your selection criteria if at all possible

• One of the unfortunate side effects of travelling abroad is that generally we fly, this is undoubtedly not the most eco friendly form of travel! If there are no feasible alternatives to your method of travel, why not consider making your flight carbon neutral? FutureForests.com give you an option to offset your emissions by contributing to one of their forests or projects. Of course this also applies to your general carbon emissions as well!

Ethical tourism is not a difficult aim to work towards, it requires some additional planning, but has to be more rewarding than supporting companies who exploit local areas for their profit potential without considering the long term consequences.

Where Next?

On grownupgreen – There are over 60 Travel Related items including features looking at the impact of our travels for example try: Holidays That Give Something Back
Community Tourism – what is it exactly?
Cheap Flights – grownups go almost free
The International Eco-Tourism Society

Further reading and useful links

www.ethicalescape.com
www.travelroots.com
www.skedaddle.co.uk
The Green Travel Guide (Greg Neale) 1999, Earthscan Publications
The Good Alternative Travel Guide (Mark Mann) 2002, Earthscan Publications Ltd. (featured in Community Tourism – what is it exactly?)
www.greenglobe21.com
www.ecotourism.org
www.wttc.org

About Simon Sharpe

Simon Sharp is the developer of www.ethicalescape.com a website resource for ethically minded and responsible independent travellers. He has travelled widely through Europe, South America and Australasia and can be contacted via eMail at the following address simon.sharp@ethicalescape.com and is happy to help with any further questions you may have.

(c) Imgaes courtesy of Simon Sharpe

Simon Sharpe & grownupgreen - 29/07/05

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