A NEW TRAVEL ETHIC

While nearly everyone acknowledges the two sides of conservation, ecological and cultural, which are involved in ecotourism, with few exceptions, very little attention is paid to the cultural aspect. The major conferences held to discuss tourism and its cultural impact are often notable by their complete absence of the people who are being impacted.

Like some aid organizations that go into an area and tell the local people what they need without ever consulting with the recipients, many tour operators pay no heed to what the natives might think of their uninvited guests. We believe it is critical that the local people, particularly in newly developed tourist areas, be made and active partner in the process of developing the local tourism industry. And a proportionate share of the revenue generated by tourism should stay locally, providing a material benefit to the locals. Even more important than the material benefit, travelers and tour operators should begin to think about a more significant contribution which visitors can provide to their hosts: information. Honest, balanced information about the pluses and minuses of the outside world, coupled with an appreciation of the good observed in the local culture, can go along way to help people think twice before abandoning their own culture wholesale in exchange for the glitzy promises of the modern world.

For travelers, the bottom line is to respect the dignity of your hosts, to treat them in the same way you would want to be treated if the table were turned. Put simply, the old-fashioned Golden Rule. If a foreign tourist walking down your sidewalk suddenly whirled and began photographing you mowing your lawn, gesturing to you to please smile for the camera and turn this way or that, you might respond rather icily. Now imagine a slightly different scenario.

That same tourist comes up to you and asks what you're doing then explains that, where he comes from, this side would be a cornfield and that side a vegetable garden. Furthermore, if he wanted his grass cut to that level, he'd have his cows or goats eat it down to that level and get some milk in the bargain. He concludes with, "Back home, people wouldn't believe what I'm seeing. Would you mind if I took a photo so I can show my friends and neighbors what I've seen?" Same scenario, a tourist taking a picture of you mowing your lawn. But, because your dignity has been respected and you've been educated to as to the purpose of the photo, you'd probably be all too willing to be photographed. By keeping this rule in mind, not only will you get a better portrait of your host, you'll have a name and story to go with the photo.

Much remains to be done. In Nepal, litter left by trekkers lines some trails, children of a once-proud people learn to beg, and VCRs line parts of the Annapurna circuit, with the latest American action film the current box-office smash. None of this means that you should stay home. Quite the contrary. You can begin from the undeniable assumption that your very presence in a place is going to have an impact, both environmental and cultural. Then, take steps to assure that that impact is going to be positive rather than negative. This can begin with reading articles and books about the cultural and environmental issues of the country, speaking with people who have traveled there, and choosing a travel company that shares your concern. All of this will help to ensure that your travel experience becomes a cherished memory for you and your newfound friend.

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