Current promotions IndiaPhilippines Cambodia United States Sri Lanka Malaysia Nepal Pakistan Singapore Korea, Republic Of Turkey China active international exchange largest international exchange international exchange rate on international educational exchange Bucerius attracts renowned scholars and instructors from the best legal institutions in the world to lecture in its English-language Summer Programs, Tribal tourism is a relatively new type of tourism. It involves travellers going to remote destinations, staying with local people and learning about their culture and way of life. They stay in local accommodation, share facilities with local people, and join in with meals and celebrations. At the moment, less the one percent of holidays are tribal tourism holidays, but this is set to change. Tribal tourism is often compared with foreign exchange visits. However, a foreign exchange involves staying with people who often share the same values. Tribal tourism takes visitors to places where the lifestyle is very different from that in their home location. Those who have been on a tribal holiday explain that experiencing this lifestyle is the main attraction. They say that it offers them the chance to live in a way they never have before. Not everyone is convinced that tribal tourism is a good thing, and opinions are divided. The argument is about whether or not it helps the local population, or whether it exploits them. The main problem is that, because tribal tourism is relatively new, the long-term effects on local populations have not been studied in much detail. Where studies have been carried out, the effects have been found to be negative. Travel writer Ian Coleman recalls a recent trip to Guatemala, where he saw an example of this. "There is a village with a statue of a man called Maximon, who has a special spiritual meaning for the local tribe" he explains. "The statue kept indoors, and once a year the locals bring him out and carry him around the village. However, visitors now pay money for them to bring the statue out and carry it around, while they take photographs. As a result, Maximon has lost his original meaning, and is now just another tourist attraction." So, is it possible to experience an exotic culture without harming it in some way? "With a bit of thought, we can maximize the positive impacts and minimize the negative," says travel company director Hilary Waterhouse. "Remember that you are there not only to experience a difference culture, but to help it in some way. Tourists bring money to the community, which the community can invest in local projects. However, this does not mean you can act the way you might do back home. The most important thing is to show respect, learn about, and be aware of, local customs and traditions. Always remember you're a guest". Dawn baker, manager of travel company Footprints, runs tours to tribal areas in Peru. 'Good companies specializing in tribal tours are very careful about who they allow on their tours', she says. 'They won't take anyone they feel is unsuitable'. Baker offers reading recommendations so that visitors. Dawn baker, manager of travel company Footprints, runs tours to tribal areas in Peru. 'Good companies specializing in tribal tours are very careful about who they allow on their tours', she says. 'They won’t take anyone they feel is unsuitable’. Baker offers reading recommendations so that visitors can read about the country and its cultures. 'The rewards of a trip to this country are priceless, and the more you know in advance, the more priceless they are' Tribal tourism travelers are often surprised at how basic their facilities are when they get there. 'It's not for everyone, but for me it was all part of the experience', says Jamie White, who has recently returned from a trip to Borneo. 'We stayed in the same huts that everyone was living in, with no running water and no electricity. It was basic, but it was an ethical way to travel. Being comfortable means you use more local resources and so have more of an environment impact.' |
