A few good resources….
April 2, 2009
For information regarding tourism and it’s affect on poverty stricken areas of the world, I found this article by the Smithsonian Magazine on poorism helpful. Although it is mainly one person’s interpretation of what tourism in these areas does to the people who are forced to live there, it provides a decent overview of the issue and a brief description of a few different opinions regarding the topic.
Sally Kohn also offers good insight into the reality of poorism. Rather than thinking it is a means of helping a group of underprivileged people by blessing them with the riches of the wealthy, her writing suggests that poorism is sign that those who are well off are really blind to the plight of more than half of the people sharing the planet.
Voluntourism.org offers would be travellers a means of giving back to the communities which they are touring. These sort of programs encourage cultural sharing and socially responsible touring.
Change.org is a group which is continually working to end homelessness, which is often hidden to tourists by governments and/or vendors. The particular article which is highlighted here is concerning how Washington dealt with the homeless population during the inauguration events, the main goal being to keep the homeless people away from the visiting crowds.
Another group, homelessnation.org, also feels strongly about the treatment of homeless populations by their governments for the sake of tourists and the tourist industry.
When talking about the negatives surrounding tourists actions on various cultures, it is prudent to consider sex tourism and the inequalities wrought on the poor by those who would engage in supporting that activity. This article on sex tourism highlights the dangers that are obvious, but ignored by tourists and the wealthy nonetheless.The World News Network also offers an article describing the extensiveness of sex tourism, specifically that which involves children. Also check out the campaign against sex tourism/trafficking.
Another resource regarding the destructive nature of sex tourism comes from the U.S. Department of Justice. In it, the author Sowmia Noir highlights the overrepresentation of children in the sex tourism industry. People who would excuse their behavior as “culturally acceptable” should rethink their opinions by considering what is an ethically and morally acceptable action.
Something which is vitally important to consider is tourism and its’ affects on the environment. As described here, the UN Environmental Programme is a good resource of exactly how and where tourism affects the environment. The destructive habits of people will travel with them, and as more of the world becomes available to tourists, more of the environment becomes susceptible to this destruction.
The Sustainable Tourism Gateway is a resource which offers tourists information regarding the affects of tourism on the environment as well as insight into how to tour in a responsible, non destructive manner.
The World Tourism Organization is a part of the U.N. and is dedicated to encouraging cultural sharing through tourism and plays a vital role in encouraging sustainable tourism worldwide. Although it does represent all things that are good about tourism, it is only one organization and it takes an entire world to achieve the initiatives they have set forth.
A group which has started gaining popularity for it’s voluntourism efforts is Fly For Good. This organization partners with groups to help set up volunteer activities where they will be traveling.
