As I have mentioned previously, tourism has as great a capacity for good as for destruction. Ecotourism for example has a simple goal of maintaining areas that have high tourist rates by teaching the inhabitants sustainable living methods which they then require of their visitors. The song above is an appropriate tribute to how we tend to travel/tour when we do so. We want to enjoy the fruits of world, but in doing so we forget (or fail) to take care of and repair the damage which is done. In the words of Joe Strummer, we want to drink all the honey but we are killing all the bees… If there is to be a beautiful Earth to live in and enjoy in the future, it will require us taking the time care for it.

Voluntourism is also becoming a popular means of helping people while traveling. The group Fly For Good gives travelers the means and opportunity to volunteer while touring a country or place that they want to visit.

Although a very simple means for an individual to lend a hand in creating social justice as well as making environmentally sustainable choices the result is quite meaningful. Everyone has the choice and I might argue the responsibility to travel in a manner that encourages and promotes global justice for those who suffer from unfortunate situations.

Let’s keep in mind that we share the world with everyone and everything else; we don’t own it.

Even narrowing the question to how can tourism result in a better global social order…people write books about these topics, many of which I can’t understand. What I do understand is that something has to change. So is there a way to tour in a manner that will promote social justice rather than encouraging social inequalities and banishing the impoverished to lives of hopeless destitution? Simply answered: yes. There must be a manner of enjoying a vacation, touring another culture, and partaking in points of luxury which does not ignore the poverty, nor does it take advantage of those who have little choice in whether or not they act as glorified servants.

Voluntourism is one means of doing this. Joining a group and traveling with the goal of giving back to the communities or cities that you visit helps those who live in third world areas. It also allows the tourist an opportunity to share something of the “true” culture of an area. Although this doesn’t seem like a large step toward true social justice, it is a means of offering something of ones self to the cause of a more equal global society. According to Dr. Paul Farmer, writer and philanthropist, social justice starts with the willingness to give time, the most valuable and cherished belonging of a true American. Of course the world is a large place, and not everyone will give their time so willingly, making it that much more vital that those who have the opportunity and willingness, do so.

Our world has come to a critical point in time. I would agree with Zygmunt Bauman (assuming I understood my readings of his work correctly), that while technology has given this world the opportunity to be as united as it could ever be in the history of mankind, people continue to push each other away. Using one another, ignoring (and in some cases taking advantage of) the destitute situations of the majority of the worlds’ population; humanity should have higher expectations for how we treat those who share the same air as us.

I certainly don’t expect that tourism as we think of it now will ever end. Luxury cruises in the Caribbean, vacation resorts in the Bahamas, Jamaican holidays; people enjoy these and are willing to spend a tidy sum of money to enjoy them. All I can do is take a step toward responsible traveling. Enjoying the good points of another culture is not evil, but if every culture has an undesirable aspect attached to it (i.e. children being sold as sex slaves), a responsible effort needs to be made to do what is right and work toward creating a global social justice. This doesn’t mean creating an ultimatum for third world countries to become democracies, republics, or capitalist societies. A poor man is not able to live with the same lifestyle as a rich man. It is no different when it is an entire country.

In a nutshell, I guess what I am trying to say is that while tourism has the capacity to destroy cultural uniqueness and can impose great restrictions on third world areas, it also has the capacity to rebuild and draw together an entire world of cultures, religions, and viewpoints. It will only take convincing an entire world, that we need to care about something other than ourselves. That is the hardest part….

 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.

Feedback Form

Over spring break, I went to Victoria BC. Although this was not the goal of the trip, I took note of the large homeless population and wondered to myself, “How does tourism affect homelessness (if at all) and how does homelessness affect tourism?” I imagined that tourists would be generous and feel pity for their fellow man who was less fortunate. This would continue encouraging those who are homeless and begging to continue doing so. Also, most of the examples of homeless vagabonds wandering about seemed to be adopting strategies of earning a buck or two (ie finding parking spaces for frustrated drivers, drawing pictures on old canvas or cardboard).

According to this documentary however, the problem is not one which illicits feelings of kindness and generosity, but rather frustration and anger at these people who ruin vacations. Perhaps it is the uncomfortable realization that we could just as easily be in the same situation as these men and women. As tourists spend their money on hats, t-shirts, and other souvenirs, we don’t want to dwell on the misfortunes of mankind. The ability to be able to throw money to the most frivolous pursuits is a sign of affluence and a symbol of the fact that our families are provided for.

While I don’t doubt for an instant that if many of these homeless were in the opposite position they would do the same insofar as tourism goes, it is revealing of human nature to consider the animosity felt towards people who are misfortunate. There is an invisible barrier seperating those who have, from those who do not. I have had the privilege of growing up with the haves–living in an area with a small and invisible homeless population. I don’t wake up with the signs of economic disparity all around me, nor am I accustomed to being stopped by men begging for the change in my pocket.

Although up to now, my posts have focused primarily on tourism as it relates to the poor in third world countries, I also believe it important to look at how it affects the impoverished living in the developed western countries. These are the lives which we could be leading with only one strike of misfortune.

I would appreciate your feedback on this post

In this particular episode, they interviewed Russell Brand, a british comedian (acted in Forgetting Sarah Marshall as well as multiple British films). What I found interesting about the interview was his mentioning of an encounter with Thai prostitutes, something we are reading about in class. When he mentions it, he does so with an air of irresponsibility. “Prostitution is legal in that country, and my dad thought it would be good for a laugh.” After this he discusses briefly his addiction to sex and drugs which consumed much of his late teens and twenties.

There are two things I focused on within this interview. Firstly, the relation to Kevin Bales book. Prostitution is legal and quite acceptable in Thailand, however, it comes at the cost of young girls being taken (and/or sold) from families and forced into a lifestyle they really know little to nothing about. While we are amazed at one famous mans’ journey out of sex addiction, it is interesting that what is ignored are the many young girls and women who don’t have an addiction but are forcedinto this lifestyle. Secondly, I noted the relation to a tourist attitude about the world. “It’s legal in that country” which makes it okay for me to partake in a custom which injures and kills (AIDS is a byproduct of prostitution especially when it is performed unprotected multiple times a night). It’s also ok not to explore why something which uses young girls because it is a part of this culture.

Tourism has become such a part of our accepted culture that as tourists, we are encouraged to avoid looking beyond what is immediately obvious to us. I will not say I have not been guilty of excusing behavior and policies because it is “just a part of that culture.” If something is questionable, insofar as culturally significant policies are concerned, I propose that we doquestion it. If it is a legitimately beautiful piece of culture (the Mexican quincenara for example) it should be celebrated, and enjoyed as such. However, if it is something which is accepted at the cost of a person’s choice and overall well being, it should be questioned and not just ignored by those who have the privilege and position to do so.

I would appreciate your feedback on this post:

Tourism as we know it (with souvenirs, boat rides, cruises and the like) began in earnest near the end of the depression when towns began exploiting travel in new ways. It was an ingenious form of earning and creating revenue, really. People wanted to escape the boring, stressful reality that was at home. As  the U.S. began to spread it’s rather large wings, (I recommend viewing the movie Walker by by Rudy Wurlitzer, scored by Joe Strummer) especially toward the southern border, the idea of other countries as exotic, and thrilling, began to trickle back to the states. Ultimately I would say that American money being worth so much in third world areas sealed the deal for many prospective tourists. Even if you were considered poor in the U.S., there was the opportunity to go to a third world country and be rich, even if only for a short period time.

Travel started becoming less of a luxury and more of a manufactured necessity. Paid vacations are an expected benefit for employees, although interestingly enough this benefit is neither expected nor guaranteed in third world countries, where many people choose to spend their vacation time. Consider also, that it is in part due to the lack of these benefits that American dollars are worth so much more in countries like Jamaica, Fiji, and Mumbai. The people who work in these countries are treated as expendible resources. According to the government, their time is hardly worth the $0.85/hour they are paid.

I disagree with the belief that by not participating in the system the tourist is allowing a person who would otherwise not have a job to work and earn money. I think rather that by participating and contributing to it, a tourist says that he or she is okay with the treatment of third world workers. If not exactly okay with it, by subscribing to this belief, s/he is condoning the treatment and is encouraging it to continue. If this hypothesis is true, this means that the history of tourism is tied into upper class repression of the lower classes. By keeping the lower class (in various places not solely the third world) apart from opportunity to increase their standing, those with resources ensure their ability to retain a position of power.

Whether or not this is the case, I do not see an immediate or even a long term solution to class division which causes this difference in treatment. It is something which can not be affected by policies, but which requires instead those in the upper class to take an active role in ending mistreatment of third world workers. How this will be accomplished I am as of yet at a loss to explain. Perhaps these blogs will help me come up with a brilliant solution, although this is not a very likely result.

http://skylight.wsu.edu/s/0813bc78-eba8-4abc-b790-f44e4360535e.srv

It is curiosity which provokes the exploration of the world in mankind, and it is not wrong to travel or visit another place. It isn’t wrong to stay in a hotel, eat tamales, and swim while in Cabo. What is wrong is to go and use the resources of these tourist destinations, while ignoring the pain that real people suffer living there. It is wrong not to realize that the people living in Jamaica don’t live in the luxury that is so easily enjoyed and afforded by western tourists. It is wrong to say that “I’ve been to that country! I went there last spring break” when you’ve only been to the part of the country that is made to cater to the wealthy and privileged. The real country, the heart and soul of any country is not the oceans or restaurants. It is the people who live and survive each and every day. Everyone loves to learn the popular cultural dances, eat the traditional food, and see the beautiful beaches. But until only recently no one wanted to venture outside of the safety of their hotel to see what makes up a large portion of these popular tourist destinations. In some instances it is now a source of amusement to visit the “poor” sections of a city.

Poorism is new kind of tourism, where a person on vacation might get out to visit the poorest neighborhoods of a country. Some have claimed that this type of tourism is exploitative while others believe it has the potential to assist those who live in these hopeless slums. I wonder what the people living there consider it. I know that if I were living in a shack with 3 other families, wondering where my next meal was coming from, and praying that my child wouldn’t get sick because I couldn’t afford medical attention, I would be less than appreciative if a group of well educated, well fed, clean, and immunized tourists decided to visit the neighborhood to appease their curiosity and wonder that people can live in such conditions.

Tourism is an activity which has larger results than just having visited a new place. It is a means by which some people are able to display the privilege which their money and nationality provide them with. People from westernized nations can travel where they please with little or no suspicion placed on them. It is privilege which interests me most: the privilege to take what we want when we want to do so.  I will hopefully spend the semester developing a better understanding of the systems fueling this industry and, more importantly, who it effects and how.

http://skylight.wsu.edu/s/0813bc78-eba8-4abc-b790-f44e4360535e.srv

Later that day I go to the gym (I drive of course….who wants to walk to the gym and back?) and run on a well made elliptical machine providing a mini cable tv, heart monitor, cell phone holder, iPod  holder, water bottle holder, radio stations, earbud jack and volume control. Whoever made this is a genius, I think to myself and I plug in my earphones and listen to my iPod. As I go through my workout I begin to honestly wonder, who did make this machine?  As I use it to create a more defined physique, determined to hide any evidence of too much food intake over a holiday season, I think about the individuals involved in it’s assembly. These are people who would likely be unable to afford a gym membership if they were offered one. These are people who spend their lives trying to achieve the exact opposite of what the machines they assemble are designed for.

And what about the fact that rather than spend the time walking to and from work I would rather pay money to go hang out in a building with sweaty individuals listening to “pump me up” music blasting in my ears? I looked at my gas gauge this morning and it was nearly empty which made me wonder “where has all this gas gone?” To my workplace, to the gym, to the store, the dentist, the doctor….While the dentist is on the other side of town, all of the other places are within walking distance and yet, I would rather drive.

The problem with consumerism isn’t that we need to create awareness. People–Americans–are aware that we are living at the expense of other people and of the planet. They choose to ignore it because to acknowledge it means taking responsibility. Once you have taken responsibility you have to do something about it. And sometimes, it’s just more comfortable to ignore everything else, and stay in bed.