Holidays, Africa and poverty
Over recent weeks Politicians and celebrities have been rightly focussed on the trade, aid, debt mantra as a way to reduce poverty in Africa, but what benefits does taking a holiday in Africa provide for local people?
Africa in its entirety receives just 2.7% of global international tourist arrivals. While this is growing steadily given the population of Africa and its wonderful natural and cultural heritage tourism is an underdeveloped sector.
One reason for this is that while Africa has extraordinary wildlife and scenery its cultural heritage is more about rituals, language, dance and music rather than built heritage (such as The Taj Mahal) which is easier for the industry to package and market.
I’m just back from a trip to Zambia, like many I went for the wildlife but fell in love with the people. AA Gill said that:
You either get the point of Africa or you don't. If you can't get past the fear of animals, poverty the juggernaut of nature, then you probably won't. But if you do stand in it and smell it and listen to it, then it will be one of the biggest, most profound and powerful things you ever feel. It will fill the wet evenings and dark mornings. It will mark your card and have you on call-back for ever.
Tour operators and lodge owners are a considerable employer of local people in African tourist destinations. While too often they are only offer menial jobs responsible operators/hoteliers invest in developing them into managers of the future.
The best of these operators also support health care programmes, building schools and conservation projects. I promise that a visit to one of these projects will be one of the highlights of any trip to Africa.
My top 5 responsible travel tips for Africa –
1.Many schools in Africa are in desperate need of books, exercise books, pens/paper or funds to build/renovate class rooms. Find out what is most needed before you travel, and deliver it in person.
2.If you are off the beaten track and like me you take a medical pack with you, leave this at a local health clinic when you leave.
3.For some communities simply connecting with people from across the world is as important as the money they earn from tourism - make your welcome even warmer by learning a few words of their mother (often tribal) language.
4.Always use a local guide rather than stumbling unprepared into villages or communities, they will help you discover more about local cultures in an appropriate way, and earn an income
5.Try to buy crafts directly from those who make them – that way some of the poorest people will benefit.
The Responsible Tourism Awards
Nominate a winner and win a trip for two to China
I’d like to ask for your help in finding tourism ventures that make a positive contribution to conservation and the economies of local communities.
If you nominate a winner who will be entered in a draw for a free 2 week trip for two to China!
What to do: email awards@responsibletravel.com with the name, website and email details of the tourism venture that you would like to nominate, with up to 100 words explaining why they should win a Responsible Tourism Award.
A message of support for the Awards from Michael Palin
I've been fortunate enough to visit 80 countries since I started my TV globetrotting in 1988. On my travels I'm mostly off the beaten track and make a point of meeting local people and using local guides who've always extended the warmest of welcomes - at least I think that's what they were doing, but some might have been more bemused than anything else! I've seen how responsible forms of tourism can give local people and conservation a much-needed helping hand.
If you've had a holiday which you felt benefited local people and minimized environmental impacts, then it's time to celebrate these efforts, and I'd like to encourage you to nominate them for a Responsible Tourism Award.
Read more about the awards at www.responsibletravel.com/awards
