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Holidays
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NUMBER SEVENTEEN
We all enjoy a break - lots of sun, rest and relaxation. But how do the millions of holiday-makers who travel each year affect the people and places they visit? With tourism set to become the biggest industry IN THE WORLD by the year 2000, this Youth Topics looks at who wins and who loses in the global travel trade.
When the Tourists flew in - poem from Malaysia | Activity 1 - examining the image of tourism
Activity 2 - Pack the Facts - facts about who travels where
Activity 3 - Happy Holidays - quiz about holiday behaviour
Activity 4 - Trouble in Tropicana - tourism issues in an imaginary third world country
Follow Up | Our Addresses
When the tourists flew in
our island people metamorphosed
into a grotesque carnival
- a two week side show.When the tourists flew in
our men put aside their fishing nets
to become waiters
our women became whores.When the tourists flew in
what culture we had
flew out the window
we traded our customs
for sunglasses and pop
we turned sacred ceremonies
into ten-cent peep shows.When the tourists flew in
we could no longer
go down to the beaches
the hotel manager said
"Natives defile the sea shore".When the tourists flew in
the hunger and squalor
were preserved
for a passing pageant
for clicking cameras
- a chic eye-sore!When the tourists flew in
we were asked
to be 'side-walk ambassadors'
to stay smiling and polite
to always guide the 'lost' visitor
Hell, if we could only tell them
where we really want them to go!
AIM:To examine images used to sell holidays
BEFORE THE SESSION:
Choose several long haul tourist destinations. Gather together brochures, newspaper cuttings, information from development agencies, or anything that will offer a number of perspectives on the destination - good or bad.
WHAT TO DO:
Ask the group to brainstorm: Why do people go on holiday?
What would make a perfect holiday?
Hand out the information you've collected. How are the different places portrayed in different publications?
Which show reality and which the 'dreams' of tourists? Why might this be?
List the positive and negative effects tourism might have on these places.
By 2000 tourism will overtake oil as the biggest industry in the world, with over 650 million travellers each year. 80% of international travellers come from just 20 countries.
Tourism is the world's largest employer giving jobs to 112 million people worldwide.
Resorts in 'Third World' countries now make up one quarter of the world's tourist destinations.
60% of the $4 billion spent by tourists in Thailand each year leaves the country for the accounts of foreign business. There are some 850 lodges for foreign trekkers in Annapurna, Nepal. Each cuts one hectare of virgin forest a year to meet the trekkers' needs.
Any surprises? Why are more people travelling to 'Third World' destinations than ever before?
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
You're off on a really 'exotic' holiday. Our lighthearted game looks at some of the travelling dilemmas you may meet.
1. Before I travel I would:
a) read the brochure
b) do nothing - it's an adventure!
c) check out a guide book for local customs and to lean some lingo2. On holiday I would:
a) hang out in the hotel - it's got everything
b) take organised day trips to see the locals and some fab sights
c) hang out with local people and get to know what their lives are really like3. When deciding what clothes to wear, it's important to:
a) get an overall body tan
b) look cool in the latest fashions
c) show respect for local customs4. While taking photographs I would:
a) snap everything and everyone in sight
b) catch the action with my camcorder
c) ask before taking photos to check it's OK.5. While bargaining in the local market I would
a) pay over the local price for goods (well, the locals are poor).
b) haggle for the best bargain
c) pay the local market price if I know it.
What are the right and wrong answers?
It's up to you to decide. But if you've chosen mostly A and B - imagine
how you'd feel if visitors to your home or town behaved in this way.
Activity 4
Trouble in TropicanaAim: To explore how tourism affects 'Third World' communities.
The Setting: Tropicana, a poor country, has become popular with western tourists. A beautiful and unspoilt bay is to be turned into a holiday centre. At present it's home to a small fishing community, who moor their boats on the beach and also harvest coconut palms. A planning inquiry is to look at the developer's proposals. You are attending this inquiry.
What To Do? Each of the boxes represents an interested party. Split the group in 3 and give each a role card. They have 10 minutes to prepare and then 5 minutes to present their case to the inquiry. The government panel then decides if and how the development will go ahead. (Use the other information in this Youth Topic to help with your cases).
(The role play is based on the real experiences of people in Goa, India.)
The Government of Tropicana
Your job is to get a good deal for your country. Your economy badly needs extra dollars to pay its debts to western governments. (It may be a good idea for your personal business interests too.) Tourism could be the very solution.
You must be fair and open minded when listening to each case. You have the power to say if and how the development should go ahead.
Local People
The development will bring jobs and money into an area where people are poor. You hope to make money by selling crafts and snacks and renting fishing boats.
But you're worried.
Jobs created in hotels for locals tend to be unskilled and seasonal. Hotel construction elsewhere has forced local people from their homes and watersports and pollution have spoilt fishing. Water supplies may be affected by the hotel's showers and swimming pools. Local prices may rise because of rich tourists. You have heard that tourism also increases problems such as rubbish, prostitution and noise. International Tour Company
With demand for unspoilt 'Third World' destinations growing rapidly, you stand to make big profits.
You propose to develop 5 new hotels, 2 gold courses, water sports facilities, a tourist shopping centre and a number of restaurants (sit-down and fast food).
You'll be bringing in your own skilled managers but there will also be new jobs for locals.
Cheap local materials and labour will keep your costs down. The development will also provide important export contracts for your own western business. Follow up idea:
Create your own 'Thoughtful Tourist Charter' and display it for others to see.OTHER INFO: Tourism Concern, Southlands College, Wimbledon Parkside, London SW19 5NN. 0181 944 0464 excellent resources on appropriate and sustainable tourism.
CAFOD, Christian Aid and SCIAF
We are committed to development which puts people and the planet before profit. For Third World tourism to have value, local communities must have power to decide how it is developed. We support organisations working to challenge irresponsible tourism, and promote a more ethical form of travel.
CAFOD
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Stockwell Road
London SW9 9TYSCIAF
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