Being a Responsible Tourist -- Part II

International visitation helps educate people as to what's really going on in a country. But sometimes the traveller itself becomes the culprit.

Tourism development especially in the Third World benefits many ordinary citizens, not just the people running the government or foreign investors. Many local citizens are able to eke out a living from tourism, which channels more money directly to ordinary people than any other industry. Highway or railway projects serve the general populace more than the tourists. Restoration of cultural sites and urban beautification projects are undertaken to attract overseas visitors and at the same time, instill national pride in the people.

Although tourism brings a number of benefits, it has its downside. In Part I, we discussed the environmental disadvantages. However, oftentimes, the industry doesn't just spoil the environs but also corrupt the people of the locality.

Instead of working in the farm or fishing for a living, villagers opt to work in hotels. For why would anyone want to work under the heat of the sun when you can earn money easily working in an air-conditioned enclave? With tourism comes certain absurdities like naked bathing, drunkenness and drug-taking. A service industry of waitresses, servants, hawkers and masseuses is born.

Oftentimes culture becomes commercialized. Traditional dances which were only performed at important ceremonies are performed regularly at tourist gatherings. Tourists who participate in village feasts and ceremonies, which are taken by the locals seriously for their spiritual relevance, often turn these rituals into a carnival of mockery. Worse of all, minorities like tribal people are displaced from their ancestral lands to pave way for a new hotel, new resort or a new golf course. Such are the high costs of tourism!

As an independent traveler consider your impact on the economic, social and political well-being of the countries you choose to visit. Follow these simple tactics to maximize the positive impact of your journey:

* Travel with as much advance information as possible and travel with your eyes and ears open.

* Try to learn as much as you can about the customs and history of the people whom you will be visiting prior to the trip.

* Find out about the issues concerning population, health care, the environment of a country.

* Try to learn the language of the country in which you will be traveling especially everyday phrases of greeting and saying "thank yous".

* Talk to the local people (such as the farmers, fishers, room service helper, shopkeeper, etc.) about their country.

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