© Sebastian Hermanns - All Rights Reserved - last modified
08/06/02 3:35 PM
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Africa is a diverse continent of contrasts. These contrasts show their faces in nature, wildlife, culture, language, religion and lanscape. Being a tourist in such a contrast-rich environment you set up a new contrast. The contrast between you and the world you are experiencing. In most of the cases you haven't been in the African bush before or in an African city. Most of the times you don't know about local manners, general behaviour and, e.g.hand signs. Cultural differences are normal and don't have to seperate people who are meeting for what reason ever. But it is maximizing your experience when you are as much prepared for this as possible.
The Tourism section will give you some informations, links and tipps how to become an "understanding tourist". Part of this quite high demand are topics as
+ responsible tourism
+ ecotourism
+ sustainable tourism
These catchwords need to be filled with a meaning and content. They became so popular over the recent years that they lost quite a lot of it. We won't bring up new things, but we try to give you a certain guideline for these words to ensure, that your trip to Africa fullfills all your expectations.
# Responsible Tourism
"Responsible tourism is not another niche market - all forms of tourism can be more responsible, it is about tourists and tourism companies taking responsibility for maximizing the positive impacts and minimizing the negative ones"
www.icrtourism.org
Responsible Tourism
- minimises negative economic, environmental, and social impacts
- generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry
- involves local people in decisions that affect their lives chances
- makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world's diversity
- provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
- provides access for physically challenged people
- is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence
www.icrtourism.org
If you want more information about "responsible tourism" browse through the website of the "International Centre for responsible tourism"
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people"
www.ecotourism.org
Ecotourism
- minimize impact
- build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
- provide posivite experiences for both visitors and hosts
- provide direct financial benefits and empowerment for local people
- raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate
- support international human rights and labor agreements
www.ecotourism.org
If you want more information about "ecotourism" have a look through the website of the "International Ecotourism Society"
# Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable tourism, like a doctor's code of ethics, means "First, do no harm". It is basic to good destination stewardship.
Sustainable Tourism
- Sustainable tourism does not abuse its product - the destination. It seeks to avoid the "loved to death" syndrome. Business and other stakeholders anticipate development pressures and apply limits and management techniques that sustain natural habitats, heritage sites, scenic appeal, and local culture.
- It conserves resources. Environmentally aware travellers favor businesses that minimize pollution, waste, energy consumption, water usage, landscaping chemicals, and unnecsessary nighttime lighting.
- It respects local culture and tradition. Foreign visitors learn about and observe local etiquette. including unsing at least a few courtesy word in the local language. Residents learn how to deal with foreign expectationss that may doffer from their own.
- It aims for quality, not quantity. Communities measure tourism success not by sheer number of visitors, but by lenght of stay, distribution of money spent, and quality of experience.
www.nationalgeographic.com
For more information check the website of the "World Tourism Organization"
