How can travel agents promote responsible travel?

Traveling with a purpose

by Shelley Seale

One of the biggest trends these days is “going green” – that is, living in a way that lessens impact on the planet and moves from a mentality of consumerism to that of sustainability. And the greening of America presents both a debate and a huge opportunity in the travel industry.

According to The International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is growing at three times the rate of traditional vacationing, increasing annually up to 30 percent. Ecotourism is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel – in other words, leaving a smaller footprint in the places we travel, both on nature and the people who live there. Travelers are growing increasingly interested in more sustainable experiences, and not only out of a sense of guilt or responsibility.

Traveling in a way that respects the environment; gives something back to the indigenous communities rather than merely taking away or, even worse, exploiting. Responsible travel immerses the traveler in the local culture creates deeper, far more enriching experiences.

There is a vast difference between a trip in which you dutifully leave your chain hotel, follow the tour guide to the “must-see” sites which are seen through the viewfinder of the camera, and watch local life pass by outside the windows of the tour bus; and a trip to the same destination where you stay in a locally-run inn, meet people who actually live there and ask them where to eat or shop, and explore leisurely – perhaps even being willing to get lost. As Henry Miller wrote, “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”

The benefits of traveling in such a way long outlast the trip itself; the traveler is left with far more than just the photographs, and this is highly appealing to a growing number of people. Itineraries that include homestays, language lessons, visits to local artisan villages, cooking or surfing classes, and volunteering abound.

How can travel agents and tour operators take advantage of this trend to grow their business, and fulfill customers’ needs, while making sure their own practices are truly responsible and sustainable?

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) provides the following guidelines for those who wish to implement and participate in ecotourism activities:
• minimize impact
• build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
• provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
• provide direct financial benefits for conservation
• provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
• raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate

It is clear that consumer interest in sustainable travel is high, but for many in the industry the question remains: Is it feasible? Kelly Bricker, Executive Director of TIES, emphatically believes it is. “Ecotourism has proven its place in the world, that if done well and with principles in place, it is one of many solutions to biodiversity conservation and wise use of resources around the globe,” says Bricker. “I think we all hope that when we leave, some place, community, or person, is a little bit better off because of efforts we achieved together and ideas we implemented to make things work in a sustainable way.”

Tourism businesses, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by meeting the standards for social and environmental practices that have been created by leading certification programs such as those offered by TIES or another similar group, Sustainable Travel International (STI). Both are non-profit organizations that provide education and resources for travel providers, and develop sustainable tourism standards. Worldwide, there are more than fifty such certification programs for ecotourism, and more are being created every year.

The Sustainable Tourism Conference, initiated by Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Foundation, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization, launched the Sustainable Tourism Criteria in October 2008. These criteria will serve as the minimum standard that any tourism business should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for poverty alleviation. TIES is planning to launch its first workshop on implementing the GSTC at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2009 to be held in Portland, Oregon.

Shelley Seale is a freelance writer based out of Seattle and Austin, but she vagabonds in any part of the world whenever possible. Her forthcoming book, The Weight of Silence, follows her journeys into the orphanages, streets and slums of India where millions of children live without families. Her mantra is “travel with a purpose.” You can reach her at www.shelleyseale.com

Colca Dignity: the rebelion of the incas

by Anthropologist Mariella Sanchez.

The rebelion of the incas has started in Colca Canyon. Tired of the abuses done by irresponsible travel agencies from Arequipa ,an association of local tour guides from Colca Canyon called ASGUIP TUCAY (Association of tour guides from Caylloma Province) has created a movement called COLCA DIGNITY ,a movement whose main goal is to defend the rights of the locals in order to have a sustainable tourism in the area.

COLCA DIGNITY movement has at the moment many followers in the Colca Valley and the Colca Canyon area ,and it was organized according to the incan principles.

The creator and the leader of the movement is the Mallku Jaqe or Condor Man ,a mestizo leader who has inherited the inca knowledge from a woman elder Maria Asunta Ninataypi ,born in Yanque village in Colca valley area,straight line descendant from Diego Goro Inca Ninataypi.

The Mallku Jaqe is a Chaka -Runa , a "man bridge". According to the inca tradition,somebody that keeps the knowledge of the mother (inca) culture, and the best of the father (spanish) culture. Somebody who joins two civilizations.

The presence of "the bridge peoples" was prophetised by the inca priests in the legend of the 5th generation.

The mission of these elders is to pass the lost knowledge to the natives, knowledge that the conquerors tried to prohibit and to abolish, a knowledge they could not dissappear at all. After the conquest TAKI ONQOY movement appeared,a movement of rejection against the catholic religion and the abuse done by the spanish authorities.

Taki Onqoy or "sick dance" movement had many folllowers in those times. The ceremonials were performed on the top of the sacred mountains and they asked their inca gods to take the white devils away. After the rituals they performed the "sick dance", an in trance dance.

Catholic church fought Taki Onqoy movement and it was kept secret until 1970! Simply incredible.

Nowadays that we have freedom of speech,little by little the keepers of the ancient ways from the different ethnic groups are coming back to give the knowledge back to their peoples who have forgotten to "live in armony with nature".

According to the Mallku Jaqe,the inca knowledge is not for making money but to live life. It is terrible that travel agencies are turning our sacred land into a circus,our culture is used to cheat tourists who are looking for the true traditions,our peoples are exploited,many of them are being taken to other countries to give speeches and to perform rituals and the representatives exploit our people.We don´t want that anymore -said the Mallku Jaqe.

As a man bridge he was chosen by the elders as spokesperson and representative of his people.

The actual situation is critical for the locals of Colca Valley and Colca Canyon and the presence of the Mallku Jaqe is important for the people.The Mallku Jaqe is protected by his local followers and his name is kept secret like in the old times.

The local authorities have to work more in order to preserve the traditions and culture of peoples in Colca Canyon. It is necessary to protect the environment from contamination provoked by tourism.In order to have responsible tourism the needs of the locals should be taken into consideration. In that way tourism will really benefit the people of Colca Canyon,so the new authorities have much to do now!

Good luck Mallku Jaqe. You have all our support and thanks for all.