Alternative Network Letter Vol 4 No.3-Dec 1988-EQUATIONS

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ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LETTER

A Third World Tourism CommunicationAnd Information Alternative

For Private Circulation Only Vol. 4 No.3 December 1988

''\It.Pbelieve that campaign.;; againstthe negativities oftourism are more effecth·!!,

necessary and productive, than the education ofpotential tourists or promotion Welco,me to Ladakhof alternatives." (Ed. note: The 'guidelines to tourists' reproduced below were devised by the

(from an open letter from EQUATIONS to the delegates of the Consultation on the group 'Ecology Centre' in Leh, Ladakh. As an example ofpositive response toEconomics of Third World Tourism, Stony Point, USA, November 1988) tourism concerns by locals, it is perhaps unprecedented in India. reproduce

these guidelines in the hope that they will inspire many others in tourist

WaEN drafting the letter to our North American colleagues and co

destinations to emulate this pioneering effort. )workers, meeting for the fourth time in as many years, we were only too aware of the increasing interest in tourism alternatives worldwide.

FOR centuries Ladakh has been a model of cultural and environmental

The debate was given an impetus by the Ecumenical Coalition on Third World stability. Despite very limited resources and an extreme climate, theTourism in 1984, when the Chiangmai International Workshop on Alternative Ladakhi have always managed not only to survive, but to prosper. TheTourism brought more than 40 participants from various countries together.

wealth of Ladakh's art and architecture, its religious traditions, medical system,It has today achieved academic recognition, with the publication of Jost and the richness of its language serve to illustrate the high level of its civi lisation.Krippendorf's thought-provoking book, The Holiday Makers. What is more, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians have traditionally lived

Nevertheless, we stand by ourassertion. Two years ago, a visitor to Thai land peacefully side by side.who travelled the lalternative' way, wrote of his experiences thus: 'That we as

Lying on major trade routes, Ladakh has always been exposed to outsidevisitors, were more benefitted than the visited, was evident... it was not easy

influences. However, especially since the opening of the region to tourism into give of ourselves.' This, to us, is the crux of the issue. If the benefits of

1974, the nature and intensity of these foreign influences have changedcommercial mass tourism have been questioned over and again by the critics,

dramatically. Ladakh, for better or for worse,"has become a 'developing' country,.ess essential to question the 'benefits' of alternati", tourism. where the process of 'modernisation' or ' ~ t e m i s a t i o n ' is affecting almost every

sphere of life. Many of the changes that have come to Ladakh have caused andare causing severe problems. They affect the traditional way of life in afundamental way, especially in Leh.

No doubt, the visitors see things 'unspoiled' and ' d i f f e r e n t ~ A deeperTourism plCllf.; an important role in this process. As atourist, yQu are an important

understanding of the social and political dynamics of the receiving country'agent of c h a ~ g e ~ Through your attitude, your behaviour and your interaction

may also take place. But what of the hosts? Do they get anything at all fromwith the Ladakhi, you can influence this process to aconsiderable extent. This

this new form of travel? Some say, solidarity: when the travellers return, they

brochure has a dual function: it is intended to help you understand Ladakhwill be advocates for a third world cause. Is this true, is it really happening?and its people better, a(ld to give you some advice on appropriate behaviour.

Other than the occasional nevvs article or feature, other than perhaps a radioAt the same time, if you follow the guidelines in this brochure, you will be

or TV programme, other than a few feeble attempts at recapturing the eventshelping to preserve Ladakh's traditions, and the respect that Ladakhi have for

and spirit of a visit to a less-privileged nation, is there any real evidence thattheir own culture and traditional way of life. We hope that you will find this

adeep, long-lasting solidarity is taking place? Though the mechanisms for suchbrochure helpful, and that it may make yQU more aware of yQur role as atourist.

feedback do not yet exist, I have the feeling that even if they did, the answer

would not be aclear and unequivocal ' A y e ~ Although some of the following guidelines may seem patronising, they have

The least, then, that alternative travel agents.can aspire to, is to ensure that been included because of negative experiences in the past. The behaviour of

the hosts receive a fair share of the economic benefits. If there were a code some tourists has aggravated many Ladakhi, and it is in order to prevent such

of conduct for alternative tourism, this dictum should be at the heart of the behaviour that these have been included. Please do not take offense, but realise

code. This should be the least common denominator, the basic rule of measure. that what may not apply to vou may well apply to others.

Otherwise, even the most cleverly packaged 'alternative' would simply be - Try to be sensitive to the feelings of the Ladakhi, in order to avoid causing catering to another segment of the tourism market. And that would be the offense. Bear in mind that the Ladakhi have private lives just like your own. demise of ail we are seeking to achieve. Please, always ask before entering Ladakhi houses, gardens, etc. and, above

The commercial Viability of alternative tourism (which is fairly well all, before using your camera. Try to put yourself in the Ladakhi's position.

establishedl, is no doubt the reason why the World Tourism Organisation is contd. CM:rleaf

now in the running, with its proposed training institute. There are now many

others waiting to jump on once the wagon gets going. Among us, the so-called

critics, there are some who will see this process as the 'culmination of our efforts'

the industry is responding positively. Before we dive headlong into the

downstream current, stop once again, and ask ourselves: has the face of tourismreally changed, or is it just another, mask?

One possibility is that any alternative that emerges, must emerge from the

third world. Only this can assure - to an extent - that benefits are shared.

In this issue of ANL, we bring you a listing of some that exist in India.

Paul Gonsalves



contd. from pase 1

Remember that the Ladakhi have thought patterns and time concepts thatdiffer from your own: that does not make them inferior. Generally, try to

be tolerant of differences between Ladakh and your home country.

- Whatever your status may be in your own country, in Ladakh you are

comparatively rich. This leads us to form a highly idealised image of life

in the West: for example, it looks as though IM:sterners are on a perpetual

holiday. At the same time, this causes us to see ourselves as backward andpoor. Try to present a more balanced picture of life in the West, and make

a point of telling the Ladakhi what you like about our culture.

- Try not to encourage begging children by giving money or other things. This

is how begging started in Ladakh, and by giving, you are maintaining a

vicious cyt:le. There are other and b e t ~ e r ways of giving real help.

- Please try to inform yourself about current rates and prices, so as not to

contribute to inflation.

- Try to take an interest not only in the past and present, butalso in the future

of Ladakh.

Be aware that the sale and purchase of old thankas, statues and religious

objects are prohibited, and that there are restrictions on the sale of any objectolder than one hundred years. Please do not rob Ladakh of its cultural

heritage.

- Also, be respectful of local customs. What is courteous at home may be

insulting in Ladakh.-.Above all, try to dress decently: shorts, bare shoulders and backs, are not

appreciated. Public display of affection (holding hands, kissing, etc.) are

frowned upon.

Here are some cultural norms tRat you might want to be aware of:

It is polite to give and receive with both hands.

- Point with your whole hand, not with just one finger.

- All religious objects, including books, statues and photos are kept high offthe floor. You may cause offence by leaving postcards, guidebooks, etc. on

the floor.

- Don't point your feet at, or step over, people, rei igious objects, tables, food,etc.

It is impolite to be too quick in accepting offers of food and drink.

- Cooking and eating utensils are not shared.

Monasteries

- Don't be put off by the entrance fees of monasteries. This money is used

for the upkeep and restoration of the monasteries as well as for the

construction of new shrines. Also, most tourists visit monasteries as they

would amuseum: to them, it is nota place of worship. Thus there is nothingwrong with asking for a small fee.

- Please dress properly! In Europe, there are sometimes guards at churches

and cathedrals, who check peoples' dress. In Ladakh, there are none (yet),

but very similar rules apply. So, please} no shorts!

- Remember, you are visiting a holy place. Always take off your shoes beforeentering. Please refrain from smoking, drinkingalcohol and spitting. Never

touch the statues,' books} thankas or other religious objects.

2

Never disturb the monks at prayer. E ~ p e c i a i l y at the monastery }festivals: .

remember that these are not folk dances, but important rituals.

- Never use a camera flash in the monasteries, since this is likelv to cause

damage to the colour and paint of the fres'l)es.

- When"walking through amonastery, or when passing chortens, mani walls,

etc., always circumambulate clockwise, keeping them to your right. Never

remove stones from mani walls.

Trekking

Be aware of the cultural landscape - its highly sensitive ecology and economy.

Since the villagers generally grow just enough food to provide for their own

needs, do not expect to buy food from them. Instead, try to be self-sufficient.

- This also applies to fuel. Wood is an extremely scarce resource, so don't use it.

bury excrement. PreferablY'bring all waste back with you, otherwiseburn and bury it on site.

Make realistic plans. Don'tendanger yourself or others by pushing yourself

too far. You should never rely on othersto get you out ofi:rouble.

Repair anything you damage: like walls and irrigation channels.

Finally, try to be law-abiding: do not go trekking in restricted areas, or climb

peaks higher than the authorised limit.

Health

Do not go trekking as soon as you arrive in Ladakh. Every year tourists get illwith acute mountain sickness. Mountain sickness is serious, and young healthy

people are in no way exempt.

Trekkers should not ascend more than 300 metres (1000 feet) each day, and

if you do, you should hot sleep above this level. Smoking and alcohol can

aggravate mountain sickness.

The tourist office should be informed of intended routes, espeCially in the

case of small unaccompanied groups.

Medical services are overstretched in the summer: health insurance should cover

medical services.

***This brochure was producedby the Ecology Centre. If you have any questions,or fee/like having a good meal, please come and visit the Centre. We havea library with books on many subjects. Open from 10 am till 6 pm except onSundays.



The D r a ~ o n Shies Awayfrom Visitors

SINCE it cautiously opened its borders to foreign visitors in 1974,

B h u t a ~ had been earningUS$2 million il. year from the tourist trade.However, government authorities in this 47,OOO-square kilometer

Himalayan nation have decided that the additional income is not worththe effect the industry has on the country's culture.

Early this year, the Bhutanese governmentvirtually closed its bordersto f o r e i g n ~ r s and recalled its tourist agents based abroad - keeping onlyasmall office in India. In addition, the few foreign visitors who get in aredenied access to monasteries, temples and sacred mountains.

Squeezed between China, India and Nepal, - and known as the"thunder dragon country" - Bhutan is determined to keep at arms lengthfrom theworld tourist trade. Only the wealthy will be able to afford theexorbitant new prices and they will be required to travel in groups.

Bhutanese officials make no secret that their aim is to avert a fate similarto that of neighboring Nepal, a tiny nation annually invaded by some250,000 foreign tourists. Bhutan's Director of Tourism Jigme Tshultim tolda group of North American travel agent<; that the restrictions againstlOreign viSitors were adopted because tourism was "undermining the

Buddhist faith."The government measures were based on the recommendations of aspecial committee for cultural affairs which analyzed the effects oftourism on the local society. The report, submitted to the BhutaneseParliament, described how some cultural values have been severelya.ffected by tourism. It pointed out that "Tourism is harmful to the holynature of our Buddhist monasteries, contributes to the desecration of thecountry's holy places and corrupts the population." Most Bhutanese areBuddhists, following the country's official religion. Many live in monasteries, which are religious educational centres.

GNP orGNHl

Over 50 Bhutanese monasteries and temples have lost s.everal valuableitems since 1974. The pilfering is attributed to the desire by tourists toreturn home with souvenirs. The losses suffered in Bhutan are few incomparison with Nepal, but Bhutanese authorities fear that unrestrictedtourism might exacerbate the problem.

Under the new policies, the number of foreigners who will be allowedto attend the annual Spring Festival in Paro, near the capital city ofThimphu, will be sharply r e d u c ~ d . These few visitors will be charged aspecial daily hotel rate of US£200 a day. Himalayan peaks have beendeclared off·limits to tourists - not even authorized expeditions will beallowed to climb Bhutan's sacred mountains.

According to the World Bank, Bhutan is one of the least developedcountries in the world, with a per capita income of US$140 in 1986. Yetmost of its 1.3 million residents enjoy a higher quality of life than theirNepalese and Indian neighbours. The country is self-sufficient in rice,wheat and corn; most Bhutanese weave and sew their own garmentsinstead of buying them in shops.

In addition, Bhutan receives more aid per capita than any other countryin the world. Funds supplied by India, the United Nations, Japan and the

Scandinavian countries amount to US$80 per person per year. Thus it isunlikely that the loss in foreign exchange earnings from tourism will bedeeply felt.

At a 1987 meeting of tourism experts held in Bangkok, Thailand; anIndian specialist quoted Bhutan's King Jigme Singye Wangchuk as tellingWork Bank representatives that he was less interested in improving thecountry's Gross National Product than he was in promoting its "GNH".The king explained to the suprised Washington economists that "GNHstands for Gross National Happiness."

from THIRD WORLD, No 14, 1988

3

Boycott Singapore,think twice about thePhilippinesWe view with grave concern the deteriorating situation of human rights in

Singapore. Early in 1987, more than 20 persons were arrested and detained

without charges, under the infamous Internal Security Act Several of them have

been released and arrested anumber of ti mes since then. Although the detaineeshave categorically denied the Singapore government's charges of their being

involved in 'an alleged Marxist conspiracy: nine of them are still behind bars.

In December 1987, the Singapore gOJernment asked the Christian Conference

of Asia (a regional federation of national Protestant church bodies) to close its

office, and gave expatriate staff notice to quit the country. Among the many

charges levelled at the CCA was one that pointed at the CCNs protest against

the ISA arrests.

A number of groups and individuals worldwide have expressed their solidarity

with the ISA detainees and the CCA, and some have called for a boycott of

Singapore as a tourist destination and conference venue, as well as of Singapore

Airlines as a carrier. We join our hands with theirs to say, 'Until justice, no

tourists:

Meanwhile, not so far away, the tragic arrest and torture under detention ofNoel Villalba (coordinator of the Asian Committee for Peoples' Organisations)

under the Aquino regime, is yet another example of the threat to human rightsand civi I liberties in South East Asia. Taking the mantle from Marcos was never

an enviable legacy, but Cory Aquino seems to be rapidly losing the confidencethe Filipino people placed in her.

Tourism in the Philippines is ashattered industry, despite many efforts to attract

visitors to the islands. The coming to power of a 'MJman President had led many

to believe that Aquino would act decisively to eliminate sex tourism and mi litary

prostitution in the US naval and air bases. Far from that, the only action the

government has taken is to harass the women periodically. Child prostitutionin Pagsanjan continues unabated, with the support of many influential localpoliticians and others.

Why Tourism Concern?Tourism Concern is anew initiative set up to change the one-way focus of our

current perceptions of tourism. It starts from a simple premise: that the people

living in the places where vve take our holidays matter.

The fact that this needs to be stated tells us something important about today's

tourist industry. In the modern tourism equation, the once equal relationship

of host and guest is now heavily weighted in favour of the guest; and host

communities around the world are now counting the cost of tourism

development that has failed to put their interests and rights on a par with those

of thei r visitors.

Documented cases of religious and cultural traditions debased, of natural

environments degraded, of livelihoods lost are being increasingly cited. Yet

neither the tourist industry nor the public it serves seems to be responding to

this disturbing evidence.

Tourism Concern wil l seek to create agreater awareness of tourism's impact

and a positive response to the issues raised, to the ultimate benefit of us aiL

What are its aims?

* To promote greater understanding of the impact of tourism on hostcommunities and environments.

* To raise awareness of forms of tourism that take account of the interests and

rights of those living in tourist areas.

* To draw attention in particular to the impact of tourism on people in the'long haul' destinations of the Third World.

* To promote tourism as adevelopment issue, in a British and a 'MJrld context.

How does it operate?

* As a network, linked to similar networks around the world.

*A membership of development workers and educationists, writers and

rontd. on page 6



4

Questionable Moves on Tourism INDIA e-Hugh and Colleen Gantzer

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The report of the National Committee on Tourism was well worth waiting for.

It has both sanctified the creative ideas of the tra\€1 trade by giving them officialrespectability, and revealed Government thinking pn many important issues.

These issues are nO\N open to public debate. Hopefully this debate will influence

the National Development Counci Iwhen it meets to hammer out the NationalTourism Policy.

The Committee's recommendations affectthis country. There are matters of direct concern to the Union Cabinet.and Civil Aviation Secretary SKMisra claims that application of Section 80HH(of the Income Tax Act) to the tourism industry, increasing the capacity ofinternational airlines operating into India, even the remerger of the Depart

ments of Civil Aviation and Tourism, were all triggered by the specific

recommendations of the Committee.Then, there are subjects whieh affect state organisations involved with tourism.

The Committee has endorsed the need for partial privatisation of the nationalairlines to solve their chronic problems; for the creation of an All India Tourism

Service; to encourage charter flights; to give Indian Airlines and Air IndiaComputer Reservation Terminals to travel agents; to dissuade the state from

investing heavily in those tourism services which can be left to the private sector.

At the third level there are certain recommendations which might not findfavour with the travel industry. The larger hotel chains and major travel

who have developed considerable expertise in marketing abroad, would notlike to pool their resources under the bureaucratic control of the proposed

Marketing Development Fund. And the tax incentives will hardly attract them:

with their business connections abroad, spending untaxed money is not an

insurmountable problem. Also, there's going to be quite a struggle for status

when the six-category star rating'syshim··is changed to the Deluxe, Standard

and Budget classification.

Bias towards hotels

As for the so-called professionals in the various Departments of Tourism in the

Centre and the States, how on earth is anyone going to ensu re that they possess

'a sound conceptual understanding of tourism' when many of them have

subsisted for years on filling out forms and pleasing visiting ViPs? It is also quitecertain that the States will resist the proposed inclusion of tourism .on the

Concurrent List, particularly the opposition-controlled states. Moreover, whois going to set up and hire terminals of the futuristic All India Tourism Computer

Network: Tournet?

As we anticipated when this Committee was set up with a heavy bias towards

hotels and hoteliers, it has tended to confuse the interests of the hotels withthose of tourism in general. Indeed, under achapter headed Tourist Accommo

dation and Lodging, the Committee recommends the setting up of a Tourism

Finance Corporation when what they really have in mind is a Hotel Finance

Corporation. The Report's obvious obsession with this one segment of the

tourism industry will make it suspect in the eyes of others who consider

themselves equal partners.

There are other irritants too. A simple calculation, using official figures, willshow that the Foreign Tourist Survey 1982-83 on which the Committee relies

for so many of its conclusions, is unreliable. For instance, the Survey claims

the average tourist spent 27.6 days in India in 1982-83. All you have to do isto multiply the 806,178 tourist arrivals in that year by 27.6, and then try to fitthem into the hotel rooms available in that year. You'll end up with at least

6.5 million bednights in search of accommodation.Such patently ill-founded conclusions throw into doubt every other opinion

based on this Survey. Do 92 per cent of foreign tourists really travel to Indiaindependently? Do they really spend 54 per cent of their tourist dollars on food

and accommodation and 25 per cent on shopping? Does shopping really

account for 65 per cent of a package tourist's expenditure in. India? Do 42.3

per cent of tourists prefer'to stay in five and four star hotels? Are all these

conlu!iions based on faulty, non-representative surveys?

High Potential

But that isn't all. The Committee has made some positively aangerous

proposals. If the proposed National Tourism Development Corporation gets

a 50 per cent hold on State Tourism Corporations, then burgeoning State

initiatives will be stifled and the contagion of centralised labour unrest willas dynamic little organisations are overwhelmed by asingle, sluggish,

mammoth one. The monitoring ofCentral grants is the answer, not take-overs.

As for giving tax concessions and investment subsidies to all areas of high

tourism potential, this'will destroy every hill resort. Developers will rush in,

as the quarriers did, and violate every rule, ravage the ecology and leave

despoi led mountains in their wake. And, indeed, the 'developers' are wreaking

such havoc even now.

In spite of Secretary Misra's assurances that tourism growth in the mountains

would be monitored, nothing of the sort is being done.The Report, has, in fact comedown heavily on the Ministry and Department

of Tourism. It has implied that the moribund Indian Institute of Travel and

Tourism Management has not performed its assigned role: It says, also, 'The

role and the infl uence of the averseas offices of the Department of Tourism has

been extremely marginal: Then again: 'Our marketing strategy has remained

and coordination: Turning to tourism'S

Committee claims

more or less static, in terms ofspread, innovation, im::loin::ltinn

that every year since 1981-82,

have fallen, with a slight peaking in 1985-86.

And finally, one of the Terms of Reference of the Committee v.as to 'suggest

amechanism for monitoring the performance of... the Central Ministries, State

Government, Public and Private Institutions in the promotion of tourism ...

against the well-defined economic yardstick:

Why has this been ignored by the National Committee on Tourism? Is

accountability to be avoided at all costs, even in tourism?

Source: INDIAN EXPRESS, 31 August 1988



. .< •.•..•. '. ..•......•... '., ..... ........ ..... ". ". .. ... ". ..•.....•JCifstates that t ~ e c h a ~ ~ r s p r O r n ( ) t e G o a j n g l o s s y b r o c h u r e ~ f i l l ~ . · vvllh.half-truths and.blatart l i ~ ! . a f ) d war[1$tl'latsuchdistortJQnoftheGoanjmage will be stoutly ~ i s t e d .

5

an enormous price.

and Views Mr. Srinivasan said foolproofchecks were alsodealers stole from unprotected monuments and

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A LARGE number of fiscal and other incentives are being offered to theprivate sector to involve itself in the country's tourism industry in abig way.

The Union minister of state for tourism, Mr. Giridhar Gomango, said while

inaugurating a seminar on the "development of tourism in India with specialreference to Goa" here that besides wide tax reliefs, hotel and other tourismrelated activities would be entitled to benefits of an export industry.

According to Mr. Gomango, efforts are being made to diversify tourism from

traditional places of cultural or historical interest to holiday resorts. Besides

extending the facilities in Goa, plans are afoot to develop the Andaman and

Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands as popular resorts. Similarly, trekking,mountaineering, rock-climbing and winter sports are being projected in the

Himalayan region.

The special focus of the seminar was on where attractive incentives are

being offered to lure private lot into the money spinningtourism industry.

Goa's tourism minister, Dr. L.P. Barbosa, said the incentives include a 25 per

investment in hotels, a 50 per cent subsidy on the cost

of preparing feasibility reports of hotels and a remission of 50 percent

duty. There is also a proposal to provide a 50 per cent concession toin the payment of electricity and water charges.

Dr. Barbosa said that among the tourism-related projects the government had

in mind for Goa were the laying of a golf course of international specifications,

acable car service over one of the major rivers and the setti ng up of amusement

parks.

The chief minister, Mr Pratapsing Rane, made a fervent plea for the

establishment of a national institute of water sports in Goa. He said though

the project had been cleared in principle, no funds had been sanctioned by

the Centre, yet. If the Centre did not have adequate funds for the project, the

state government could go ahead with it on its own provided it was permitted

to import material.TIMES OF INDIA, 27 June 1988

SMUGGLING or theft of antiques is proposed to be made a cognizableoffence. This is one ot'the several amendments being considered by the

of India (AS/) to make the 1976 ':4ntiaues Act" moreeffective.

According to ASI sources, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and law

enforcing authorities from several states "ere of the opinion that the existing

law was not 'strong enough' and loopholes needed to be plugged for curbingthe menace more effectively.

The 1976 Ad made provisions for compulsory registration of a notifiedcategoryof antiques, licence necessary to deal in antiques and provisions foracquiring antiques or art treasures.

According to ASI's Director (Antiquity) LX. Srinivasan, the problem has been

compoundeddue to financial constraints and the fad that Indian antiques fetch

unsuspecting villagers possessing antiques.

INDIAN EXPRESS, 6 luly 1988

THE Prime minister has set up asix-member island development study groupI which wi ll submit a report before the end of the year on how the Andaman

& Nicobar, Lakshwadeep, and other groups of islands can be developed for

the benefit of the islanders, without damaging the environment of these areas.

According to sources here, the study group will assess factors like the

sustainable levels for exploitation of marine resources in the long term, and

the suitable inputs of modern technology which will be required for this

purpose. All relevant aspects, like transportation, building materials and the

potential for water harvesting, will also be considered. The study group willalso review the efficacy of existing methodologies.

Sources note that the study group's deliberations will be in the context ofthe Dresent government thinking that the developmental thrust for the islands

be in the sphere of exploitation of marine resources for the benefit ofthe islanders and not in terms of D r o m o t i m ~ luxury tourism.

TIMES OF INDIA, July 3, 1988

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ICYE: The International Christian Youth E x c h a n ~ e [eYE's history dates back to the end of the second World Warwhen it was founded as an initiative fo r reconciliation betweenthe formerly opposing countries. Thus i f was initially a prog ramme between the USA and Germany. Presently there are 28

participating countries al l over the world and every yearapproximately 600 exchangees participate in the ICYE

programme. [CYE aims to be a movement ofyoung people whoare able to accept the r isks and challenges of living and growing

in a different environment, among people of another culture.[CYE runs a one year exchange programme, special prorammes,disabled exchange programmes, professional exchangeprogrammes and vocational training exchange programmes.

Below we give the account ofPetra Har tmann who came to Indiaon a youth exchange programme.

Iam a German exchangee from the ICYE, in India for about 5weeks sofar and with at least another 5months to go. My motive for coming to Indiawas to have a break from the 'normal' way of life in Germany - school,university, wedding. So after finishing school I thought it would be agoodtime to break out of this scheme and have some new experiences. Ihave

th.ought for a long time that it would be good to travel in a third worldcountry. But there were two problems, First I wanted to stay for a longtime, so that ICQuld get more than abrief impression, and secondly, Ididn'twant to go as a tourist and always stay in hotels, always being an outsider.Also, Ididn't want to support the tourist industry, Ihave travelled a lot inEurope, and always found a similarity between the countries. Ihave neverfelt that the European way ofliving is aparticularly good one and so Iwasinterested to discover something really different.

Ihave often wanted to get involved in the problems of the 'third world'.Ialways feel a kind of responsibility for these problems but it is easy tomake excuses. But until now Inever found away of helping that made mefeel that it would really change anything. Iknow that Iwill never find asolution to the problems, but I thought that by getting involved in theproblems personally I would becoine more sensitive·and perhaps findsome personal solutions and ways of understanding. Ialso recognised that

Iwasn't able to form an idea of India before Icame, since the informationwe have in the 'first world' about the 'thirdworld' is very unilateral andinterest oriented. So many people in the west have little or nounderstanding about the 'third world'. This was also one of the reasonsfor coming, though Ididn't want to support all the problems between thefirst and third worlds by 'visiting' a 'third world country'. So again Ifaceddilemmas. Then Iheard of!CYE. It is an organisation for youth exchangeswith the aim of forming a better understanding between nations, toexchange cultures. Part of the programme is to stay in a host family andto. do voluntary work, mainly in the social or political sector. It is notmeant to be an organisation that gives you easy and cheap travel. Onlythe last month of every exchange year is meant for travelling. I thoughtthis would be a very good idea, because you can get involved in theculture, live in a family, get close to them and share many of the problemsthat are based on the differences between two cultures. You also have abig responsibility in representing your whole nation.

Ithink it is inevitable that alot of problems arise when somebody totallydifferent in many respects - culture, mentality, morality, habits, diet andso on, comes Into a family with very different expectations. But in solvingthese problems there is the possibility of learning from each other, ofcultural exchange, mutual understanding. This contrasts with normaltourism when two cultures just clash,

But back to my experiences.. ,There have been a lot of problems so far.I have felt misunderstood, and especially as if I am doing everythingwrong. One of the main problems is that I can't really justify coming toIndia at all, since there is no need for aperson like me at all. I'm interestedin women's issues and in theproblem of poverty, but Iam not able to work

6

in a voluntary organisation mainly because of language problems, butalso because I don't know anything about the culture. I can readilyunderstand the reaction of some organisations: 'What kind of work doyou want to do? How do you think you can help us?' Ihave come to theconclusion that the best work I'll be able to do will be back in my owncountry, by giving information about India, and making people aware ofthe problems here. But even hearing about hunger and water shortagesdoesn't really communicate what is happening because it doesn't touchyou personally.

Another problem is that I expected something totally different but Ihave come to stay with amiddle Class family. Ihave been really surprisedat how similar it is. I came out of the first world to get out of consumersociety, ruled by money and the quest for prestige. And yet here Ifind alot of people trying to be as western as possible, taking over awestern life·style and forgetting about the problems here in India. So again there aretwo totally different e x p e ~ t a t i o n s clashing together. The problem is thatit is very easy to be 'in touch' with these people, as they show a lot ofinterest in western culture. But Iexpected something different. Iwantedto achieve something different. How do you find contacts with poorpeople? But Icouldn't help them .. There is no need for me to be here, andI can't speak their language anyway. It would be much easier if Icould besatisfied by being involved in the middle·class culture of India. But then,why did I come to India?

International Office: ICYE, Bachstrasse 1-2, D·1000 Berlin 21, F. R. Germany

India Office: ICYE, 55A Moore Road, Fraser Town, Bangalore 560 005, India

CONTACTAn Agency for Global Interaction

Started by Michael Cordeiro in 1986 (also Imown as Safar Tours and Travels). itevolved out of Mr Cordeiro's career in the mass tourism industry. HavinQ worRedwith a number of airlines and travel aQents. CONTACT was initiated with the'idealistic note of providinQ budQet tours to the international marRets·.

CONTACT has successfully hosted student Qroups from the USA. Caribbeanand Europe, as well as orQanised conferences for the Society for ParticipatoryResearch in Asia and the Voluntary Health Association of India, both Delhi-basednon-government service agencies.

Mr Cordeiro calls his WOft< 'development tourism'. and also provides projectidentification and liaison functions for the voluntary sector in India.

Contact A-I03 Nilgiri Apts .. Alaknanda. New Delhi 110 019, Phone: 643 0933

contd. from page 3

journalists, tourism professionals and tourists.

* Sharing information and experience and taking action where they can.

*With a central co-ordinator.

What will the Network do?

Tourism Concern's activities wil l reflect, the interests and skills of it members.

Current projects' are:

*preparing information sheets on the issues we want to raise.

*devising case study materials for teachers of tourism and development

studies.

*promoting resources on tourism and travel which challenge the usual tourist

centered perspective.

* examining and responding to the cOJerage of tourism and travel in the media.

*working on productive ways of using and sharing what we know about the

impact of tourism and about good practice in the tourist industry.

To become part of the Tourism Concern Network, contact:

Alison Stancliffe,

Tourism Concern Co-ordinator,

8 St Mary's Terrace, Ryton,

Tyne & Wear NE40 3AL. (091) 4135393. United Kingdom.



AavishRar AAVISHKAR which means DISCOVERY - is an alterllative travel agencyresponding to the needs of those for whom travel is an enrichment experience.

Its operation is based on the convictions of its organisers who have worked

for many years in the field of development, and for the issues of peace and

justice.

The services offered are:

- formulation of itineraries for special interest groups} e.g. exposure to

developmenc agriculture, environment, culture, religion} education, etc.

- logistical support, e.g. travel arrangements, accommodation and

guides, interpreters, resource persons, etc.

package tours that combine leisure and a meaningful experience of India.

organizing conferences, seminars, and workshops, including full servicesupport.

The package tours offered are of two varieties, the first involving less travel than

the second. The follOWing are examples of AAVISHKAR's repertoire of packages.

Intinerary I Intinerary II

Jay 1 Arrive Bombay Day 1 Arrive Madras

Day 2 Journey to Aurangabad Days 2Days 3 to 4 At Pondicherry

to 5 At Aurangabad Days 5

Day 6 Journey to Banga!ore to 8 At Madurai

Days 7 Day 9

to 10 At Bangalore to 13 At Bangalore

Day 11 Days 14

to 13 At Goa and 15 At Bombay

Days 14

and 15 At Bombay

Intinerary III Intinerary IV

Day Arrive Bangalore Day Arrive Madras

Days 2 Days 2

and 3 At Bangalore and 3 At PondicherryDays 4 Days 4

and 5 At Mysore to 6 At Madurai

Day 6 At Bandipur Wild Life Day 7 Journey to Trivandrum

Sanctuary Days 8

Jays 7 and 9 At Trivandrum

and 8 At Mananthawadi Day 10 At Kottayam

Day 9 Journey to Mangalore Day 11 By backwaters to Cochin

Day 10 At Mangalore Day 12 At Cochin

Day 11 Journey to Goa Days 13

Days 12 to 15 At Bombay

and 13 At Goa

Days 14

and 15 At Bombay

In the course of all the above packages the participants wil l be exposed to the

issl,Jes of Indian rural dynamics, health and nutrition, environmental concerns,

education, religion, women in Indian society, tourism, and traditional crafts,

interspersed with sight-seeing and relaxation. All the packages can be modified

should the participants desire in-depth exposure to a given issue.

AAVISHKAR looks forward to assisting you on your journey to DISCOVERY.

Aavishk4lr Services P. Ltd.,88, Narayanappa Block, RJ. Nagar,

Bangalore 560032. INDIA. Phone: 333876

Telex: 0845-8147 PLI Attn: Aavishkar.

7

THE EXPERIMENTin International Living

The Experiment is a social-cum-educational organisation dedicated to the

development of a friendlier world. It believes that by living together, people

will respect cultural differences and discover human likenesses between

themselves and the rest of the world. Concretely, The Experiment arranges for

visitors from one region to stay in homes of other regions, as members of localhost families.

The Experiment was launched in 1932 and is an international movement with

national offices in about 40 countries in all five continents. Under international

programmes, there are incoming ones by which groups or individuals from

foreign countries come to stay in the homes of Indian families after careful

orientation, usually for a few weeks. Other international programmes includeeducati9nal travel, special interest travel, outgoing groups and so on.

The Intra-India project is anovel extension of the Experiment idea. This involves

people from one region of India staying with a family in another, distant, part

of India. These programmes are arrar.ged in the s u m m e ~ the trip lasting for3 \\leeks, with 8-10 days of family stay, and 10-12 days of educational travel. These

are open to·both groups and individuals.

The Intra-India project is aunique experiment in domestic cross-cultural contact,

and fulfills a need ofthe hour: emotional integration through an educationalexperience.

For details, contactthe Programme Director, The Experiment, D-144 Defence

New Delhi 110 024 (Phone: 301 4329; cable: EXPERIMENT: telex:

31-61288,

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8

We invite Network members to contribute to the Network LetterNETWORK

=z by sharing their work, ideas and plans through these pages.NEWS Communication is vital to the life of a Network, especially when

. -:_ ROUNDUP physical distances cannot easily be bridged by closer contacts.

Stop Exploitative Tourism (SET). Garhwal. India

founded by Dr Shankar Kala, SET calls itself the 'first global movement againstmodern tourism: Located in Garhwal Himalayas, an area which has witnessedsteady growth of trekker-tourism, an open debate was organised at its annualmeeting on August 20th. It calls for a return of tourism to original principlesand philosophy. Write to SET, do Maya Zerox Photostat Building, Srinagar

(Garhwall, India 246 174.

\\brltshop on the Coastall&sources Ma.naqement of Phulret. Thailand

Held in March 19BB, the workshop aimed to pave the way for government and

private sector collaboration in coastal environmental protection, and to provideguidelines for resolution ofvarious issues on conflicting uses concerning coastal

zone resources. A section of the report is devoted to the economics of tourism,an important feature of Phuket now. There has been amarked absence of landuse planning, and the island's resources are subject to abuses such as pollution,destruction of mangroves and coral reefs, contamination of water and loss ofscen ic beauty. Report available from UN EP, Inoostry and Envi ron ment Office,

Tour Mirabeau, 29-43 Andre Citreon, 75739 Paris 15, France.

MA in S o c i o l ~ and A n t h r o p o l ~ of Travel and Tourism. UK

On offer from October 1989, this is possibly the first time an MA in tourismwith a sociological-anthropological emphasis is available in the UnitedKingdom. The full-time course lasts one academic year, and consists of

compulsory units of 'Introduction to Tourism' and 'Tourism and Society; as wellas 6 optional units, including 'Third World Tourism' and 'Tourism, Ritual and

Myth: A dissertation is part of the course. Write to: Dr Tom Selwyn, Froebel

College, Roehampton Lane, London SW15 5PU, UK.

Interface Ecumenical.Academy. UK

InterFace is a member of the European Association of Academies andCentres which offer centres of dialogue where people <;an explore issues,

experience their potential to open discussion and see possibilities for common

action. The changing time patterns of work and leisure have led to the Academybeing asked to explore issues and opportunities related to t\lternative and

Creative T o u r i s m ~ among avariety of other programmes. Recently, thei r workhas focussed on the need to restrict tourism gr<M'th in developing nations, bothon environmental as well as air safety grounds. Write to Canon Edward Finch,

InterFace, Moulsham Mill Centre, Parkway, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 7PX, UK.

\\bmen's front. Norway

In ahighly ironic twist to a legal and press battle, asex-tour organiser in Norwayhas sued the Norwegian Women's Front for 'violating his feeling of honour:

The Front has been battllng against the Scan.:rhai Travellers' Club, owned by

Mr Ivar Larsen, for over two years now, through public protests as well as

representations to the Norwegian Ministry of Justice. Mr Larsen has initiatedseveral legal cases againstthe Front, the latest against specific women, seekingconvictions on the grounds that the women behaved ina manner detrimental

to the Club's 'name and reputation, and violated his personal feeling ofhonour:Write letters of support to Nina Christiansen, Ostensjoveien 62, Boks 53 Bryn,

0611 Oslo 6, Norway.

Project for Transnational Cultural Studies. USA

Since we last wrote about the Public Culture Bulletin, it is n<M' available as

a journal. Public Culture will place diverse cosmopolitan cultural forms - such

as cinema, sport, video, museums and tourism conventionally treated as

sub-specialities, under asingle discursive rubric. for subscriptions, write to the

Editors, Public Culture, The University Museum, Box 99, University of

Pennsylvania, 33rd and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

GAPP .. ....... .....· i ~ > (Groap fo r A n t b r o p o l O i f 1 1 J P o I 1 c 1 : I J r M 1 1 ! f ~ ~ C f ) ·Fll'st c o n f e r ~ e o n A r J ~ I d t 1 ( ) f r ~ . .

RESOURCES

Tourism Management, Quarterly, Butterworth Scientific Ltd., PO Box 63,

Westbury House, Bury Street, Guildford GU2 5BH, UK. Subscription rates:

UK £BB, Overseas £92

Tourism Management is an international journal, with an international (though

with adistinct UK emphasis) Advisory Board. Its March 1988 issue carries papers

on the 'Emerging leisure market among the South African Black population'

and one on 'Nature-orientated tourism promotion by developing countries: as well as a review of Krippendorf's 'The Holiday M a k e r s ~ The UK and Third World Tourism, TEN Publications, 70 Dry Hill Park Road,

Tonbridge, Kent, UK, TN10 3BX.

A well-researched document, this publication should interest those who are

involved in Third World tourism issues, especially with an emphasis on thr-

role of the UK and its travel industry. While the first section is an analysis'0.

UK travel industry trends, the second examines its impacts on the social, environmental, economic (including employment) development processes in the Third World, with a special chapter on sex tourism. There is however no mention of campaigns and other measures against exploitative tourism, nor even details of the work of TEN. Inclusion of such information would have

helped the general reader. Nevertheless, awelcome contribution to the growing

literature on Third World Tourism.

The Holiday Makers: Understanding the impact of leisure and travel, by Jost

Krippendorf, William Heinemann Ltd., 10 Upper Grosvenor Street, London WIX9PA, UK.

The English translation of Krippendorf's Die Ferienmenschen (1984), is an

important book in many respects. Krippendorf is an academic, one who is highlyrespected by the travel trade. His concern for tourism is unquestionable, hiscredentials excellent. Both are clearly evident throughout the discussion, whichbegins with an examination of industrial society, leisure and travel, goes on

to the lrecreation c y c l e ~ and ends with proposals for the 'humanization of t r a v e l ~ Only sometimes is the translation of German syntax and usage disturbing.

Inspiring, and thoroughly readable.

Published by: EqUitable Tourism Options (EQUATIONS), 96, H Colony, Indiranagar Stage I, Bangalore 560 038, INDIA.

Design and Phototypesetting: Revisuality Digitised Typesetting and Graphic Design, 4211 Lavelle Road, Bangalore, India.

Documents

Alternative Network Letter Vol 4 No.3-Dec 1988-EQUATIONS