Name Stewart Arnold
Date 29 November 2005 |
Message
Producer: On Nov 28th, 2005 we ran a story on volunteer tourists in Khao Lak, Thailand, and how they're keeping businesses alive, following the tsunami tragedy.
We asked viewers how visitors can be encouraged to return to tourist areas that have been hit by the killer waves.
The following is one suggestion we received from Stewart Arnold, an Australian who is a Singapore PR.
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Hi
After the excellent report last night on Thailand's "volun-tourists", I thought I saw a request for feedback - ideas on how to encourage tourism back to Tsunami-hit areas. Well, the report on volun-tourism got me thinking (as good reports should do!).....
Why don't NGOs effectively set up travel agencies... or perhaps work with travel agencies or even backpacker franchises.... and actively promote "volun-tourist holidays"? ie., deliberately design and market holiday packages where travel and accommodation is provided in Tsunami-hit regions (for minimal cost) on the proviso that the travellers take part in a defined "project" for the duration of their stay. The project should, of course, be something that is constructive for the local community. And, of course, local people should be involved as much as possible in setting up such "volun-tour projects".
This would need to be tackled professionally, just as travel agencies do in providing the myriad holidays and adventures that are available for regular tourists.
ie., provide travel and accommodation options - realistically priced to be enticing but, still, provide profits to the local businesses.
project options - varied according to their duration and duties
realistic explanation of the philosophy and expectations of the volun-tourism trade (unfortunately, there would probably be a need for some rules and,
restrictions, too, to discourage exploitation of locals or free-loading)
I receive traveller brochures and e-mail newsletters all the time and glance through them for interesting holidays.
If I were spoon-fed some options for holidaying in Thailand or Indonesia or Sri Lanka, with a definite set of constructive tasks that I would be expected to do, I would be very interested.
This idea would not just attract philanthropic "volunteer-type" people.
Today, many more travellers are wanting an "experience" in a country different to their own. And, there is always that fascination of seeing firsthand those places that were featured in the global news. Furthermore, many people would enjoy that sense of contributing their knowledge, skills, and physical efforts to a worthy cause (again, not just the "usual volunteers"). I think there would actually be a large target market for volun-tourists.
How many people sponsor World Vision children? How many of them want to visit their sponsored children at some stage? How many people want that sense of helping to rebuild disadvantaged communities? Many, I think!
I know of many friends who would have liked to help out in the immediate aftermath of the Tsunami or Pakistan earthquake or New Orleans floods. They didn't, or couldn't... and probably believed the opportunity to provide "on-the-ground help" was lost. Your tv report on "volun-tourism" has suggested to me that we can still help out and be rewarded with a "volun-tour experience" to be savoured. Hence, my proposal that these experiences be designed and marketed professionally.
Thank you for the thought-provoking tv program.
Stewart Arnold |
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