Ethno

 From September 7-9, 2006, indigenous representatives from throughout Latin America convened in Quito, Ecuador to discuss the role of ecotourism and certification for their communities. Over three days, participants shared experiences, raised concerns, voiced opinions, and learned from colleagues. 
Results

The final result of the workshop was a declaration that is available in Spanish. The declaration was formally presented by the participants on September 9, 2006 in a public forum that was attended by key stakeholders in the Ecuadorian tourism industry. Click here to view a copy of the declaration.

Background
From September 7-9, 2006, CESD convened indigenous representatives from throughout Latin America in Quito, Ecuador to discuss the role of ecotourism and certification for their communities. Over three days, participants shared experiences, raised concerns, voiced opinions, and learned from colleagues. At the end of the discussions, the group announced formation of the indigenous tourism association Intiruna, Quechua for "people of the sun". 

The final result of the workshop was a declaration that is available in Spanish and English. The declaration was formally presented by the participants on September 9, 2006 in a public forum that was attended by key stakeholders in the Ecuadorian tourism industry. Click to view the declaration in Spanish or in English. Also available are the full conference proceedings in Spanish or in English.

 The Netherlands' Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV)


PREFACE

On the day of the debate, 9 December 1999, it became clear that tourism is a hot issue nowadays. There were about 180 people filling up the hall of the sold out Balie in Amsterdam. The Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV) was very pleased to be able to welcome guests from all over the world. Especially, the 20 indigenous representatives, who were able to participate thanks to the Indigenous Dialogue Project of the Narwal Institute in Wassenaar.
For the first time in the Netherlands a debate on tourism was organised from a human rights perspective. The programme was rich; ten speakers (see list of speakers p.13_14), including four indigenous representatives, had the opportunity to lance their points of view. The debate was led by chairman David Boerma. Both speakers and audience participated actively. Many new issues were raised in the lively discussions between panel members and the audience, demonstrating the scope and complexity of the problem of tourism, indigenous peoples, their cultures and their environments. The material presented here provides good cause for follow_up initiatives. There is much more to be said and done about tourism and indigenous peoples then can be discussed in one day only.
The proceedings following are short summaries of the presentations of the speakers and excerpts of the discussions. They highlight the various points of view held in the field of tourism and indigenous peoples. As was said by the coordinator of the debate, Ingrid Plante, the NCIV looks back on a highly valuable debate.

 The Sahara of Cultures and Peoples: UNESCO Culture Sector.

In the context of combatting poverty (Millenium Development Goals), the objective of the project "The Sahara of Cultures and Peoples is to assist the member states of the Sahara in the elaboration and implementation, especially by lessons learned from field pilot projects, of strategies for sustainable development and the fight against poverty, based on the protection and enhancement of Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Natural Heritage.

The Saharan States concerned are: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tnisia.

Following the Millennium Declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2000, all agencies of the United Nations system are required to contribute as a priority to the struggle against poverty and extreme poverty. In this context, UNESCO's General Conference, at its 31st session (November 2001), adopted the intersectoral project "The Sahara of cultures and people".

The project falls also in line with the follow-up of the World Summit on Eco-Tourism held in Quebec, Canada (19-22 May 2002), of the Rio+10 Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg, South Africa (26 August - 4 September 2002), of the WTO global code of ethics on tourism and of the Plan of action of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity

As a crosscutting activity, tourism can be a real tool in sustainable development and struggle against poverty , in particular in the Sahara which is a desertic ecosystem, characterized by a rich cultural, human and natural wealth, and great fragility.

Issues addressed:
Strengthening of capacity-building for local actors;
Safeguarding and enhancement of heritage for the benefit of populations in situations of poverty;
Promotion of the cultures and civilization of the Sahara;
Improvement of the conditions of preservation of the Saharan ecosystems;
Support for responsible tourism policies;

Promotion of the local participatory governance and the strengthening of partnerships at the local, national and international level (Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper PRSP), United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Islamic Educational , Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
Fiche 21 on Cultural Tourism (pdf)
Powerpoint presentation of the project (in French)
 

  Description
Tourism, with its niche element of ecotourism, is one of Australia’s fastest growing industries, overtaking the traditional export items of coal, wheat and wool in export earnings. 

This book covers everything a person needs to think about before venturing into the ecotourism market. It explains what ecotourism is and who the ecotourists are. It describes how to work with the local community and the local environment, highlighting some of the constraints and pitfalls. It explains what is needed to make a successful venture work - and how to make it pay. 

Community Development through Tourism examines the development of local communities through the healthy integration of community planning, business planning and tourism planning. It explores the most pertinent tourism and business theories, moving from strategic planning to community empowerment and practice. Research-based case studies are used to illustrate how things work in the real world, and the ways in which various theories can and have been applied. 

This book will be an important resource for business development managers, tourism operators and community leaders, as well as students and teachers in courses that incorporate aspects of community tourism into their business, tourism, social sciences and arts programs. 

 These days, local tribes are just as likely to be visited by tourists seeking an authentic local experience as they are by anthropologists or TV crews. Meeting local people has become increasingly popular - too popular in some cases. The award-winning responsible adventure travel company Exodus recently pulled out of visiting some of the villages in the Omo valley in Ethiopia, featured in the earlier series of Tribe, over concerns that some villages have become overwhelmed with tourists.

Not all the tribes featured in the TV series are accessible or geared up for tourism. The Matis are understandably wary of outsiders which is why, if you're inspired by Parry's experiences, we recommend you visit instead the Huaorani of Ecuador who have agreed an ecotourism plan with a local travel company. We also recommend you go with a responsible tour company, one that has gained permission from the tribe for your visit and that will manage the interaction and spread their visits thinly so that they don't "over-sell" a particular tribe. That way, you get a fascinating, memorable insight into another culture - without upsetting the local people or indeed having to endure any eye-watering local rituals...
 

 FOR THE LEWIS & CLARK BICENTENNIAL AND OTHER TRIBAL OPPORTUNITIES
National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
 

December 2002
Washington, DC
 

The Tourism Toolkit project is designed to explore these questions and offer suggestions, ideas and models, rather than
answers. It emphasizes “can do,” not “should do.” [...] This is accomplished by informing and supplying building
blocks for successful tribal heritage and cultural protection and rejuvenation, including tribal
tourism. Tribal tourism is a demonstration of tribal sovereignty, in this case, through the tribe’s
decisions of cultural site protection and interpretation. The Toolkit provides assistance to tribes with
tourism development and management.

1. Project Overview
Each Tribe is a Different, Autonomous and Sovereign Entity
Some tribes consider tourism one of their economic development priorities, while others live with
and tolerate visitation, do not want to increase it, preferring to simply manage it to their greater
advantage. The approaches to tourism development and management are as unique as the tribes
themselves. Yet some tribes have succeeded in adding tourism to their economic development mix
in a way that affirms the tribal community and improves the quality of life on the reservation.
 

[...]

2. What’s Your Kind of Tourism?
There are many tourism industry labels for specialized (or niche) markets:
• Nature-based or ecotourism
• Heritage tourism
• Cultural tourism
• Recreation
• Adventure tourism
• Gaming
• Industrial tourism (major theme parks and attractions)
There is a growing market for nature-based tourism -- which emphasizes the natural environment,
flora and fauna, observing and learning more about the natural world. Ecotourism is nature-based as
well, but seeks to leave the smallest possible footprint or impact of human presence in the natural
world.
Cultural tourism is typically defined as focusing on the fine arts and
[...]
 

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 
UNDERSTANDING TOURISM
Part 1
General Tourism Development
Eco-Tourism
Cultural Tourism and Cultural Interpretation
Tourism With Integrity

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Part 2
Strategies For Involving The Whole Community
Workshops
Sample Workshop Agendas
Conducting Surveys
Follow-up
Identify Your Core Group
 
NUTS AND BOLTS OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
Part 3
Identify Where Your Community Is In The Tourism Development Process
What Do You Do If The Community Doesn't Want Tourism?
Tourism Management
Marketing
Encouraging Good Relations Between Local Businesses
Supporting Local Business Development
Community Beautification

RESOURCES
 published by:
 

Alaska Native Knowledge Network
University of Alaska Fairbanks

 

 Von Felix Lerchenmüller

Es gab im Lauf der Zeit auf dem Fünften Kontinent viele Versuche, das Wissen und die Kultur der Aborigines dem Tourismus dienlich zu machen. So bringen im "Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park" bei Cairns seit 20 Jahren junge Leute im Lendenschurz und mit Körperbemalung Besuchern bei, wie man Speere wirft und Bumerangs schleudert.

[...]

Haben wir nicht was vergessen? Ach ja - die Souvenirs. Ein Didgeridoo haben wir mitgebracht. Und eines dieser Bilder, Sie wissen schon, eine Schlange, in Sandfarben, ganz penibel gestrichelt. Ewig muss er daran gesessen haben, der Künstler, ein Aborigine angeblich. Nur gut - dann haben die auch noch profitiert von unserem Urlaub.

Tja. 

Hin und wieder mal ein Bild an einen Touristen verkaufen, wobei die Galerie noch ordentlich mitkassiert - damit wollen sich viele Ureinwohner Australiens nicht mehr zufrieden geben. 

Immer mehr von ihnen gehen in den letzten Jahren selbst ins Tourismusgeschäft. Nicht mehr nur als Guides wollen sie arbeiten - sie machen gleich ihre eigene Firma auf.

Bei den Ausflügen zeigen sie ihren Gästen, wie sie fischen und Muscheln suchen, sie erzählen vom Leben in früheren Jahren und führen sie zu alten Felsmalereien.

Franz Lerchenmüller war mit einigen von ihnen unterwegs, auf der Halbinsel Cape York in Northern Queensland, einem dieser menschenleeren Flecken des Riesenkontinents.

Und er hat dabei so einiges gelernt. 
Fürs Überleben im Regenwald reicht es noch nicht, meint er. 
Aber ein Anfang ist gemacht.

   B Francis Kulirani*
Introduction
The contributions of anthropology towards national policy formulations in respect of
tribes, Aboriginal or Native or First Nation or indigenous communities (small-scale
societies) all over the world have been well established. In an increasingly globalizing
world the small-scale societies are keen to participate in the development process on their
own terms. The traditional abodes of the tribes and other small-scale societies are
fascinating tourist destinations that trigger “human exploratory behaviour” because of
cultural, geographical, ecological peculiarities and remoteness of their habitats; in order
satisfy the fundamental human curiosity to experience other ways of life and other
cultures.
Tourism industry has attained the stature of a major player in the new economic order.
Global tourism is dominated by transnational corporations, having national and local
tourism development initiatives. Many nations see tourism as a means for speedy
economic development. Tourism industry being run by the corporate sector and promoted
by the Governments have a negative image among the people and communities at the
local level. A realization is setting in that tourism destinations are limited and a
successful strategy is in addressing the concerns of all involved, primarily the
development concerns of local communities in order to sustain the tourism project itself.
In such a scenario tourism is being situated in the domain of development initiatives.
India and Canada, two Common Wealth Member States, who are also members of the
World Tourism Organisation (WTO) share the belief that tourism can be effectively used
as a programme for sustainable development and eliminate poverty. In this direction the
Ministry of Tourism and the India Tourism Development Corporation being the nodal
agencies for promoting tourism in India, assist the States and the respective state
corporations to promote tourism. India is ranked by the World Travel and Tourism
Council (2005) as the worlds 3rd fastest growing travel and tourism economies. The
Incredible India tourism drive offers the concept of Tribal Experience in Central India,
North East India and Western India. Tourism in India has evolved from its early 'cultural
tourism' days to aggressive marketing today wooing the world tourists. The Central
Government is keen to promote tourism in the North East by opening up hitherto 'restless
areas'. Much skepticism is expressed by the people of the region.
Canada, ranking 10th in the world’s most populous tourist destination (WTO 2003) was
envisaged to generate up to 20% of the revenues in 2005 from the cultural heritage
tourism sector. The Canadian Tourism Commission has identified Aboriginal Tourism as
one of the unique brands of cultural and heritage tourism, under the auspices of
Aboriginal Tourism Canada (a partnership based organization of Canada’s Regional
Aboriginal Tourism Associations). ‘The revenues of the Aboriginal tourism industry in
1995 were estimated at $270 million or just 0.5% of the entire Canadian tourism industry.
Estimates of 2003 put the industry’s value at $474 million with 6,400 people directly
employed’ (ATC 2003).

 The Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures at DBCIC (Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures) is Asia's largest Museum of Indigenous Cultures of its kind. In it the visitor can have an overview of the whole of North East India. Rising into Shillong's skyline the Museum is a seven storey building with 17 well laid out Galleries of international standard containing artefacts, paintings, fibreglass figures - all a feast to the eyes and a source of knowledge. The topmost Gallery is where the visitors can relax and enjoy some of the rare dances of the North East. The Museum is indeed a surprise to visitors both from India and from abroad. Its best publicity are the visitors themselves who come to see it.

2. ADB defines "indigenous peoples" as groups with social or cultural identities distinct 
from that of the dominant or mainstream society. "Indigenous peoples" is a generic concept that 
includes cultural minorities, ethnic minorities, indigenous cultural communities, tribal people, 
natives, and aboriginals. 
 
3. Two significant characteristics of indigenous peoples are (i) descent from population 
groups present in a given area before modern states or territories were created, and (ii) 
maintenance of cultural and social identities separate from mainstream or dominant societies or 
cultures. Additional characteristics include (i) self-identification and identification by others as 
being part of a distinct indigenous cultural group, and the display of the desire to preserve their 
cultural identity; (ii) a linguistic identity different from that of the mainstream or dominant society; 
(iii) social, economic, and political traditions and institutions distinct from the mainstream 
society; (iv) an economic system oriented more toward a traditional system of production than 
toward the mainstream production system; and/or (v) a unique tie with and attachment to 
traditional habitat and ancestral territory and its natural resources.