European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 26, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse In a by Donald Vav. George san Francisco examiner a few years ago when twas touring Pakistan an incident occurred that continues to trouble me. Our Hardy band of 10 had been both our pakistani guide and our. . Guide that we should a not take pictures of local women As this was extremely disturbing to the pakistanis. As a result everyone in our group. Refrained from photographing the women except one photo obsessed person who would furtively take out her camera and photograph women in Fields and villages. When she was sure no locals could see her. She said no one was Hurt by the photos and if they did t even know she was photographing them she reasoned How could it matter. / but it did matter. It was a violation of the spirit of the place the spiritual. Equivalent of leaving Beer cans and freeze dried food wrappers in a Pristine campsite. Here was a person who had gone to a far Corner of Earth but had still maintained her blinders completely missing the gifts of humility and Mutual respect that travel. a. A. A for a Long time in the history of travel. Of course exploitation not appreciation has been the prime goal a first material exploitation and then shortly thereafter a spiritual exploitation. It s Only recently that any widespread recognition has been accorded to the notion that travellers need to preserve rather than plunder. Y in the late 1980s, this notion was Given a name a but today while ecotourism has become an All purpose buzzword there s still no general agreement on a precise definition. Just what is ecotourism to my mind ecotourism denotes tourism that is. Environmentally culturally and socially aware that strives to appreciate and enhance a not exploit a the countries and cultures it touches. Why Are. L ecotourism s principles and ideals so important they Are important because they help us understand and Cheri Siuhye world and to preserve precisely those things we find to cherish. A As summer journeys Beckon i think Back to that misguided photographer in Pakistan a and realize again How. Eco tourists respect people s wishes such As those of this belgian who indicated he did t want to be photographed. File be photographed important it is to underscore the responsibilities and opportunities travel presents whether we Are going id Paris or Papua new Guinea. A a a Over the years a number of. Organizations have promulgated principles of responsible travel adapted from these guidelines particularly the code of ethics a Octra veers by the. Center for responsible. Tourism of san Anselmo Calif., Here Are. Several tips for travel on a fragile planet a travel in a spirit of humility and with a genuine Desi re to t a n d t a i k with the local people. Acquaint yourself with local customs and respect a be aware of the feelings of other people thus preventing what might be offensive behaviour. Remember this. Especially with photography. A cultivate the habit of listening and observing rather than merely hearing arid seeing. Ask questions and seek to a a understand not to convert. A realize that people in the country you visit often have time concepts thought patterns and cultural preconceptions different from your own. Not inferior just . A a do not look Only for the Beach. Y Paradise of the tourist posters. Discover the enrichment that comes from seeing another Way of daily life. A remember that you Are a guest. Do not ask for or expect special treatment. A a be aware of. The effect you inevitably have As a visitor and reflect daily on your experiences seek to deepen your i sensitivity and understanding. A take Dpi y photographs leave Only a a footprints. Do not disturb or despoil the. / local environment. ,. In recent years a number of books focusing and culturally sensitive travel have been published. Here Are foe that present a wide Range of trip possibilities a a ,. A. Tit you have trouble , they a. Can be ordered through Book passage s mail order service at. I -800-3219785. A. A Telephone card is needed to Access most 800 numbers in the states and you will. I Kelv be charged a Lee for the Call a eco Doumes by Stephen Foehr Snobie press si4.95 y y y we Leo tonci compiled Liy the editors of Buzz mini Magazine -$9 95 y a a co Tours and nature getaways by Alice m. Ceten and Carole Berniie. A a a a a. Eclat son $15 a a a environmental vacations by Stephanie Ocko John Muir publications. $10.95. Y y a a a a a the it Van trawl sir Chook by Daniel Crotta and Sally Wiener Giotta John Wiley amp sons-$14.95one More Good source for information about ecotourism. Alternatives is the a a. Specially i Ravel Index a biannual. Publication that lists special interest tour. Operators worldwide by activity an location. Single copies Cost. $0 and can be ordered Hansen publishers it 5 san Anselmo Avra san an sol mtg a Calif. 94980. Tire Telephone number is \ 415 459 1900. As travel technology improves the Globe gets smaller and More intricately notion is so familiar that by. Now it has lost its poignancy a until firsthand the manifold effects depressing and inspiring of tourism in far Quot off places coastal areas ruined for a Concrete resorts and Tain forests preserved from artistic -. A y in one country and revived in another. The que Ion v. Not whether to will y y have any effect on the places we visit. We will. The question i How to will Wield our effect we can of respect and a tolerance any i we go nurturing and expanding the glorious a or unwittingly. Polum the soil we treat.,1994 British a amp a guide offered from wire reports bed amp breakfast of great Britain offers a 1994 guide that lists More than 400 a amp is throughout Britain. Prices at the a amp is Start at about $26 per person per night which includes the booking fee value added tax room and breakfast. For a copy of the guide which includes information on All the Host Homes Send $2 refundable upon reservation to a Hom Tours International inc., 1170 Broadway suite 614, new York by 10001. A. Terrorist attacks have caused a drop in of tourists visiting Egypt but a Survey of nine cruise lines reveals that there have not been Many changes in itineraries or sailings on the Nile River. Royal cruise line has however revised its 11 night summer and fall holy roundabout land cruises to eliminate Calls at port said. According to the egyptian tourist. Authority in new York City about 2.5. Million tourists visited Egypt last year nearly 22.percent fewer than in 1992. A pair of former fashion editors have put together an eight Page guide called shop walks Paris. It lists the four Best shopping neighbourhoods of Paris it also includes color coded Street maps that identify shops boutiques it Best buys wine bars Tea salons museums and guide is fils into a pocket or purse it costs $6.95 and is available from shop walks . Box 20023-Dhcc, new York by 10017. L a Little girl tries to Stop time while playing with a Sundial at an amusement Park in Geist wind Germany. May 26, 1994 stripes Magazine 25
