Travel can take us out of our comfort zone and catapult us into another world. It brings us face to face with the natural environments that we only see in documentaries; with cultures that we barely catch a glimpse of on the news; with wildlife that we've only encountered in books; and with traditions that we've yet to learn about. We can come to understand different ways of living through travel, and are often invited to engage in unique, sometimes life-changing encounters. If we allow it to be, travel can be enriching, liberating and an education like no other. Yet it could be doing so much more.
Why does a global industry worth an estimated £6 trillion give so little back to the people who are the backbone of these experiences? With much of the income from tourism funnelled towards international brands, very little is left for the local communities that welcome us. There are examples everywhere. According to the 2021 documentary The Last Tourist, only an estimated 14% of every dollar of tourist income remains in Kenya, while the majority of this income is distributed across foreign-owned hotels and suppliers.
Yet, when tourism money does makes its way into local communities there are myriad benefits. Businesses are able to invest in training and skill development, leading to a rise in employment levels; young people are inspired to focus on their own futures; and workplaces can become safe spaces for women in difficult family circumstances, empowering them to be independent. This positive chain effect can go even further, too. A community that has good infrastructure, steady employment rates and opportunities to progress has the means to protect its surroundings, rather than turning to quick-fix ways of securing an income, such as wildlife poaching.
Bu hikaye Wanderlust Travel Magazine dergisinin August/September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Wanderlust Travel Magazine dergisinin August/September 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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The call of the Rockies
From historic ski lodges to rustic backcountry cabins and a mock-Scottish castle, we pick the stays in Canada's Rocky Mountains that make the most of their setting
A new dawn for the Garifuna community
When the Garifuna people settled in Belize, they had to carry their traditions and culture with them; now a new trail is inviting visitors to explore this heritage through local communities
On the edge of history
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Tigers burning bright
As India celebrates 50 years of its Project Tiger conservation scheme, we visit the reserves of Madhya Pradesh to see how its success has impacted a tiger population that once looked in danger of disappearing
SEASON'S GREETINGS
From fiery fall foliage to art fairs and harvest festivals, opens up a wealth of across the USA and Canada autumn experiences
Waking a sleeping GIANT
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The rebirth of old JEDDAH
As efforts to restore Al-Balad, Jeddah's historical district, take hold, we get an exclusive peek at how art and culture are taking centre stage
Star-studded escapes
Wilderness, history and wildlife combine at some of Britain's most iconic stargazing sites, as more and more travellers are looking to the heavens