Taking your ethics on tour

Did you enjoy your holiday? It's a common enough question at this time of the year, so how do you answer it?

Would you praise the accommodation, the flights, the weather, even the value for money? Probably all of these. But they are memories which will fade. What about something that would bring lasting enjoyment; the knowledge that your holiday helped someone to earn a decent living and escape from poverty?

Christians have more reason than most to take this aspect of their holiday seriously. The Prayer and Campaigns Director of Tearfund, Stephen Rand, says, 'The Good Samaritan was a traveller who recognised the need of someone he came across. Jesus told the story to point out the reality of what it means to love our neighbour as ourselves. If we dare to ask the question: 'Who is my neighbour?', we will surely include in the answer those people who live in the places we go to on holiday.'

Tourism is a huge industry. The British public spends £17 billion on overseas holidays each year. It is a major area where consumer power can change the lives of poor people. Christians have become used to the concept of 'fair trade' in tea, coffee and craft items, and now Tearfund is urging Christians to apply this thinking to their holidays.

Tearfund is mobilising its more than 200,000 supporters to campaign for ethical tourism. In a 24-page booklet just published, Tearfund sets out an ethical code for the holidaymaker, designed to maximise the benefits of tourist income to the local economy. The charity also calls on tourists to ask searching questions of the tourist industry about economic and environmental matters.

10-point guide

The editor of the booklet, Graham Gordon, says: 'We don't want to stop people going on holiday, or make them feel guilty. We recognise that holidays are a vital part of many people's lives. But we are encouraging people to think about how they behave, and to ask tour operators to do the same. We want local communities to receive greater benefits from the tourist trade. If enough tourists want the industry to behave in an ethical way, then it will have to respond.'

Tearfund's 10-point ethical guide for tourists breaks down into three themes. It urges tourists to research the political and economic factors at the holiday destination, to reward local people by buying goods and services at a fair price and to respect local customs and the environment. This is the code:

1. Find out about your destination - take some time to read about the cultural, social and political background.

2. Go equipped with basic words and phrases in the local language, which may open up opportunities to meet people.

3. Buy locally-made goods and services wherever possible.

4. Pay a fair price - if you haggle, your bargain may be at someone else's expense.

5. Be sensitive to the local culture, dress and act with respect to the local beliefs and customs, especially at religious sites.

6. Ask permission before taking photographs - and remember you may be asked to pay for the privilege.

7. Avoid conspicuous displays of wealth which will distance you from the culture you came to experience.

8. Make no promises to local people which you can't keep.

9. Minimise your impact on the environment.

10. Slow down and enjoy the differences.

Market research commissioned by Tearfund shows that ethical tourism is in demand. 60% of the public say they want good information on the social, economic and political situation at their destination. They also value significant opportunities for interaction with local people; and to be assured that environmental damage is kept to a minimum. And there's a sizeable slice of the market willing to put their money where their mouths are. 50% of the survey sample said that they would be willing to pay on average 5% more for an ethical holiday.

Case studies

Two case studies in the Tearfund report show how Christians are engaged in helping marginalised groups make the most of tourism.

1. MOPAWI in Honduras has trained local tour guides and helped in the writing of tourist materials for visitors to the rainforest. They assist indigenous communities to develop links with tour operators in order to maintain control over how tourism develops.

2. TUKUL CRAFT, based at the Anglican Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt, has forged a link with the Marriott Hotel, selling craft-work made by refugees from the civil war in Sudan. The refugees stage a 'Taste of Africa' cultural evening at the hotel, which includes food, dancing, craft and education about the situation in Sudan. The income from sales provides jobs for 11 people who would otherwise struggle to earn a living.

Tearfund's guide to ethical tourism contains ideas for discussion and reflection in church or house-groups. It tackles difficult issues such as begging, hustling and tipping. There is a statement from a priest in Cameroon, showing that tourism can be of mutual benefit to the visitor and the locals, but also describing how the wealth of Western tourists can be insulting and how power and money get in the way of real encounters.

Ethical tourism is a new area of concern for Tearfund, as well as a growing one for the travel trade. It has implications too for Holy Land tours, pilgrimage organisers, and the many activities such as Tearfund's own 'Transform Teams', where British Christians go abroad to help with development projects. Tour companies, large and small have started to develop ethical criteria for their operations, but most of these have focused on environmental issues (such as waste disposal or cutting down on unnecessary laundry). This is a good start but Tearfund would like this to be developed further to include social and economic issues. Many companies also give to charity, which is to be applauded. But charity is no substitute for ethical practice.

The campaign group, Tourism Concern and AITO, the Association of Independent Tour Operators, both have information on what could be termed 'fairly traded' holidays. Other larger tour companies supply some information, but don't be afraid to ask for specifics. Ask how much hotel workers get paid, what local customs should be observed, or what the water supply situation in the resort is . If the company gives you satisfactory answers then book up. If not, then use your consumer power to force these issues out into the open.

Resources available

Education booklet: Tourism - don't forget your ethics! (£1.50). Market research report: Tourism - an ethical issue (free). Phone 0845 355 8355.

A conference on 'Ethical Tourism and Christian Responsibility' will be held in London on October 31 2000, focussing on Christians in tourism. It will include case studies, the role of consumers, and a global overview of tourism as a development issue. Details from the Tearfund Public Policy Team, on 020 8943 7818.

Taking your ethics on tour

A new challenge from Tearfund to take the ethical aspect of your holiday seriously