The Olympics may have focused attention on China, but it’s hardly the first destination to present travellers with this sticky dilemma: Go, and possibly support a repressive regime with tourist dollars, or stay away, and deprive the locals of contact with the outside world.
Take Myanmar, for decades the poster child for ruthless dictatorships that welcome tourism.
While the British-based Burma Campaign, publisher Arthur Frommer and Canadian ethical travel columnist Leslie Garrett, among others, call for a total boycott of the country, other industry and human-rights observers are more moderate.
Defending Lonely Planet’s Myanmar (Burma), for example, publisher Alex Fenby has written that the guide “is one of only a very few sources of information that enables travellers to maximize their support for the local population, and minimize the prospect of any money which they might spend going to the military regime.”
And this approach, many in the travel industry believe, is applicable to travel in any politically unsavoury destination — from Cuba to Libya.
“I believe that responsible travellers can be a force for good and change, helping to spread fresh ideas, hope and a spirit of freedom and democracy,” says Jim Benning, co-editor of the travel site World Hum (worldhum.com).
But he adds that travellers should educate themselves about their destinations. A few tips:
Follow the money
Jeff Greenwald, executive director of Ethical Traveler (ethicaltraveler.org), says that when it comes to countries such as Myanmar, travellers should know where their money is going. “Is the mode of transportation, restaurant or hotel they’re patronizing benefiting the leaders of the regime, or the people themselves?”
Travel close to the ground
Most often, travelling with organized tour groups and patronizing upscale accommodations will benefit the regime more than activities by independent travellers. Benning says it’s unavoidable that some of the money travellers spend in countries like Myanmar will end up in government pockets. But “visitors who travel close to the ground” will do more to help the locals.
Respect locals’ privacy
Greenwald says travellers to places with free-speech issues should be aware that interacting with locals “carries risks for those people. Care should be taken to protect people’s identities, and to avoid discussing such encounters with others.”
Mind the environment
Travellers should always be mindful of their footprint, Greenwald says, especially in countries with poor environmental records. “Take public transport when possible and encourage the places where you’re staying to adopt sustainable practices, such as laundering towels and sheets only when requested.”
Spread the word
Learn to listen, both Greenwald and Benning say. Be open to the people you meet, then return home and talk and write about the experience.
