nullatinulllesson: Hannullnnullout nulltnulltnull neinullnullornullonull inull nullile tnull artnullornullnulliesnull
‘
null
‘
ulture must not be regarded as a relicnullculture is
changing, and the changes must be channelled toward
social development in accordance with traditional values.null
brings money to some of the nation’s poor- Aziz Athumani, an independent tour guide
est communities, while providing a learning based in nearby Arusha, advises a buyer-
experience for visitors. “It enables tourists to beware mentality when choosing a tour. For
experience the hosts’ way of life—an insight example, in some popular areas of Tanzania,
into values, beliefs and traditions—in the like Ngorongoro, visitors are taken to special
community’s own environment.” tourist-only bomas that appear authentic, but
Every year, about 30,000 visitors to the Maasai staff head home each evening to
Tanzania participate in some kind of govern- their real homes.
ment-affiliated cultural tour, so the potential “The aim of cultural tourism is to enable
impact is massive. “If not carefully executed, visitors to learn more about Tanzania, but
it could lead to the erosion of cultures, cus- there are lots of people acting as coordinators
toms and ways of life of local communities,” who are not really promoting it, in its true
Lwoga warns. meaning,” Athumani says, referring to the less
Shakweti points out that culture is not authentic bomas. Corruption is another prob-
static. “I hope to awaken [visitors] to the lem. Athumani points out that even though
issues our community is facing,” he says. a tourist may be issued a receipt for paying a
“Culture must not be regarded as a relic; village development fee, the village may never
culture is changing, and the changes must receive any of the money or the benefits from
be channelled toward social development in the fees paid.
accordance with traditional values. How do you evaluate cultural tourism
“Taking tourists to a Maasai boma [a clus- opportunities and choose one that provides
ter of homes] is absolutely not enough,” he a positive experience for you and the host
adds. “Tourists must be told what is going community? Asking these questions may
on. They must be involved and, if they can, help: Why has this village been chosen for
must spread what they experience here when cultural tourism? What are the specific chal-
they go back to their countries, in order to lenges facing this village? Which commun-
challenge stereotypes.” ity improvement projects are underway or
Lwoga agrees that visitors should par- planned? Who is responsible for implementing
ticipate. “Our product is not about just the projects? Why were these particular pro-
watching people in their daily lives. It is jects chosen? An ability to answer these ques-
an experience that brings visitors and hosts tions with specific information is a sign that
closer as the former are guided through the tour guide knows something about the vil-
walks, hiking, trekking. They participate in lage. Official guides, who can be booked for a
some activities such as coffee processing, fair rate through tourist offices, are often locals
cooking and sharing meals, making hand- who’ve undergone some training. They may
crafts and sharing stories.” even bring you home for tea.
vergemagazine.com
winter 2010 verge: 11
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