Decolonial Travel Guide Tanzania

Alien Spiller

Sustainability has become a key buzzword in the tourism industry and specifically addresses consumer needs. According to the World Economic Forum, 86 percent of young travellers want environmentally friendly options. But the reality is often different: sustainable attitudes do not automatically lead to sustainable behaviour. In addition, supposedly sustainable options are not always environmentally or socially compatible – often it is just clever marketing.

At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a massive decline in travel and created a strong pent-up demand. It is therefore not surprising that global tourism will almost reach 2019 levels again by the end of 2024, with around 1.4 billion international travellers. For many destinations, especially in the Global South, this recovery is good news. In terms of development policy, tourism is considered a job engine and economic driver. During the pandemic, over 60 million jobs were lost in tourism – with long-term consequences for employees and social structures in the destination areas. The restart offers an opportunity not only to regain jobs, but also to establish better working conditions and fair wages. A socially just approach to tourism is essential, as the industry has previously encouraged many precarious employment situations.

Sustainable tourism is socially just, economically fair, culturally respectful and ecologically sustainable. Tourism Watch department at Bread for the World

In addition to fair working conditions, it is also important that tourism value chains do not only benefit large corporations, but that local businesses and communities also benefit equally. Cultural sustainability means that travel does not lead to the commercialisation or even displacement of local or indigenous cultures. And finally, tourism must also be ecologically sustainable. The biggest sticking point here is air travel: it accounts for almost 9 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. There is therefore a fundamental conflict of objectives between economic development and climate protection. But travellers can make conscious decisions: fly less often, stay longer and use more sustainable mobility solutions – take the train and walk or cycle locally. Choosing certified companies and tour operators helps to ensure social and ecological standards. Authentic travel means using local resources and services and adapting your ecological footprint to local conditions – especially when it comes to water consumption, as many holiday regions suffer from water shortages.

At Tourism Watch, we are convinced that a peaceful and just world without poverty is only possible if a fundamental change is also achieved in tourism. Human rights and the self-determination of local communities must be at the heart of any tourism development. Economic and social benefits must be distributed fairly in order to increase local prosperity and quality of life. In this sense, tourism should be a positive and meaningful experience for both travellers and hosts.mmung lokaler Gemeinschaften müssen im Zentrum jeglicher Tourismusentwicklung stehen. Wirtschaftliche und soziale Vorteile müssen gerecht verteilt werden, um Wohlstand und Lebensqualität vor Ort zu steigern. Tourismus sollte in diesem Sinne sowohl für Reisende als auch für die Gastgebenden eine positive und sinnstiftende Erfahrung sein.

Further Information

• Fair Unterwegs – Online-Plattform der Schweizer NGO für menschen- und umweltfreundliches Reisen: www.fairunterwegs.de   
• Hermann, Frank (2016): Fair-Reisen: Das Handbuch für alle, die umweltbewusst unterwegs sein wollen, München: Oekom.
• Tanzania Association of Sustainable Cultural Tourism: www.tanzaniasustainableculturaltourism.org
• Tourism Watch, Fachstelle der Abteilung Politik von Brot für die Welt  – Informationen, Fachpublikationen und deutschsprachiges Bildungsmaterial für Nachhaltigkeit im Tourismus: www.tourism-watch.de/bildung-material

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