ALTERNATIVE NETWORK LETTER

A Third World Tourism Communication

And Infonnation Alternative

For Private Circulation Only Vol. 3 Nos. 1 & 2 June 1987

NE of the things we have done at EQUATIONS in the last few months

The poverty of

O is to produce a simple 4-page brochure. In it, we have described

briefly our work and the philosophy that guides us. Some of you who
received that brochure wrote back asking for more information on our activities, PREM'S TOURIST CULTURE

copies of our publications, and so on. by Kraisak Choohavan

We hope our responses have satisfied those who asked. But your queries,
as well as other events in our life these past months, have forced us to sit back
and introspect. What have we done over the last 2 years? Why do we continue
to exist?
When we came into existence in early 1985, we saw our work as having two
clear dimensions: first to be a monitoring agency of tourism development in
India and the South Asian region. Our eyes were open to lessons from other
parts of the third world, thereby hoping to prevent here the more serious socio­
economic and cultural consequences of tourism that they had experienced.
With current trends in South Asian tourism heading in directions geared to
maximise arrivals and exchange earnings (see news items in this issue), our
ability to analyse these trends and provide an independent policy viewpoint
gains increasing urgency.
EDITORIAL
become one of Asia's largest metropolitan centres. Its 55-million residents own
Second, we sought to promote models of tourism incorporating the
development and participation of hosts, ensuring that the accruing benefits
were justly distributed among them. Thus we have assisted (and continue to
assist) in the evolution and development of independent travel companies
which aim at social and economic self-reliance through activities such as
'alternative tourism:
We are aware that much remains to be done; however, a small beginning
has been made. The responses, interest and cooperation of many people in
India and elsewhere indicates that we are meeting an important social need,
and that encourages us to carryon with what we started.
One concrete sign of that encouragement is the assurance that ANL will
continue to be jointly published with CONTOURS from Bangkok. We are
grateful that our work has been recognised and considered significant enough
to reach the international readership of the Ecumenical Coalition on Third
World Tourism.
In many ways, this is a historic edition of ANl. It goes into its third year of
publication, the second from EQUATIONS. For the first time, we have chosen
to focus on the tourism situation of a specific destination, and appropriately,
the choice has been Goa, India.
Our acknowledgements to those who helped bring this issue together,
especially friends in Goa. We have used material sent by journalists Rico
Noronha and Lionel Messias. The new square-grid designs on our regular
features are the work of a young Goan artist, Francisco Saldanha.
Our apologies for the delay in getting this issue to you in recompense
we give you more articles and briefs, as well as an exclusive interview on
Nicaraguan tourism. We hope you will continue to enjoy reading - and be
provoked by ANL, and look to you for your comments and response.
T
HAILAND is fast sliding into a rural economic crisis. The price of rice
has slumped from US$ 116 to US$ 77 a tonne. Fertiliser prices have
doubled; pesticides have trebled.
Earnings from the export of agricultural commodities plummeted last year after
a gradual decline during the past decade. Manufactured goods, textiles and
garments have replaced agricultural exports, chiefly rice, as the main source
of foreign currency.
Rice producers make up 35-million of Thailand's 52-million population. Even
in boom periods they never received the benefits of increased prices. Now they
are in dire straits.Their plight threatens to upset the relative stability of Thai
society and politrcs.
Rural poverty is not new. Research by Thai and international organisations
has shown that Thai farmers are poor, and getti ng poorer. The gap between
the urban and rural sectors is widening.
In stark contrast, Bangkok continues to expand and develop. The city has
nearly a million cars.
About adozen gigantic, air-conditioned shopping centres have sprouted in
the past few years, their shops stocked with European style luxury consumer
goods. Middle class Sino-Thais pack the hundreds of expensive restaurants.
Bangkok's middle class recognise that something must be done to all eviate
poverty. Numerous foundations, most under royal patronage, have been set
up for the needy. Funds have been raised through glamorous dinner parties,
fashion shows, and even by performances from visiting Chinese acrobats.
King Bhumiphol Adulyadej is constantly seen in the media visiting the
hydraulic and irrigation projects he often designs personally for farmers' use.
But however well-intentioned, these efforts can never match the enormous
scale of the rural problem. Rural poverty is structural. It exists because the system
of market prices, taxes and finance mechanisms depends on extracting
countryside commodities cheaply, and investing the surplus in the more
lucrative service and industrial sectors.
Growing rural unemployment and the artificial depression of food-stuff prices
combine to keep urban wages at a low levei and to control organised labour.
Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda's administration accepts that the fall in
contd. overleaf

Paul Gonsalves
 2
Contd. from page I.

the world price of commodities is no longer cyclical but structural. Its

development plan calls for a boost in the manufacturing and service sectors. French Group visits India

But the plan faces serious obstacles.

The decline in oil prices forced the government to reduce the Eastp.rn
Seaboard Project, the petrochemical industrial complex designed as the main A group of 19 visUors from the French CCfD (Catholic

engine ofThailand's industrial drive. The single largest investment, the National Committee against Hunger and for India between

Fertiliser Project, has been scrapped. Although other projects such as a January 18-31, 1987. Consisting of CCfD supporters and volunteers from

deep-sea port, a gas separation plant and a plastic pellets factory are going different regions of France, the group \vasled

ahead, they will employ far fewer than the 50,000 new workers expected. Lacombe, and included an official joumalis[, Jacques Durand.

There is steady growth in the manufacture of goods for export, such as

canned foodstuffs, textiles, precious stones and integrated circuits. But the FollOwing a 2-day orientation with CCfD'S Indian partners in the

foodstuffs and textiles depend on the US market, access to which is visitors were divided into four sub-groups for in-depth exposure to CCfD­
increasingly threatened by the congressional protectionist drive. supported action groups and develOpment projects in Calcutta/Bihar,

Last year, Thaiiand was warned by two US delegatitms: "Export less to the Kerala/Kamata1<a, Tamilnadu and Pune/Bombay using public

US-or else:' But Thai exporters have been unable to expand their share of transport, they also experienced the simple lifestyle of the rural and tribal

the EC or the japanese markets. communities in these places,

The groups gathered in Bombay for a det,rieJ'int;!

retuming home. Despite minor difficulties about the itinerary.

the visitors generally felt that it had been amost useful and integrative leaming

process, and felt that similar visits should be organised.

This altemative tour was France, and an ad hoc group

consisting of Rajan Alexander. Everett and Alex through
EQUATIONS, Bangalore, with able assistance from CCfD partners in India,

TOURISM TRENDS
rOlJri5m,Kenya~thirdbiggestforeign-exchangeeatnel; isbuoyant There
:were5411000arriva1s1n198~.a 24per centincrease on the previous
y~a~and thB'gqve,mment~i111stoattract 800,000 in 1988. Earnings
ifJ.J9~5lq5~by3lJpetcentto U5$303,.million.
· .!ht;insre~se/$dyeto s~ralfactors.FaIJjng oil priceshavemade
trwe{FheaPflr~fl:~}~ tQ'lt1 .uptum il} the·industriafisedeconomies
w~ichproyic!e'7.0pelq:JrrtofKenya'svisitOf$. Prices have becomemore
.···.··~omPfttit/ye~et;:a!1seoftheKei1Y~m.shilllng's devaluation against the
· USdollat .
·", ,N~ir(j~i,JfJecapitall has, b~c()me. alea4ingvenue for conferences.
In)9lJ5~ear!y 4£tO(JOvi~it()fsattenderl three conferences alone­
advertisements in This Weeki a Bangkok tourist magazine th~NQn~C;9~mme~tal Organisations'. (NGO) Forum, ·the United
Faced with these problems, the Prem administration has opted for a short~ NatiQ?s Decii~e f{),fWomen Conference and the Catholic Church's
term soluhon with heavy promotion of tourism. This year has been dubbed Euchari:stiCc:ongtes5~
the "Visit Thailand year". Provincial governors are instructed to develop the SOUTH February 1987.
diverse, local cultural activities into commercially viable tourist attractions.
A parade in the capital was designed to promote Thai culture to tourists. to/0rrleaovertneseriqusforeignexchange problem, the Government
But critics claim it simply vulgarised local cultures for profit. is toyin~ wlt~.theJdea of providing liberal tax concessions to the
Tourism has produced a growing entertainment business, largely based on industry. The GlJ'Vftrnment itself;sgoing to inVf!st heavily in raising
sexual exploitation. The southern city of Haadyai caters to the sexual whims tire iairastructure for attracting tourists from abroad. Both the fj nance
of tens of thousands of Malaysians and Singaporeans, while large red-light f1ndtourismminlstri~s believeiUs tourism promotion andnot exports
communities in Bangkok and the entire resort of Pattaya provide similar thatwillfinalfysteer the country out ottne foreign exchange crunch.
entertainment for farang (white foreign) and Middle East males.
Thailand's culture is being distorted and dished out to foreign visitors while India Today, january 15, 1987.
the government refuses to tackle the root causes of rural poverty.
There has been no significant attempt to reform the regressive tax system W~If-hef;le;r.1?halsandSoutheast Asians' are.flocklngto·Sfi Lanka/
which has pushed up the living cost of Thai peasants and workers. The market regard/~ss()~theguerll!aw:ar:ther~, Riskshave always held a thrill for
structure still benefits entrepreneurs rather than small producers. 8af1191~r$cam:lf'tJn,t:rs are. spuming Macau for Colomboscasinos
Meanwhile, the government supports the middle classes by allowing them whichare reliltivelyuncrowdedand of(erthernthe chance to playbig
tax-free perks. stakes.
Kraisak Choohavan is a political science lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences,
Kasetsart University, Bangkok.
(SOUTH Mar, 1987.)
 3

Tourism in Nicaragua

The geo-political and socio-economic scenario of Nicaragua today is one of Have you already begun doing that?

immense interest to the Third World and others. To many; it represents the hope Yes. Some old hotels are being reconstructed, one exclusively for foreign tourists.

of a democratic ideal - one which has perhaps not yet been fully realised. On the site of the Somoza family's recreational centre, a casino is planned!

EQUATIONS was privileged to meet and interview Senora Mayda Denueda, Tourist lodges, a beach resort for water sports, a new luxury hotel and sports

Director, Promotion oflnternational Relations, Nicaraguan /nstituteofTourism, centre are also on the cards. One airport will cater purely to charter flights.

at the ITS, Berlin. Excefj'Jts from the interview: In Managua there will be three new hotels, and the Intercontinental will be

EQUATIONS: How has the new political situation affected tourism in expanded.

Nicaragua?
To me this seems like an open invitation to multi-national chains and other

Denueda: Well, the situation has changed after the revolution. There was very
foreign investors. How much of the revenue can you retain within YOUI
little tourism previously (under Somoza) the new government is actively
country?

trying to promote tourism.

Yes, that is true, we are concerned about this problem. We plan to enact a law

What is the government's policy now on tourism?

limiting foreign exchange repatriation. There are some Italian multinationals

We want tourism to be a way in which interested people can learn at first hand
who have invested heavily in Nicaragua, and INe don't know how they will react.

how the revolution is working. It is primarily for the Nicaraguan people, but
But we do feel that we need to attract more tourists because of the country's

open now to visitors from other countries.

foreign exchange requirements.

Does that mean that there is an element of political propaganda in tourism

Could you give me some statistics on tourism in NicaraguaJ

promotion?
In 1986 there were about 30,000 international tourists. We have not calculated

No, certainly not. We hope that visitors will learn through real life experiences,
earnings from tourism.

for example, meeting and talking with our citizens about life in Nicaragua.
In many third world countries, including those in Latin America, there have

What are the facilities available for tourists?

been soda-economic impacts which bring into question the basic issue of

whether tourism is the most appropriate development strategy for our

We have five tourist centres wh ich serve both Nicaraguans and foreigners. The

nations. For instance, there have been many documented cases of tourism­

conditions are simple, prices are low, and atypical atmosphere can be enjoyed

related prostitution.

- for instance, accommodation in 'Cabines'. Apart from this, two hqliday

centres are run by the National Security Organisation only for Nicaraguans.
Wewill definitely not allow such kinds of tourism. In factlNe plan to have special

We have also converted a private club used in the past only by the rich into
legislation safeguarding the rights of women.

a public place.
How do you prevent undesirable tourists from entering Nicaragua?

How do you see the relationship between domestic and international

We cannot do that Except on grounds of national security, we do not prevent

tourism?
anybody who wishes to come in.

We should first satisfy the demands of the domestic market before promoting
(We acknowledge with gratitude the interpretation assistance rendered at the interview
international tourism.
by Rev. Albrecht Simon of the Protestant Church in Germany.)

I. ,i:Jihi(-llNj',r':'"UWI

When Mrs. Thatcher accepted a "voluntary" ban on South African tourism
promotion at last August's Commonwealth mini-summit, some tour operators
initially responded positively. In reality, however, changes have been cosmetic.
Kuoni announced last year that it was no longer taking bookings for South
Africa. "Packages" have indeed been stopped, but Kuoni continues to offer
"flights and hotels': Customers are told that the new arrangement is effectively
a package.
Last year Abercrombie & Kent said they were taking South Africa out of their
main brochure. This has been done, but it still operates packages to South Africa
and details are given in a special booklet.
When the ban was introduced last year, 20 British-based tour operators offered
package holidays to Suuth Africa. Eleven of these have ignored the voluntary
ban and continue to operate as before.
Tour operators have resented government interference in their business. "If
anyone tries to stop us sending holidaymakers to South Africa, we will 'fight
them on the beaches: Business is booming;' said Ken Swan, director of TFC.
P & 0 and Hamilton have ended business with South Africa for commercial
reasons. Eco-safaris has stopped all trips to South Africa, adecision taken partly
because of the government ban.
In addition to the British-based tour operators, there is an unusual South
African operator which is looking for business in Britain. The company is
Johannesburg-based Good News, which describes itself as "a Christian travel
agency, owned and staffed by born-again believers:'
Good News director, Eugene de Villiers, wants South Africa to become a
major destination for British Christian visitors. His brochure explains: "In aworld
where morals and standards are plummeting, and nations seem to be on an
irreparable slide toward spiritual darkness - South Africa appears a beacon
of hope and promise:'
The British promotion can also call on the media to refuse to carry
advertisements promoting tourism to South Africa. This has been ignored by
the London Broadcasting Corporation, which until last fortnight carried aseries
of commercials for South African Airways.
The official South African Tourism Board claims that the UK ban has been
totally ineffective. In 1986,85,000 British tourists visited South Africa, and this
was only 10 per cent down on the previous year.
"This fall is probably because of South Africa's image, not because of the
British ban. All the signs are that tourism from the UK is now increasing, and
the first ft!w months of this year have been an 8 per cent rise. The promotion
ban has not affected our operations in Britain:' said Gunther Dettweiler,
spokesperson of the South African Tourism Board.
In Britain, the department of emplE>yment is responsibe for administering
the tourism promotion ban. "It is voluntary, and so we are not monitoring it.
If the ban is indeed being broken, it would be disappointing;' a spokesman said.
The Anti-Apartheid Movement is angry at the government's response. Tour
operators have ignored sanctions because the government lacks the political
wi II to take action against South Africa. The so-called voluntary tourism ban
must be made a legal requirement.
TIMES OF INDIA, 19 April 1987
 4

Going, Going, GOAN.....

Goa has.been a tourist destination for many years, but only recently
has It begun to suffer from mass tourism, the sure destroyel:
(Dr. Robert S. Newman, in "Goa: The Transformation of an Indian Region")

Letter from a French tourist to THE HERALD Daily Paris, 6 Nov.

Dear Sir,
Have A Five-Star?
I am a French fashion designer, and used to come to Goa every years to spend Ever since the limited construction ban on Goa's coveted coastline was imposed
3 months from beginning of December to the end of February. This year on some years ago, construction in the protected belt has tended to be too selective,
the say so of friends back from Goa I'm cancel Ii ng my tri p. Those friends told helped no less by the rules in force and a ban which exists more in the f~rm
of administrative guidelines to be used at the discretion of Delhiwallahs. Already
me that this year they were not going to be any chai shops on the beach nor
flea market nor wind surfing nor fishing boats in Baga Beach, and that foreigners an unauthorised five-star hotel complex extension has begun to spring up at
were not going to be allowed to rent private houses. I'm sorry to hear those Candolim, besides, a Rs 30 lakh bungalow which is likely to be converted into
a fun house for a Bombay businessman ..
news, and feel that as an old time tourist I have to tell Mr. Gopal Singh* that
he is making a mistake: Goa does not have much to offer to tourists beside The New Delhi ruling on beach construction bans outright any construction
the remains of the 'Hippie life style': beaches are dirty, the sea is polluted (last work upto 200 metres from the high tide line. Applications for construction
beyond the 200-metre limit and upto 500 metres are referred to an Inter
year we had to wear our goggles to swim to avoid having one's eyes stinging).
Ministerial Committee (lMC), Government of India, if the Goa-based Eco
There is no horse riding, golf, casinos, nightclubs, or good restaurants, sailing
Control Committee (ECC) decides that constructions can be permitted. The
or water skying: all things which are offered anywhere else in Europe or the
chief secretary, as chairman of the ECC, is the territory's sole representative
States. The local five stars hotels don't corne to the level as far as service or
on the IMC, which is headed by the director general of tourism, New Delhi.
quality is concerned of European working class camping sites. I wish to precise
Finally, approval is accorded by the Ecological Development Council (EDC),
that I'm not indulging in drugs and that I was coming to Goa out of nostalgia
chaired by the Lieutenant governor of Goa. But whether the ECC or EDC ­
for my youth: I came to Goa for the first time in 1970 it was the first big journey
I made in my twenties and because I had found the Goan people friendly and which at first hand are not competent to decide - can at the ultimate stage
sanction a construction application is a question that needs to be looked into.
life easy going, Susegado, as you say, and that at the flea market I was picking
up ideas, the Western community there being very creative. I was coming back Lionel Messias
every year. It is true that life is cheaper than in the U.s.A., but the price of the extract from INQUEST Dec, 1986.
plane ticket balances it. So, this year thanks to Mr. Gopal Singh I'm going to
Florida where I'll have sun and palm trees and if not the kindness of the Goans Carnival
and the full moon parties or the beach at least I'll have better hygiene, no
garbage on the beach, water and electricity full time, better food and no police In my days, said Coutinho,
harassement: 2 years ago I got very upset by having my house searched by 5 Carnival was carousing and
policemen obviously drunk who robbed some lighter which was lying on the fun. Three days of
table. So, that's it. I feel I had to write this letter (although I have to apologise
for the quality of my English). Farewell Goa. Bacchannalia, Sunday to Tuesday.
Masked we prowled the streets
Your faithfully
Like bands of Comus, Squirting
* Governor of the State of Goa. D. Brasseur
Perfumes on giggling girls. Some
Kissed them from beneath
LANDMARK JUDGEMENT
Their masks, others held them fast
Till they screamed for their mothers.
It is clear that when material loss is confronted with the plea that the stay ofan order Tinpan bands went door to door,
simply directing the maintenance ofthe status qU() is likely to adversely affect their With unbridled flutes and
v~ry .existence andfuture by depriving the respondents from their main source of
l,v~lJhood and mamtenance and also going to destroy the ecological balance ofthe Off-key violins playing
~e~, t~e nature as well as the physical features of the land and its surroundings Evening serenades.
It 15 obvious that on the aspect of balance ofcorrvenience also this is to be deemed What has it come to now? Merely
as heavily tilting in the respondents' favour.
In this view ofthe matter the application is bound to fail and is hereby dismissed. Thousands of bystanders.lined up
Order accordingly. Watching a motorcade offloats, parade
In these words, District Judge Eurico Santana da Silva of South Goa, Margao, Of pin-up girls in gogo ~ I

created legal history on 23rd April 1987. For the first time an Indian court Costumes, footsore dancers, and .,:iLQ,.~

of law handed down a judgement which firmly establishes the rights of the Pop groups atop trucks shattering v ~

local community in a tourist resort. lOur ears with strident speakers.

The appellants, Mis. Elbee Dugal Pvt. Ltd. had pleaded for a stay of a
p~ous injunction preventing them from cutting down trees in the South Goan
I tell you, King Momo no more belongs

~age, Agonda. This injunction had in effect restrained them from proceeding To the people.

WIth the construction of a 5-star hotel. Justice da Silva dismissed their Puppet of sponsors,

appl~cation with remarkable clarity and perception, emphasising that "the He is just an aid to the adman now.

apphcan~s have ?ot also been able to make out before me any specific case of
substanttalloss if the stay sought for by them is not granted". Ashok Mahajan
Courtesy: GOA TODAY
 5
ITB Berlin 1987
A Report by Paul Gonsalves
The list of delegates at the Internationale Tourismus Borse (International Tourism
Fair) reads like a Who's Who of the world travel and tourism trade. Held in
West Berlin annually, it attracts tourism officials, hotels, airlines, shipping
companies, travel agents and associations, consultants, as well as trade-related
academics.
In the days between March 7 to 12, 1987, the massive Messe (fair-grounds)
of the International Congress Centre was transformed by high-tech, high-touch
marketing gimmickry into a microcosm of tourism destinations worldwide.
Their hard-sell sensual appeal resulted in thousands of curious Berliners pushing
and shoving for travel brochures, posters, stickers, whatever - perhaps even
afree drink. Reality took abackseat, replaced by illusions of myriad fantasylands.
It was precisely to question these illusions that 15 organisations cooperated
at a stand entitled 'Tourism with Insight: Amongst them were the Ecumenical
Coalition on Third World Tourism (ECTWT) and members of its European
networks (ZEB, TEN, etc). The only stand which did not have a sales pitch, our
iisplays, audiovisuals, games, quizzes, cabaret (one-person skits) and printed
nandouts intended to create a more critical tourist-consumer. Our concerns
included Third World tourism, environment, soft tourism, racism, tourist
attitudes, and so on.
On Monday 9 March, a press conference at the stand attracted senior travel
writers and journalists. The questions were hard and pointed, even critical.
Most of the next day's newspapers, however, carried substantial and positive
coverage.
That evening, some members from the stand, led by Prof Dr Jost Krippendorf,
participated in a panel discussion entitled 'Commerce without Insight -Insight
without Commerce?' Paul Gonsalves of EQUATIONS represented ECTWT. On
the other side of the panel were leading lights of the industry TUI, Robinson
CI ubs, Majorca Tourism Board and the German Federation of Travel Agents.
We wanted to pin down the industry into giving concrete answers to several
direct questions. The one-hour discussion covered a range of issues such as
a self-regulating code of conduct for the trade, the role of associations vis-a­
vis erring members, the ethics and adequacy of advertising strategies, ecological
responsibilities, and the use of existing infrastructure and resources.
Reacting later to the discussions, George Pfafflin of ZEB (and consultant to
ECTWT's Executive) felt they represented a major step forward in the dialogue
between the industry and its critics. A decade ago, when these ideas were
initiated in Europe, a public discussion on the same panel would have been
nimaginable. Although the questions raised were not all answered, the
willingness of the industry to participate in serious interaction was evidence
enough that the groundwork and preparation of many years has not been in vain.
ZEB used to have asmall stand of its own at previous ITBs. This year, the space
for our large stand was donated free of cost by the Messe authorities. If we are
to be there in 1988, we must be effective in following-up the numerous
opportunities and contacts that came our way at ITB, Berlin 1987.
Bon Appetit!
Three fijians threatened to eat terrified tourists at an international
resort nearSuva during the disturbed week following the militmy coup
in this South Pacific tourist paradise, a Magistrate's Court heard on
friday: Prosecutor Chandra Bhan Singh told the court the three men
planned an attack on amotel armed with iron bars, sticks and stones.
They smashed windows and abused tourists from Australia, New
Zealand and West Germany, The Fijians demanded that the guests
come out of their rooms andsaid they would "eat their flesh and drink
their blood."
INDIAN EXPRESS 25 May 1987
One man's paradise
Silvio Santosa's career on the Indonesian island of Bali has been as kaleido­
scopic as the disco he once ran: he has been a restaurateur, writer, social worker,
tourist guide and a fledgling press baron.
Silvio, 38, lives in Ubud, avillage of about 7,800 inhabitants in southern Bali,
famous for its painters and popular with tourists.
In 1970, after moving to Bali from his native Kediri (east Java), he opened
arestaurant with a Frenchman in the coastal resort ofSanur and learnt Balinese.
"This was first acombi ned restaurant, discotheque, boutique and art gallery.
!t made money. But after three years, I got bored.
At first I wentto live with the village chief of Singapadu, an artistic community.
! tried to motivate the people totally on tourism.
It didn't work, because I didn't know the character of the people. Then I came
to Ubud, rented a small room, didn't even contact the local authorities and
began to write:'
In 1982, he helped start acooperative information centre, Bina Wisata (Tourist
Guidance), to explain Balinese culture to tourists, protect the vi lIage and create
jobs. The following year, he launched the Ubud Post, an outspoken and hence
short-lived monthly village newsletter.
Today, the printing press and tourist shop are owned by the village. Silvio
runs a tourist restaurant called Tjandri.
SOUTH March 1987
Ed. note: Silvio was a participant at the Chiangmai Workshop, 1984
'.'....::, .... ... ,
In Quotes
'
·~BSbah, i>residentofNepal MountaineerinQ Association. 1983
lf~fb LJ!1d~Istat)ah.ow:people whohavegroW11uplnthe mountain' .
FtlltureofMt. Fujil9Alpsto Appalachian can ever be so for~tful of
thebasiccodetomountain physical environmentin its natural state~
W¢lL Iheard high altitude $Ometimes causes Joss of memory.
'>:~d~en in.TAAVEL&L~ISURB, April 1987
111eric~~ of PapuirNewGuinea abides.· This CQuT1 tlY' has been
UnC0111111()niggifted with cultllraland biological diversity. Butisolation
has givel! Way
to easierairaccessJoad links. modem medicaicJinics,
.l7i$itors,andnow --Colgate'f.shirts.lt remains to be seenwhathappeI1§
l1
ext)tremainsioryouto see foryourself Walk lightly, please, on that
pt/Xjousland.
~tlnlnJaTU~jn 'Nq Lo~s:JusttheDeathof a Porter'
Ijr~td,~.t(fteaCHthekde~tination?t.$t1mIJfit:nojn~!terwhattf1~< .•... .
¢f!!1(jjt1()[1$,b~rslU1d climbeJ:5 don't o~lyrIskthejrown1iVes.Quto~eJ'}' .
'. , '..', ,eJ~~.Pqrters,are, afierallonIY''coo/ies':folyetJffI1~
.~. . . ,., .•. . . .' (3ottef.~griiU1:clip1berfWt1. ph()tog'rapher ~Has been:·
.s/iQWingatIlrnaboytiifl ~djtiont0MaPasluCa1!edHl00 daysamf)ng: .
.,.. ~~~ianfln!t~~4ecl4[es\Vjthn?1~ck ()f~Jfp{aise:
·'J:~didn't$Uffe~~yJQsses, Just one porter was kiJled;~
 6

NETWORK Ui:;> invite our readers to contribute to the Network letter by

sharing their work ideas andplans through these pages.
NEWS Communication is vital to the life ofa Network especially when
ROUNDUP physical distances cannot easily be bridgedby closer contacts.

Puma Chandra lena, Orissa. India Equations, Bangalore. India

Along with EQUATIONS, Purna is planning a 2 day workshop at Bhubaneswar
in late June, for participants from Orissa and Eastern India. This workshop is
aimed towards formulating an action programme for fisherm~n and others in
the coastal regions threatened by the onslaught of five-star tourism. For details,
write to him at Faith Centre, Peyton Sahi, Cuttack 735 101.
Fe Remo~ue. Mindanao. Philippines
Fe now oorks with artists and cultural groups in Mindanao. In December 1986,
she lectured on alternative tourism to the faculty and students of the College
of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Mindanao State University. As a result,
alternative tourism is now offered as a separate study unit in the course. Also,
the cultural netvvorks have successfully hosted exposure programmes for visitors
to the southern Filipino island.
Chayant Pholpolle, Bangkok Thailand
Apart from his busy schedule with Life Travel, Chayant has been deeply involved
in the cable-car issue related to Wat Doi Suthep in Chiangmai, northern
Thailand (for details, see CONTOURS, Vol 2, No 6, 1986). With a group of
friends, avideo production was planned to raise public opinion inside Thailand
as well as abroad.
We were privileged by the invitation to represent the Ecumenical Coalition
at the International Tourism Fair, Berlin 1987. Elsewhere in this newsletter we
carry a longer report of the 'alternative' participation at the most important trade
exhibition of the tourism industry.
RESOURCES
Informatie en Voorlichtig aan Toeristen naar de Derde Wereld, Tourism and
Third World Foundation, P.B. 1504,6501 BM Nijmegen, Holland.
This report of a Workshop organised by the Dutch Tourism and Third World
Foundation at Amsterdam in December 1986, contains the papers presented
by the resource people including two in English (by Georg Pfafflin and Armin
Vielhaber of the German network). For copies, write to Frans de Man or Kees
van Teeffelen at the Foundation.

Bikas-8inas? / Development-Destruction? The Change in life and Environ­

SOLWODI. Mombasa. Kenya
Solidarity With Women (SOLWODI) is the new group formed in this port city,
news of which 'NilS carried in CONTOURS, Vol 2, No 8, 1986. Among the 10,000
sai lors and soldiers who descend on the town for 'R and R' and hire "twilight
ladies" are Americans, French, British and Indians. Members of SOLWODI have
been invited abroad to share their message through the media and to promote
solidarity. For more information, write: SOLWODI, PO Box 86823, Mombasa,
Kenya.
Centre for Environment Concerns, Hyderabad. India
CEC has just published a report of the workshop jointly organised with
EQUATIONS in Februal)' 1987. Titled 'Third World Tourism: Issues and
Concerns~ it is available from the Director, CEC, 2116C 00-3-176) Stjohn Road
Cross, Secunderabad 500 025.
Sri Lankan Networll
The emerging network in this troubled island have met twice to discuss
possibilities of promoting alternative forms of tourism. At the second meeting
ment of the Himalaya, (eds. Ludmilla TUtting and Kunda Dixit), Geobuch,
Rosental 6, D-8000 Munich 2, F.R. Germany.
Described as "a reader for concerned people and tourists about ecology, 50­
called development and tourism': this book aims to discuss the links between
ecology and tourism. Foreworded by the well-known anthropologist Christoph
von Furer-Haimendorf, it contains a large number of articles on the Hi malayas
and the Indian sub-continent. Of particular interest is the third section on
Tourism and Ecology. For the visitor wishing to gain a cross-section of views
over awide range of topics this well documented anthology is essential readin r
Strategies Against Prostitution The Case of Thailand, Si riporn Skrobanek,
in Women, Struggles and Strategies: Third World Perspectives, Isis International,
Rome & Santiago, 1986.
In this article Ms. Skrobanek, Director of Women's Information Centre, Bangkok
emphasises that the multi-national nature of the prostitution industry requires
national and international efforts in combatting it. From atheoretical analysis
of prostitution she moves to the experiences of action groups in Thailand and
lists a number of local and national strategies for action and rehabilitation. For
more information write to Women's Information Center, Po. Box 7-47, Bangkok
10700, Thailand.
Problems and Prospects of Tourism: Selected Papers,(ed. S.K. Roy), Max
Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi, 1984.

held on 21 January 1987, the participants agreed to organise a workshop on Although a somewhat outdated report of a Workshop held in October 1983,

20 June to promote the idea among the people, especially small tour operators. this volume contains a number of interesting papers on tourism issues. Of

The committee consists of Harl)' Haas, Maureen Seneviratne, Vincent Peiris particular relevance is the paper 'Costs and Benefits ofTourism - Towards New

and Sam Premkumar. Policies in Developing Countries' by Prof. Jost Krippendorf.

Published by: Equitable Tourism Options (EQUATIONS), 10, Heerachand Layout, Jeevanahalli, Cox Town, Bangalore 560 005, INDIA.

Design and Phototypesetting: Revisuality Digitised Typesetting and Graphic Design. 42!l Lavelle Road, Bangalore, India.