Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 22, 1990 TAG: 9007220250
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Los Angeles Daily News
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
Yet, a small, but growing, segment of people are spending their vacations in places that are not always relaxing, scenic or even fun.
Hundreds of travel groups specializing in what is being called alternative tourism or socially responsible tourism are offering consciousness-raising tours guaranteed to fit the most esoteric desires. Options range from studying rock art in Italy to visiting hospitals in Vietnam to meeting political prisoners in El Salvador.
Alternative tourism differs from commercial tourism in three key ways, say Medea Benjamin and Andrea Freedman, authors of "Bridging the Global Gap: A Handbook to Linking Citizens of the First and Third Worlds" (Seven Locks Press; $11.95).
Alternative tourism groups try to keep as much of the tourist dollar as possible in the host country by doing business with locally owned establishments.
Most people who join the tours are genuinely interested in learning about the countries they are visiting.
Alternative tourism is not just a profit-making venture.
"Alternative travel is educational travel. (It gets) people involved in face-to-face relationships with people, often in settings where the economics and politics are different," said Joel Mugge, director of the Minneapolis-based Center for Global Education.
In operation since 1982, Mugge's organization is among the oldest of the alternative travel groups. Traditionally, the tours have attracted middle-class and upper-income people whom Mugge characterizes as politically progressive.
For the most part, that is still true, he said, but as demand for this sort of travel grows, so does the variety of people attracted to the tours. To broaden the mix, some alternative travel groups, including Mugge's, offer partial scholarships to people who otherwise could not afford to go.
In general, the tours are fast paced, with little time for relaxation. Accommodations are not luxurious. And some groups may have a particular political perspective; both sides of an issue will not necessarily get equal time.
But are they any fun?
Yes and no, Mugge said. "Parts are very fun. But I think people generally would say that while certain parts are not fun they are tremendously stimulating. People are looking for ways to regenerate their spirit. Relaxation and what we typically define as fun may not be what people need to regenerate."
Following are the names of several alternative-tour operators. A more complete list is available for $7 by writing to: Alternative Tours, Global Exchange, 2141 Mission St. No. 202, San Francisco, Calif. 94110.
Center for Global Education - Augsburg College, 731 21st Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55454; (612) 330-1159. Trips to Latin America, the Philippines, the Middle East, Hawaii and South Africa include encounters with people of those regions who are involved in development and human-rights work. The center conducts 30 to 40 trips a year. It also coordinates tours for special-interest groups. Prices range from $875 to $1,895.
Global Exchange - 2141 Mission St. No. 202, San Francisco, Calif. 94110; (415) 255-7296. Tours spotlight environmental and development issues in Latin America, the Caribbean and South Africa. The group sponsors 12 trips a year. Prices range from $300 to $3,000.
Plowshares Institute - P.O. Box 243, Simsbury, Conn. 06070; (203) 651-4304. Trips to Africa, Asia and Latin America include meetings with religious, academic, business and political leaders as well as grass-roots organizations - with time out for reflection. The institute sponsors five trips this year. Prices range from $2,000 to $3,000.
by CNB