| (extract
from tourism-concern.org.uk,
press release 26/11/02) |
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Tourism Concern's campaign
Trekking Wrongs: Porters' Rights has triggered a dramatic
increase in the number of UK 'porter-friendly' trek operators.
The campaign has prompted action amongst British trekking
operators to protect porters used by their trips. Tourism
Concern has worked specifically with operators taking treks
to the Himalayas, Macchu Pichu in Peru and Kilimanjaro in
Tanzania. (…)
As a result of Tourism Concern's work, 40 of the 81 tour operators
contacted by Tourism Concern last year now have policies to
provide essential protection, fair pay and humane working
conditions.
Tourism Concern's message is 'Do go trekking - it is a
vital income for trekking communities. But please go with
an operator who has committed to protecting its porters.'
(…)
That so many tour operators have come on board to make such
important changes is extremely encouraging. "This is
great news, a move forward for the tourism industry. We are
glad that operators recognise that providing basic protection
is crucial," says Tourism Concern's director, Patricia
Barnett.
The campaign is also receiving a lot of public support, she
says. "No-one wants to see people die during a holiday.
Trekkers often assume porters are superhuman and can take
these tough conditions. It's a myth, no-one can sleep out
in sub zero temperatures without proper protection. The fact
that these operators now have policies to protect the porters
will make it easier for trekkers to make an ethical decision
about who to go with."
Tourism Concern is a membership organization campaigning
for ethical and fairly traded tourism. For more information,
visit their website www.tourismconcern.org.uk
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