by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 8:38 AM ET, Thu December 21, 2017
There are nearly 370 million indigenous people around the world whose cultural survival is threatened by pressures to modernize and conform with dominant societies.
Many of these communities not only face cultural challenges but they're also typically among the planet's most impoverished or disenfranchised peoples.
With these concerns in mind, a group of travel industry leaders has come together and created guidelines for working with indigenous people in a responsible, sustainable way.
Published by G Adventures together with non-profit partners Planeterra Foundation and The George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies, the comprehensive guidelines are aimed at helping the tourism industry share authentic experiences in a way that's responsible and culturally sensitive.
"Travel companies that interact with indigenous communities have a special responsibility to help them safeguard their resources and can play a key role in helping to do so," states the guide's introduction.
The effort to create guidelines involved reviewing existing codes established by indigenous communities, associations and non-governmental organizations; conducting research with indigenous tourism suppliers and travelers; and engaging an expert panel of indigenous tourism leaders to provide feedback.
The resulting recommendations are divided into three categories: developing, operating and marketing tourism experiences.
The guide suggests incorporating the following principles when developing new tourism offerings related to indigenous communities:
-Full and Effective Participation
-Equitable Engagement
-Informed Consent
-Local Purchasing
-Local Ownership
-Protection of Cultural Heritage
When it comes to marketing experiences with indigenous cultures, the guide recommends providing the community's stakeholders with the opportunity to approve the use of images and text related to their cultural assets. It also proposes educating visitors prior to their arrival in such communities in order to dispel stereotypes and promote mutual respect.
As for on-the-ground operations, giving employment preference to local, indigenous peoples, is one of many suggested measures.
Ultimately, however, as the guide notes, the measures are intended to provide a framework that can be customized based on a particular company's size and relationship with the community in question.
"It is important to note that the guidelines are not standards but are meant to inform good, responsible and culturally sensitive business behavior," states the guide. "They are meant to be scaled, adapted to fit local conditions and adjusted over time."
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