Ecotourism is No Panacea
Princeton University student Sam Borchard wrote an interesting blog post regarding his experience at Kenya’s Soysambu Conservancy. They are beginning an eco-tourism facility there and while he applauds their efforts, once he meets and understands the nearby Maasai culture a little better, he comes to realize that ecotourism will not be the cure-all solution for their life of poverty. Sam even uses the word “mindful” (shout-out!). He writes:
“The unfortunate truth is that the problems facing these communities are far too complex to have easy solutions, and the hope that ecotourism alone can lift them out of poverty is fanciful. However there is some good news – with a mindful focus on community improvement, outfits like the future ecotourism resort can be a piece of the solution.”
We agree and feel that pushing the envelope a little more by involving the Maasai in creating culture tours or village volunteer opportunities, true socially conscious tourism would be an even better part of the solution.
