The following are insights from Judy based on her recent trip to the Mara:
“My most recent trip to Masai mara provided opportunity for engagement with community. During this engagement, my knowledgeable hosts, reminded me that tourism mega data is not fully representative of impact / value of tourism, especially integrated community tourism.
I met these women in a craft centre, who raised funds, put up a building and financed the production traditional cultural mechandise for the tourism market. I asked which industry they belong to, and they said it was tourism because they depend on lodge guests to buy.
Where is data on their investment captured in tourism mega data and how is it captured?
I also spoke to a community that is fighting to save an indigenous forest after governance systems overrode community interests and adjudicated forest land. Responsible Tourism has stepped in to save a portion of the forest, in collaboration with the community by paying landlords to protect forests in their land, remove fences for elephants to roam and save the African giant pangolin. Where in tourism data are the investments made to save this forest captured? I asked them, if they considered themselves part of tourism. The answer was a reflective silence.
Undoubtedly, there are challenges in measuring value of intangible services that benefit from and benefit tourism. So how representative is todays tourism mega data of the size and nature of the tourism sector? Maybe it is time to rethink data again. Even redefine the meaning of tourism investor. Are those women investors in tourism?
The data aside, this engagement reminded me of the immense honour I have had of working with and in communities over the last 25 years. The numerous grassrooms have been the source of what I now call 25 years experience. I am grateful for everyone who has given me a boardroom and conference room platform to share experiences in sustainable tourism, but today I appreciate the source, the grassroom.
This trip also reminded me that the quest for sustainable tourism solutions is not linear. I have been part of award winning sustainable tourism models, but I have also been part of initiatives that faced challenges and even failed.
Last but not least, destination’s commitment to develop community tourism is not complete without a breakdown and valuation of community assets supporting tourism and documentation of investments made to advance this segment of tourism.
Until the next adventure, we keep it sustainable.”