MOSAIC - The training kit for Euro-Mediterranean youth work

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Instructions
Ask participants what they understand by the word “tourist”. Are they tourists at this
moment, for example!? What do they think of this definition by the World Tourist
Organization (WTO)? A tourist is “a visitor staying for more than 24 hours in a country
visited for business or leisure purposes”.
Explain that tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing areas of the world
economy, but mass tourism is beginning to have detrimental effects on the
environment and often on local culture. Ask participants to name any examples
they can think of.
Introduce the concept of a “responsible tourist” and explain that the WTO has
drawn up a Global Code of Ethics, ten principles to guide tourists when they
are visiting. (See the section “Further information” for details.)
Divide participants into four groups, trying to ensure regional and gender diversity.
Give each group flipchart paper and markers, and one of these themes to work on:
– Social responsibility
– Economic responsibility
– Environmental responsibility
– Human rights
You may also wish to give each group a handout with the relevant WTO principle.
Explain that the groups should divide their flipchart paper down the middle: on
the left-hand side they should write down any possible negative consequences
of tourism in relation to their theme. On the right-hand side, they should write
down practical steps that a responsible tourist can take to avoid these negative
consequences. Give groups 20 minutes for the task.
After they have finished, invite each group to show the flipchart and present their
results. Allow time for questions or comments to the groups; then move on to the
debriefing.
Debriefing and evaluation
Did you find the task easy? Had you thought about these issues before?
How do you evaluate your own behaviour as a responsible tourist? Do you
generally behave according to the principles drawn up by the groups?
Why is it difficult in practice to keep in mind all the issues discussed here? Why
do we so often fail to do the things we know we ought to do?
Do you see evidence in your own district of “irresponsible tourism”? Have you
seen evidence in any other Euro-Mediterranean countries that you have visited?
Can you think of ways to make tourists coming to your region more aware of the
impact they have on the place?
Do you see evidence of local inhabitants behaving in ways that are detrimental
to the environment?
Can you think of ways to make local people more aware?
MOSAIC - The training kit for Euro-Mediterranean youth work