Fair Trade tourism
Contrary to other Fair Trade offerings, in Fair Trade tourism it is you who travel to the South and spend a time there... not the merchandise.
Sometimes one may think that when we travel to exotic places we are somehow helping the people in the country we visit, as we expect that part of the money we spend there will get to them, sooner or later. The reality is that most international tourists who go to developing countries stay at isolated resorts, often owned by foreign corporations, fenced from the locals and only a few of them can profit from that kind of tourism, usually through the tips at the bar.
Fortunately, there is a different way of traveling: Fair Trade tourism!
We may consider Fair Trade tourism as a special kind of responsible tourism, in which it is the traveler who gets near the culture and people of the place and tries to get in touch with them, instead of doing it the other way round: having every person involved in tourism conform to western uses.
This kind of service is offered by Fair Trade organizations who take advantage of having a lodge (or a network of them) or being situated in any privileged natural location. If you already enjoy any of the available Fair Trade food or other products may be it's the time for a further step...
For the time being, I am aware of only a limited range of Fair Trade tourism possibilities; as soon as I have notice of more of them, I will add them here.
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EcuadorIn this bountiful american country there are two Fair Trade organizations who offer their touristic services. One of them is Grupo Salinas (the photo is theirs); with them you can be at villages as high as 3.500 m above sea level, overlooking magnificient mountains. The other one is Fundación Maquita Cushunchic who can take you through the several landscapes of Ecuador: coast, Andes, Amazonia and Galápagos islands. By the way, they produce the perfumed brown sugar that we sell at Copade World Shop in Madrid, displaying a green andean landscape photo on the package label. Needless to say, it is that sugar what I use at home. |
IndiaIf you are interested in visiting Darjeeling "the Fair Trade way", have a look at Makaibari website, as they can offer you staying at an amazing tea estate. It is integrated into a tropical rainforest with a huge diversity of plants and animals. |
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Malawi
If you are looking for a relaxed accomodation, Satemwa tea estate may be the place for you... or not.
You may take part in their tea tasting process, if you wish, or enjoy the nearby sports club available, if you don't.
Or visit Thyolo mountain rainforest, if
you love Nature, or practice bass fishing at an adjacent lake, if you don't. Or take a mountain bike to ride, if you like action,
or just sit at an idyllic scenery point to enjoy a calm sunset, if you don't. 
MozambiqueBespoke experience can offer you staying at their eco-lodges and enjoying scuba diving at Indian Ocean. ... white sand beaches, coral reefs, nice restaurants and the nearby Quirimbas national park can make your holidays unforgettable. A blend of paradise beaches, local culture and wildlife. |
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ParaguayThere is an association, Estación A which has a branch specialized in touristic activities around lake Yparacaí. Several towns have joined efforts to preserve the monuments of their region and they have created this worthwhile initiative. |
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PeruAnother andean country which you can visit, Minka Fair Trade has developed a really comprehensive website which details a couple of long (more than two weeks) itineraries covering from natural sea reserves to spanish colonial period cities as well as ancient Inca places, still full of misteries like the Nazca lines. Of course, lake Titicaca (highest of the world) and famous Machu Picchu sacred city are included. |
South AfricaIf you are interested in traveling to that country, you may have a look at Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa; they offer about 30 different destinations in that country which include being at a Fair Trade wine estate, hiking, riding horses, rowing on boats... even a five star hotel by a yatch marina is listed! Most of the places they suggest are located in outstanding landscapes and may fit any pocket. You can also enjoy a tour through a natural reserve and see the legendary african wildlife: elephants, leopards... and have your dinner under the stars, surrounded by candles. They managed to get a grant from the UK government to develop their own trademark, which now distinguishes their Fair Trade places. |
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