53815 November 2008 · Number 137 A regular series of notes highlighting recent lessons emerging from the operational and analytical program of the World Bank`s Latin America and Caribbean Region. Tourism and Indigenous Peoples Lessons from Recent Experiences in Eco and Ethno Tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean Dorte Verner and Tova Maria Solo The trend toward new tourism niches in Latin America one of the two projects financed by the project. Clearly, and the Caribbean (hereafter, LAC) has brought ben- this majority saw benefits from tourism. As cited by efits, but also costs to the region's indigenous peoples. Jorge Nahual, of the Coordination of Mapuche Organi- As the World Bank social and environmental portfolios zations, tourism can increase community and personal in LAC1 reveal, work with indigenous groups has fre- income, and bring empowerment and, self-confidence to quently favored tourism traditionally subjugated as a strategy for empow- peoples. A companion En erment. At the same time, Breve, focused on local urban, rural development economic development and infrastructure proj- and tourism, discusses the ects have also increased exemplary cases of Chala- tourism opportunities, lan and Solar de Uyuni in including visits to indig- Bolivia, where tourism has enous communities. Bank provided two indigenous experience indicates communities with a means the increasing need for of survival and develop- dialogue and greater un- ment. Egido Guerra, di- derstanding of the issues rector of the FIEC Social involved in these cases. Responsibility Institute of This En Breve offers an Brazil (see Box 2) ­ adds overview of the concerns the spiritual and political generated by "ethno-tour- gains tourism can bring ism" and, through consul- for indigenous peoples. In tation with three experts general, the experiences in who have worked with indigenous groups in Argentina, Latin America have led to greater respect for the indig- Brazil and Colombia, proposes approaches recommended enous groups on the part of national and local authorities to reduce negative impacts. and to their active incorporation in development plan- ning for tourism as respected players. Tourism can benefit indigenous communities ­ Of the 54 communities participating in the Project to Sup- Andres Barona, delegate from the Galiván Tatatao Eco- port the Indigenous Peoples of Argentina (see Box 1 ) Tourism Monitoring Program (See Box) points to the an impressive 40 (75%) chose to invest in tourism for frequent justification for eco-tourism as a means to ben- 1 Recent projects include: The "Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon ­PIMA" part of a rural development project in Peru, The Bio-Itza Maya Community Manage- ment Project in Guatemala- Peten, Indigenous People's Development LIL in Argentina, Tourism Development for Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, and Local Economic Development in Vilcanota Valley, Peru., Box 1 - Tourism Arises from Empowerment of Indigenous Communities in Argentina Jorge Nahuel is the designated spokesperson for the town of Mapuche in Argentina, appointed by the XIX Parliament of the town of Mapuche of Neuquen. He is the founder of the Coordination of Mapuche Organizations in Puelmapu, Argentina. He is the direc- tor of Towns and Natural Resources for the National Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development for Argentina. Jorge coordinated the World Bank Project "Indigenous Community Development" in six provinces in Argentina between 2003 and 2007. This project was not planned to develop tourism project, as it supported 52 indigenous communities to discuss their own needs and to come up with their own development proposals. The project then financed two priority works for each commu- nity, as long as the community managed the purchase of mate- rials, contracting, construction, and maintenance. As it turned out, a full half of the communities opted for local tourism products, among others: a handicrafts production and sales center at nature parks in Misiones, community guide programs, house stays (bed and breakfast) and a tourist wel- come program in Salta; and camping sites in Tucuman. The tourism investments have led to a new and sustained source of income for the indigenous communities. More important, perhaps, as the communities include with their welcome mes- sages some instruction for the tourists in both what to expect in indigenous communities, and in what their indigenous hosts expect of them, the programs have also led to the empowering of the local communities who remain in charge of their visitors, and in tact. The Argentine government has adopted the local- management and empowerment approach and has requested two major follow-on projects which may build a new concept of tourism in rural Argentina. efit indigenous communities without detrimental social For one thing, suggests Andres Barona, the direct eco- or environmental consequences and to increase in in- nomic benefits from tourism are rarely as great as hoped. comes for tribal communities while also lowering pres- At the Yewae Visitor Center (YVC) in the Colombian sure on natural resources. Barona and his colleagues Amazon, he points out, while the communities receive confirm that tourism operators are becoming more around 10% of the YVC's net income as equity partners environmentally and socially aware, and motivated by and twenty community members enjoy full time em- eco-tourism. ployment, they pay a high cultural and environmental cost. The number of visitors to YVC has doubled in the But tourism also has its downsides for indigenous past four years, which means more pressure on natural peoples - As part of its program to work with indig- resources to produce crafts and food for tourists. Visi- enous peoples, the Vice-Ministry for Tourism in Co- tors also expose indigenous communities to a new level lombia consulted with the Kogi of the Sierra Nevada of consumerism (`they've got NEAT STUFF'), and for about developing ethno-tourist circuits. The Kogi of better or worse, the economic benefits also lead to new who command some of their country's most beauti- needs: flash lights, schools supplies and "stuff". In only ful landscapes and pre-Colombian treasures (including five years the younger generations are showing a new La Ciudad Perdida) flatly refused to become a tour- and marked disinterest in using the Tikuna language, dis- 8ism destination, and the Vice-Ministry of Tourism interest in being or looking Tikuna. Barona cites increas- is respecting their preferences, and is implementing a ing participation in the cash economy and decreasing bio policy to protect the Kogi from tourism. What moti- diversity in the Colombian Amazon resulting even from vated the Kogi ? a sensitive and responsible tourism sector. Jorge Nahual also described the tension created in Mapu- 2 · November 2008 · Number 137 che communities, whose values emphasize cosmic links Reduce negative impacts of tourism on indigenous peoples and spiritual questioning, by the appearance of consumer and bolster benefits society. The "Che", or the person in Mapuche, finds his Despite these negative impacts, the same experts report self image diminished. In more direct terms, Amanda that positive, sustained experiences of tourism do exist, Stronza, Professor of Applied Biodiversity at Texas and have recommended strategies for both government, A&M University, has carried out a long term study of and communities to follow. an indigenous community in Peru and its self-managed tourism program (see En Breve in this series "Protected Jorge Nahual presents the following six principles rec- Areas and Tourism"). Indeed it has led to an overall in- ommended by indigenous organizations for government crease in income, but not necessarily to shared income programs and policies to ensure the sustainability of in- growth. Incomes are concentrated now among the town's digenous communities and minimize adverse impacts on new "caciques" - tour operators and tour guides who no them. The first and central principle is the recognition of longer take part in traditional production. The tour opera- sovereignty for indigenous lands and territories, and with tors have, on the other hand, have purchased pieces of the that the recognition of indigenous organizations as the protected forests to raise cattle. Thus the traditional tribal sole interlocutors. Second, tourism should operate within structure and bio-diversity have been dealt a blow from a framework whereby indigenous peoples can reap the the tourism. full benefits of the value chain of the tourism industry. Box 2 - The Tikuna Experience with Eco Tourism Andres Barona one of the founders of Fundación Entropika, in Le- ticia, Amazonas, Colombia,, graduated from Los Andes University in Colombia as a biologist. His interest in ethnobotany, drew him into the Amazon region where he has worked with local, indig- enous communities, and has participated in the monitoring of the Calderon River and in surveys of the Amacayacu National Park in Colombia. He reports on the 20 years of Amacayacu experience with tourism, and with its native Tikuna community. Following the destruction of the last Tikuna malokas in the Ama- cayacu National Park in the Colombian Amazon and the onset of the drug bonanza in Colombia during the mid to late 1970's, the Colombian government recognized the Tikuna rights to their territories in the National Park. In 1985 the government and the Tikuna joined forces to initiate an ecotourism program in the pro- tected area. The construction of the YEWAE visitor center following the design of a traditional Tikuna maloka, set the trend for an ecotourism program with the indigenous communities. Indigenous interpreters were promoted and trained to organize ecotourism activities in the park. In 2004 the Gavilán Tatatao monitoring program began tracking impact on biodiversity and on local culture, with the objective of defining the carrying capacity for each ecotourism activity in the park. In the subsequent five years the num- ber of annual visitors rose from 4,575 to 8,857, and the number of tour operators in the area from 16 to 28. In 2005, the YAWAE center came under the management of the country's largest hotel chain (Decameron) and largest travel agency (Aviatur.), but agreements have assured that in the long term YAWAE ecotourism services will be operated entirely by the local indigenous communities. On the one hand, the local communities are counting the benefits of the tourism boom in terms of material benefits, some running water and sanitation, school supplies for children, construction and maintenance of the malokas for Tikuna traditions, and for sharing with tourists. On the other hand the population boom, coupled with ballooning numbers of visitors, have put increased pressure on the area's ecosystems. Crafts, foods, shelters, mean cutting down more trees and in- creased hunting and fishing. Barona's experience makes a clear case for monitoring the impact of tourism on the local environ- ment, and on the local cultures. November 2008 · Number 137 · 3 Third, comprehensive planning should build tourism into for which no traditional solutions exist and which are the land use plans, but always under indigenous manage- consistent with local cultural and environmental condi- ment. Fourth, indigenous groups should also track impact tions ­ for instance, safe drinking water and waste water evaluation and monitoring of tourism's environmental management." Barona points to the Tikuna town of Puer- and cultural impacts. Fifth, any and all use of natural, bi- to Nariño which has a visitor interpretation center, but ological or genetic resources from indigenous territories has banned the use of wheels. He also says that women should be subject to a signed agreement signifying the "seem to have a better perception of sustainable manage- consent of the indigenous groups. (In Argentina a model ment," and should be the guardians of tourism projects. agreement has been developed as the "Consentimiento Libre Fundamentado Previo".) Sixth, government should Tread with care provide support as requested by indigenous groups for World Bank specialists in socially sustainable develop- planning, information exchange and capacity building. ment have concluded that tourism can benefit indigenous Seventh, and finally, the national government should communities when it is well-managed, and when the fol- help to build indigenous capacity to take up the key de- lowing guidelines are respected: cision making role concerning cultural knowledge and practices, and the biodiversity in indigenous territory. 1. Project scale ­ keep the project small, the community should stay in control; Egido Guerra urges a five point methodology for work- 2. Project type ­ stress participation in community ac- ing on tourism programs with indigenous groups. First, tivities - eco tourism will bring in more "responsible he cites the words of Paulo Freire, "Pautada no principio tourists"; dialógico", to focus the need on continuous dialogue. 3. Market tourism by relating directly to conservation Second he cites the need to understand and appreciate efforts and to sustainable biodiversity; different knowledge group. In dialogue with each ethnic 4. Develop tourism as part of a livelihood strategy for group he stresses the third point to bring out, share and individuals and for the community; keep a constant reminder of each one's needs and anxiet- 5. Develop tourism hand in hand with the revitalization ies. Fourth, any project requires equal partners to build of indigenous culture; together ­ defining together the lines of action in tandem 6. Assure management and control of tourism through- with the profile of each ethnic group. Finally, Guerra out the region by indigenous organizations; and says, "Celebrate the results together." 7. Consolidate indigenous demands of territory, identity and autonomy in any and all tourism projects. From the Yewae Visitor Center of the Colombian Ama- zon, Andres Barona reports the Amazonian experience As the Mapuche say, "The forest is of no use without the has lead indigenous groups to urge full monitoring and knowledge of its inhabitants.... If the forest is gone, all continued discussion of social and cultural traditions. will be lost" The Yewae model emphasizes the use of the Maloka and of the Chagra (and minga), keeping traditional practices alive beyond the tourist visits. Barona recommends that any tourism program should be accompanied by strength- ening of cultural ties through education. Traditions and culture should be included in school curriculums, for both indigenous and non-indigenous as well. Practices shared with tourists should `maintain and reinforce the use and transmission of traditional knowledge that sus- About the Authors tains cultural identity and regional biodiversity.' Dorte Verner is a Senior Economist and Tova Solo is Yes, Barona says, bathrooms and running water are a a Senior Urban Specialist, both with the Sustainable Development Department of the Latin America and the positive contribution, but new technologies should be ad- Caribbean Region of the the World Bank. opted with care. "Develop mechanisms and adopt those "en breve" is produced by the Knowledge and Learning Team of the Operations Services Department of the Latin America and the Caribbean Region of the World Bank - http://www.worldbank.org/lac · November 2008 · Number 137