Tribal Tourism is not threatening a Way of life or is it?
Tribal tourism refers to a new form of travel where tribes allow tourists to visit their villages to be
exposed to cultures that are completely different from their own. There are more than 400 million
people who belong to the indigenous population. However, in recent years, the popularity is
increased to experience authentic life. Therefore, travel guides are full of pictures of the indigenous
people, for example the robes Maasai in Kenya and the Himba in Namibia. But there are hundreds
more, all with their unique way of life. All in all, the indigenous peoples have been visited by
outsiders for centuries, but now increasingly by tourists (Fair Tourism, 2020). On the other hand,
tourists can have many advantages especially economically seen. As a result, tribal tourism is
beneficial for indigenous people without the negative effects.
First of all, the greatest benefit that tribal tourism brings is economic progress. This is because,
indigenous people make up 15 percent of the globe’s impoverished population. This is especially true
in Latin America, where 40 million indigenous people live in rural areas, often below the poverty line
(Kranstover, 2014). The financial opportunity is important for them, because of poverty. Poverty is
characteristic of this group because 78 percent of the poor are indigenous, of which 24 percent live
in extreme poverty. (Sanders, 2009) Therefore, indigenous cultures are increasingly attractive to
tourists who are looking for authentic experiences. This type of cultural tourism is often seen as a
way to promote and reinforce the native culture and provide pro-poor benefits to the local
community (Pratt, Gibson, & Movono, 2012). Thus, indigenous peoples can benefit from this where
they use the indigenous way of life, for the interests of the tourists, with the ambition of making
money (Van Eyken , 2012). Therefore, with money from tourists, children can go to school, food can
be bought, and the family can be supported. The indigenous community agrees that the manner and
scale which tourism has developed is beneficial as it allows them to learn new things, earn a living
and more importantly, live their culture (Pratt, Gibson, & Movono, 2012). Even indigenous people
who do not work in the tourism sector also benefit from tourism (Verweij & Suijkerbuijk, 2016). They
can supply products to restaurants and hotels which are directly associated with the tourism sector.
In this way, it is both the people inside, and the people outside the tourism sector who have an
interest in the money that tourists bring (Verweij & Suijkerbuijk, 2016). All in all, this economic
change is therefore seen as positive by everyone and is the biggest benefit of tourism (Verweij &
Suijkerbuijk, 2016).
Second, if tourists show that they find the culture and way of life special, this can lead to pride
among the indigenous peoples (Fair Tourism , 2020). In addition, tourism promotes understanding,
competition between destinations and is good for local pride as people invite the world into their
homes (Van Eyken , 2012). However, as long as tourism remains small-scale and designed with
respect for the tribes and their culture, it can have a positive role in their existence. If the starting
point of this tourism is to encourage tribes to develop themselves rather than exploit them, it can
contribute to mutual understanding. Therefore, cultural exchanges can enrich both sides. (Van
Ditshuijzen , 2020)
Thirdly, many people find ancient ways of life fascinating, and often of great romantic appeal. In
today's world of concrete, grocery stores, fashion, celebrity culture, stressful jobs, and lack of
community spirit, the ideal of people living close to nature in the same way it has been for centuries
has been extremely appealing (Verweij & Suijkerbuijk, 2016). For many, nothing beats bridging
centuries of modern development and connecting with people whose lives are so very different from
ours. And those of us who have had the privilege of visiting and listening closely will have found that
traditional communities often have much more to teach us about our society and our lives than we
can teach them about our world (Mack, sd).
Tribal tourism refers to a new form of travel where tribes allow tourists to visit their villages to be
exposed to cultures that are completely different from their own. There are more than 400 million
people who belong to the indigenous population. However, in recent years, the popularity is
increased to experience authentic life. Therefore, travel guides are full of pictures of the indigenous
people, for example the robes Maasai in Kenya and the Himba in Namibia. But there are hundreds
more, all with their unique way of life. All in all, the indigenous peoples have been visited by
outsiders for centuries, but now increasingly by tourists (Fair Tourism, 2020). On the other hand,
tourists can have many advantages especially economically seen. As a result, tribal tourism is
beneficial for indigenous people without the negative effects.
First of all, the greatest benefit that tribal tourism brings is economic progress. This is because,
indigenous people make up 15 percent of the globe’s impoverished population. This is especially true
in Latin America, where 40 million indigenous people live in rural areas, often below the poverty line
(Kranstover, 2014). The financial opportunity is important for them, because of poverty. Poverty is
characteristic of this group because 78 percent of the poor are indigenous, of which 24 percent live
in extreme poverty. (Sanders, 2009) Therefore, indigenous cultures are increasingly attractive to
tourists who are looking for authentic experiences. This type of cultural tourism is often seen as a
way to promote and reinforce the native culture and provide pro-poor benefits to the local
community (Pratt, Gibson, & Movono, 2012). Thus, indigenous peoples can benefit from this where
they use the indigenous way of life, for the interests of the tourists, with the ambition of making
money (Van Eyken , 2012). Therefore, with money from tourists, children can go to school, food can
be bought, and the family can be supported. The indigenous community agrees that the manner and
scale which tourism has developed is beneficial as it allows them to learn new things, earn a living
and more importantly, live their culture (Pratt, Gibson, & Movono, 2012). Even indigenous people
who do not work in the tourism sector also benefit from tourism (Verweij & Suijkerbuijk, 2016). They
can supply products to restaurants and hotels which are directly associated with the tourism sector.
In this way, it is both the people inside, and the people outside the tourism sector who have an
interest in the money that tourists bring (Verweij & Suijkerbuijk, 2016). All in all, this economic
change is therefore seen as positive by everyone and is the biggest benefit of tourism (Verweij &
Suijkerbuijk, 2016).
Second, if tourists show that they find the culture and way of life special, this can lead to pride
among the indigenous peoples (Fair Tourism , 2020). In addition, tourism promotes understanding,
competition between destinations and is good for local pride as people invite the world into their
homes (Van Eyken , 2012). However, as long as tourism remains small-scale and designed with
respect for the tribes and their culture, it can have a positive role in their existence. If the starting
point of this tourism is to encourage tribes to develop themselves rather than exploit them, it can
contribute to mutual understanding. Therefore, cultural exchanges can enrich both sides. (Van
Ditshuijzen , 2020)
Thirdly, many people find ancient ways of life fascinating, and often of great romantic appeal. In
today's world of concrete, grocery stores, fashion, celebrity culture, stressful jobs, and lack of
community spirit, the ideal of people living close to nature in the same way it has been for centuries
has been extremely appealing (Verweij & Suijkerbuijk, 2016). For many, nothing beats bridging
centuries of modern development and connecting with people whose lives are so very different from
ours. And those of us who have had the privilege of visiting and listening closely will have found that
traditional communities often have much more to teach us about our society and our lives than we
can teach them about our world (Mack, sd).
