Cultural Tourism The New Wave

T anzania is the focus of          the animals. The culture and the   this short report on the        people are the destination; they   new wave in cultural            are what make Tanzania so          tourism. Tanzania has something       special. Not the plastic, dull,    to offer everyone; many               staged cultural experience         attractions have become a magnet      offered in a lukewarm attempt to   for tourists. Kenya seems to          get more business; but a true      running a poor second to Tanzania     experience of life in Tanzania.    over the past two years. Tanzania                                        is a peaceful paradise for the        The ideal way to experience this   tourist, boasting no tribalism        is to spend a few days in a Town   and a nation where hospitality is     or village; away from the hotels.  a tradition. Truly the Tanzanian      To stay in a Tanzania or an        culture is gentle and peace           Ex-pat home and spend some time    loving; welcoming visitors into       getting to know how life works in  their country and homes.              Tanzania. Many people are                                                starting to do this and then from  Many claims are made over             this home-stay base organizing a   destinations around the world         safari. To coordinate a safari     being safe and friendly; however,     from Arusha yourself is cheaper,   I believe Tanzania is unique in       safer and offers more              Africa in being precisely what is     flexibility. More time can be      claimed; a peace loving welcoming     spent in Tanzania and at a         culture; a jewel in the crown of      relatively low cost.               Africa.                                                                                                        If you have some time to take a    The new wave in cultural tours        long break then this is a great    has begin in Arusha - the north       way to learn and understand        of the country. Here, many            another culture. There are a few   tourists want to see more than        organizations that are beginning   to offer this help. Community         the building and staffing of a     focused organizations and even a      primary school.                    few tour operators will offer                                            these services.                       This is an extreme case and                                              certainly not the norm, however,   Responsible tourism should be a       to experience a genuine cultural   two way learning experience. You      safari then the home stay is the   the tourist will learn about the      way to go. Other benefits of the   culture [and much about yourself]     home-stay will be to give you      and the culture you visit will        chance to organize a safari from   benefit from your interaction.        within Tanzania at a cheaper rate  Friendships and bonds can reach       than you would get from            far into the future. An American      organizing it from outside the     friend of mine visited the            country. I would urge you to       Usambara Mountains before her         consider this as a way of getting  safari in 2001. This visit            to know Tanzania, being able to    affected her so much she has          afford an extended time here and   returned to us after four years       also helping in the communities    to come and live and work in          of Northern Tanzania.              Tanzania. She is busy organizing       About the Author: For a more information on Cultural Tourism and Home-Stays in Tanzania contact Ian Williamson through http://www.betheladventure.co.uk or Using responsible tourism to change lives Source: www.isnare.com