TourismStories

How tourism enriched my life

A book by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

Contents About this book / 6Foreword / 7Acknowledgements / 8About the author / 9Tourism StoriesAlonso Bermúdez Paniagua – A cultural hotel, a community haven / 12Brian Lee – Where travellers learn from Australia’s traditional teachers / 16Cristina SuañaDato’ Haji Sahariman bin Haji Hamdan – Opening hearts and minds through homestays / 24Faisal Al Halabi – Sanctuary for tradition and travellers / 28Jean Damascene Hakizimana – Man and mountain gorillas in natural balance / 32José Antonio de la Riera – In the footsteps of Santiago’s pilgrims / 36Katie CharalambousMariam Abu Rkeek – Desert daughter / 44Mohammad Daifallah – Business through Bedouin community development / 48Nguyen Thi Ba – Viet Nam’s ladies of the river / 52Noumeri Nasr – Diving into the future / 56Patrick and Carine Van Bogaert-PijkelsSandra Perang – Building a future in the community / 64

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

Each and every day, nearly 3 million people across the globe carry their bags and their dreams to visit somewhere new or to repeat a visit to a place of good memories.

one billion travellers crossing international borders. One billion people who have made travel and tourism a profound force for good, moving national economies, societies, identities and possibilities forward like no other sector of our times could. As homes and hotels open their doors, the people of the world open their minds and hearts to greater understanding.

At the heart of this transformative movement are all those who, each and every day, wake up and commit their energies to playing an active, meaningful part in tourism. Chefs, innkeepers, artisans, taxi drivers, shopkeepers, bakers, growers, traders, guides, and millions of others work with pride, purpose and a sense of optimism.

These are the people who bring such meaning to our efforts to grow the tourism sector. These are the lives who depend on

development through tourism is people-centred and genuinely sustainable in the way that it impacts their daily lives.

At the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) we wanted to honour these champions, and the communities from which they come by telling their stories to the world and hopefully inspire many others.

Tourism Stories – How tourism enriched my life, written for UNWTO by Anita Mendiratta, one of the best advocates of

sets out to capture and showcase how tourism can change people’s lives and how people can change their future and that of their communities.

Capturing some of the voices of tourism from countries across the globe, this book is about Alonso Bermúdez

Al Halabi, Jean Damascene Hakizimana, José Antonio de la Riera, Mariam Abu Rkeek, Mohammad Daifallah, Nguyen Thi Ba, Noumeri Nasr, Katie Charalambous, and Sandra Perang. We truly thank them for allowing us to share their lives, and their stories.

These are the faces of tourism – the people we have the honour, and the responsibility, of working with and for, every single day. May these tourism stories continue to inspire our efforts.

Taleb RifaiSecretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

7

Foreword

6

About this bookIt all began on a quiet, peaceful stretch of a river in rural Viet Nam. In a local riverboat, the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) sat back with his host, as a woman from a local village paddled them through the winding waters.

rowing their boat was part of a group of women who have created a local community business of taking tourists on trips down the river. The boats, provided by the government, are theirs to keep – theirs to manage and maintain, theirs to put on the water every day to make money to feed their families and plan for the future, theirs to pass on to their children.

That day, on the waters of Viet Nam, the profound appreciation that the Secretary-General has for the millions of people that work in the tourism sector, was given a face, a voice. He knew that this, like millions of others, was a voice that needed to be heard.

And so the idea of this book was born.

Tourism Stories – How tourism enriched my life, has been created to remind us of the heartbeats behind the tourism statistics – the fundamental difference that our sector makes,

but the hundreds of millions of people who welcome these travellers into their nations.

The past decade has been an exciting one for global tourism but also a challenging one. The continuously ascending numbers reported around increases in arrivals, receipts, investment, trade, and importantly, employment, enable those working in the sector to stand with an increasing sense of pride. But still, natural, economic, political and social crises of

to move forward with sustained motivation and hope. The red ink and down arrows can often distract us from what is most important – the people and communities that rely on tourism for their daily lives and sense of faith in a brighter future. Over the past year, UNWTO reached out to all regions around the globe, capturing an array of stories of the lives of the people working in the tourism sector – their lives, their work, their thoughts, in their words. Through individual video interviews, the people featured in this book have each shared the story of their lives, and the difference that their working in the tourism sector has made to their futures. Tapes, transcripts and testimonials were all pulled together to create this book, the

Tourism Stories.

who remind us to ensure that, through our efforts, we make the one billion international tourists travelling the world every year count.

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

98

About the authorA trusted and respected global strategic advisor in Tourism & Economic Development, Anita Mendiratta is the Founder and Managing Director of Cachet Consulting – an international

private sector businesses, and international organizations providing critical direction, insight and inspiration into destination development, recovery and competitiveness. Anita

and a strategic resource to the World Bank and UNWTO.

Canadian by birth and now based in Cape Town, South Africa, Anita’s work spreads across all regions of the world through a rich client portfolio of governments and private travel and tourism entities. Applying proven principles and processes and exceptional skills in facilitating dialogue to break through

Anita is able to mobilize strategic impact at three critical levels: B2B – Business to Business, B2G – Business to Government, and G2G - Government to Government.

Come Closer: How Tourism is Shaping the Future of Nations, nominated for the Financial Times Book of the Year, and regarded by Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, as “an invaluable resource for tourism leaders, policy-makers and stakeholders as they drive the global tourism economy forward,” emphasizing “Anita’s ability to convey the importance of tourism in terms of its economic value comes second only to her capacity to reveal the very human side of tourism.”

AcknowledgementsThe World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) would like to thank all those who have introduced us to the invaluable contributors

Ahmed El Khadem (Former Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Former President of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, Egypt), Amalia Peñaloza (UNWTO/Millennium Development

(Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs, Flemish Community of Belgium), Claire Crouch (Australia’s North West Tourism, Australia), H.E. Dato’ Hong Peng Ong (Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia), Debbie Mantzur (Ministry of Tourism, Israel), Dinh Ngoc Duc (Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, Viet Nam), Glen Chidlow (Australia’s North West Tourism, Australia), Gudrun Willems (Visit Flanders, Flemish Community of Belgium), Hermes Navarro (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, Costa Rica), James Basson (Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat, South Africa), John King (Australian Tourism Export Council, Australia), Johnny Edmonds (Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council, Australia), Joseph Haimari (Ministry of

Organization, Cyprus), Malia Asfour (Jordan Tourism Board, Jordan), Manuel Rodríguez (Tourism Authority of Galicia, Spain), Maria J. Barquero (Grupo Islita, Costa Rica), Marianne Schapmans (Visit Flanders, Flemish Community of Belgium), Moti Rosenblum (Journalist, Israel), Nabil Tarazi (EcoHotels, Jordan), Nguyen Van Tuan (Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, Viet Nam), Pascal Abdallah (Responsible Mobilities,

Peru), Pham Ngoc Diep (Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, Viet Nam), Prosper Uwingeli (Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda), Rica Rwigamba (Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda), Yehia Safwat (Association International Development D’APNE (AIDA) and Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Egypt) and Zarina Md Yusuf (Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia).

A special acknowledge is due to all UNWTO colleagues who made this book possible, in particular, Alla Peressolova,

Abdel-Ghaffar, Beka Jakeli, Carlos Vogeler, Christine Brew, Christopher Imbsen, Cristina Civili, Daniela Urcuyo, Esther Ruiz, Gabriele von Hagen, Ghada Ahmed Khalil, Hae-guk

Ousmane Ndiaye, Peter Janech, Rita Bele-Zongodono,

Finally and above all, UNWTO would like to show its utmost

Jean Damascene Hakizimana, José Antonio de la Riera, Mariam Abu Rkeek, Mohammad Daifallah, Nguyen Thi Ba, Noumeri Nasr, Katie Charalambous, and Sandra Perang. Without their enthusiasm and positive spirit, living tourism in their day to day lives, this book would not have been possible.

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

TourismStories

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

Hola. My name is Alonso Bermúdez Paniagua, and this is my story…

I am from the area of Islita. I have been working for the hotel Punta Islita for 14 years already. I grew up in a nearby town called San Francisco, it’s only 25 km from here. It’s a very simple town, like any other town in the area. I was born there and I was raised there, however I went to school to another town because the school there was very basic. When I was young my family encouraged me to go to a better school so I could get better prepared.

that. But very, very basic.

opportunities than the ones that I could have over there. Where I was growing up you could only work in cattle raising, farming or construction. And so my dream was always to go to school,

working in the hotel business, but it was something interesting, and the tourism sector gave us good opportunities. And my family had a little restaurant so we were always related to service. It was different to what I do here, but in some way it was related.

to make the employees and the guests happy. And so we always raise the occupancy – we give more authentic experiences to our guests every day. So, that is our challenge – to keep people happy every day, and to translate it to different things.

I always say that the sector that I work for is all about service – to the client, the staff or the customer. And it is important. I explain it in a very easy way – we are here to make people happy. Happy people will come back and give more jobs, give more opportunities, and open other things to us.

13

Alonso Bermúdez Paniagua at Hotel Punta Islita, Costa Rica

AlonsoBermúdezPaniagua

A cultural hotel, a community haven

12

Hotel Punta Islita, Costa Rica

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

Costa RicaHotel Punta Islita opened in 1994 in a setting of economic disadvantage and environmental decline. Access to education was limited, professional opportunities were minimal, and the tropical dry forest was in danger. By

intensive training program to members of the community on different areas of services of the hotel, as well as surrounding community-based activities and attractions, the hotel has become a critical force for economic activity and skills development.

15

Costa Rican forest

If I was not working here? Maybe I would be working in construction or in a cattle raising farm, with a very limited salary. When I started working here at the hotel it was a huge thing for us – for me and for my family. It opened a lot of opportunities.

I started working here 14 years ago. Since the moment I came here, I worked hard at the front desk. And then along the years in different areas; I worked in tourism activities and in customer services and then I became the resident manager; now I am the manager of the hotel.

The hotel offers a lot of opportunities. Then it depends a lot on us, if we take them or we don’t. I was one of those persons that always wanted to grow in the company, and get more opportunities, visit different places and get more knowledge of things. So it was very nice that this sector has offered me the opportunity to grow, not only as a human being, but also as a professional.

14

Kindergarten at the Hotel Punta Islita, Costa Rica

Marta Figueroa, coordinator of the Islita Art Museum community gift shop and gallery with local elder Marcial Torres

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

My name is Brian Lee, and this is my story…

I was born in Broome, I grew up in Derby, and at the moment

nearest capital city. I’ve been out there since about 1992. It’s my grandmother’s country. It’s where my mother was born as well.

teenager, going over to Queensland, meeting different people with different attitudes and opinions, and learning how to live

out of my comfort zone was an experience for me. It taught me how to live with other people, that it was ok to have a different opinion than others, and to respect opinions of others as well.

So coming back to Western Australia, back to Derby, I had

moved back to my mother and grandmother’s country, and reconnected with all the family members I had there. I learnt what it was like to be part of a community, and I learned about leadership roles in the community. I have taken that up and become one of the young leaders.

17

Where travellers learn from Australia’s traditional teachers

BrianLee

16

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

Australia

the land was purchased by the Aboriginal

of Aboriginal people. As a result the ADC, along with other Government Departments and the Bardi people, chose to develop the area into a tourist complex, linking up traditional ways with the fast encroaching 21st century and all that it represents. The emphasis from the beginning has been to develop a low key, low

can be controlled by local people and of a size and extent that minimizes the impact on the environment, and where visitors are able to experience the beauty of the local area and participate in unique experiences and activities available through this business enterprise.

19

people there manned it at various stages of its lifetime, until about 1986 when the lighthouse became automated. The freehold title was given back to the Bardi people, and the Bardi people made a decision to start up a tourism resort there. It has since evolved into an eco-friendly tourism resort

such for the past 15 years.

the surroundings. It’s based on a peninsula so you can wake up and watch the sun rise on one side of the ocean, and then watch the sun set on the other side of the ocean. It is a place that is recognized around the world.

I have been on the Board for the last 16 years. I have seen it grow from its humble beginnings, to what it is today – a multi award winning wilderness camp.

It has given me a purpose. It’s showed me that there is a way to share knowledge, to share experiences, and to share a country.

It has made me I think a role model for the younger people in the community, to see that there is a career in tourism. And

you can make a comfortable living from that. But I think for me it is more of a lifestyle, more of a desire to impart knowledge and share experiences.

I have started my own tourism business that I operate out of

that there is a place that no one else has seen, but everyone else who comes here can share what we have.

My main dream for the future is to see young community people stepping up and doing what I do, learning from myself and others up there who are leaders in the tourism sector in the peninsula, and hopefully one day seeing them be managers of our resort, to bring other young Bardi people along with them on the ride.

Our people have been a part of this land and of this country for thousands of years. I think we see ourselves as teachers. I feel that what I have to offer to people outside our country, our state, and indeed Australia, is a knowledge base that evolved around the country, around tradition, around culture, and keeping that alive for me is something that I am striving

18

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

I am Cristina Suaña,Uros Khantati. This is my story…

‘Khantati’ is an Aymaran word meaning ‘dawn’.

I was actually born on another island further away from here. When I was young I did not know of tourists – I was very afraid of them. When I married my husband, I moved into this

taking care of the house and of my children.

When a Dutch couple told me “Cristina, why don’t you set up a cottage, someone might want to spend the night on the island,” I thought it was a fantastic idea and I thought that maybe, someday, this might work.

year we received two, four couples. We are already in our tenth year now. Those tourists gave us tips on how to advance our work. Year after year, I have continued working.

We are always waiting for a tourist or a friend to come. We always want them to leave very happy and pleased with our business, with our home. We hope that they enjoy the

In the beginning, some people in the community said that we were crazy, even my husband. He would say “you are crazy, no one will stay there.” No one believed that anyone could stay here because it is quite cold, there is no electricity, and there is no water.

are coming to stay. Now, when the tourists are coming or leaving in our small boats, the community can see that, yes,

Today, the whole family is involved in this work. For instance, before it was only my husband and I doing everything. Now, I work mainly in the kitchen. My sisters and my cousins are helping me and they are also learning to manage the kitchen so that I can travel and do other things.

My daughter is in charge of bookings. She is the one managing bookings and answering requests. She decided that to become more of a success in this business she needed to study. So, she studied tourism. She understands

greatest satisfaction as a mother. She is already working in

My son is working with the transfers, he goes to the terminal, to different hotels, to the airport; he goes where the tourists

21

CristinaSuaña

20

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

PeruThe ‘Uros Khantati Asociación de Turismo

rights, particularly those of women. Tourists are encouraged to immerse themselves completely in the community that they are

engage in crafts with their hosts, are taught words and songs in the local Aymara language and principles of their cosmovision, and are encouraged to participate in the daily activities of the community. Tourism income is used to purchase supplies to continue handicraft production, to educate children, and to invest in infrastructure, including better boats for the transportation of visitors. A full circle tourism economy has been established.

23

My sister shows tourists our handicrafts, and teaches them how to do it.

to the party; we sing and dance. The kids have also become interested in continuing their studies. They say “I want to be a guide, I want to be this, I want to be that, I want to be a chef.” So, I am very happy because now the company is not only mine, it belongs to the entire family.

We are a very big family. We were ten brothers and sisters. Two have died, so now we are eight siblings. We have gone

we didn’t, days when we had something to eat and days when we didn’t. But now, with this venture, I have learnt how to organize my family in terms of food, and have my children studying as well.

caring for our environment, respecting our people, all of this. It is also about valuing our identity. Now, we are talking to

our grandmothers and grandfathers, talking with our elders, asking them “How did we use to be, where did we come from..?” This helps me understand where I have come from.

I am always telling to our fellow brothers in other communities “Invest your time in training, in learning how to manage this type of business. With each client, you will gain something every time and keep expanding, expanding, expanding” like

we have also bought this platform to expand our kitchen and dining room. We bought solar panels. We are doing the transport, and more houses. So I am always telling my brothers to invest their time in training, invest their money to buy and implement their business.

My dream is to create a small travel agency so that the tourists can come directly from their country to our houses in different

can receive tourists. This is our dream.

22

Cristina Suaña and her visitors

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

My name is Dato’ Haji Sahariman bin Haji Hamdan and this is my story…

At the age of 25 I got married, now I have nine kids. I used

started this program – the homestay programme. I began with

in-law’s house. Thanks to the government, especially the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia who contribute to this homestay programme, now I’m like a boss to the rubber estate.

village, now we have 162 houses to welcome people from all over the world and also from Malaysia. We can meet many people, we can meet Japanese, we can meet Europeans, we don’t have to go there.

There are around 151 villages throughout Malaysia which are part of the homestay programme with the help and support from the government. I started a business with one room, and now I have about 34 rooms. I have nine kids and four of them are working with me. I have more than 12 youngsters in this village also working part time with me.

The homestay is very good as it gives a lot of revenue to the villagers. People come to the village, we treat them as part of the family – we stay together, we cook together, and do many activities together. A lot of money is coming to all the villagers.

When we talk about tourism, there’s a lot of money and revenue coming from this tourism. We get money from accommodation, food and meals and from activities. There

elephant sanctuary; we have bird watching, and so on. This all creates revenue; a lot of money from the outside now comes to the villagers. I think it’s very good.

We thank a lot not only to the Ministry of Tourism. We also thank the Ministry of Rural Development and Entrepreneur. They helped us with training and seminars on internet and technologies. We also have the Plant a Tree Programme. All the people who come to the village plant a tree, and now we

people who visited our homestay programme. When we talk about achievement, every year is a success

villages and now there are already 159 villages. We started

have about 33% of occupancy. We started getting revenue only about RM 5 million and we already achieve RM 18.6

As I look to the future, I would like to transform this homestay programme. I would like to transform this business into a bigger business in the city and in beach areas. I think the time is now to grow this tourism from small to bigger, so that all the villages can achieve what people in the city can achieve.

25

Dato´Haji Saharimanbin Haji Hamdan

Opening hearts and minds through homestays

24

Tourists learn traditional activities in the homestay programme, Malaysia Homestay Association of Malaysia

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

MalaysiaIn 1995, Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism launched the homestay programme with the aim of boosting the participation of rural communities in the tourism sector, and reducing rural-urban migration. The homestay programme has been prioritized by the Ministry of Tourism because

segment among international and domestic tourists, and because it allows sharing the

a wider segment of Malaysia´s communities, particularly the rural population.

27

Tea plantations in Malaysia

26

One of the houses in the homestay programme, Malaysia

Tourists learn traditional activities in the homestay programme, Malaysia

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

My name is Faisal Al Halabi, and this is my story…

I was born and raised in this beautiful village, Aammiq, which is renowned for its peaceful and friendly people. I grew up loving to hunt. I was an expert game hunter, particularly wild boar.

A few years ago when nature reserves started appearing in

Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve. They began giving lectures on hunting methods and seasons. I became quite interested in these issues and started working in tourism. Through this, I met a young man and we became friends. He explained to

I became a true believer and went from being a hunter to an environmental activist. I worked with them at the reserve, as a

to the Aammiq reserve.

The Aammiq reserve was known for hunting, cattle grazing and logging; however, all activities were unregulated and environmentally harmful. Fortunately, when the Skaffs returned to their lands after the war, they took the initiative to create a reserve to protect the area. I moved from the Shouf biosphere reserve and started working with them in Aammiq.

Truth be told, it’s an impressive initiative. I hope that all

initiative to protect the land. This has become a beautiful area

are being carried out here. This is all thanks to the Skaffs, who greatly contributed to protecting the environment.

The area has turned from a private land into an oasis of exemplary reserves. It is also a key stop for migratory birds as

29

Sanctuary for tradition and travellers

Faisal Al Halabi

28

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

LebanonA coming together of nature and nurture, the Aammiq Wetlands have developed into a natural environmental protection zone – a

their nation, their traditions, and their future. Today, as a place of employment directly

supporting role in the tourism sector, the Aammiq Wetlands provide a living example of the importance, relevance, value and pride of

31

Getting my family and friends to understand what I do was a

people. I began with my friends and family. Gradually, they all

advocates of the environment. Many young people embraced

but always with a view to protect the environment.

really. I think I would have become a farmer, although I don’t

in this one. This is what I was meant to be doing. And it is part of tourism.

I began working with my family in tourism almost 12 years ago. We offer tourists room and board at our family home; my

now we are hosting groups of up to a hundred – and that was before we opened the restaurant.

Preserving the environment is not only good for tourism, it also creates jobs.

This building has been under refurbishment for eight years in association with the Shouf reserve and A Rocha. It was supposed to be a hotel for tourists. But studies showed that

The restaurant and touristic services it offers have certainly increased the number of visitors to the area. Tourists can now

For me personally, my job has allowed me to meet people of different nationalities, and that is in itself extremely important. This is what I was meant to be doing.

30

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

My name is Jean Damascene Hakizimana. I’m the head ranger in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. And this is my story…

I was born in 1972, and I live near the Volcanoes National Park. I grew up seeing that the park was facing some illegal activities, such as poaching, so I grew up wanting to be a guide or a ranger. I wanted to be a ranger or a guide as I loved so much the gorillas.

I explain to my family and to my friends that I am doing activities related to park protection – coordinating activities of protecting

the park, organizing routine park patrols, short patrols, camp patrols and cross-border patrols that are coordinated patrols. Our cross border patrols are done with our neighboring country Uganda because this park is trans-boundary. On one side, we have the Mgahinga National Park and, on the other side, we have the Bwindi Park, so for protecting this park, we

We have to make sure all equipment to enter the park is available, such as radio for communication, binoculars which helps us to observe the things very far from us. We have guns for protection. We monitor all of our activities in the park.

33

Jean Damascene Hakizimana in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Man and mountain gorillas in natural balance

Jean Damascene Hakizimana

32

Mountain gorilla in Rwanda

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

Rwandatourism represents a critical niche component of the national growth and development plans in Rwanda. In northwestern Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park, a vast, rich rainforest

volcanoes, is also home to a mountain gorilla

visitors, generating approximately US$ 251

increased by 14%. Under the leadership of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) tourism has become a vehicle for economic, social, cultural and environmental development of the nation as a whole. Invaluable employment around gorilla tourism occurs through the park (trackers, anti-poaching), and also in other areas (tourist porters, park cleaners, hotel staff, and other tourism related services). Through this direct and indirect employment, the park

unlocking meaningful cooperation and community participation for the greater good of both man and mountain gorillas.

35

Forest in Rwanda

We face some challenges related to the few number of rangers we have in this park. We collaborate with the community in order to monitor all activities that are being done by surrounding communities outside the park. Because I love so much gorillas, I also made some environmental clubs to help protect the gorillas and the whole environment.

Doing this work, I am able to continue my studies, improve my communication skills,

related to the conservation of the park.

Now, I am able to do mapping and use some software that helps me to do reports which are used in park management.

doing, and they support me very very much.

34

Jean Damascene Hakizimana training trackers in using GPS

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

My name is José Antonio de la Riera, and this is my story…

We are in a small village at the edge of Finisterre, Santiago de Olveiroa, one of the last lost paradises at the end of the known limits of the earth since the medieval world. My life is largely devoted to the recovery of places like this; in this case the Route of Santiago, in a work of research that is part of all my life.

Goethe said Europe was formed through the Route of Santiago. Still, the Route suffered centuries of neglect. It was a real challenge for us to recover those old traces. It was not

had to do, we found an almost universal skepticism. How could a medieval pilgrimage from ancient times be recovered at the dawn of the 21st century, how could we recover the road towards a distant grave in the west through hundreds of villages like Olveiroa? How are you going to bring the people of the 21st century to old forgotten routes and villages like this, people would ask us.

And yet the dream came true because of common values: with brains, heart and hands.

Today man no longer seeks the forgiveness of his sins, no longer pursues to visit a number of relics. Yet, if there are any common values to the nomadic man, it has always been the restlessness of the human being, an inner quest.

We often say that the ‘Camino de Santiago’ (Route of Santiago) is like a thread with beads, the thread of an old rosary. The beads – the great cathedrals – are there, but what expresses it, what gives it life, is the thread of the rosary – the small villages like this one of which there are hundreds on the road. Small monuments, ‘cruceiros’, small shrines, churches – they form an impressive, tangible heritage, and besides this, we have valued the intangible heritage; the legends, the traditions and the old music. All this has exploded in the late

At the start, there was nothing more than ruins at the end of a remote border, in a region usually isolated, and yet the best of all Europe is coming here. It is all thanks to the recovery of the old roads to Santiago and Finisterre.

37

José Antonio de la Riera in Santiago de Olveiroa, Spain

José Antonio de la Riera

In the footsteps of Santiago’s pilgrims

36

Camino de Santiago, Spain

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

SpainFor centuries, Santiago has been a calling for millions of pilgrims of differing faiths, backgrounds, ages and beliefs. Taking a

times, at its peak, from the 9th to the 16th century, an estimated two million people a

came to worship in a place that has, until today, embedded itself as a place of spiritual passage and privilege. To keep the paths, places of worship, and surrounding communities in a

and respectful of both its past and present, has become the life’s work of many dedicated locals such as the Friends of the Camino de Santiago.

39

Pilgrims in the Camino de Santiago, Spain

And with the pilgrimages came tourism, cultural tourism, surrounding the whole phenomenon of the recovery of the old medieval environments.

came to Santiago de Compostela to do a traditional pilgrimage, ‘traditional’ meaning covering the trail on foot, horseback or bicycle. The road is a space of freedom, solidarity, adventure seeking, spirituality and a way to go. Many of them covered hundreds of kilometers, others thousands.

Along the trail, a tourism sector that is respectful to the surroundings and respectful to the natural environment and the historical ethnography has grown. All this come together:

to virtually disappear. But now with the Route of Santiago, with the return of the pilgrims and the cultural tourism that has formed around it, we have seen a comprehensive and harmonic recovery.

What I have learnt from this? That the traveling nature of man is immortal. The ‘Camino de Santiago’ completely distinguishes itself from the so-called religious tourism for many reasons, the main ones being its multiculturalism, its ecumenism, and above all because it retains the legends from the 5th century, such as the stoning in front of the old hospital of Roncesvalles. Here “the door opens to all.”

This is my ‘workplace’. For centuries, thousands and thousands of pilgrims have passed on this ground we are treading, and I certainly do not know what my life would have

cultural association – the Friends of the Camino de Santiago. I belong here.

In the future, I hope these old stones, this old passage of pilgrims, will be kept up for our children and grandchildren. I

personally, but also in their social and economic development. They deserve to be reinstated in the modern era.

The Route of Santiago certainly changes the lives of all who

a life without this work, without this commitment.

38

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

My name is Katie Charalambous, and this is my story…

‘Kalosorisate’, Welcome! This is Vasilion, which means Kingdom.

Here is where my grandmother and her sisters lived. In those times, Polis Chrysochous was the center town of the small villages in the Akamas area. Nowadays, the Polis area became one of the main touristic resorts in Cyprus.

As a child I used to visit my grandmother to spend my Easter

but in a good way.

I feel nostalgic of those days. I remember the afternoon walks with ‘giagia’ (grandmother) Katerina. The sea is very near to our property and I used to love this promenade. I think of the

August nights, listening to aunty Persa’s parables. She used to tell us that the sky opens during the August nights and the stars fall so we could make our wishes – but we must be very careful what we wish for, as our wishes always come true.

As I grew older, I used to wish to have my own business. I never thought that my wish would come true – that my vacation childhood house would be converted into my own accommodation business.

It all started suddenly when I was working for many years with our local airline. I left the airline when an early retirement scheme was offered. My grandmother’s house was already mine. I inherited it, but it was nearly a ruin. I needed a huge budget in order to restore it. At that time, I was lucky as there were some European structural funds and that was

741

Katie Charalambous in Vasilion Agrotourism, Cyprus

In my grandmother’s home

6

Katie Charalambous

40

Sunset in Cyprus

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

CyprusBuilt in 1929, nestled in the centre of a traditional

the olive groves to the seaside, Vasilion has been carefully and characterfully restored by the granddaughter of its original owner to offer guests from across the world a restful stay in a place generously providing local hospitality. Combining the essence of modern living with an atmosphere of tradition in lovingly managed

grown vegetables, fruit and herbs, the property is accented by antiques and the antiquities of Hellenistic times founds on the land, carefully excavated to now become a natural part of the home and gardens.

43

Polis, Cyprus

the beginning. Since the property was listed, I needed to go through many formalities, rules and regulations, especially as we found Archaeological remains of three eras in our garden.

grew stronger day by day. I was so excited that ideas and dreams grew bigger.

This is a traditional Cypriot accommodation business. This business is all about relaxation, a retreat back to our roots. Through this business I am transferring to our guests warm sentiments of my past world. We live in a modern world. It has become so fast, so much pressure. For this reason, technology and comfort is a must. Every little detail had and has to be taken care of, to make it possible to rest, but still feel in control.

Since most of us live a daily hectic life, I thought of an escape, a return to our grandmother’s house which for me means a warm protected place, a garden full of roses, home grown vegetables, fruit trees, and of course a homemade orange cake.

Whatever I do is with pleasure. When you are dealing with traditional houses, you need to have strong sentiments and

love being in the garden taking care of my roses; this brings

I also love cooking. The houses are self-catered, but when our guests want to taste and experience the Cypriot gastronomy I gladly cook with them.

I mostly prefer to let them relax; privacy is all that matters when you enter Vasilion.

For me it is my business but also it is my refuge, I cannot

Vasilion is part of my history, is part of my life; we two are bonded together.

I continue to dream… and to make wishes during the August nights.

42

Vasilion Agrotourism, Cyprus

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

My name is Mariam Abu Rkeek and this is my story…

I am from the village of Tel Beer Sheva, in Negev. I was born

and sisters.

Growing up, I remember watching how my grandmother made natural beauty products and medicines from the natural sources available to her. I remember how she helped the people who came to her for treatment.

I always had a dream to do something different from my grandmother.

When I completed my studies in Tel Sheva I received a scholarship to travel to the UK to study a BA program. Being in Britain showed me that the world today has an awareness and knowledge about protecting the environment. I began to compare modern living and my life. I started to compare what I knew about the old traditions and saw how the modern world is searching for natural cures, beauty and well-being. This all made me think differently – I understood that the old ways could actually be preserved and help modern day living. As the world is changing, many look to the old ways as solutions in tune with society’s needs.

So, when I returned to the Negev, I made a decision that I was going to preserve the traditions of my grandmother. I started making soaps from olive oil and camel’s milk, and other wild desert herbs. I also started to produce aromatic oils. I sold my products to local women, as well as to tourists who would visit Israel and wanted to try my natural products or take them home as gifts.

It wasn’t easy for me as a woman coming from a rather conservative society. In my community, people would look at me as someone who didn’t have the ability to do such

under a lot of pressure from my family to give up my dream, especially because I chose to make business instead of marrying and raising a family. I held my strong belief that I could succeed. My small business is now ten years old. At the beginning it was only my closest sisters and neighbors who gave me some support and helped me get started. Slowly

business.

45

Mariam Abu Rkeek, owner of Desert Daughter, Israel

Desert daughter

Mariam Abu Rkeek

44

Tourists at Negev Desert, Israel

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

IsraelBorn in a Bedouin tent in the Negev Desert, young Mariam Abu Rkeek was attracted to the world of medicinal plants as she wandered in the vast and untamed desert, in search of plants with healing properties to take to her grandmother for usage as traditional medicines. Today, as a self-made business woman, she is playing a role in preserving these natural treasures and heritage by opening an independent business in her community. Ten years on, she has a visitors/learning center and

lectures on Bedouin tradition. Her products are sold on site and are now known and revered internationally as an authentic line of Bedouin cosmetics and healing products.

47

Negev desert, Israel

My dream is to turn my small business into an international beauty company. This will give me the opportunity to employ many more women from my community. Today, at Desert

to women, so as my business grows I will be able to employ more and more women from the village and help them provide for their families.

I hope that Desert Daughter will tell a story that can be an inspiration to women all over the world. If I, a Bedouin woman without any means or resources can start a successful business, then I believe anyone, anywhere in the world can succeed. I hope my story will be useful to others and inspire them. I hope others will follow my example of preserving heritage and traditions and at the same time, offering solutions for employment.

46

Sunset at Negev Desert, Israel

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

My name is Mohammad Daifallah from Jordan, and this is my story…

I am living with my family at Wadi Araba – this is my home.

in a place that is called today Dana Nature Reserve. When I was a little boy I went to a school. My school was one room. A small place. But it was school, and it was good to study, and I saw my friends every day at school. I spent ten years there. After that I left to go to the next school. I liked school, I liked to learn. After that I went to the Mutah University to study

no example for me to see what the people need to do. I was

After that, I had to start to make money, to take care of my

my home, I know this place. I could learn. They gave me a

because the work was close to my family. It was a good chance to stay close with my family, not going outside looking

and I have a house, and I have two children. My work is close, so I can see my family every day. This makes me happy.

What I love of my work is I am working in nature, and I am working with the tourists. I meet the people, and I tell them about my culture, and also teach them about my traditions. And also I learn about them and their culture. When I tell my friends, they are jealous of my job and they like what I do.

This work gives me a good chance because I learn from this work a lot, and get many ideas about the future. If I do anything in my future, I will say thank you for this place.

49

Mohammad Daifallah at the Feynan Ecolodge, Jordan

Business through Bedouin community development

Mohammad Daifallah

48

Canyoning in Wadi Ghwayr © Feynan Ecolodge, Jordan

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

JordanFeynan Ecolodge is an award-winning, 26-room environmentally friendly lodge located at the South-Western edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, near Petra. As expressed by the lodge, it is “a unique place in Jordan – it is completely off the grid, generating most of its energy needs from the sun, and is lit by candles and stars at night. Guests visit from all over the world to experience a place like no other: adventure, romance, tranquility, history and nature. Opening in September

Ecolodge’s ethos is based on harmony with its local environment: it is completely solar-

local communities, and the lodge generates revenue that helps conservation efforts and the protection of endangered species around the reserve. Working directly with local villages and Bedouin communities, income-generating

Reserve’s natural beauty and wildlife to generate employment opportunities.” Feynan is operated by privately owned, Jordanian ecotourism business EcoHotels in partnership with the ecolodge’s owner the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).

51

Wadi Araba, Jordan

If I was not working here, probably I would have to live away from my home, from my family. Probably I would go and work

This work helped me to build a nice house, also to take care of my children. Also to use technology like the internet and the computer. And everyday I learn a lot. There is also more for

me to learn. I am happy when I learn, and I can tell my family

Probably in the future I will be a famous person in this place, because many articles are written about this place, and I am in these articles. People see my picture. I will become a famous person in this place, not a simple person.

50

Feynan Ecolodge outdoor dining area © Feynan Ecolodge, Jordan

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

My name is Nguyen Thi Ba, and this is my story…

I am 57 years old. I was born and grew up in the Truong Yen

for another woman when I was three months pregnant of our second child.

Before, it was very hard for me to bring up my children; we lived mainly on cultivating several rice paddies and breeding pigs

and poultry, so I had to stay up very late to make embroidery. I only wished to earn enough to bring up my two sons, I had no other dreams.

In recent years, besides the farm work and breeding pigs and poultries, I also row a boat for tourists in Trang An. I saved enough money to build a new tiled roof-house with an area

2 that can protect me from the rain and storms. Above all, my sons both have good lives, so I am very pleased. I am still working so I can save some money in case I get sick.

53

Viet Nam’s ladies of the river

Nguyen Thi Ba

52

Nguyen Thi Ba in her boat in Trang An, Viet Nam

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

Viet Nam

River Delta Region, Trang An is Viet Nam’s

cultural landscape. The site has been called an ‘outdoor geological museum’ not only

41 animal species and 31 reptile species; it also encourages the preservation of traditional crafts such as embroidery, pottery and stone carving. Traditionally, local residents are farmers. The arrival of tourists has provided alternatives to traditional agriculture-based work for local residents in the form of boat

caves.

55

Trang An, Viet Nam

I row a lot of tourists across this river, some are easy, some are hard to please, but I always tell and encourage other boat rowers to be friendly and hospitable with the tourists. During the trips, we often introduce to our tourists the natural beauty as well as the culture and the history of Trang An. This work is very suitable for me, so I want to work for a long time.

Rowing the boat requires good health, I am afraid that in next few years, when I grow old and somewhat weaker, I won’t be able to work as boat rower and when that time comes, I will work on the farm and look after my grandchildren. My two sons will take good care of me and they will continue this work for me.

This work gave my family a more prosperous life than before. I saved money to build my house.

Before, when I did not row the boat for tourists, my income was mainly from rice paddies; I earned about 300.000 VND a month. But when I was recruited by the Xuan Truong enterprise to work as boat rower in Trang An, I earn from 2 to 2.5 million VND a month. In the festival time, I can earn more than 3 million VND.

Moreover, I meet many people and obtain knowledge in the

and good memories with the visitors.

54

Cloudy sunset at Trang An, Viet Nam

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

I am Noumeri Nasr, and this is my story…

I am from Nubia, this is in Aswan. Since I have been diving, I live in Hurghada. Hurghada is in the north of Qena and it is

of Aswan, approximately.

Hurghada started with the diving industry, and now is famous

I grew up in Aswan, in the river Nile. We are a big family – we are eleven – six sisters, three brothers and my parents. When we were children, we used to swim in the Nile, but we never thought about diving really. That’s why, at that time, there was not much of Nubian divers. Actually, I was working in a hotel as a waiter. I have seen thousands of foreigners; they come to spend a lot of money to do scuba diving. I wanted to discover that, to try it once. Since this day, I am addicted.

it was scary, because I have always lived above the water, I

mean, swimming and kids things. But, since I put my mask on, it was a surprise for me. A wonderful surprise.

In the summer holiday, I was working in Alexandria to help my family. After I tried diving, and became an open water diver and a dive master, a lot has changed. I had more income. Enough income for me and my family; I am proud of myself.

And also, the people, all the people I have been teaching diving to, when I see the smile on their faces, it is great. I never thought that

My family in the beginning did not understand my love for diving. My mom, she was very afraid for me. She feels safe when she sees me above the water but when I am down, she misses me. She can’t see where I am, and she doesn’t have the knowledge to follow the bubbles…she thinks she lost her

And from this day on, she trusts me. She knows it is not that

57

Noumeri Nasr in Hurghada, Egypt

Diving into the future

Noumeri Nasr

56

Seashore at the Hurghada town, Egypt

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

EgyptNoumeri Nasr is an Egyptian Nubian born in 1972 in a small village near Aswan. Dealing with tourists from an early age, he started to learn English and German, and by the time

in several languages and today, he is proudly

59

Diving in the Red Sea, Egypt

have thought of or never tried before; and I will be so proud to show them those things.

Today almost all my family works in tourism. My younger brothers are divers as well; they are diving instructors.

a good swimmer. When she was six months old I put her in the water and she was for a couple of seconds underwater. Yehia, for sure will become a diver, like my teacher Yehia. That

but of course he has the blood of a diver.

I will never be able to thank enough my teacher, Yehia Safwat. Actually, I met him after I was a dive master, but really not understanding what diving, or safety diving, meant. But after I met him, he really taught me how to be safe and make people around me safe.

Right now, I am a master school trainer. I was planning to

problems stopped me continuing my education. But I keep going. I study a lot. I have a lot of knowledge about diving. And I hope tourism can come back to Egypt, and I make more money. And I would then do my courses, for sure. And after that, I would call my diving center the ‘Nubian Diving Centre’. My friends around me, they are also very proud. That’s

are diving, and they are diving professionally. I am sure there are thousands of guys that want to do it and I think that after they have seen me, they believe it is not this dangerous.

I wish, and I dream, that after the revolution things will end and tourists will be back again to Egypt and that I can get back to my life again, I mean, diving.

58

Noumeri with one of his ‘students’, Hurghada, Egypt

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

We are Patrick and Carine Van Bogaert-Pijkels. We live in Sint-Niklaas, and this is our story…

We met at Zigzag. And last year, we got married. We got married in May.

Zigzag is a meeting place and a centre for mental health care. It is now located at the Knaptandstraat. But soon they will

corner, so this will be easier for us.

Zigzag is an organization for people who stayed in a psychiatric institution or are still in a psychiatric institution. Or

a psychologist or psychiatrist on a regular basis. These people are all welcome at Zigzag. My centre for mental health care sent me to Zigzag. And there we got to know each other. We do volunteer work. At Zigzag we serve drinks and we write for the Zig en Zo-newspaper. I can be creative there. My main hobby is music. I’m the DJ of the house.

We started going on holidays when we went to the Holiday Participation Forum. We went there to celebrate their 5th or

Well, when we came to the Holiday Participation Forum to

described our dream to go to Austria someday.

We did not go on holidays immediately after our marriage. Eventually we went from the 25th of July until the 2nd of August, though we got married in May. We took our time to look for what we wanted to do and how much everything would cost.

Since that time, we have been on holidays to the seaside six times. And this year we will return to the seaside. Our next holiday will be at the seaside, in Blankenberge, in the Holiday Centre Floreal.

In the very beginning, we didn’t have a plan. We packed our stuff, we went for so many days, so we need some pair of socks, some of this, some of that and that’s it. But then we found out, also because of my autism, that you really need some things on holidays, that you can’t forget.

Because of my hobby – crocheting – I can earn a little bit extra. And with everything I earn from crocheting I would like to go to Disneyland someday. Because I proposed to Patrick in Disneyland. And I would like to go back once. So, every

61

True ability

Patrick and Carine Van Bogaert-Pijkels

60

Disneyland, Carine’s and Patrick’s next dream trip

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

BelgiumThe Flanders Holiday Participation Center, established by Tourism Flanders & Brussels

travel. Focusing on persons and families with

who still have the desire to travel, and simply need the understanding and infrastructure to make it happen. Importantly, the center convinces tourism suppliers to create special offers and price reductions and assists social

right tourism offer tailored to the needs of their target groups. In short, the center enhances the mental and physical accessibility of tourism products for people with special needs.

63

Patrick and Carine’s wedding photos

Disneyland. We haven’t set a date yet. It could be in two years, in three years. On the Molly Brown (attraction in Disneyland). That’s where I asked Patrick to marry me.

We are very happy that we got to know the Holiday Participation Centre a few years ago. I understand that going on holidays has an impact on other parts of your life. You’re not just going on holidays, it’s something special. For example you ask someone to marry you.

If you want your vacation to be achievable, you have to set your goals long in advance, I think. We set our goal. For example, we want to go to Rome. My niece went to Rome last year, and she can’t stop talking about it. But our goal is not next year going to Rome, because we know, we can’t make that. But we are saving our money to go to Rome.

We set aside a small amount of money, that doesn’t have to be each month. For example when we receive a lot of bills. Or when something breaks, you never know. But we always try

we know we can do something fun with it, we can go on holidays with that money.

Going on holidays is important because I don’t want to give up on activities because of my autism. People with autism often avoid busy situations because they overwhelm them. But I don’t want to give up on that, I want to do all those activities. Even though I know I’ll have to lie down the next day, because it was too much. But we always try to plan for an empty day, the next day.

A day out of the house, out of the daily routine, to get to know a nice area, to get a breath of fresh air by the sea for a few days, so that you can do some nice activities there. It’s a whole other atmosphere than when you’re stuck at home. When you’re on holidays, you notice that it’s a totally different feeling.

62

Patrick is a DJ

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

I am Sandra Perang, and this is my story...

up in a little village called Prensekraal outside of Wupperthal. We had a small two bedroom house with no electricity and no water. We made use of candles and oil lamps, an Agga stove and water from the river.

I went to school in NuwePlaas which is about three km from

grade 8. Wupperthal is about 15 km from home. We used to walk to school every day, winter, summer, sun or rain.

My dream was to be a nurse. This was all I ever wanted to do but circumstances didn’t allow me to pursue my dream.

As soon as I was old enough to go and work, I had to leave school to help my parents and also to keep my younger brothers and sisters at school.

I started working on a citrus farm where I picked citrus. This was the most challenging time in my life. The worst was the working and living conditions at the time. I had to get up early in the mornings to make sure that I had something to eat for the day and then go to work in the cold winter.

too intimidating and fast for my liking.

65

Sandra Perang in her kitchen in Bushmans Kloof, South Africa

SandraPerangBuilding a future in the community

64

Bushmans Kloofs, South Africa

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

South AfricaBushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Nature Retreat, a luxury boutique hotel and

protected land in South Africa’s Western Cape, is devoted to preserving the extraordinary

the reserve. A South African Natural Heritage Site, Bushmans Kloof is also custodian of

the reserve and located in the Cape Floral Kingdom – one of South Africa’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition to being a primary employer of the local community, Bushmans Kloof has also developed a staff village, offering housing, schooling, access to medical care, and recreational infrastructure for the local community, keeping community roots, and hopes, strong.

67

Bushmans Kloof, South Africa

I then returned home where I continued working on a vegetable farm and then eventually started working inside a packing store. This was a little better but it was still hard labour for little money.

Then I heard of Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and

there. I started as a scullery worker. There was the light at the end of the tunnel. I started taking interest in helping the chefs whenever I had a moment. I peeled vegetables, cut fruit and started baking bread. I helped with breakfast and as soon as the opportunity arouse I applied for the breakfast chef position. From there on I grew within myself by leaps and bounds. Today I am a Sous Chef, and I am so proud.

It was tough and not always easy, but I made it to the top. It

Bushmans Kloof has opened many doors for me, it has given me a chance to grow and improve my life. Bushmans Kloof is

could not ask for more. Our living conditions are also so much better than anywhere else I had worked before. I have my own little two bedroom house with a kitchen and bathroom. I don’t have to stand in the line to have a shower or make use of kitchen facilities. My little ones can go to the crèche and I know that they are safe while I am at work. Bushmans Kloof takes care of our children’s school fees, they cover our

doctor’s bills, they provide us with transport when in need,

days of my life.

I now earn a decent salary that gives me the opportunity to provide for my children’s future and to provide for my family.

If I was not doing this, what would I be doing? I might still be working on a vegetable farm for a minimum wage. The quality of life would probably not have been the same. My family would probably still be struggling. I could even be sitting at home and living off the government subsidy for my kids. I

I suppose life is what you make of it but if you don’t have an opportunity then life could only be what it is. Bushmans Kloof changed all of this for me. Through hard work and dedication I have become something in life. I never would have thought that one day I would become the Sous Chef of a 5 star Hotel that was ranked number 1 in the world in 2009! I have learned and experienced so many things, and I have travelled overseas which is a major opportunity for someone from my community.

Above all this, I can provide for my family, no one has to go to bed on an empty stomach.

66

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, South Africa

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

Tourism Stories – How tourism enriched my life

Published by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Madrid, Spain.

All rights reserved.

Printed in Spain.

Halabi, Jean Damascene Hakizimana, José Antonio de la Riera, Mariam Abu Rkeek, Mohammad Daifallah, Nguyen Thi Ba, Noumeri Nasr, Katie Charalambous, and Sandra Perang.

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinions whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the World Tourism Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Calle Capitán Haya, 42 Fax: (+34) 915 713 733

Spain E-mail: omt@unwto.org

Citation:

Tourism Stories – How tourism enriched my life, UNWTO, Madrid.

UNWTO encourages dissemination of its work and is pleased to consider permissions, licensing, and translation requests related to UNWTO publications.

Permission to photocopy UNWTO material in Spain must be obtained through:

Spain E-mail: cedro@cedro.org

For authorization of the reproduction of UNWTO works outside of Spain, please contact one of CEDRO’s partner organizations, with which bilateral agreements are in place (see: http://www.cedro.org/en).

For all remaining countries as well as for other permissions, requests should be addressed directly to the World Tourism Organization. For applications see: http://www.unwto.org/pub/rights.htm.

The World Tourism Organization, a United Nations specialized agency, is the leading international organization with the decisive and central role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. Its membership includes 156 countries, 6

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M

Del

iver

ed b

y ht

tp://

ww

w.e

-unw

to.o

rg

IP A

ddre

ss: 8

9.13

4.2.

241

W

edne

sday

, Apr

il 23

, 201

4 5:

24:5

8 A

M