The impact of tourist pesos on the destinations you visit should not be underestimated. The choices you make during your trip can have powerful effects on local communities—for better or for worse. Travelers who care about the destinations and environments they explore should make themselves aware of the social, cultural and political implications of the choices they make when they travel. Simple decisions such as buying local products instead of globally available ones, paying fair prices for products or services, and attempting to say a few words in the local language can have a strong, positive effect on the community.
Community-based tourism aims to channel tourist pesos into the local economy by emphasizing tours and cultural programs that are run by members of the host community and that often benefit disadvantaged groups. This type of tourism also benefits the tourists themselves, as it often takes them beyond the traditional tours of the region. The Ethical Travel Guide (UK£13), a project of Tourism Concern (☎+44 020 7133 3330; www.tourismconcern.org.uk), is an excellent resource for information on community-based travel with a directory of 300 establishments in 60 countries.
Mexico’s inhabitants have been impacted by travel in a variety of ways. Adaptation of Mexican culture to tourist demands, loss of authenticity and commodification of Mexican traditions, and economic inequality between tourists and locals are some of the issues that have been exacerbated by tourism. Showing respect for local traditions and culture is encouraged.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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