The Real Impact of Visiting Communities While Traveling

It’s not uncommon for tour operators to advertise visits to local communities as part of a trip itinerary, promising travelers authentic, transformative experiences and intimate interactions with locals. But how can you be sure that your visit really benefits a local community? How do you know that including such a stop on your itinerary really has value to others, and is not just a case of “social washing”—soothing a guilty conscience and covering over the negative effects travel can have? 

To answer this question, I wanted to share a few insights I’ve gained through my work with several communities that have turned to tourism and welcomed travelers.

Staying with a host family means immersing yourself in the everyday life of Yunguilla. As soon as you enter the dense cloud forest of Ecuador and come to the community, an atmosphere full of hospitality and warmth surrounds you. The family houses, surrounded by lush vegetation, present themselves as true jewels in the midst of natural splendor.

Over the years, families have expanded their homes and now offer cozy guest rooms with private bathrooms. These rooms invite visitors to relax in an intimate setting, while immersing themselves in the community. Along with cooking, eating, and sharing in life with the family, local guides offer excursions into the mystical cloud forest to explore its fascinating beauty.

Yunguilla families describe the experience of having guests in their homes positively. Sometimes, travelers are shy at first or feel nervous about the language barrier, but locals have found these issues are quickly overcome, often with laughter. 

“It takes a willingness to embrace new situations,” Rosa says. “And a dash of humor always helps!”

Edson's first question to the tour group is: "What do you imagine when you think of favelas?” He has let us know that no topic is off limits on the tour and that there are no wrong answers. The group names things like corrugated iron roofs, crime, and poverty. 

Edson explains the challenges that local residents face, including lack of access to good jobs, education, electricity, and water. With Edson leading the way, the group is greeted by local residents as well as his friends, family, and members of the organization CoopBabilônia.

"CoopBabilônia wants to go slow with tourism for now, and currently offers guided tours only on request," reports Camilo, project coordinator at V Social. "That's perfectly fine. Tourism is not a universal solution. The neighborhood should rely on different sources of income."

At the end of the group visit, Edson repeats his original question. Now, the group's associations with the word “favela” have expanded. Words like "open-minded," "cohesion," "community," and "green oasis" have been added. Edson seems satisfied with the visit, knowing he has helped to change the image others have of the place he calls home.

Ofelia is on her way to her next appointment. Dressed in purple, she pays tribute to her affiliation with the birth attendants of Amupakin. She is campaigning authorities and politicians to financially support and recognize the practices of the Kichwa birth attendants, Indigenous women who have delivered babies in the area for decades.

Over breakfast, Ofelia explains to me that the "Mamacitas" have no schooling and therefore no medical education. They have gained their extensive knowledge of natural medicine through traditions passed down from previous generations. Access to education for Kichwa women has been difficult, Ofelia says, adding that local authorities do not financially support birth attendants or do anything to preserve the practice. Sitting across from me, she recounts numerous discussions with local authorities, members of international non-profit organizations, and doctors to fight for the work of birth attendants to be recognized. 

"For years, the women worked for free. Now we are proud to be able to pay them a minimum wage of US$300 per month. Of course, this is not enough. The minimum wage in Ecuador is US$450! They are entitled to a fair wage.”  

In Amupakin, as in most other community projects, tourism emerged out of necessity. The majority of community members have no training in tourism or related subjects, but have learned through practice and use of their powerful intuition.

My own experiences, at these projects as well as others, show me that these visits are genuine and the effects they have on communities are positive. People invited me into their homes and shared with me their daily lives, and in turn I learned a lot about each area and its people. 

The involvement of so many people in these communities in tourism allowed me to really get to know places in all their facets. In the conversations I had and by living with communities for a short time, I encountered not just one, but many points of view, which made my visit all the more valuable. 

I think it's important to understand that the time we travelers spend in a place will always be limited, but the impact we can have on local residents is significant, as well as permanent. If we as travelers start with this understanding, I am sure we can make the world a little better. 

Here are a few tips for enriching travel experiences that will also benefit local communities:

• Learn a few words of the local language

• Hire a local guide

• Bring something from your own culture to share

• Pack your sense of humor—laughter connects people!

• Ask before taking a photo

• Show sincere interest. A visit is not about an Instagram photo or proof of a “real adventure”