Tourism is the largest commercial sector service industry in the world. Worldwide, 1 in 9 people are employed in the global tourism industry. Yet, while this rapidly growing multi-trillion dollar industry is an effective economic stimulant (especially in developing contexts), increased tourist revenues do not always lead to increased human flourishing.
In fact, often the opposite is true.
Globalization has allowed more tourists to travel to more places than ever before. The current trend in tourism is to visit the remote and exotic in the ongoing quest to experience (and post on social media) something unique.
These two facts create a unique opportunity and a frightening threat.
Opportunity: The local village is becoming its own tourist destination.
Western tourists are increasingly seeking to interact with the culture of a country rather than just its scenery. Cultural tourism and adventure tourism (two of the largest trends of the decade) merge in the homestay- where host and tourist live side-by-side.
The Tourism Department of Indonesia identified Homestays as a critical component to increase tourism in Indonesia by 25% in 2017.
Threat: The tourism industry often degrades natural and cultural resources.
Entire cultures and landscapes have succumbed to exploitation from poorly managed tourism. Resorts do not always promote flourishing communities and local economies. Backpackers do not always value or respect local customs. Communities emphasizing speaking English might begin forgetting what makes them a unique community that attracts English-speaking tourists in the first place. With more examples of tourism’s negative impact than positive impact, stakeholders in the industry need responsible, sustainable tourism.
The United Nations appointed 2017 “The International Year of Sustainable Tourism.”
Our Solution: Socially responsible, culturally focused tours
Radiant Life Tours exists to better Indonesian’s lives and steward Indonesia’s natural and cultural resources, through socially responsible, cross-cultural tours.
We partner closely with local communities to connect them with socially conscious tourists from the West. Our tour guides are Conscious Tour certified. Our tour groups are properly oriented to the local culture and the unique ecosystem they will visit. Our relationship with host communities are deep partnerships that seek the mutual, long-term good of both the tourist and the community.
We also multiply our efforts through Conscious Host training programs to tourist suppliers and local communities, as well as running a micro-gift shop focused on providing fair trade souvenirs sourced directly from host communities.
Want to play your part in making the world a better place, while experiencing an excursion in Indonesia that will make you better as well?