When the world experiences great upheaval such as the 26 December 2004 Tsunami there are nearly always adventure travelers that witness events first-hand. It’s at times like this when the distinction between travelers and tourists comes in to focus. While many tourists are on the first plane out there’s a smaller group of travelers who take a closer look at the situation and evaluate at a local level as to where to go and where to avoid. They can often be found exploring regions that are supposedly no-go zones long after the tourists have left and before they return. It’s these travelers that keep small local businesses alive, and their positive feedback starts to turn the tide of public opinion about a particular destination.
Here are some first hand perspectives on travel to the Tsunami zone from the operations staff, tour leaders and clients of an adventure travel company whose trips operate in the region.
Sri Lanka - Head of Operations - Liddy Pleasants
“Sri Lanka is a stunningly beautiful, welcoming and fascinating country and the devastation that has been wreaked on the eastern and southern coasts is heartbreaking. I completely understand the position of those people who are concerned about travel to the country during such a difficult time and am very pleased to have seen the debates on this over the last few days.
I must say that in my opinion the worst possible thing for Sri Lanka now would be for travelers to stay away. It definitely would not be appropriate at this time to visit the areas, which have been completely devastated, and we would never encourage travelers to do so, but the vast majority of the country has not been damaged and can welcome travelers as usual. Tourism is one of the most important sources of income for this beautiful country and to have this source dry up would compound the problems that the country is already facing.
On our Sri Lanka Discovery tour we spend the first 12 days of the tour exploring the cultural triangle and the hill country - areas that have not been affected (except of course emotionally) by the disaster. The last three days of the tour are spent on the beach and, we will be re-routing this section so that we stay in a resort that was not damaged. Our local office manager has personally visited this resort and has confirmed (a) that it is undamaged and (b) that they are VERY keen that tourists continue to visit."
Thailand - Tour Leader - Adel Stegmann
“The best thing you can do to help these people is to come here and to keep the economy running. So pack your suitcase and come and experience the resilience of the Thai's first hand!”
Thailand - Traveler on 'Thailand Encompassed' - Belene from San Francisco
”I just finished the Thailand Encompassed tour which spent four days in Krabi (Jan. 1-5) and I want to reassure people (from someone who has been there and has an objective perspective) that EVERYTHING IS FINE. In fact, on Ao Nang beach where our tour stayed, there is barely a hint of destruction. Ao Nang beach has a sea wall at the beach street, so that helped stop the wave. Also, they had warnings from Phuket which I think helped save many lives. Don't get me wrong - there were fatalities, but that is all over. Yes, people have very frightening survival stories but they are all ok. Do not change your plans or have any hesitations about going - southern Thailand needs your business and it is safe!!! All the shops and restaurants in Ao Nang are open for business - it's just real quiet because there is hardly anyone there. (Actually the quietness is pretty nice!). Enjoy your trip - the Thai people are wonderful! “
As more and more travelers return with tales of positive experiences in Thailand, Sri Lanka, South India and elsewhere in the tsunami zone it’s clear that one of the easiest and most effective ways to support these regions at a grassroots level is to simply take a trip that will put money back into the local economy. Companies like Adventure Center offer a huge range of affordable trips to Thailand, Sri Lanka, and South India, which provide an opportunity to enjoy these great destinations and at the same time prevent a natural disaster from being compounded by an economic disaster.
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