Pro-poor Tourism, a Creative Solution

Pro-poor tourism... what is it? It is basically a regular tourism, -except that it aims to intentionally benefit the poor and help reduce poverty. This is the first time I've heard of this concept and it might be best to explore this topic by answering basic WH questions -what, who, why, where, plus how.

What?

Pro-Poor Tourism or PTT, as I've already said is "tourism that results in increased net benefits for poor people". It is an approach to tourism development and management which enhances the linkages between tourism businesses and poor people, so that poor people are able to effectively participate in development and tourism's contribution to poverty reduction is increased.

Where?

Places where PPT is implemented are in developing countries, mainly in Africa. Some successful examples are the mountain climbing in Tanzania and the cultural PPT in Laos. Any place or country who aims to reduce poverty should consider this option.

Who?

A wide range of links with many different types of 'the poor'  that needs to be considered, such as: "staff, neighbouring communities, land-holders, producers of food, fuel and other suppliers, operators of micro tourism businesses, craft-makers, other users of tourism infrastructure (roads) and resources (water) etc." 

Also PPT can involve different types of companies  - a small lodge, an urban hotel, a tour operator, an infrastructure developer. The critical factor is not the type of company, but that an increase in the net benefits that go to poor people can be demonstrated, as emphasised by a number of PPT strategies.

Why?

To benefit the poor. In general, staff wages are a massive boost to those few that get them, small earnings help many more to make ends meet, and collective income can benefit the majority. However this can often be misused. There are three different types of local benefit that identified in PPT strategies (See Table1). "Thus all three types are important for reaching different poor families. Strategies to create these benefits need to tackle many obstacles to economic participation, including lack of skills, low understanding of tourism, poor product quality and limited market access."

How?

This table summarises the three different areas for PPT strategy.

Table 1: Types of PPT strategies

Increase economic benefits	Enhance non-financial livelihood impacts	Enhance participation and partnership
1. Boost local employment, wages 2. Boost local enterprise opportunities 3. Create collective income sources – fees, revenue shares	1. Capacity building, training 2. Mitigate environmental impacts 3. Address competing use of natural resources 4. Improve social, cultural impacts 5. Increase local access to infrastructure and services	1. Create more supportive policy/planning framework 2. Increase participation of the poor in decision-making 3. Build pro-poor partnerships with private sector 4. Increase flows of information, communication

Implementing these may and will involve lobbying for policy reform, involving the poor in local planning initiatives, amplifying their voice through producer associations, and developing formal and informal relationships and partnerships between the poor and private operators.

I think that this is a very simple and creative solution to reducing poverty, and also to increase awareness among people, forming positive relationships and links. However this is something that leaders and authorities should not take advantage of as put in the wrong hands may do more harm and damage.

To end this post here's a video I found in youtube that is used as part of a research project on PPT. Very informative...  that will make you think and imagine of the possibilities of using tourism -not to generate and create more wealth but rather to generate creative solutions to benefit the poor and ultimately benefit society as a whole.

[Related sites: http://www.women-on-the-road.com/pro-poor-tourism.html, http://www.propoortourism.org.uk/what_is_ppt.html]

A nation divided.

Sunday Star Times survey has validated the accusation against New Zealand as one of the worst performers in the developed world when it comes to income inequalities between rich and poor. This took me by surprise. I guess being an immigrant I have formed some preconceptions of New Zealand, as a country that is reasonably rich and equal (which is true) compared to most. However inequalities within the nation should not be ignored as it may lead to societal issues such, as mentioned in a study conducted by Horizon Research:  it shows the burgeoning gap between the haves and have-nots is frothing over into resentment, anger and disillusionment.

Those who are struggling are slamming the government for giving tax breaks to the rich, and for the perceived "propping up" of failed finance companies, while there is a growing tranche of middle- to high-income earners who see those on welfare as a drain on the country's resources.

Social researchers  says that this size of gap leads to more and a much wide ranging societal problems.

The article makes reference to the book Spirit Level, by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett (2009), that argues  that "almost every social problem common in developed societies – reduced life expectancy, child mortality, drugs, crime, homicide rates, mental illness and obesity – has a single root cause, that is...

INEQUALITY!

Wilkinson, in his book ranks New Zealand as the sixth most unequal society of 23 rich countries, when the incomes of the richest 20% are compared with the poorest 20%Although this is a survey amongst rich countries, it can't be ignored. THIS IS REALITY. 

British Academics say NZ has greater inequalities than most developed countries. Wilkinson also points out that as Japan became more equal and the US less equal after the World War 2, it may mean that our little country of NZ could become more equal again…. IF and only IF there is a political will for it. Now I don't think that that is even an option. Governments should and must have the political will to narrow income gaps. Inequality is not an option.

[Full Article:http://www.horizonpoll.co.nz/page/96/wealth-gap-worries-kiwis]

The 8th wonder of the world...

"The original Seven Wonders of the World pale in comparison to this..."
says World Heritage Committee member Edwin MacAlister.

"It is an astounding feat of human engineering that eclipses the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza, and perhaps even the Great Racial Divide."

(Gap between rich and poor named the 8th wonder of the world, source: http://www.theonion.com/articles/gap-between-rich-and-poor-named-8th-wonder-of-the,18914/#enlarge)


At a press conference in Paris at the start of this year, the World Heritage Committee officially recognized the Gap Between Rich and Poor as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," noting that the global wealth divide is the "most colossal and enduring of mankind's creations."

Committee chairman Henri Jean-Baptiste said:
"Of all the epic structures the human race has devised, none is more staggering or imposing than the Gap Between Rich and Poor". "The vast chasm of wealth, which stretches across most of the inhabited world, attracts millions of stunned observers each year, many of whom have found its immensity too overwhelming even to contemplate. By far the largest man-made structure on Earth, it is readily visible from locations as far-flung as Eastern Europe, China, Africa, and Brazil, as well as all fifty U.S. states."

One Johannesburg resident said "When I stare out across its astounding breadth, I'm often moved to tears," whose home is situated on one of the widest sections of the gap. "The scale is staggering—it makes you feel really, really small.Insignificant, even" "While numerous individuals have tried to cross the Gap Between Rich and Poor, evidence suggests that only a small fraction have ever succeeded and many have died in the attempt."

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This article from America's Finest News Resource have truths in it but, I was disappointed by such negative view of it towards the widening gap of wealth and poverty. Yes, it may be an overwhelmingly huge, or as described, "breathtaking" issue, but it does not mean that we can just take a deep breath and watch it grow bigger and bigger,  letting TINA (there is no alternative) attitude to rule. 


[Read full article: http://www.theonion.com/articles/gap-between-rich-and-poor-named-8th-wonder-of-the,18914/]

Blue Gold: World Water Wars

Gold and water?

What do they have in common?

To sum it up in one word... 

Power.

Often in countries like NZ, where there's abundance of rain, river networks and lakes, we take water for granted even though we somehow all know that the supply of clean drinking water on this planet is finite. As the world's population expands, the demands of industry and commerce increase. Potable water is no longer as easy to find as it once was, as pollution from urbanization fouls more and more of our natural resources, also damaging natural cycles. Many believe water will become an advantageous strategic commodity in the future, which will create negative social implications. Poverty is more likely to escalate as more and more people can't access and can't afford clean drinking water, as already seen in African countries.

This film examines the growing battle over control of the global water supply. The film features how major corporations and financial institutions in the world are buying up territories where large water supplies can be found, showing examples of the fight to protect the Great Lakes, and also the allegations that one of the world's most powerful political families is attempting to corner the market on water in Paraguay. 

To quote from the film "It's not about wealth, It's about power". And power comes from ordinary citizens who collectively fight to keep their community, region and nation water supply free and shared fairly by all.

The seemingly impossible is possible

"We can have a good world"

This may sound a bit of a utopian idea... but backed up with statistics it can be possible.

I'm not very good at maths, but I love maths in school. When it comes to statistics, I have come to dislike seeing a bunch of overwhelmingly huge numbers [##1483508526##] or data presented in boring graphs and tables. While researching about poverty, I stumbled across a video on youtube called 'the joy of stats' presented by, as BBC news described him: "superstar boffin Professor Hans Rosling, whose eye-opening, mind-expanding and funny online lectures have made him an international internet legend". But even with that description my initial thought is that joy and stats just doesn't work... in my opinion they don't have 'positive correlation'. But despite my cynicism... watching a couple of Rosling's lectures in TEDtalks, there is a sense of joy as statistics shed some light in that the seemingly impossible task of eradicating poverty as one of the UN millennium goals is possible.

One comment on this video says "The most fascinating about all of this is that his affirmations, conclusions and hopes about the future of poverty around the world are based on data, not on some abstract speculative historical theory."

Rosling demonstrated the Dollar Street, comparing households of varying income levels worldwide. And he goes on to explain that in poverty everything is about survival -about having food. To get out of poverty there's a need for technology, BUT there's a need for markets to get away from poverty.

What I like about Hans's talk is that he explained the many dimensions of development (human rights, environment, governance, economic growth, education, health, culture -which are all important), differentiating the goals from the means. He argues that economic growth is the most important means for development but is NOT the goal. "Money is not the goal, Human Rights is". He adds that Human Rights is not that strong of a means for achieving development, but it is the highest goal along with culture, which "brings joy to life and value of living".

The New Dawning for Auckland and Te Hana

What makes a city or a place flourish? This is essentially the question governments, policy makers, planners and even citizens alike seek solutions and answers for.  This is the basic underlying question of all plans ever written. One such plan is the ongoing construction of the new Auckland Plan (that is currently under discussion, and set to be adopted by the end of the year 2011) . Why do such plans exist? There are essentially three things: people, people and people (of the past, the present and the future), as the well known Maori proverb echoes in Mayor Len Brown’s foreword in the Auckland Plan Discussion Document that states: “This is where the potential of Auckland lies -in its communities and in its people”.

The Mayor’s vision of Auckland is “to be the world’s most liveable city”. Auckland includes the people of Te Hana/ Oruawharo, a community, who despite having been displaced from the divisive governance in the past, is fighting for their rights.

A week after our Te Hana trip Mayor Len Brown visited Te Hana. Here are some of the news clippings in relation to his visit.

What Auckland Plan Poses for Te Hana Te Ao Marama

To become the world’s most liveable city, first, town centres, urban and rural villages within the region has to be liveable. This vision underpins eight key goals. These are the Auckland Plan proposed goals:
•Put children and young people first, 
•Outward looking global city with a productive high economy supported by a world class international city centre, 
•Auckland that acknowledges and acts on the special place of Mana Whenua, 
•A place of diverse, dynamic, safe, secure and accessible communities, sustainable lifestyle with high and rising quality of life for all Aucklanders, 
•An open and welcoming place that is attractive to investors, skilled workers and tourists which encourages international events, 
•A destination recognised world-wide for its pre-eminent rural, natural and marine setting, 
•A place enabled by world class infrastructure and supporting services
•A beautiful Auckland everyone is proud of.

These goals can be used as pegs for the Te Hana Community to be to be staged in the Draft Spatial Plan, as a way of building relationships with the local boards and Auckland council, and strengthening the realisation of their vision for their community.

Souvenirs from Te Hana

(Source: http://www.tehana.co.nz/Images/About-Us.png)

“Me he mea e ki mai koe e aha te mea nui o tenei ao Maku e ki atu e tangata, e tangata, e tangata”

“If you were to ask me what is the most important thing in the world I would have to answer it is people, it is people, it is people.”

This Maori proverb is what resonates in the small community of Te Hana.  A small rural area located at the Northern fringe of the new Auckland Super City. 

(Class photo outside Te Hana Marai taken by Hannah Good)

A week ago, as part of our planning course, our class had a privilege of being welcomed for a three day stay at the new Marai of the Te Hana Community. There, we experienced  firsthand  and gained understanding of Maori customs and traditions. More importantly we learned and gained insights about their history and their vision for their people. With that,  I hope to share with you what I have taken from this experience and  to walk you through this journey of the a dawning.

Words to describe my experience in Te Hana: 
unforgettable. unique. memorable. truly inspiring. eyeopening. 

(Words I associate with Te Hana, using Wordle)

(My fingerpainting reflection of my experience in Te Hana) 

This fingerpainting reflection describes how I felt from the start to the end of the trip. The  blue strokes reflect my not so warm feeling before of the trip -being an “outsider”. But eventually through meeting the people from Te Hana and listening and interacting with them along with my classmates, there’s sudden rush of warm feeling. The yellow shows this. Also, it suggests the hope and vision they have for the community. The red symbolizes their passion, love and commitment, while the swirls and dots represents the relationship that is being built. 

What struck me the most is their heart for people across generations - of the past, present and future. Their community spirit to do good for their people is just amazing. A true love in action, through faith accompanied by deeds. 

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The community's dream and vision for Te Hana "…to be a beautiful, culturally and socially vibrant place of opportunity with all people working together cooperatively to achieve the shared vision” is now unfolding.

(Source: https://secure.zeald.com/site/terranova/images/Project_Photos/Te_Hana_Cultural_Centre_1.jpg)

From a community that was in crises and under threat of being closed down, comes a story of love, commitment and sacrifice of its people. Its people who had nothing but a dream. A dream that became the seed in which their hope and aspirations to see their community flourish founded the Te Hana Community Charitable Trust. With a group of Trustees and Taumata Council of Elders, a seed of hope has been sown  in which they are continuously  working hard, investing for the future of their children with passion and compassion.

The story of Te Hana is one of resilience and tenacity. Despite the roadblocks they faced -the plethora of planning policies, rules and instruments that caused impediment to their community development, Te Hana and its people knew there is a way to climb the hurdles, there must be a way to address the issues they're facing and see change.

This mindset that started from a dream -a seed, grew into what is now taking place, the development of a 17th century Maori Village. The Te Hana Trust seek for this development to be recognised as the  new and vibrant  Northern Gateway where it can provide education and meaningful economic opportunities to combat high unemployment and social problems. 

However the journey is not free of obstacles. As I have said, their story one of resilience and tenacity. With the recent Auckland reforms, one of the challenges faced by the Trust is focused on getting Te Hana on the Auckland Plan, so that their vision will be funded and supported by the new Council to continue on with the implementation of their goals for the community.


These goals as outlined in the Te Hana Community Outcome Plan are:

Infrastructure - securing the basic physical necessities required by the people

Social goals - where community trust and safe environment is present

Economic development -providing meaningful employment opportunities within the local community

Cultural vitality

Kaitiakitanga / guardianship of natural and built environment

With these community goals, Te Hana offers only benefits to the Auckland region. It offers a chance for the city to put resources into something that will be symbolic and catalytic for creating liveable places that fosters sustainable development.

This experience  and the Te Hana community is something that will remain in me and  will always be remembered, be it in my future planning career and wherever God may lead me to. 

I'd like to say huge thanks to Te Hana for sharing their story and sowing those seeds of hope -highlighting the importance of having a vision and genuine love for people.

Lastly to end this post, I'd like to conclude with a karakia (a Maori tradition of starting and ending their day with a prayer, as we've experienced in our stay over at the Te Hana Marai)

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for what You are doing in the community of Te Hana. I pray for Your  blessing to richly pour upon this community. May You give  the leaders and stewards of Te Hana wisdom and strength to continue on with their vision though Your Holy Spirit. And may You use them mightily to help others in the community who may be going through what they have gone through, so that they may be Your light in this city. Amen.