Pro Poor Tourism - Tourism increasing benefits for poor people

Local Guides

Introduction
For many visitors the use of a local guide provides unique access to a community or area. Guests trust a guide not only to deliver an excellent excursion but also keep them entertained, informed and safe. Guides are in the privileged position of having exclusive access to their guests and therefore can have a significant influence on visitors' impression of an area and their purchasing decisions.

The guide can play an important role in supporting the local economically poor by providing opportunities for guests to engage with producers and suppliers and by helping visitors to understand how the community knits together. The social capital of the poor is one of their greatest assets and many tourists are interested in it.

Guides can assist clients to understand and pay a fair price for their crafts and souvenirs, help them to understand relative values by talking with them about what local people earn as a policeman, nurse or teacher, and tTake them to see similar goods being purchased by locals in the market.

If you are employing local guides, discuss what you expect of them, encourage them to take guests to purchase from local crafts people and to visit local farmers, and ensure that local guides, farmers and villagers are paid an appropriate amount. If guides are taking their clients to purchase from the economically poor they may need to be compensated for loss of commission earnings from the established merchants.

For more information about advice given to tourists about purchasing and donations, go the following pages:

Tourists

Tourist donations

The Benefits

Enhancement your own brand and USP. Competitive advantage is gained from a more distinctive product. Guides that reflect the local character and show local knowledge stand out from others.
Greater local support. The support of the local community can be very important, particularly when it comes to meeting local people as part of your tours.
Satisfied visitors. A well-rounded experience which includes the natural and local cultural environment is undoubtedly a richer experience for visitors and will encourage repeat visits and recommendations.
Word-of-mouth marketing. Satisfied guests lead to recommendations and repeat bookings.
Diversification of product. Stand out from other guides by offering a more authentic experience of the locality which adds to the tourist experience.

Ways You Can Help

Supply Chain

Purchase directly from local businesses which employ the economically poor

Support for local arts and tourism services which benefit the economically poor

Encourage Guests to Purchase from the Economically Poor

Encourage tourists to take local excursions

Encourage tourists to buy local crafts

Provide the opportunity for tourists to donate

Poor people can also benefit from tourism through non-market mechanisms, such as:

Neighbourhood Partnerships

Case Studies

Australia: Intrepid Travel and The Intrepid Foundation - Setting up a Foundation