Tourism is a global phenomenon that integrates people from different countries, cultures and traditions. Tourism is the only way you are able to interact with a whole host of other people from different countries and backgrounds. Whether you are a safari tourist in Tanzania staying in the Grumeti River Camp or you are a gap year student travelling around the African continent by local means meeting both likeminded travellers as well as local people.
There are more obvious places to meet likeminded people such as the islands of the Zanzibar archipelago including the resorts of Mnemba Island. The island of Zanzibar is one of a select few destinations where it’s possible for high end tourists to mix with low budget backpackers. For some, meeting likeminded people away from home is a goal, a sense of homeliness if you will, whilst others want to get away from home and the people and immerse themselves into the local culture of the country they are travelling to and get the chance to meet local people. Being on safari in Africa doesn’t mean you won’t meet local people. If you are staying somewhere that’s surrounded by local villages such as Klein’s Camp you are able to visit the locals to get a sense of how they live their lives. It’s often a shock contrast to what your used but perhaps doesn’t go as far as the typical ‘African bush man’ lives.
The majority of gap year travellers will get a much more in depth cultural experience as many of their everyday activities will include shopping in the local super markets, travelling on the local transport as well as drinking in the local pubs and bars. It’s the best way to meet new people and you can never be too sure where any new friendships may take you. There have been many cases I’m aware of where backpackers have been offered free accommodation, food and tours of the surrounding area by local people.
Speaking and interacting with local people helps you understand a little more about the country you’re in. It’s easy to believe the stereotypical impression you get from speaking to people and what you hear on the news about a country but sometimes talking to local people completely changes your mind about a place. It’s a wonderful experience getting to know the ‘Real Africa’ and gaining more of an insight into the continent and how the people truly live there. It’s also an intriguing experience seeing what problems the country faces with your own eyes. In some cases people have set up charities and volunteer projects for people from the western world to go and help the local communities in Africa.
Source: http://www.italytravel-deals.com/general-travel/connecting-the-world-through-tourism
There are more obvious places to meet likeminded people such as the islands of the Zanzibar archipelago including the resorts of Mnemba Island. The island of Zanzibar is one of a select few destinations where it’s possible for high end tourists to mix with low budget backpackers. For some, meeting likeminded people away from home is a goal, a sense of homeliness if you will, whilst others want to get away from home and the people and immerse themselves into the local culture of the country they are travelling to and get the chance to meet local people. Being on safari in Africa doesn’t mean you won’t meet local people. If you are staying somewhere that’s surrounded by local villages such as Klein’s Camp you are able to visit the locals to get a sense of how they live their lives. It’s often a shock contrast to what your used but perhaps doesn’t go as far as the typical ‘African bush man’ lives.
The majority of gap year travellers will get a much more in depth cultural experience as many of their everyday activities will include shopping in the local super markets, travelling on the local transport as well as drinking in the local pubs and bars. It’s the best way to meet new people and you can never be too sure where any new friendships may take you. There have been many cases I’m aware of where backpackers have been offered free accommodation, food and tours of the surrounding area by local people.
Speaking and interacting with local people helps you understand a little more about the country you’re in. It’s easy to believe the stereotypical impression you get from speaking to people and what you hear on the news about a country but sometimes talking to local people completely changes your mind about a place. It’s a wonderful experience getting to know the ‘Real Africa’ and gaining more of an insight into the continent and how the people truly live there. It’s also an intriguing experience seeing what problems the country faces with your own eyes. In some cases people have set up charities and volunteer projects for people from the western world to go and help the local communities in Africa.
Source: http://www.italytravel-deals.com/general-travel/connecting-the-world-through-tourism
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