Finn held over Easter Island ear

To view this article please visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7313878.stm

Title – Finn held over Easter Island ear
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 26th March 2008

When we travel to other countries we have a responsibility to act and behave in a way that shows respect for the people, the culture and the history of that country. Travel can be a way of bringing valuable income to local people, more openness to countries that are isolated and to share cultures between hosts and visitors. But the key is to remember as travellers we are visitors and we are privileged to visit the countries we do. It is in no way our right to visit them and we always have to remember that we should firstly only visit places where we will be welcomed and to not abuse the generosity and friendliness of the communities that do open their doors to us.

Unfortunately there are too many trophy hunters around, people that think it is acceptable to help themselves to artefacts and trinkets that sometimes are hundreds if not thousands of years old. It is a trait that colonising countries like the UK have a history of doing. When we the British first explored the world trophies were currency of exploration, treasures from other kingdoms were stolen and presented to the kings and queens of the day or sold on for profit.

But those days are long behind us, with the advent of the camera and now the even more accessible digital camera on everything from an ipod to mobile phones, we can travel and retain all our memories without the need to plunder. Simple courtesy, politeness and common decency tell us that when we are invited somewhere we don’t help ourselves when we arrive. When you go for dinner at a friend’s house you don’t help yourself to the family silver!
This Finnish tourist acted in a manner so despicable that many will agree he should spend the whole seven years in gaol, but in the end he got away with a fine and a 3 year ban from Easter Island; let’s hope that when he gets home he gets what he really deserves and is vilified by the Finnish press and his friends. We have to send out the strongest message to everyone who travels that this sort of behaviour is not only despicable, but jeopardises not just the historic statues he chose to vandalise, but all our open invitations to visit these fascinating places. It sets a precedent that either others will follow or that will result in the local authorities restricting access to these world heritage sights.

Responsible and Ethical travel is a buzzword in the travel industry at the moment and operators are being expected to take stronger stances on environmental policies and local policies towards local communities. The pressure is starting to have a little effect and some travel operators are taking steps in the right direction, but it is equally, if not more important, that travellers themselves take steps to conduct themselves in a suitable manner. Learning about the local culture, understanding the heritage of the country and learn as much as you can when you are in-country.

Our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety and Awareness workshop examines the aspects of cultural awareness to allow you to start the process of understanding how your travels can reduce the impact you will have on your host, how your travels can benefit the local communities you visit and how you will benefit from a more responsible and ethical approach.

It should be remembered that as abhorrent the actions of this Finnish man may have been, the courage of the fellow tourist to report him to the local authorities should be applauded as a perfect example of responsible tourism.

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