Comments on: Tourism’s Thorny Problem: Travellers’ Gifts http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/tourism%e2%80%99s-thorny-problem-travellers%e2%80%99-gifts/ Newsletter on-line commentary and discussion about tourism in South Africa Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:02:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Bernie Lemmer http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/tourism%e2%80%99s-thorny-problem-travellers%e2%80%99-gifts/#comment-2145 Bernie Lemmer Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:20:14 +0000 http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/tourism%e2%80%99s-thorny-problem-travellers%e2%80%99-gifts/#comment-2145 I don't understand this issue of R5.00 given to needy children, and the issue of different degrees of giving. All fancy words when the simple reality is the opportunity given to assist a child that is suffering in the most traumatic way. If this was all written in the middle ages I could understand it,but sorry I don't get the issue of giving R5.00 to help a child in need. Regards Bernie I don’t understand this issue of R5.00 given to needy children, and the issue of different degrees of giving. All fancy words when the simple reality is the opportunity given to assist a child that is suffering in the most traumatic way. If this was all written in the middle ages I could understand it,but sorry I don’t get the issue of giving R5.00 to help a child in need. Regards Bernie

]]> By: Madi Gray http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/tourism%e2%80%99s-thorny-problem-travellers%e2%80%99-gifts/#comment-634 Madi Gray Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:33:22 +0000 http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/tourism%e2%80%99s-thorny-problem-travellers%e2%80%99-gifts/#comment-634 Hi Martin For years I've been collecting clothes, shoes + toiletries from tourists who planned to abandon them in a hotel room in order to travel back home with a lighter suitcase that has space for new purchases. These gifts I give to The Haven, which can launder + repair the donations if necessary. Simple + goal-directed: homeless adults receiving organised care. Do you want to pass on this idea? Regards, Madi Gray, Cape Town Hi Martin
For years I’ve been collecting clothes, shoes + toiletries from tourists who planned to abandon them in a hotel room in order to travel back home with a lighter suitcase that has space for new purchases.
These gifts I give to The Haven, which can launder + repair the donations if necessary.
Simple + goal-directed: homeless adults receiving organised care. Do you want to pass on this idea? Regards, Madi Gray, Cape Town

]]> By: Bronwyn Pirrie http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/tourism%e2%80%99s-thorny-problem-travellers%e2%80%99-gifts/#comment-632 Bronwyn Pirrie Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:11:47 +0000 http://www.thistourismweek.co.za/newsletters/tourism%e2%80%99s-thorny-problem-travellers%e2%80%99-gifts/#comment-632 Hi Martin, I just wanted to thank you for an article well-written on 'Gifts'. This is truly a contentious issue, and as a South African who has travelled widely in Africa, the damage done by tourists bringing pens, sweets and other completely useless items is irreversible, but without education to what can really help, is unlikely to improve. The culture of expectance ruined my visit to Kenya and Malawi (I found it less pronounced in Tanzania and Zambia), and sometime even experienced aggression from the local people when I did not wish to give when prompted by "Mzungu give me money sweets pen". I practice reward if a service has been provided well whether formally or informally, and make a point of buying foodstuffs etc from local stalls and village markets rather than the Spar and supporting good business practice. I think that this is a way certainly that can help the locals, rather than packing one's Engel fridge and hauling your food all the way up there from Woolies food, which we found to be the case with so many SA travellers and fellow 4x4's. Unfortunately we are not all in the position to give as per point number 1, but if each of us gave just a little more than we do currently (I provide pro-bono work to charities on the marketing side), the world would be a better place for all of us. I found it a very interesting article, and one that I shall pass on. Thank you. Kind regards Bronwyn Pirrie Hi Martin,

I just wanted to thank you for an article well-written on ‘Gifts’. This is truly a contentious issue, and as a South African who has travelled widely in Africa, the damage done by tourists bringing pens, sweets and other completely useless items is irreversible, but without education to what can really help, is unlikely to improve.

The culture of expectance ruined my visit to Kenya and Malawi (I found it less pronounced in Tanzania and Zambia), and sometime even experienced aggression from the local people when I did not wish to give when prompted by “Mzungu give me money sweets pen”. I practice reward if a service has been provided well whether formally or informally, and make a point of buying foodstuffs etc from local stalls and village markets rather than the Spar and supporting good business practice. I think that this is a way certainly that can help the locals, rather than packing one’s Engel fridge and hauling your food all the way up there from Woolies food, which we found to be the case with so many SA travellers and fellow 4×4’s. Unfortunately we are not all in the position to give as per point number 1, but if each of us gave just a little more than we do currently (I provide pro-bono work to charities on the marketing side), the world would be a better place for all of us.

I found it a very interesting article, and one that I shall pass on. Thank you.

Kind regards
Bronwyn Pirrie

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