Towards the end of the 80s, the question of child prostitution was raised. These children are adolescents or very young and succumb to prostitution for survival in regions rendered fragile by the tourism industry. A certain number of NGOs the ECTWT (Ecumenical Coalition on Third World Tourism) in particular, launched a study in order to survey the situation in three countries: Thailand, Philippines and Sri Lanka where the situation was particularly alarming.

It was observed that many paedophiles land as tourists in countries where misery and hunger drive children towards prostitution. It was decided to launch a world wide campaign on this theme by associating governments, NGOs and various bodies of tourism. This campaign took the name of End Child Prostitution in Asia Tourism (ECPAT). But very soon it became necessary to widen this campaign beyond this region of the world. The high point was the International Conference at Stockholm (1996) after which some countries, soon followed by others, took the decision to involve their Parliaments in a legislative reform where it would be possible to take action against paedophiles in their own country and not in the touristic destination.

Since child prostitution is not limited only to touristic zones, it was resolved to extend the campaign to all areas where social, political and military imbalances bring about fragility which in turn encourages child prostitution. More recently, during a meeting at Philippines, it was decided to associate some young people who were able to escape from prostitution with the campaign.

Contact: Email: ecpat@ksc15.th.com - Internet Site: www.ecpat.net

Golf was initially played in the British islands. For a long time it remained an arduous sport and is becoming increasingly democratic since a few years. To allow its extension in touristic countries of the South, entire rural populations who were self-sufficient till now are being expulsed from their land. To maintain a golf course in tropical regions, a good amount of water, chemical treatment and pesticides are required during the dry season. And in the rainy season, the extra water is emptied into the neighbouring fields which has harmful effects on the health of local populations.

To quote an example of the Philippines, there are 89 golf courses of 18 to 72 holes that are active or under construction occupying thereby an average of 63 hectares per course. In a luxury hotel with a golf course, the amount of water used by a client is equivalent to 16 times the volume used by a farmer to cultivate his land and feed his family.

Source: "Golf Courses : Are they on par with human rights?", published by Philippine Human Rights Information Center (address : Rm 508 FMSG Bldg, 9 Balete Drive corner 3rd sty, New Manila - Luzon City, Philippines)

This was the title of a brochure published by the Ministry of Tourism in Indonesia. The brochure describes 12 experiences of village-based tourism centred around specific activities: handicraft, sea, fishing, mountains. It describes village-based tourism as "the instrument through which all the activities (stay at the villager's place, food, guided visits, handicraft, cultural activities, shops, sports) can be developed, controlled and managed at the local level."

Source: Internet Site: www.indonesia-tourisminfo.com

The moment a country regains harmony, tourists can participate towards the construction of peace through their presence and hearing. It was true for Algeria, Myanmar and other regions of the world. The tourism industry is never at rest even during the black period as it has to prepare for the next season. Similarly, civil society must make use of dark periods to prepare the future and dialogue.

There are numerous tourism organisations in Israel that cater to tourists and pilgrims. There are fewer organisations in Palestine but you do find projects of "alternative tourism". These projects - be it for a religious cause or any other - emphasize human contact and cultural tourism. They suggest an alternative to numerous trips to the Holy Land, where tourists and pilgrims come back "after having learnt nothing about the inhabitants of the Holy Land".

Beit Abouna Ibrahim (the house of Abouna Ibrahim) at Hebron (e-mail: lownp@palnet.com) offers lodging to all, irrespective of religion and ethnic origin with the hope that this initiative will benefit the entire population of the neighbourhood and improve its living conditions in the future". Beit Sahour: Alternative Information Centre (e-mail: atg@p-ol.com - Internet site: www.patg.com) offers similar alternatives.

You could also place an order for the guide - "Palestine/Israel: fair travelling (new itineraries through the Holy Land)"- at the Swiss organization Tourism and Development (address: Missionstrasse 21, CH 4003 Bâle, Switzerland; e-mail: info@akte.ch ; Internet site: www.patg.org).

"you go somewhere where people do not dance like you, start dancing like them and one day you will understand why they do not dance like you"

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