Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

Chart 7. How do you inform your guests about the possibilityof donating through your company and while travelling withyou?WebsiteBrochures /…Partner7%44%85%41%Project visitsNewsletter / MailingsPublications / Press …Other11%30%41%52%• Observations and IssuesSurvey respondents recognize that there have been numerous positive tourism-generatedphilanthropic activities in the Northern Safari Circuit in Tanzania. They believe that tourists andtour operators feel a sense of responsibility for the well-being of both the local people andnature. In general, the businesses and their clients see tourism and travelers’ philanthropy asmechanisms for improving residents’ quality of life. Individuals interviewed said things like:“A lot of very good work is going on but it’s mostly unrecognized.”“There’s been a growth of both philanthropic activities and ecotourism in this area.”“There’s high potential in Tanzania as there are many different types of tourists. The luxurytravelers tend to donate while the backpackers volunteer.”“There have been a number of good projects implemented from generous donations bytravelers and these have made a difference to the local recipients.”On the other hand, the survey participants pointed out a number of problems associated withtravelers’ philanthropy activities in the Arusha area. Many perceive that there are too manyorganizations, projects, and individuals involved in collecting and distributing money, materials,and manpower in the area. Everything is done in an ad hoc manner without guidance fromsurveys, analyses, or communication among the myriad of donors. Without any coordination, oreven organized dialogue, among the tour companies, there is no shared method for evaluatingbeneficiary organizations or projects. They described the present type of philanthropy as ratherpatronizing and not helping the communities to feel responsible or empowered.In addition, due in part to the lack of evaluation and systematic oversight, respondents believethat some donations may be mismanaged. Project leadership is often unsophisticated, withdisorganized (if any) records, meaning that donations are not properly tracked and may fail toreach their intended recipients, Even when the recipients get the full amount of the donation,people involved in implementing a project have been known to embezzle donated monies orchannel them into dishonest and corrupt local businesses.156