On the one hand you could argue that as an outsider the local politics is nothing to do with you. And you could also say that regardless of the politics this does not reflect the ordinary local people and it isn't their fault who is in power. Also responsible tourism can help support poorer communities.

On the other hand, you could say that your tourist dollars spent in certain countries are indirectly (through tax and economic growth) financing an oppressive regime. And while you are enjoying your holiday the local govt may be discreetly killing its own people.

Personally I can see both sides of the argument.

So... do the bad reasons ever outweigh the good? Are there any countries, (for example ones with oppressive regimes, ones that have abused their own minorities, ones that throw stones at women, ones linked to terrorism etc) that you would not visit for ethical reasons?

I have never let political considerations decide where I travel. The way I travel most of my money stays local anyway as I do not use package tours and rarely stay in any form of middle or high class hostelry. I am a definite budget traveller. Although I will admidt to have to dodge bullets and firefights a time or two because of this philosophy.

If you can work to make sure that your money is mostly going directly to the locals, like Bush Trekker said, I don't see any reason to avoid traveling to a country due to ethical reasons.

I went to Myanmar which is often the country that this comes up most often for. I'm sure some of my money ended up in the government's pockets, but most of it went straight to locals and now I'm able to tell everyone about my experiences there, from the wonderful people and sights to the oppressive regime they live under. Had I avoided the country for ethical reasons I could have kept $100 away from the government, but also continued living oblivious to the plight of the people there.

The concept of keeping tourist dollars out of a country in order to make things so financially disastrous that the people eventually rise up and revolt is a pretty harsh way to go about changing a country. Keeping foreign investment away from a country like Myanmar isn't hurting the government nearly as much as it hurts the locals.

The other problem I find with avoiding a country due to purely ethical reasons is deciding where to draw the line. There may be blatant abuses in countries like Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Iran, but you can find just as many in places like Thailand, France, USA, Mexico or Russia. You can argue over who has the most egregious violations, but they're all there.

I don't have any ethical issues about countries until I have been there to experience the culture first, then I can decide.

I try not to let other peoples preconceptions affect me, otherwise the things some people say because of the fact that I am white and south african and living in america would have offended me long ago.

Trekker

I was conflicted about visiting Myanmar, but went anyway. Everyone I met on that trip was appreciative of my visit, the money I spent on private businesses, and the contact with the outside world. I brought a stack of foreign news publications and books to hand out on that trip, and was treated like a king for it.

Cuba was also morally troublesome for me, but I went anyway.

If I have to pay a large some to the governing authorities to visit then I can come up with several countries that I would not be able to visit in good conscience, but if the money is going to the people then I think the idea of a travel boycott is ridiculous. Unless i am boycotting the people, like for anti-Americanism or anti-Semitism. But it seems like most of the world is both anti-American and Anti-Semitic, plus I like the idea of danger, so I guess it would have to be some extra special circumstance to make me avoid traveling through the country. Right now I cant think of any country that I would avoid.

I think given the chance I would visit most places. However I would have to draw the line somewhere. I do not think I would have gone to SA under the apartheid regime, and I do not think I would go to Zimbabwe right now.

Iran and Syria would be another problem for me, since both sponsor terrorism in the form of Hezbollah. These two are both developed countries and the people would not starve if tourists stayed away in protest.

I would feel the same way about a visit to Israel while it continues its occupation of the palastinian territories. I don't have a problem with ALL Israelis, people should be judged as individuals, but I oppose the occupation carried out in their name. If a middle-east settlement were ever reached then I would reconsider.

It's kind of funny that you mention Zimbabwe Craze_b0i because I have been ther and my money went nowhere near the government but helped many people who needed it. I was also in South Africa before and after apartheid and again afterwards. I know that my money went into the econemy both times and not into the government because for Americans both before and after apartheid(at least then anyway) there was no charge for the visas. And all money paid for vat was returned when I exited the country. Not only that many of the white South Africans I met were not in favor of apartheid either so we cannot judge people by where they come from or what their race is.

Did I then support apartheid or racism? NO WAY!!!
I have felt racism strongly myself from being in mixed relationships back in the 70's in the South. Couldn't get seated in retaraunts or being yelled at and spit at by ignorant people.

Do I support Mugabe and his regime? NO WAY!!!

Are there interesting things to see and people I could aid in some way by my presence? YES. I am not sying this to make me out some kind of great person. But by the time I went to both of them I was a seasoned traveller and had been living in Africa for a couple of years. I knew what I was doing. But if a person has the opportunity to see what oppression and suppression does to people first hand and not rely on what the news media says then they should do so.

Being able to go to these places and see what is what is part of what makes me traveller.

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Not only that many of the white South Africans I met were not in favor of apartheid either so we cannot judge people by where they come from or what their race is.

Completely agree. I would never argue that all white South Africans were bad during apartheid, though obviously some individuals were.

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But if a person has the opportunity to see what oppression and suppression does to people first hand and not rely on what the news media says then they should do so.

Not too sure on the merits of this type of travel, unless you are travelling as an aid worker, or overseas volunteer or human-rights campaigner - in which case it would be different. But anyway these are grey areas for me so I respect your opinions.

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I think given the chance I would visit most places. However I would have to draw the line somewhere. I do not think I would have gone to SA under the apartheid regime, and I do not think I would go to Zimbabwe right now...

...I would feel the same way about a visit to Israel while it continues its occupation of the palastinian territories. I don't have a problem with ALL Israelis, people should be judged as individuals, but I oppose the occupation carried out in their name. If a middle-east settlement were ever reached then I would reconsider.

You have just X'd off half the map according to your ideals. The world is a dark and f#$ked up place, but its also beautiful and awe inspiring, so travel or don't. I thought about mentioning the Palestinian territories, but even if I disagree with everyone in the entire history of their(Palestinian) leadership, I love people and I would try to not let politics get in the way of that. Heck if I were to avoid regions based on serious political differences, then I would also wind up banning myself from half of my own country. Thats why people are beautiful, and politics are ugly.

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Iran and Syria would be another problem for me, since both sponsor terrorism in the form of Hezbollah. These two are both developed countries and the people would not starve if tourists stayed away in protest.

But see thats the thing. Were not talking about the American south during segregation, we are talking thousands of years of history that a few less backpackers are not going to change. In fact less western friendship only hurts the situation. Despite what we see on TV and read in the papers, the voiceless majority of Iranians love America, but a less friendly America could change all of that real quick. This is why the whole concept of travel boycotts are, for the most part, ill conceived.

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Not too sure on the merits of this type of travel, unless you are travelling as an aid worker, or overseas volunteer or human-rights campaigner - in which case it would be different. But anyway these are grey areas for me so I respect your opinions.

I have been overseas as an aid worker and as a tourist. A lot of the time I feel that I am always an aid worker when I travel. I do not travel with the direct intention of aiding others but I like doing so. Not necessarily in an overt fashion but more in the attitude of "Is my being here doing harm or good please let it be good."

I travel extensively and since I have long decided that no single place will ever be my home then the whole world has become my home. So whatever happens anywhere in this world affects me in some way. I travel with eyes wide open and no illusions about who I am or what my place in the world is. I am an insignificant vagabond that wants the world to be happy and do my best to make that part in which I currently reside so.

Reporters Without Borders has an opinion about visiting because of ethical reasons.

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Iran and Syria would be another problem for me, since both sponsor terrorism in the form of Hezbollah. These two are both developed countries and the people would not starve if tourists stayed away in protest.


But see thats the thing. Were not talking about the American south during segregation, we are talking thousands of years of history that a few less backpackers are not going to change. In fact less western friendship only hurts the situation. Despite what we see on TV and read in the papers, the voiceless majority of Iranians love America, but a less friendly America could change all of that real quick. This is why the whole concept of travel boycotts are, for the most part, ill conceived.

Not sure what you mean by 'thousnds of years of history'. I was talking specifically about Hezbollah, particularly concerning the recent war that devastated Lebannon and led to a number of Lebanese and Israeli deaths. I think Iran and Syria have fresh blood on their hands from that war.

I have nothing against the Iranian people. Though I severely doubt your argument that they love america. America (and britain to a lesser extent) is short on love at the moment. It would probably be more accurate to say that not all of them hate america, and those that do probably hate the american government not the american people. This is their view, and not a problem for me.

Like I said, I have concerns about these 2 countries. However I am not completely against tourism there, it is just my own thoughts about this and this is an area where I am undecided.

I even felt a bit guilty buying a visa for my trip to Russia, since I was giving the russian govt money and part of that money would probably go toward bombing Chechnya. Nonetheless my visit to russia was a great experience, and I would like to think that most of my money went to better things. The more I read this thread with other people's experiences I think that most countries it just depends on how you travel, if you are aware of ethical concerns and how you are spending your money.

I have thought about whether it is better to stay away from countries with policies that I do not agree with - Myanmar being an obvious example. In the case of oppressed people, I do think that my presence and that of other travellers can only be positive for the locals. The more they see that others care and are interested, the more it helps their morale.

When it comes a country where many people may have a negative belief about your own country, then it is of benefit to go there on your own little 'good will' tour.

Exposure and communication breaks down the barriers that abstinence and silence build.

Knowledge in one creates inequality, knowledge in many is equality.