[Several months ago] I traveled to Egypt with Dr. Kristin Lamoureux of The George Washington University to examine the potential for volunteer tourism in Cairo and Aswan and offer strategic recommendations for its development. Our trip was sponsored by the Cultural Programs office of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. We participated in a series of volunteer tourism workshops, consultations and media-outreach events across the country from November 2-4, 2010. The goal of the program was to energize people in government, the non-profit and private sector about how they might directly implement the concept of volunteer tourism in Egypt.

The benefits to a destination from volunteer tourism have been hotly contested for some time. Bloggers were recently debating the topic again after the Human Research Science Council published a report about how short-term volunteer projects do more harm than good. However, we believe there is still an important place for volunteer tourism, if carefully planned, monitored and managed. If this is accomplished, it can promote meaningful cross-cultural exchange and bring economic benefits to both tour operators and local people. On our trip for example, we learned from a representative of a prestigious international adventure tour operator that incorporating a meal with local Egyptians into an existing adventure itinerary had resulted in word of mouth marketing valued at $5 million additional revenues to the company.

A few of the organizations we visited, which offer some potential for volunteer tourism, are profiled below.

Making Paper in Cairo

El Nafeza is a paper-making center in Cairo, where it is possible for small groups of visitors to learn the paper-making process and meet and interact with the women who work there. The paper is made using an environmentally friendly process: agricultural byproducts including rice hay and natural fibers are recycled into the paper; all colors and patterns are hand mixed, matched and printed. Although not an official offering for tour operators, interested visitors can contact the Center to arrange a visit: elnafeza@gmail.com.

Microfinance for Women

The Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women is an organization that arranges micro-finance loans for small businesses. It was the first NGO in Egypt to identify women as ‘head of household’ and establish a micro lending program using a group lending methodology for this target group. Nermean Foad, a representative from the association, said they would welcome skilled business volunteers who might support their internal operations; additionally there is the potential that interested volunteers might work with the individual micro-finance recipients: adew@link.net.

The Recycling School for Boys

At the Spirit of Youth Association for Environmental Service/Recycling School for Boys in Mokattam, we learned about the Zaballeen community, whose people collect approximately 4,000 tons of trash each day from Cairo’s nearly 8 million people. The Zaballeen earn some money from the city and some from recycling projects with corporate sponsors, such as Proctor&Gamble. We met with Ezzat Naem, who grew up in ‘Garbage City’ and now leads a school funded by revenues from trash and recycling collection. For the full history, scroll to the second article here: ‘Garbage City Teaches Recycling’.

As explained on the group’s Facebook page, the boys at The Recycling School learn how to sort and safely recycle plastic shampoo bottles. They receive a small income every month from sending these back to the shampoo factories. Through the process, children are taught the principles of recycling and the importance of safety precautions such as suitable clothing, gloves and masks. They also learn about hazardous waste materials, such as those from hospitals; they are encouraged to share this information with their families so that the entire community can learn. A documentary called ‘Garbage Dreams’ was made about this community.

Although no formal program for volunteer tourists is in place, interested visitors can contact the community and inquire about volunteering with the kids or on other projects at the school: spirit.oftheyouth@yahoo.com.

Nubia Museum

Further south, our team met with Ossama Meguid, Director of the Nubia Museum, and visited the Gharb Sehel village. The village and the museum are located in a region known to ancient Egyptians as the Kingdom of Kush; it encompasses southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Many Nubians migrated to the city of Aswan after Lake Nasser swamped much of their traditional homeland when the Aswan Dam was constructed in the 1960s.

Here, we toured the Museum and learned the role it is playing in developing community-based and volunteer tourism to the region.

Mr. Meguid has written extensively on the subject of tourism in the region; to read more click here, where we have re-posted his article: ‘Community Based Eco-Tourism Concept, Characteristics and Restrictions Gharb-Sehel Village, Aswan, Pilot Project’.

As Meguid notes, “Nubian villages surrounding the Aswan City urban area such as Gharb Sehel are a regular stop for foreign tour groups, on half- or full-day boat and bus tours of the Pharaonic, Christian, Islamic and modern landmarks of Aswan. The Gharb Sehel village represents the look and feel of a village of Old Nubia when compared to the government-built concrete homes in New Nubia.”

Although tourism is necessary in this region, Mr. Meguid argues eloquently for careful resource management and small group visitation. An article from the Somali press about the region is available here.

Volunteer Tourism in Egypt is still in its nascent stages; good people to start with if you are researching a trip to Egypt that stretches beyond Pharaonic bounds include Gateway to Egypt, Wild Guanabana and Ashoka.

For even more local travel opportunities, contact the whl.travel local connection in Egypt, with expert knowledge of accommodations, tours and activities, and lots of local hints.

The field operations of Earth Train, an international youth leadership organization, are located in Panama in the Mamoní Valley Preserve. The preserve is a remarkable area in the center of the Americas on a land bridge teeming with biodiversity and where the separation between the two great oceans is at its narrowest. It is a crucial battleground for the protection and smart use of rainforests for future generations.

Morning fog in the Mamoni Valley Preserve, Panama

“It’s more than just ecotourism,” remarks founder Nathan Gray. “Earth Train hopes to build solid mentorship and guiding models as the foundation to our future endeavors.”  Nathan refers to the mentorship models that are being built in partnership with O.A.R.S, an international river-adventure company. Through this unique partnership, O.A.R.S. guides are providing Earth Train with hands-on training. This past summer, Pierre Lemarchand, Director of Adventure Learning, spent three months with O.A.R.S., learning the technical as well as logistical skills guides need. “You need to be able to make good decisions as a guide on the river, as well as think through details such as setting prices, acquiring the right equipment, meeting customer expectations, transportation logistics, providing customer support. O.A.R.S. brings so much knowledge and experience to the table.”

Graviel, a local hunter, who knows the jungle like the back of his hand, and the Kuna Toniel Edman, co-Director of Adventure Learning, at the Cangandi put-in

Recently, O.A.R.S. guides visited Panama to scout the Cangandi River and map out possible routes for future rafting trips offered by Earth Train. Nathan sees these guides as ‘multipliers.’ “Their potential as a role model is huge – they are multipliers in the sense that what they pass on will be replicated by our guides who will continue to pass on their knowledge to present and future generations.”

The unstoppable determination and passion behind the O.A.R.S. team allow for Earth Train to build on the experiential learning process. “We want to develop inspired and capable guides that unlock the potential of a guest, who are able to evolve with the situation.” Earth Train empowers these future tribal leaders and provides skills that will allow them to preserve and take advantage of what nature has gracefully draped across their lands, to sustain the future of their people as well as other populations. In addition to scouting future routes, Earth Train tested out several extremely lightweight (6 lbs vs. 30 lbs) inflatable kayak prototypes that were built especially for Earth Train by Sheri Tingey, founder of Alpacka Rafts.

George Wendt, owner and founder of O.A.R.S., has seen the loss of many natural resources over the years; it is in part what inspired him to create O.A.R.S. and to partner with Earth Train. “The only way to save these areas is to get enough people going in, who are or will become communicators and champions for these places, to preserve something that otherwise might get sacrificed in the name of progress.” George continues, “Panama is largely focused on logging and converting land into cattle grazing country, however large indigenous people groups own most of the land – it makes sense to train them to become leaders because future generations are at stake.” Pierre remarked, “They say you only protect what you love. We want people to fall in love with the jungle. After living such an incredible experience with Earth Train we hope they will be flabbergasted enough to protect it. If they already have that passion we want to give them the skills to create the change necessary.”

Kayak crafted from local wood sources

For more information visit Earth Train’s website. Earth Train is always interested in hearing from entrepreneurial people with the initiative to further Earth Train’s work; contact them to learn more about their volunteer and internship opportunities.

An exciting opportunity is coming March 13-20, 2011. Earth Train has partnered with Outside Adventure Film School to bring in students interested in learning how to capture the beauty of dynamic landscapes and thoughtful depictions of the local indigenous communities. Read more and sign up here.

You can also donate or become a Forest Guardian.

For even more local travel opportunities in Panama, including handpicked accommodation, tours and activities, contact Panama travel experts Les Tucayettes, your whl.travel local connection.

“Raw.” The simple, but evocative word Susan Fanning chooses to describe Africa. After spending a good chunk of her life on the continent (11 years), native Irishwoman Susan decided to return once again and continue her love affair with the country and its people. This time, she spent it within the Maasai community through a Maasai Warrior Training program put together by Laura Alessandrini and Silas Kitonga. Silas is a Maasai from Il ‘Ngwesi, the area where Maasai Warrior Training takes place. The eponymous Il ‘Ngwesi Lodge also happens to be the site of a documentary, Milk the Rhino, which focuses on community conservation by the Maasai.

Irishwoman Susan Fanning with community members at the Maasai Warrior Training program. Photo courtesy of Off The Radar.

“The Maasai show you a different way to live. They clearly define what is most important for them in life.” Laura and Silas began to envision what Maasai Warrior Training could be and what it would mean to the Maasai community, then Silas put together a team of warriors from the area. “The warriors present during the training are excellent spokesmen for their community, values, traditions and perspectives on the developing world. When you visit a normal lodge, the people are still restricted in how they interact, but the Maasai Warriors are extremely open and articulate.”

Emphasizing Equity

Although the training experience seems to emphasize certain hard skills to be learned, Susan explained the other side of the experience. “It gives you a chance to reflect on society and your own values. We can be extremely selfish in our approach to community, and we put our priorities ahead of others. When you look at the Maasai culture you learn how they truly practice equity. Everyone is provided for. We barbequed a goat on the last night of my stay and it was amazing to understand how the Maasai subsidize the goat between the community. For example the right hind leg might belong to the owners of the goat, the left hind leg for neighbors; there are specific parts for men, women and girls, circumcised and uncircumcised boys.”

At Maasai Warrior Training, travellers gain a first-hand glimpse at the Maasai warrior traditions. Photo courtesy of Off The Radar.

The lessons continue to flow in as the Maasai teach you their traditional skills. When they protect themselves, the Maasai like to throw things: for example, they use a rungu, a short wooden stick to begin and then throw stones when they run out of sticks. Training also covers wrestling, archery, traditional medicine, identifying the parts that have healing properties. “The most interesting thing to learn was how the Maasai tracked animals.”

Guests are treated to a lush experience in a beautiful tented camp and feast on delicious food. Susan described the culmination of her stay with the Maasai: “On my last evening, the evening of the BBQ, I really had the chance to reflect. The Maasai are extremely musical, but the music and noise comes from within them. There was lots of jumping and body movement – it was all very hypnotic and relaxing. It put me in a place where I could get inside my head and pull it altogether.”

For more information about Maasai Warrior Training, visit www.bush-adventures.com. Check out some of the trips they have scheduled for December and ask about their Christmas and New Year specials or take a look at some of the new offerings for 2011 such as Endurance Training for Marathon Runners. Also, check out their listing on StepUp Travel, where you can find more photos, reviews, and other activities available in the area.

For even more local travel opportunities, visit the whl.travel website of Africa Veterans Safaris, the whl.travel local connection in Masai Mara, Kenya.

By connecting passionate travelers with unusual travel opportunities, Off the Radar and Xola Consulting support adventure travel companies who provide guests with a genuine, personal experience; who believe in sustainable, environmentally sensitive travel and incorporate the local people and traditions of the destinations where they operate.

Ask any youth from the Western hemisphere to name their favorite hip-hop artists and they will probably rattle off a few names that come to mind. Ask their parents and grandparents and you would likely be met with a blank stare. Younger generations have come to assume that this culture gulf is wide and incapable of being bridged. Nasanbat, a 52-year-old Mongolian woman, however, can name the first hip-hop song that became popular in Mongolia, a few of the bands and artists around town, and is probably more tuned in to the industry than any Western youth. She is not the exception. In fact, in Mongolia, older generations know all about hip-hop.

Gennie, a Mongolian hip-hop artist, and her grandma

Hip-hop in Mongolia is largely of Western influence. As Mongolia struggled to gain independence from the Qing Dynasty it began to be heavily influenced by its neighbor to the north, Russia which at the time was a socialist state (USSR). With the end of socialism and the start of a democratic revolution in the early 90s, the people of Mongolia began to explore their freedoms of expression and long for identity. Traditionally rooted as a strong music culture – it should be no surprise that they turned to music. Enter hip-hop. Enter Mongolian Bling.

Benj Binks shooting Mongolian Bling

Planning a year long journey throughout Asia, Benj Binks decided to document it. After taking a short film course, he was equipped to begin the voyage. Plans changed however as he remembered the hip-hop music he had heard while working on the Trans-Siberian Railway. It was good, it was different. So Benj began to seek out the story, he began to understand the people behind these hip-hop songs and he was there as hip-hop went through a transformation, “There have been some interesting changes since I spent time there three years ago, you still see a lot of Western influence but there has been a ‘Mongoliazation’ of American music. They have adapted it to suit their culture. Yeah you still seem some pretty commercial music, but there is a lot with social and political commentary. It doesn’t hurt that their language suits hip-hop extremely well.” So instead of documenting a year long journey, Mongolian Bling became Benj’s main focus. To provide expertise in their respective fields, cameraman Nacho and sound recordist, Steve came along.

New Crew Members

Some artists like to think that hip-hop actually originated in Mongolia. Throat singing has been a strong part of Mongolian culture since the Chinggis Khaan period (known more commonly in the West as Genghis Khan). Throat singing also known as overtone chanting allowed the Mongolian shamans who practiced it to create multiple pitches simultaneously when chanting producing similar beats to hip-hop.

Much of the film focuses on Mongolian identity which begins to raise questions among viewers and their own personal identity. Benj, a native Australian, commented, “In Australia, white people have only been there for a couple hundred years, before aboriginal people occupied the land, but there is little evidence of their influence. Now compare this to Mongolia, their culture has been in existence for over 800 years. It makes you question your own background, I almost feel homeless. Westerners fantasize about the East, but complain about mobile phones being in these secluded areas. So how exactly do you maintain a culture but continue progressing? I think the Mongolians have found an answer and they are doing it very well.”

Be sure to check out Benj’s documentary later this year and visit his website for up-to-date release information and previews. You can also join the Facebook group and check out Benj’s other projects at www.benjbinks.com.

If you’re visiting Mongolia and would like to soak in a bit of their music scene, a few recommended bars and venues in Ulaanbaatar include UB Palace, Ikh Mongol (meaning Great Mongolia), and a pub called Grand Khaan.

If you would like a taste of Mongolian hip-hop, check out some of the artists featured in Mongolian Bling: Gee, Gennie, and Quiza.

By connecting passionate travelers with unusual travel opportunities, Off the Radar and Xola Consulting support adventure travel companies who provide guests with a genuine, personal experience; who believe in sustainable, environmentally sensitive travel and incorporate the local people and traditions of the destinations where they operate.

The tourism scene in Montenegro is still mainly focused on the country’s gorgeous coastline, where boats and beachgoers flock to the sparkling Adriatic Sea. But the government is now trying to find ways to bring responsible, sustainable tourism and nature-travelers into the country’s northern areas, hoping to extend the economic benefits of tourism to more remote areas, without trashing the place in the process.

Hiking in the Prokletije Mountains of eastern Montenegro. Photo courtesy of Montenegro Adventures

We spent three weeks in Montenegro in June 2008 – and the highlight was a bike trip that roughly followed “Top Trail 4″ in this map, which you can order here. We also spent a couple weeks hiking, rafting and exploring the country by car, while based out of Kolasin.

Our Suggestion

On your next two-week holiday be brave and book yourself a flight to Podgorica, Montenegro. Take the first day to get your bearings in this capital city before starting your explorations of this compact, mountainous country, which we were told ‘would be as big as Russia, if you ironed it.’

The road out of Podgorica into the mountains gets rocky fast. Our group headed out with bikes on a trailer uphill past the historic village of Medun, the site of numerous struggles throughout the ages. (Montenegro’s history is bursting with stories of treachery, bravery and stoic survival throughout its various periods – Illyrian, Roman, Slavic, Venetian and Turkish.)

On Two Wheels

Mountain bikers on a Montenegro Adventures 14-day pilot biking tour designed in cooperation with the National Tourism Organization. Photo courtesy of Montenegro Adventures

Biking through the karst mountain areas, with the views to Prokletije (the word literally means ‘damned’) mountain range, the evidence of glacial erosion is beautiful: gray rock swirls and dips with such dramatic force it looks as though it’s flowing and moving. These steep, difficult mountains have kept the area uninhabited except for a few scattered katuns (groups of houses) with horses roaming in the green fields, and the views for bikers and hikers are rarely obstructed by any man-made constructions.

Bike tours can last as long as you wish and will take you through country that’s both rugged and gentle. I went crazy one day in the fields of wildflowers – yellow, purple and blue – the blossoms foaming over the edges of the dirt cliffs. We lunched on the shore of a turquoise glacial lake, its surface dotted with sprays of white flowers and millions of small periwinkle butterflies.

Another day, in the rain, we paused at a small katun where our local  friends from the city shared newspapers with the people living in the mountains. The mountain families shared lunch – cheese, meat and the local liquor, which should not be missed.

Several traditional Montenegrin mountain houses grouped together are called a katun. Photo © Christina Heyniger

Accommodation runs the gamut from camping to bunking in mountain huts – rooms typically have two beds each and can feel a little cramped, but will provide a nice break from your tent and are especially welcome if it’s raining!

Practicalities and Other Adventures

You have a couple options: you can take the do-it-yourself route – Montenegro is navigable if you’re on your own – or you can call in the  support of one of the local tour operators. Be sure to request or plan a visit to the Katun Vratlo with views to the mountain peaks around, and ride toward Zabljak with views of Sinjajevina.

Besides the hiking and biking, we also recommend trying a day canyoning in Nevidio, rafting in Tara Canyon and exploring the botanical offerings of the mountains – it abounds with rare azaleas and orchids.

Whichever way you choose to travel, remember that time moves at a different pace in the mountains. As our friend Tane says, “I am allergic to watch. I tell people, ‘You come with me you bring calendar, not watch!’ ”

Recommended Operators

* Montenegro Adventures: Slavica Vukevic (email)
* Black Mountain Montenegro: Jack Delf (email)
* Canyoning in Nevidio: Misko Kosic (email)
* 3e Travel: Angelika Temper (email)

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By connecting passionate travelers with unusual travel opportunities, Off the Radar and Xola Consulting support adventure travel companies who provide guests with a genuine, personal experience; who believe in sustainable, environmentally sensitive travel and incorporate the local people and traditions of the destinations where they operate.

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Sardinia, the Italian island south of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea, is an adventure traveler’s paradise: rock climbing over turquoise waters, the ancient granite mountain top of Gennargentu covered in snow and mist, well-defined treks across the island and a mysterious prehistoric past defined by 6000-year-old stone temples.

In Sardinia, a three-wheeled vehicle herds sheep into pasture for a daily milking. The shepherds and their sheep produce local milk and cheese for the surrounding area.

I recently returned from a rock climbing trip to the Golfo di Orosei on Sardinia’s eastern coast. I was based out of the small town of Cala Gonone and either walked or drove to world-class limestone sport climbing.

What I saw was both inspiring and perplexing: yet another example of the tension tourism, even in our favorite form – adventure tourism – can introduce in a destination.

Turning More to Tourism

Many travelers know Sardinia for the glitzy and glamorous Costa Smeralda in the north. The economic changes on the coast, however, contrast sharply with the rugged and rural agricultural interior. As the mining industry fails and the population of the country drops, the Sardinians are turning to tourism, increasingly looking to maximize nature and adventure tourism resources as a source of income.

The self-reliant Sardinians have kept a close eye on this progress and tenaciously defended their land against unchecked coastal development.  Although Sardinia and the Costa Smeralda enjoyed a reputation as the destinations for clientele such as Jackie Onassis and a long list of the rich and famous in the 1960s, this exclusive resort has opened up to more than just the super wealthy. Tourists now storm in from all over Europe for the sparkling beaches all over the island. This has brought the Sardinians much-needed economic relief.

Yet when Silvio Berlusconi proposed developing the protected Costa Turchese wetlands, the Sardinians put their collective foot down and, through years of protests and petitions, lobbied to save the fragile area from thousands of new buildings, a golf course and a new marina.

Keeping an Environmental Conscience

The Sardinians are a politically active people. They have been enduring the onslaught of foreign interests since the Phoenicians and the Romans started fighting over the island over 2000 years ago and they held fast in their fight against insensitive and unsustainable development. As a result, in July 2004, the government suspended all development along the coast, then turned this into a law, the Decreto Soru, which prohibited all new buildings within two kilometers of the oceanside. This law was named for the new president of the island, billionaire Renato Soru, who won his election based on a promise to address nagging environmental issues.

Katja Wichland leads a climb on limestone cliffs only a few meters from the oceanside near Cala Gonone, Sardinia

Even the fierce independence of Sardinia has its down side though: the strong regional identity of areas throughout Italy creates division where the country needs unification.

Sardinia is still plagued by environmental problems, including ancient water and sewage lines that cause frightening water shortages in the capitol city of Cagliari and beyond. The charm of the rugged and old-fashioned ways of Sardinia is also being pressed and tested by an influx of tourists who want to see this still-wild side of Italy but with the services of the more modern and connected mainland.

So where is the balance? There is great hope that President Soru will be able to work his coalescent magic and help create a strong, unified Sardinia that honors its cultural and rugged past, retains the integrity of its stunning and untouched landscapes, yet keeps abreast of modern improvements.

But then there’s also the Sardinians’ long memory and the tendency of the arrival of foreigners to signal a negative deal. The locals of the island seems to remain wary of development, yet are obliged to entertain it as a way to survive.

As in many places Xola Consulting works, Sardinia teeters on the edge of economic prosperity. We see a destination in which creativity and cooperation can drive adventure tourism as source of revenue, while preserving an unspoiled landscape, but only if development restraint and strong environmental management is also present.

More About Sardinia

The Italian government recognizes the Sardinians as a people distinct from the rest of the Italians. Closer to North Africa than Italy but just a short flight from Rome, Sardinia has retained its own language, Sardo, that is more closely related to Latin than to Italian. All of the locals speak Sardo as well as Italian.

The food may be unmistakably Italian, with incredible local cheeses and wines, yet the Sardinians have their own unique dishes, including a slow-roasted pork dish called porceddu.

The tourist season stretches from a very quiet beginning of May to an apex in July and August, and peters out in October. Nearly the entire coast shutters its windows for the cool winter months.