Is boycotting a destination ethical?
We choose our vacation destinations for a number of reasons: enchanting views, impossibly delicious food, and vibrant culture, to name a few. But some of world’s most intriguing countries are also some of the most conflicted. No matter how badly we want to travel, sometimes human-rights issues, safety concerns, and unethical use of tourism income can make it more ethical to boycott a destination.
However, according to Clare Hancock, editor of Immersion Travel Magazine, travelers should make a number of considerations before coming to such a drastic conclusion, because staying away may do more harm than good.
“The most important thing we have to consider with a country-wide boycott is that it might put pressure on the very thing we are trying to support or it might only serve to impoverish and disenfranchise people who are simply trying to put food on the table.”
Alternative approaches
Alex Martin, a responsible tourism blogger and tour operator for Off The Path Travel and Village Studies, cites commercial tourism’s hand in destroying the ecology in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand with overdevelopment, excess waste and rapid depletion of natural resources, calling it one of the most prolific examples of poor operation standards.
“It would be hard to completely boycott the island as there are people there who are still trying to sustain an income and were just put in a bad situation. But, it's important to bring attention to what cost tourism plays and how it impacts local communities.”
Rather than boycotting an entire destination, founder of the travel blog Bemused BackpackerMichael Huxley suggests targeting specific businesses and events for irresponsible practices.
Huxley — along with a group of other prominent bloggers — tried this approach during the 2014 Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX)’s North American conference in Cancun, which was set to offer attendees experiences with captive dolphins through a company called Delphinus. By publicly boycotting the event and spreading awareness through social media, the bloggers garnered attention from TBEX, the Cancun Tourism Board, and Delphinus itself by boycotting the event.. After gaining attention, they eventually switched focus to an educational campaign on how to initiate positive change in marine tourism.
“Bad publicity and loss of profit are strong motivators. Boycotts are often not effective or useful for whole countries; but for individual resorts, businesses or organizations they are a powerful shock and awe tactic to force a dialogue.”
When to boycott
Boycotting the destination can be necessary though, such as cases wherein personal safety or unethical use of tourism income become concerns.
Journalist David Swanson of National Geographic’s “Intelligent Travel” vocalized his need for a personal boycott of Uganda — formerly his favorite destination — after President Yoweri Museveni signed a bill that criminalized homosexual acts and hiding knowledge of homosexual acts from the government.
“It’s a big world out there, and there are so many corners to explore, especially in Africa. But when it comes to planning a special adventure, my husband and I will travel where we’re more welcome.”
In the 80s Myanmar (Burma) also fell under a brutal dictatorship that continues through the present. Dictator U Ne Win placed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD), under house arrest for non-violent protests and denied her office despite winning popular vote in the 1990s elections. This resulted in the NLD calling for a tourism boycott on its own country to prevent foreign dollars from funding Ne Win’s government. It took 21 years, upon Suu Kyi’s liberation, for the boycott to be repealed. Still, the NLD pleaded with visitors to choose small, local operators and avoid large tourism packages and excursions that could put money into the hands of the still-present military regime.
Ultimately, one must consider all the factors of a boycott — most importantly the decision’s impact on the well being of locals.
What do you think?
Jessica Festa is the founder on the solo and offbeat travel blog, Jessie on a Journey, and the online responsible tourism and culture magazine, Epicure & Culture. She's constantly searching for local experiences beyond the guidebook. You can follow her travels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.