Southeast Asia - Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World - page 310

SCOTLAND

We're lucky because we're not crowded out by visitors, but enough come
here to put money into our pockets so that islanders can continue living
here. The traditional jobs in crofting, fi shing and weaving Harris tweed are no
longer enough to sustain a living on their own, so tourism helps as part of the
mix. But it's not like the Copacabana - you're never likely to see more than
fi fteen to twenty people on the beaches at any one time. That's the way we and
the visitors like it!

Duncan MacPherson is
Land Manager at the
North Harris Trust, where
Wilderness Scotland (see
p.36) operates.

SOUTH
AFRICA

My journey as an artist was very
tough as I could not fi nd a place to
market the artefacts and ornaments that I
create out of wire and beads. I was selling
them at the corner of traffi c lights - at risk
from car accidents and also traffi c offi cers,
who would sometimes take our wares and
break them into pieces before fi ning us. I
also had to give my products to others to
sell and they were taking advantage of me.
“Finally I met Jane and Sue from Spier
and they allowed me to market and exhibit
my products at Spier's craft market. This
has enabled me to meet clients from South
Africa and abroad. Now I am able to look
after my brothers and mum, and pay for
their school fees, food and clothing.

George Dokora is a
handicraft artist at
Spier (see p.179).

THAILAND

Before the tsunami I worked in Krabi as a door-to-door cosmetics saleswoman.
After the wave took so much from my village, I decided to come back and live
with my family in Laem Naew. At fi rst I didn't understand what tourism was, but I
have discovered that homestays are a way to make friends all over the world. Visitors
can also help local people understand the value of the natural resources in their area
and provide income for the community.
“We have no need for high technology; we do not need everything that others
call 'civilized'. We have our friendships and our community. Moreover, we have the
natural environment that gives us everything we need and delights all. Together, we
have learned that community tourism means working with your heart.

Salamah Vejasart is
from the village of Laem
Naew, which is part of
the Andaman Discoveries
programme (see p.294).