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TIDE tours - Socio Cultural Impacts
Socio-cultural exchange appears to be minimal for TIDE tours whilst is at the highest possible level for the TEA. TIDE tours would seem to have a negative socio-cultural impact due to a lack of opportunity for interactions with the local population and a corresponding lack benefit received by them. Local opinions about tourists are unlikely to improve and tours such as my kayak tour may contribute to some feelings of jealousy and resentment of tourists and tour operators amongst the local Maya communities. Many local people presently have negative opinions of TIDE. Along with the lack of any interaction, the fact that tourists paddle down their nearby river in bright yellow kayaks rather than traditional dug-outs means that such tours are culturally insensitive and inappropriate.
Community run eco-tours in Ecuador at Piedra Blanca
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