I am pleased to see smaller efforts like these tend to form a circle of same ideas that will have bigger ripples to the community.I am a faculty and Chairman of the tourism industry here at the Mindanao State University, Philippines and as always we discuss in the classroom the hazards that go with inadequate planning for ecotourism sites.Always. my response is to have the women groups have a great participation so that issues and policies relative to fragile destinations will be paramount to promote a real sustainable operations.Most often solutions are generic and not specific. Even policies generated for its local operations must be participated in by women especially in their implementation.More women stay longer in their natural habitat than men who sometimes work away from their places and families. Thus, Women travel participants are generally educated and can therefore share not only resources but very rich inputs to help the gives and takes that the ecotourism industry so requires. Thanks for people who tireless save the environment even if benefit from the sights and sounds that the industry sell sometimes come in the path of conservation. My praises too to the TIES. I will be joining soon and will share the book on Ecotourism that I just finished writing.

TtSanchez
Chairman, Tourism Department

This is a great effort and arose at the correct time. Ative women participation in tourism is unavoidable for sustainable development in addition to overcome the primary challenges in the world.

As academic and researcher in in the field travel and tourism, I would like to appreciate and forward my sincere thanks for your wonderful effort.

At the movement I have been involving in a research based on women particpation in community baased tourism, whereas your contribution is remarkable for my studies.

In future I hope, we will have chance to work together.

Thanks and kind regards

MSM Aslam
Senior Lecturer
Department of Tourism Management
Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
Belihuloya
Sri Lanka

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I am so encouraged by the strong, positive response to this concept of women-helping-women.

It is high time that we women advance in our dealings with each other. Yes, probably all of us, at one time or another in our lives, have experienced competition and spite in our interaction with other women. Yet hopefully the vast majority of us realizes the foolishness — and the waste — of such a strategy. We are the caretakers of our families, the nurturers of life. And we’re smart! Surely we can do more to create a better world than to compete atavistically for the romantic attentions of men. How much better it is that we join together in deepening communication and understanding amongst ourselves, teach this openness to our children, and enlist the support of enlightened men in the process.

Clearly many women (and men) understand that, in the end, moving our world forward is and will always be the result of understanding… harmony…compassion…intelligent action…and cooperation.

Thank you, all, for sharing your deeply felt experiences and gifting me with your support.

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>> Visit http://www.womentravelforpeace.org for more information about Linda’s women-helping-women initiatives!!

I really appreciate that what you are doing. It is advisable to encourage the women. I am based in Ethiopia and my profession is a tour operator arranging different tour in rural areas and as well as in the cities. Lots of Tourists join the “Women Trip for improvement” this problem is really hard and should get solution and learn the next generation like for example there is one village in Ethiopia. It is called Awra Amba. This unique settlement that is considered to be a prime model for self-help and above all gender equality. Women have equal rights as men and there is no distinction in divisions of labor. Men cook, women plow, and religion have no place. They believe in hard work and being good to people. Please let me know when your next trip will be.

Many Thanks

I live in the Caribbean (have done most of my life) and do development-training projects locally when I get the work but there’s always more that needs to be done and much that it’s difficult to organize funding for in my area and beyond.

At times you do get volunteer groups such as students or archeological clubs who come and do projects but to me, it often seems like the benefit to the local community is not served as well as the visitors’ benefit: This also happens with foreign consultants where proper local consultation and involvement is not done.

I think the way you are approaching it seems much more likely to hit the mark than much that has been done before. Your consultative approach all round sounds great.

And the added fellowship that can come from these ventures is just wonderful. I can think of a number of lasting, rich friendships that have been made across the miles between people from vastly different backgrounds.

I’m known locally as a strong advocate of being cautious of foreign consultancy; that we must ensure consultants’ appropriate skills and further, respect and use local input and expertise wherever possible and if it’s not there, try to include some transfer of skills too. So when I see efforts like yours, I am happy; we can’t do it all alone, but we do need the right kind of help.

Wish you all the best in your ventures

My students have started a “club” working to help refugee women, and in memory of my mother, I’ve started a scholarship for immigrant and refugee women this year. In 2005 my family started a scholarship for immigrant and refugees as well; I was fortunate to have a student that survived the horrors of Rwanda; she is an inspiration to me.

The next clear step is taking a trip to travel for peace and to further and share the acheivements of women world-wide.

When’s your next trip? Count me in!

I think women helping women is necessary. Unfortunately, in the USA and most likely internationally, women compete and are jealous for whatever reason, the unfortunate side of human nature. That has been my personal experience. Perhaps indicative of a capitalist society in which everyone is out for themselves can be a side effect but of course that can be in a third world country on a more basic scale. Either way, I am grateful to have the opportunities we have living in this country and we can always do more to help others on a local and global scale. I hope to join one of your groups in the near future. Love what you are doing! Jaye-Anne