Does the tour organizer have ties to the community?
Find out how long the operator has been running tours in the area and whether your guide is from there–these factors often determine the level of interaction you’ll have with residents. You should also ask how much of the proceeds goes to people in the community. Some companies donate as much as 80 percent of their profits, while others give less. Krista Larson, an American tourist who visited the Soweto township outside Johannesburg, South Africa, says she chose Imbizo Tours because it’s run by people who live in Soweto and it makes donations to local charities. You can research companies by talking with other travelers, at your hotel or online, about whether their tours were conducted respectfully. Search blogs or post a question in a travel forum–bootsnall.com and travelblog.org are good choices. 2. What should I expect to see? You may have an abstract idea of what extreme poverty entails, but when you’re surrounded by it–not just the sights, but also the sounds and smells–it ca
