Inequality in the mountains: A case study of Mount Kilimanjaro porters
Author: Nicole St Prix
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Abstract:
This paper discusses the issues that surround those who serve in the adventure tourism sector with a specific focus on trekking. Particular attention is paid to the issues currently being faced by the porters of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Keywords:
porters, exploited, working conditions, regulation
Discussion paper:
Inequality in the mountains: A case study of Mount Kilimanjaro porters
Trekking is a form of adventure tourism. Swarbrooke et al (2003) state adventure tourism is participants voluntarily putting themselves in a position where they believe they are taking a step into the unknown, where they will face challenges and where they will discover or gain something valuable from their experience. Mountains are as attractive as tourism destinations. Mountaineering, hiking and trekking are long established adventure sports predicated on physical activity, challenge, and risk-taking (Beedie and Hudson, 2003). Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world (5895 meters tall). Approximately 35,000 tourists attempt Kilimanjaro every year, taking the average person a minimum of between 6 to 9 days to reach Kilimanjaro’s summit (National Geographic, 2014).
Almost all holidaymakers when partaking in any form of adventure tourism will require the assistance of staff. This is a vital necessity for those climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and such help comes in the form of porters who are employed to assist holidaymakers on their climbs by carrying their equipment and luggage. The workers who serve on Mount Kilimanjaro are brave and dedicated, who work for low pay and risk their lives to assist climbers. But unfortunately in some incidences the porters are over looked and their priorities are not taken into account.
Hudson (2003) highlights mountains are wild, rugged places that attract bad weather and contain objective dangers. The exposure to extreme elemental conditions and loose rock, make mountain recreation activities inherently risky and hazardous. Further Hudson (2003) states the broad view of mountain based adventure tourism encompasses activities such as multi-day trekking journeys which make sustained physical demands on the participant. The concern to be raised here is the inadequate and unacceptable standards received by porters in relation to the nature and demands of the job they are required to do.
A number of issues have been identified including; poor wages and not being provided with suitable clothing, food and accommodation for the climbs. Without the porters would there even be a climb? The porters are willing to work long and demanding hours just to make a living. However in return for their hard work there is a lack of recognition and little awareness on the work and demands that are involved and encountered on a day to day basis. Furthermore due to high unemployment rates in the surrounding areas of Mount Kilimanjaro, porters are willing to take on any work that is offered to them even if this means suffering appalling working conditions and poor pay. One consequence that has arisen is the death of three porters on Mount Kilimanjaro, who are thought to have died of hypothermia during a violent storm (Keats, 2002). This shows how porters and climbers are exposed to harsh conditions and lives are at risk.
So whilst the cost of a trekking holiday is relatively high, where does this money go and why is it acceptable for porters to be paid poorly and below minimum standards? Who needs to be made accountable for protecting the porters? Responsibility needs to be taken somewhere to ensure enforcement of a minimum wage and for regulations so a requirement for minimum standards can be set that is acceptable for all porters.
However these negative factors have finally been acknowledged and steps are being taken to recognise the struggles that the porters face. As a result of Tourism Concern's campaign, Trekking Wrongs: Porters' Rights, over half of UK trekking tour operators have now adopted the code of conduct for improved working conditions for porters highlighting minimum standards of working conditions (Tourism Concern, 2013). Furthermore the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project was developed which was set up solely for the purpose of improving the working conditions and ensuring fair treatment for the porters (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, no date). So if some organisations are recognising the unfair treatment of porters and making changes, then why are all of the operators not doing the same? Who needs to act? Is it the tourists booking a climb with an operator who is not part of a regulated scheme who fully support the shameless exploitation of porters or the operators employing the porters and using them as slave labour?
Porters are an important and necessary asset to operators just like the climbers are, who deserve the same standard of care and treatment as climbers would expect. Porters should not be exploited in anyway, they have rights just like anyone else. Additionally, better understanding the emotions felt and expressed by adventure guides can be useful for managers and supervisors in the industry as it could influence the activity, the tourist experience, and consequently the business (Carnicelli-Filho, 2013).
Therefore in regards to the issues that have been discussed, it has been highlighted that there is a need for regulation for porters. A regulation and logo could be created that sets a minimum standard of requirements for porters to be implemented by tour operators. Many porters are vulnerable, being exploited, poorly-equipped and inadequately fed. There is still not enough being done for the demanding, dangerous and exhausting job porters perform. Policies need to be implemented by all operators that employ porters and tourists need to support those operators who are committed to representing, supporting and protecting the very people who make it possible for climbs up Mount Kilimanjaro at all, the Kilimanjaro porters.
References:
Hudson, S. (2003) Sport and Adventure Tourism. Binghamton: Haworth Press.
Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (no date) Who we are [online]. [Accessed 26 March 2014]. Available at: <http://www.kiliporters.org/index.php>.
Tourism Concern (2013) Campaign Strategy 2013 [online]. [Accessed 26 March 2014]. Available at: <http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk/uploads/Campaigns/Tourism%20Concern%20-%20Campaign%20Strategy_2013.pdf>.
This paper discusses the issues that surround those who serve in the adventure tourism sector with a specific focus on trekking. Particular attention is paid to the issues currently being faced by the porters of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Keywords:
porters, exploited, working conditions, regulation
Discussion paper:
Inequality in the mountains: A case study of Mount Kilimanjaro porters
Trekking is a form of adventure tourism. Swarbrooke et al (2003) state adventure tourism is participants voluntarily putting themselves in a position where they believe they are taking a step into the unknown, where they will face challenges and where they will discover or gain something valuable from their experience. Mountains are as attractive as tourism destinations. Mountaineering, hiking and trekking are long established adventure sports predicated on physical activity, challenge, and risk-taking (Beedie and Hudson, 2003). Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world (5895 meters tall). Approximately 35,000 tourists attempt Kilimanjaro every year, taking the average person a minimum of between 6 to 9 days to reach Kilimanjaro’s summit (National Geographic, 2014).
Almost all holidaymakers when partaking in any form of adventure tourism will require the assistance of staff. This is a vital necessity for those climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and such help comes in the form of porters who are employed to assist holidaymakers on their climbs by carrying their equipment and luggage. The workers who serve on Mount Kilimanjaro are brave and dedicated, who work for low pay and risk their lives to assist climbers. But unfortunately in some incidences the porters are over looked and their priorities are not taken into account.
Hudson (2003) highlights mountains are wild, rugged places that attract bad weather and contain objective dangers. The exposure to extreme elemental conditions and loose rock, make mountain recreation activities inherently risky and hazardous. Further Hudson (2003) states the broad view of mountain based adventure tourism encompasses activities such as multi-day trekking journeys which make sustained physical demands on the participant. The concern to be raised here is the inadequate and unacceptable standards received by porters in relation to the nature and demands of the job they are required to do.
A number of issues have been identified including; poor wages and not being provided with suitable clothing, food and accommodation for the climbs. Without the porters would there even be a climb? The porters are willing to work long and demanding hours just to make a living. However in return for their hard work there is a lack of recognition and little awareness on the work and demands that are involved and encountered on a day to day basis. Furthermore due to high unemployment rates in the surrounding areas of Mount Kilimanjaro, porters are willing to take on any work that is offered to them even if this means suffering appalling working conditions and poor pay. One consequence that has arisen is the death of three porters on Mount Kilimanjaro, who are thought to have died of hypothermia during a violent storm (Keats, 2002). This shows how porters and climbers are exposed to harsh conditions and lives are at risk.
So whilst the cost of a trekking holiday is relatively high, where does this money go and why is it acceptable for porters to be paid poorly and below minimum standards? Who needs to be made accountable for protecting the porters? Responsibility needs to be taken somewhere to ensure enforcement of a minimum wage and for regulations so a requirement for minimum standards can be set that is acceptable for all porters.
However these negative factors have finally been acknowledged and steps are being taken to recognise the struggles that the porters face. As a result of Tourism Concern's campaign, Trekking Wrongs: Porters' Rights, over half of UK trekking tour operators have now adopted the code of conduct for improved working conditions for porters highlighting minimum standards of working conditions (Tourism Concern, 2013). Furthermore the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project was developed which was set up solely for the purpose of improving the working conditions and ensuring fair treatment for the porters (Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, no date). So if some organisations are recognising the unfair treatment of porters and making changes, then why are all of the operators not doing the same? Who needs to act? Is it the tourists booking a climb with an operator who is not part of a regulated scheme who fully support the shameless exploitation of porters or the operators employing the porters and using them as slave labour?
Porters are an important and necessary asset to operators just like the climbers are, who deserve the same standard of care and treatment as climbers would expect. Porters should not be exploited in anyway, they have rights just like anyone else. Additionally, better understanding the emotions felt and expressed by adventure guides can be useful for managers and supervisors in the industry as it could influence the activity, the tourist experience, and consequently the business (Carnicelli-Filho, 2013).
Therefore in regards to the issues that have been discussed, it has been highlighted that there is a need for regulation for porters. A regulation and logo could be created that sets a minimum standard of requirements for porters to be implemented by tour operators. Many porters are vulnerable, being exploited, poorly-equipped and inadequately fed. There is still not enough being done for the demanding, dangerous and exhausting job porters perform. Policies need to be implemented by all operators that employ porters and tourists need to support those operators who are committed to representing, supporting and protecting the very people who make it possible for climbs up Mount Kilimanjaro at all, the Kilimanjaro porters.
References:
Hudson, S. (2003) Sport and Adventure Tourism. Binghamton: Haworth Press.
Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (no date) Who we are [online]. [Accessed 26 March 2014]. Available at: <http://www.kiliporters.org/index.php>.
Tourism Concern (2013) Campaign Strategy 2013 [online]. [Accessed 26 March 2014]. Available at: <http://www.tourismconcern.org.uk/uploads/Campaigns/Tourism%20Concern%20-%20Campaign%20Strategy_2013.pdf>.