We have already published articles recently about the decision in the town hall to no longer label visitors to the city ” tourists” but instead use the word “visitors” or “guests” (article here) There has been some polemic about this decision, with some people calling it political correctness gone mad but to add another viewpoint to this discussion click on the interview below and listen to the short discussion with two Australians who had been staying in the city recently.
Christopher and Gloria Joy, a water resources engineer and a retired nurse, both of retirement age but with an energy and will to work that would put many 50-year-olds to shame have been spending time here in Barga and it would be very difficult to call them “tourists” as they have been taking part in a cultural exchange for working holidaymakers.
Yes, they have come from the other side of the world to stay in Barga and work …. more than that, they have come from the other side of the world to stay in Barga and work without being paid – no money is changing hands.
As you can hear in the interview, Christopher Joy has a small problem defining his position at the moment but he rejects the idea that he is a tourist maintaining that he’s some way between a visitor and guest. Maybe we need another word to describe this kind of presence in the city. Maybe putting a label on it is of little importance anyway, just the fact that they are here and enjoying everything that the area has to offer is enough and what better publicity for Barga than word-of-mouth.
They have been using a site on the Internet called HelpX, which according to the front page of the site is an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.
HelpX is provided primarily as a cultural exchange for working holiday makers who would like the opportunity during their travels abroad, to stay with local people and gain practical experience. In the typical arrangement, the helper works an average of 4 hours per day and receives free accommodation and meals for their efforts.
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This time range can vary considerably depending on the tasks at hand and the host’s preferences. Some hosts may require just 2 hours per day for accommodation only, and ask you to provide and cook your own food.
Others may expect 6 hours per day in return for meals, your own room and sometimes other benefits such as free Internet use, horse riding, kayaking, bikes, local sight-seeing trips, yoga or English lessons, etc. Some will give weekends off, while others might allow you to put in 8 hours one day and later take a full day off. Helpers often live with the host family and are expected to join in and offer a helping hand with day-to-day activities. – the helpx site is here
The Sensone site mentioned in the interview can be found here and the helpx site is here
Over the past few years the word “tourist” has taken on a slightly different meaning gradually becoming almost interchangeable with the word “consumer” especially when we’re talking about mass tourism.
There is little doubt in most people’s minds that mass tourism in its most brutal form would not be welcome in this area – The San Gimignano effect
This morning the town hall took one step further when they officially abolished the word “tourist” from all of their future speeches and written articles. From now on they will be using the word “guest” or “visitor” when describing people who arrive in the city.
Some people might find this political correctness gone mad but for most when asked about the change replied that it seemed the right thing to do and apart from anything else was a much more elegant way of describing tourists.
A warning to Domenico T.: Please note that sanding wheels spin counter-clockwise when used by Australians, due to the gravitational reverses of the southern hemisphere.