Travel Ethics In Tibet
Entrance fees and donations at larger monasteries frequented by tourists are usually controlled by the "Democratic Management Committee," installed by Chinese authorities. Donations to smaller, out of the way monasteries are more likely to be used in accordance with the wishes of the monks or nuns.
Buy from Tibetans:
Buy souvenirs, products and services from Tibetan merchants whenever possible to support the Tibetan community.
Do not buy antiques:
Leave antiques in Tibet. Since it is difficult to tell what is antique and what is not, one rule of thumb to follow is that if someone tries to sell something secretly, don't buy it. Stick to public stories and stalls.
Help Protect Tibet's Wildlife:
Do not buy animal products made from extinct animals such as the snow leopard, the common leopard, tiger or the horns of an antelope. Please take a photograph if any of these items are seen and notify the International Campaign for Tibet.
Hire Tibetan Guides:
For those going on group tours, ask if the group will have a Tibetan guide. If not, ask them to provide one. Many Chinese tour guides work in Tibet and while a few are knowledgeable, most know little about Tibetan history, culture and customs. Also, ask the tour company beforehand if they have a policy of using only Tibetan guides.
Avoid Placing Tibetans at Risk:
Remember, you are traveling in an occupied country where political and human rights issues are extremely sensitive. While tour guides can expect all sorts of questions, use common sense when raising sensitive topics with Tibetans, particularly if your conversation can be overheard. Also, do not give photos of the Dalai Lama or other politically sensitive information to Tibetans in public because doing so could place them at risk after you leave.
What to Bring - and Not to Bring:
Photos and postcards of the Dalai Lama are extremely popular in Tibet. However, if you choose to bring them, keep them well hidden and only share them very discreetly and privately. Single copies of books by or about the Dalai Lama should also be kept hidden and could be confiscated if found in your luggage or hotel room. Videos and cassettes by or about the Dalai Lama, and images of the Tibetan national flag are much more serious because they are not things that tourists typically bring. Tourists have been expelled from Tibet on rare occasion, but the gravest danger by far is the impact you may have on Tibetans with whom you come into contact.
Support Tibetan Organizations:
You will spend thousands on your trip to Tibet. Please give back to the Tibetan people by getting involved and supporting Tibetan advocacy and humanitarian organizations when you return home. To find a Tibet support group in your area, go to www.tibet.org. If you have suggestions for other ethical considerations or comments on the ones above, please contact the International Campaign for Tibet at swetas@savetibet.org.
Kilde: International Campaign for Tibet, www.savetibet.org
For yderligere oplysninger, læs Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy's introduktionshæfte for rejsende i Tibet på www.tchrd.org/pubs/travellers/