It is a democratic and egalitarian space, in the sense that once you are part of it, you cannot really tell who is the tourist and who is the resident. Beside some obvious occasions -when visiting an indigenous community, for example- you cannot really grasp, simply by the appearance or the colour of the skin, if that individual has travelled thousands of miles to reach their current spot, or has just walked few metres.
In the circle, the traditional tourist distinction between the observer (the tourist) and the object of that observation (the community) is simply erased.
Both parties can be the observers and, at the same time, be observed.
In the circle we are all actively involved and participating, we are all protagonists.
Within its space, the predefined social roles we constantly carry around magically disappear and what is left are human beings!
THE POWER OF THE CIRCLE
The circle is where the relationships are shaped.
Since tourism has become the centre of my academic interest, fully from 2007, my primary focus has always been the relationships.
Tourism is done by people, or better say, by the relationships established between the individuals involved in its activities, and I believe that the relationships we create and maintain in tourism -through our choices as businesses and tourists- shape what tourism is today and what it could be tomorrow. But our choices are based on our values, i.e. the set of believes that guide our actions.
The circle establishes, in a tangible way, the kind of relationships that will take place in the tourism experience that is about to start, which are relationships of proximity and of encounter amongst human beings. Given these premises, it is clear to me that the kind of encounters that happen in a CBT experience is based on a different set of values, which I believe that the tourism as a sector needs to consider and probably incorporate as an integral part of its identity.
This is the reason why, I would suggest looking at the tourism not only as an economic activity but also as an anthropological encounter and asking ourselves which type of relationship we are allowing to happen through the tourism we support.
By asking these questions, we have the chance to reflect on the underlying values and believes that mould our choices and priorities, while we open possibilities for amendments and desirable shift of paradigm.
WHAT HAPPEN IN THE CIRCLE?
Listening and Sharing are the two main actions that happen in any CBT circle, and everyone is invited to embrace them.
In the circle, to listen means to be open and true, as well as to be not judgmental. To share means to make oneself visible, i.e. allow to be vulnerable, to be seen, with no fear to be judged.
There are also the conversations in the circle, the so-called Rodas de conversas, but that happens in another moment.
Werter Valentim de Moraes
Excellent reflections! We at Projeto Bagagem are imbued in establishing true relationships so that the community tourism communities here in Brazil, leave this cruel moment stronger! We are willing to make possible minimum structures of human dignity in these destinations! To Elisa Spampinato for the excellent text!