Article: 5 for the road; The most well-traveled generation in American history hit middle age right when U.S. travel agencies hit economic hard times. The combination created `niches.' Here we profile five Twin Cities agencies that have survived and thrived by being tightly focused on one unique aspect of travel.(TRAVEL)

Byline: Catherine Watson; Staff Writer

When Nichole Smaglik was living in Tanzania in 1994, "I saw that travelers were on a conveyor belt: Get off the plane, safari, safari, safari, souvenir shop, safari, stop to take picture of Masai on the road and give him money for it, safari, safari, souvenir shop, back on the plane."

The travelers weren't getting an authentic or satisfying experience. Worse, it dehumanized local people. "Do they really think we're animals?" a Masai once asked her. And very little tourism revenue was reaching local communities.

Smaglik came home, got a master's degree with an emphasis on East African cultural tourism and ...

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