Responsible Tourism

Sustaining tourism compares responsible tourism to sustainable tourism, yet asserts that since “the word sustainability is often overused and not understood, responsible tourism has been adopted as a term used by industry.” In general, tourism practices that implement one or more of the following can be considered responsible tourism:

It can Minimize negative social, economic, and environmental impacts

It can Generate greater economic benefits for local people and enhance the well-being of host communities

It will Improve working conditions and access to the industry

It Involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances

It can Make positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity

It Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through meaningful connections with local people and a greater understanding of local cultural, social, and environmental issues

It Provides access for physically challenged people

It can be Culturally sensitive, encourage respect between tourists and hosts, and build local pride and confidence

Efforts to be more responsible in the tourism industry are cropping up all over. Tourism, as an ever-growing industry, calls for innovation, not only for the sake of unique experiences but also to combat overtourism.

It  can be implemented by offering a tour that bare designed responsibly from the get-go like these were conceived with the goal of celebrating natural landscapes as well as the cultural customs and history of the locals.

Here’s the steps that you can take right now:

Look at ways you can involve your community. Hire locals to work as tour guides or assistants, invite locals to share a bit of their heritage with your guests, support local establishments by recommending them.

Implement a no-trace program. Restrict what guests are allowed to bring on tours, be adamant that they stay on marked trails, recycle everything that you can, start a compost pile.

Be transparent with your company’s values. Talk to your guests about what you stand for, give your guests a detailed account of where their money goes.

Remember that surely we have a responsibility to leave for future generations a world that is healthy and habitable by all species  and an invsetment isn't an investment if it destroys our planet.