Sustainable Tourism Begins At Home
29/08/2011
Sustainable tourism is an industry which attempts to make a low impact on the environment and local culture while at the same time trying to generate income and employment. It is responsible tourism that is both ecologically and culturally sensitive. Sustainable tourism activities should therefore have minimal impact on both the environment and culture of the local community in order to be classified as such.
According to the World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism is tourism that leads to the management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems.
Referencing the definition of sustainability, sustainable tourism can also be defined as a process which meets the needs of the present tourists and local people whilst protecting and enhancing needs in the future for both other tourists and the native community. By acting in the best interests of both tourists and locals, sustainable tourism aims to maximise the positive contribution of tourism to conservation. This in turn leads to the reduction of local poverty in host communities, and the achievement of common goals towards sustainable development. These goals can range wide ranging projects in industry and education to local level ideas such as the use of sustainable plastic signage.
Sustainable tourism provides valuable economic incentives for the protection of rare habitats and green spaces. Revenues from visitor spending are often poured back into nature conservation or capacity building programmes for local communities in order to better manage protected areas. Even better, tourism can be a key focus in raising awareness and fostering positive behaviour change for conservation among the millions of people who regularly travel the world each year.
If you are interested beginning sustainable tourism in your area, consider asking your local authority to invest in eco-friendly signs or displays for nearby attractions. To get you started, www.fwdp.co.uk does a good line in timber effect signage made from recycled plastic.
