Responsible tourism is a term used to refer to a specific tourism-related attitude and its resultant actions. Responsible tourism is an active initiative that strives to create a better destination in which to live and visit, putting the well-being of the local people, fauna and flora first. The efforts made to create a responsible destination differ from place to place, depending on the destination’s natural resources, tourist attractions, and so on. It is often within rural settings and places of particular natural wealth that this strategy is deemed important and duly implemented, while major commercial epicentres sometimes lack the focus on such a crucial area of responsibility. Basically, a destination that is committed to enforcing responsible tourism will attempt to fulfil the following criteria:
- Involve the local community in making decisions regarding development and tourist attractions, recognising that these are the ones whose lives are most affected by such choices.
- Respect the value and fragility of endangered or threatened species and make every effort to protect these and raise awareness thereof.
- Generate money for the local people, improving their quality of life as a direct result of tourism.
- Connect the tourists with the locals to ensure a more enjoyable experience for both.
- Build pride in the destination.
- Make significant positive contributions to conservation efforts.
- Create employment.
- Respect and expose the cultural heritage of the destination.
- Minimise the negative impact of tourism (in all its spheres) on the destination’s political, natural, social, historical, artistic and natural wealth.
- Provide education about the environment and associated issues.
- Provide access to destinations, attractions and activities to everyone, whether physically disabled, aged, young, etc…
These requirements and definitions prove that responsible tourism is not a fashionable trend or niche market. Rather, it is a holistic attitude. Every element of the tourism industry, whether direct or indirect, needs to be involved. This includes governments, educational institutions, industries, transport operators, locals, law enforcers, etc…
In addition to major global destinations, such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom, countries like India, South Africa and Sri Lanka are also displaying an increased determination to enforce responsible tourism.
There are currently several dangers facing destinations. These range from pollution and overpopulation to trying to accommodate an ever-increasing tourist demand, cramming the host destination to more than capacity. However, in addition to trying to combat such issues, responsible tourism is actually financially beneficial for the destination too. The product is of a better quality, catering to the demands of the traveler, and ultimately leading to more visitors spending more money.
Being based on ethics and the rights of humans and animals, responsible tourism transforms the notion of a ‘destination’ into its being the home of another. Travelers are merely guests and should be aware of the potential impact that their being there presents. There is no doubt that, after having visited a destination with the determination to improve it somehow, tourists are even more satisfied with their travel experience.
Photo Courtesy of Metro Media South Africa
