Beyond Business Blog

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   Among the <strong>new trends in the tourism sector</strong>, we often hear about responsible tourism and <a href="/es/blog/que-es-turismo-sostenible"><u>sustainable tourism</u></a>. However, not everyone knows what it really means and what is the correct way to organize this type of vacation. So let's try to shed some light to understand what responsible tourism is.
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   Globally, according to data from Statista.com, the sustainable tourism market was estimated at $172 billion in 2022, with a projection to reach $374 billion by 2028. According to the Sustainable Travel Report 2023, <strong>76% of travelers have set a goal to travel more sustainably in the next 12 months</strong> and 74% request operators in the sector to offer proposals aligned with this expectation. Sustainable practices in tourism are also a strategic factor for achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda goals.
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   <strong>What is responsible tourism?</strong>
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   <strong>Responsible tourism</strong> is based on some essential principles, such as environmental responsibility, which means reducing ecological impact and preserving the natural resources of the places we visit. It also involves implementing behaviors that have positive effects on local communities from a sociocultural perspective. 
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   The protection of artistic, cultural, and traditional heritage is another fundamental aspect of this way of traveling, promoting the conservation of local monuments and traditions.
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   <em><strong>Changing the way we experience tourism also means making decisions that impact the local economy while always being based on long-term sustainability. Responsible tourism is the commitment to explore the world in an informed way.</strong></em>
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   <strong>The origins of this phenomenon date back to the 1980s</strong> and its evolution closely follows that of ‘sustainable development,’ first defined in the so-called UN ‘Brundtland Report’ (1987). Another essential milestone was the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which gave rise to Agenda 21, a list of resolutions for the 21st century that also explicitly referred to tourism.
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   In 1995, at the World Conference in Lanzarote, the first <strong>Sustainable Tourism Charter</strong> was developed, outlining an international reference framework. In 2002, the Cape Town Declaration called on governments and social actors to commit to developing precise guidelines for responsible tourism.
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   The beginning of the new century was marked by a strong development of this type of tourism, with the first large-scale studies on the dimensions of the phenomenon internationally and the start of collaboration among different organizations, such as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the UN Environment Programme, and the International Ecotourism Society. In more recent years, a crucial step occurred in 2015 when <strong>sustainable tourism was recognized by the UN as one of the means to achieve the 2030 Agenda goals</strong>.
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   <strong>Difference between sustainable and responsible tourism</strong>
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   <strong>What is the difference between responsible and sustainable tourism?</strong> Although most people perceive responsible and sustainable tourism as synonyms, originally these terms indicated different concepts. Sustainable tourism mainly focuses on the impact on the environment. Responsible tourism, on the other hand, considers the impact on the local population, both socially, <a href="/es/blog/que-es-turismo-cultural"><u>culturally</u></a>, and economically. Today, the two terms are often used together.
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   According to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), sustainable tourism refers to the sustainable practices implemented by the tourism industry, while <strong>responsible tourism is the behavior of the tourist</strong> aiming to travel according to the principles of sustainable tourism. In any case, it is best to consider both elements when booking a vacation. This way, one can become a traveler attentive to the world and the people around them.
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   <strong>How to practice responsible tourism?</strong>
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   With the constant increase in tourist flows, which globally in 2024 is expected to surpass the record of the last pre-pandemic year (2019, with 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals, according to UNWTO data), <strong>adopting the principles of responsible tourism is essential to not compromise the planet’s resources</strong> and its inhabitants.
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   To know <strong>how to practice responsible tourism</strong>, some guidelines can be followed starting with the choice of destination. 
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   Traveling by plane to cover long distances has a significant impact on our atmosphere; therefore, one can opt for nearby destinations or those reachable by low-impact transportation. Even better if they are less crowded destinations, where our presence can have a positive impact on the local economy. 
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   Alternatively, one can choose to <strong>travel outside peak tourist seasons</strong>, when flows are more sustainable and prices are lower. Once at the destination, it is good practice to buy and use local products and services. Respect for communities is fundamental: this means accepting cultural and religious conventions, for example, always asking for permission before taking photos of people or places considered sacred. Finally, but not least, there is environmental respect: avoid single-use plastics, never leave waste behind, and do not take objects such as shells, sand, or stones.
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   <strong>Examples of responsible tourism</strong>
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   There are associations and tour operators that organize fully sustainable and responsible trips and vacations. For those <strong>interested in pursuing a professional career in this sector</strong>, the best option is to obtain a <a href="/es/master-en-gestion-turistica-sostenible-de-recursos-y-destinos"><u>Master’s in Sustainable Tourism Management of Resources and Destinations</u></a>. 
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   The philosophy of responsible tourism can <strong>take different forms</strong>. These are not necessarily distinct approaches; in fact, more than one of these aspects can be integrated into a single trip:
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       <strong>Nature Tourism</strong>: focused on exploring nature and ecosystems.
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       <strong>Emotional Tourism</strong>: valuing experiences and emotional connections.
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       <strong>Food and Wine Tourism</strong>: exploring culinary culture and local products.
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       <strong>Experiential Tourism</strong>: active involvement in cultural and traditional activities.
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       <strong>Community Tourism</strong>: direct participation and support of host communities.
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       <strong>Proximity Tourism</strong>: discovering nearby attractions, reducing travel.
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       <strong>Participatory Tourism</strong>: active involvement in sustainable development projects.
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       <strong>Ecotourism</strong>: sustainable tourism practiced in natural environments.
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       <em><strong>Slow Tourism</strong></em>: slower travel, enhancing the quality of the experience.
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