09 Feb Sustainable Tourism is not a niche

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Sustainable tourism is not a niche, suitable only for a small group of specialist travelers traveling to out of the way places. Sustainable tourism principles can be applied to all tourism destinations and all tourism businesses.

While it can be applied to everyone, it’s not easy. Ensuring that we maximize the benefits of tourism, and reduce the negative impacts of tourism, is a complex set of activities that require the active participation of a variety of folks working together. That’s true in businesses and in destinations. Textbook Sustainable tourism requires a team of people keeping “many plates spinning” at the same time.

Few destinations – or businesses – are getting everything right. Let’s celebrate those members of the tourism system that are achieving success in specific activities while encouraging systematic approaches to achieve sustainability across the tourism system.