22 Mar Achieving our potential – International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

2017 is the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for development. Sustainable tourism is being touted as an important tool in development. Why tourism? The United Nations gives 5 reasons:

• Tourism can create inclusive and sustainable economic growth
• Tourism can increase inclusiveness, employment and contribute to poverty reduction
• Tourism can contribute to resource efficiency, environmental protection and reducing climate change
• Tourism can help us appreciate cultural values, diversity and heritage and
• Tourism can lead to greater mutual understanding, peace and security.

But introducing or increasing tourism doesn’t automatically create these benefits. Tourism has the potential to achieve these outcomes – and contribute significantly to the Sustainable Development Goals – but tourism can just easily lead to poor outcomes for community.

So how do we reach our potential?  Sustainable tourism requires commitment, planning and collaboration, smart thinking, and above all others – work. And it is important to remember that Sustainable Tourism is a marathon – not a sprint. It requires hanging in – day in, day out – long after the excitement of the “launch” event is over.

We can achieve our potential – and the 5 fantastic outcomes listed above are within our reach – but we can’t expect they will just happen. Let’s get to work !