Responsible Tourism "Take responsibility, take action"
At West Africa Discovery, we value responsible tourism as a tool to alleviate poverty in rural areas of impoverished countries, and one that respects the local inhabitants as well as the local environment. This can be achieved by employing local inhabitants to work within the tourism industry or by sourcing local produce from local food suppliers. By increasing the awareness of the tourist towards local projects which benefit the local economy whilst preserving the local environment or by offering activities that use the local environment in a sustainable way.
Responsible tourism requires that operators, hoteliers, governments, local people and tourists take responsibility, take action to make tourism more sustainable.
The Cape Town Declaration (2002) recognises that responsible tourism takes a variety of forms, it is characterised by travel and tourism which:
“minimises negative environmental, social and cultural impacts; generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities, by improving working conditions and access to the industry; involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances; makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and to the maintenance of the world’s diversity; provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural and environmental issues; provides access for physically challenged people; and is culturally sensitive and engenders respect between tourists and hosts."
Behaviour can be more or less responsible and what is responsible in a particular place depends upon environment and culture. For some suggestions on how to be a responsible tourist, click here.
The Kerala Declaration (2008) reviews progress since Cape Town in 2002 and reflects the experience gained from efforts at implementation around the world. (Source: www.haroldgoodwin.info)
In common with the Cape Town Declaration of 2002 and the Kerala Declaration of 2008, the Belize Declaration presents the views of the conference about what needs to be done to make tourism more responsible. It presents the results of discussion about how, through responsible tourism, to address a number of concerns which arise in many destinations around the world.
| Download the Kerala Declaration |
| Download the Belize Declaration on RT in destinations |
Responsible Tourism videos - Engaging in the debate
This is an extract from a Webinar held at Rough Guides HQ in London, UK on 6 August 2009 titled "Is a 'green traveller' a contradiction in terms".
An extract from recent Webinar held at Rough Guides HQ in London, UK on 6 August 2009 titled "Is a 'green traveller' a contradiction in terms".
An extract from recent Webinar held at Rough Guides HQ in London, UK on 6 August 2009 titled "Is a 'green traveller' a contradiction in terms".
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