Can Tourism Become a Responsible Activity?

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Responsible Tourism

Argumentative Essay

4/13/2015

Joanne Smith

DHT3EK

Can tourism become a responsible activity?

Argumentative essay

Tourism is a vast industry that is rapidly growing and developing. It accounts for 9.5% of the global GDP and generates nearly 266 million jobs globally (UNTWO, 2013) making it one of the most economically significant worldwide. The figure for international travel surpassed 1 billion in 2013 (UNTWO, 2013) and the numbers in all statistics are increasing in a constantly faster pace as more destinations are appearing on the travel map together with new trends, niche markets and types of holidays. As travelling becomes affordable for a larger group of people and more countries are seeing the benefits of incorporating tourism the positive impact of the industry is rising. However, just a fast-paced evolution is difficult to control and the negativities are becoming more evident. Awareness and guidelines cannot cope with regulating the growth of the industry. One of the emerging practices to manage those impacts is responsible travel. Generally, it promotes the idea that all tourism can be done in a responsible manner, moreover different definitions exist: members of AITR (2005) elaborated: ‘Responsible tourism complies with the principles of social and economic justice and exerts full respect towards the environment and its cultures. It recognises the centrality of the local host community and its right to act as a protagonist in developing a sustainable and responsible tourism. Responsible tourism actuates to foster a positive interaction between the tourist industry, the local communities and the travelers’ (http://earth-net.eu) and the Cape Town Declaration (2002) states that to be described as responsible tourism should: ‘minimize negative social, economic and environmental impacts, generate greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improve working conditions and access to the industry, involve local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances, make positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity, provide more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues, provide access for physically challenged people, be culturally sensitive, encourage respect between tourists and hosts, and build local pride and confidence’. In conclusion, responsible tourism emphasizes on all aspects of the triple-bottom-line and should not be a type of tourism but a way of tourism.