What is responsible tourism?
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In 2002, 280 representatives from all sectors of tourism from 20 countries attended the Cape Town Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations, preceding the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.
A declaration on responsible tourism was agreed. |
Cape Town Declaration
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The 2002 Cape Town declaration agreed that responsible tourism:
- minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts
- generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities; improves 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 embracing diversity
- provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
- provides access for physically challenged people
- is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence
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WTM World Responsible Tourism Day objectives
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WTM has four realistic objectives for this day of action.
WTM WRTD, with support from the UNWTO wants the industry to work together to:
- help drive change by educating more responsible behaviour with the travel and tourism industry and travelling public
- explore the issues of how countries and destinations are made more sustainable including case studies of best practices
- educate the marketplace and debate key environmental related issues to push the agenda and be a catalyst for change
- harness the influence of World Travel Market as an international business forum to encourage the industry to drive the responsible tourism agenda forward.
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