Sustainable tourism: what it is and why it is important
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2025 9:10 am
A way of travelling that respects the surroundings and the environment as well as the customs and society of the destinations visited. Sustainable tourism : we tell you what it is exactly and why it is so necessary for the sustainability of the planet.
Around 79% of users of tourist booking portals are considering opting for more environmentally responsible accommodation ( Booking Sustainable Travel 2023 report ) and 81% of travellers consider it essential to start travelling sustainably ( Statista ). What exactly is sustainable tourism ? What does it consist of and why is it considered essential in the current international socio-economic context?
What is sustainable tourism?
Sustainable tourism: What is it? UN Tourism, a specialized agency of the United Nations, describes this market segment as “ tourism that takes full account of current and future economic, social and china whatsapp data environmental impacts to meet the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” In other words, it is a type of tourism within the sector that aims to promote travel while respecting a series of sustainability principles to avoid the negative consequences that this formula can have on the destinations visited.
And not only that. The idea is, in parallel, to generate positive repercussions in the communities and environments to which one travels, either by promoting certain economic activities, by making other cultures and communities known and by promoting respect for different societies and races, among other aspects. These are in fact some of the objectives of sustainable tourism , which increasingly captures the attention of a tourist profile that is aware of what surrounds them and is receptive to contributing to the improvement of those environments to which they travel.
Sustainable tourism objectives
At the beginning of this article we pointed out some figures that show that we are not facing a fad, but rather a trend that is here to stay . The World Travel & Tourism Council ( WTTC ) points out that last year, 69% of people who travelled opted for this sustainable formula that is respectful of destinations and their communities.
Objectives of sustainable tourism :
Optimize environmental resources and use them reasonably, avoiding overexploitation of certain areas, especially natural environments, and respecting certain ecological processes.
Help conserve natural resources and facilitate the preservation of the planet's biological diversity, especially in certain areas that have already suffered excessive exploitation by the tourism industry, among others.
Respect for host communities , local cultures and traditions. This tourism formula must contribute to generating greater tolerance between races and other cultures and to enhancing the value of identities from around the world.
Promote economic activities that support stakeholders at the destination and facilitate the empowerment and development of local communities. Among theadvantages of sustainable tourismis that it contributes to reducing economic and, therefore, social inequalities among populations at the source.
Around 79% of users of tourist booking portals are considering opting for more environmentally responsible accommodation ( Booking Sustainable Travel 2023 report ) and 81% of travellers consider it essential to start travelling sustainably ( Statista ). What exactly is sustainable tourism ? What does it consist of and why is it considered essential in the current international socio-economic context?
What is sustainable tourism?
Sustainable tourism: What is it? UN Tourism, a specialized agency of the United Nations, describes this market segment as “ tourism that takes full account of current and future economic, social and china whatsapp data environmental impacts to meet the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” In other words, it is a type of tourism within the sector that aims to promote travel while respecting a series of sustainability principles to avoid the negative consequences that this formula can have on the destinations visited.
And not only that. The idea is, in parallel, to generate positive repercussions in the communities and environments to which one travels, either by promoting certain economic activities, by making other cultures and communities known and by promoting respect for different societies and races, among other aspects. These are in fact some of the objectives of sustainable tourism , which increasingly captures the attention of a tourist profile that is aware of what surrounds them and is receptive to contributing to the improvement of those environments to which they travel.
Sustainable tourism objectives
At the beginning of this article we pointed out some figures that show that we are not facing a fad, but rather a trend that is here to stay . The World Travel & Tourism Council ( WTTC ) points out that last year, 69% of people who travelled opted for this sustainable formula that is respectful of destinations and their communities.
Objectives of sustainable tourism :
Optimize environmental resources and use them reasonably, avoiding overexploitation of certain areas, especially natural environments, and respecting certain ecological processes.
Help conserve natural resources and facilitate the preservation of the planet's biological diversity, especially in certain areas that have already suffered excessive exploitation by the tourism industry, among others.
Respect for host communities , local cultures and traditions. This tourism formula must contribute to generating greater tolerance between races and other cultures and to enhancing the value of identities from around the world.
Promote economic activities that support stakeholders at the destination and facilitate the empowerment and development of local communities. Among theadvantages of sustainable tourismis that it contributes to reducing economic and, therefore, social inequalities among populations at the source.