Responsible Tourism: an opportunity or a necessity?

José Luque García, Partner Director General of Grupo El Fuerte

The concepts of eco-tourism, green tourism etc., are giving rise to a wider concept more in keeping with our tourist sector – sustainable tourism and, more specifically, responsible tourism. Eco-tourism “gives priority to preserving the surrounding nature and culture in the areas in which business is carried out ". Eco-tourism’s principal focus is on environmental sustainability.

Over the last five decades, international tourism has gone from shifting 25 to almost 700 million travellers a year, to places which are increasingly remote; this huge phenomenon has, of course, had environmental, economic and socio-cultural impacts. The Economic impact of tourism can go from seasonality, insufficient planning for infrastructure and revaluation of ‘home-grown’ resources to a point which creates excessive dependence on intermediaries or foreign workers. From a socio-cultural point of view, tourism can have a negative impact on the host society.

Sustainable tourism, as opposed to eco-tourism, considers not only the environmental impact, but also the economic and socio-cultural factors involved in the process. This is defined as the balance between getting the most out of the economic, social, cultural and natural resources in the area, together with visitor satisfaction and any possible negative effects on the host society or environment.

Responsible Tourism is, more than a model, an attitude which encompasses any form of eco or responsible tourism, and is based on the premise that in order to create wealth, it’s crucial to respect all key ‘stakeholder’ factors involved in tourist activity: the natural and socio-cultural environment, the shareholders, clients, employees, suppliers and public administration.

The negative image of false publicity - 'green-washing' - which is so damaging to these tendencies, could be resolved by establishing internationally authorised measures so that consumers can clearly see who does or does not comply with responsible tourism. For example: non-renewable energy consumption per client. These measures should also include a way of evaluating government administration.

This is an issue directly linked to business management. Just as we reward capital, we should also reward other key factors that make the tourist sector possible. When we forget about these factors, profits flourish, but in the short term, as a lack of balance in the natural, social and cultural surroundings and our human resources ultimately affects our business beyond repair. In developed countries, society puts pressure on the system to create protection for these factors; however, in less developed countries, only management conscience can work towards this balance.

The client of the future is increasingly well-informed and will take responsible consumer decisions on the wider scale we have mentioned. Achieving responsible tourist products in responsible locations is in the hands of both the public and private sector.

For more information visit Fuerte Hoteles website.