Responsible Tourism’s Values (and Why They Matter Now More than Ever)
Written in collaboration with Human Connections
As with many industries, COVID-19 has devastated the travel industry, which has given leaders in the sector time to reflect on the best way to recover from the challenges of the past year while offering safe and responsible travel opportunities in the future. There are a growing number of voices joining together to urge the public to travel in a way that minimizes — and even reverses — the negative economic, environmental and social impacts of travel.
One such movement, responsible tourism, has been very vocal during conversations about rebuilding travel in a post-pandemic world. The responsible tourism movement was formalized in 2002 with the publication of the Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism, where delegates from 20 different countries published a bold statement on how the tourism industry and tourists need to take responsibility for protecting and conserving the destinations they visit and the people who live there:
“Responsible tourism is a movement anchored on principles of sustainability, ethics, and responsibility from all ends of the tourism supply chain in order to support better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit.”
— Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism
During the conference, seven key characteristics surfaced on how both the tourism sector and travelers could bring the values of responsible tourism to life. Here’s a condensed version:
- Authentic, reciprocal exchanges: Designing hands-on exchanges that are culturally sensitive and engender respect between tourists and hosts.
- Fostering meaningful connections with local people and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues.
- Encourage local purchasing and fair payment: Generating greater economic benefits for local people and enhancing the well-being of host communities.
- Environmental sustainability: Minimizing the negative environmental impact of travel and making positive contributions to the conservation of natural heritage and the preservation of the planet.
- Honoring cultural heritage: Making positive contributions to the conservation of cultural heritage with the goal of building local pride and confidence.
- Inclusive decision making: Involving local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances.
With most of the U.S. currently in a deep winter freeze, here are two examples of innovative responsible tourism organizations in warm and sunny Mexico to spark inspiration for planning your next trip.
Human Connections, based in Bucerías, Mexico, is a nonprofit that connects local people with international audiences through day tours and immersive student programs. Through a vibrant network of local partners — Mexican artisans, tradespeople, and organizations — Human Connections creates opportunities for authentic, meaningful exchanges. These local partners have a platform to share their culture and traditions, have agency over their stories, and generate increased income. Concurrently, travelers gain an increased understanding of Mexican culture while cultivating more empathetic perspectives about Mexico. Built on the principles of responsible tourism, this group’s goal is to empower local communities while fostering conversations that shift perspectives and increase understanding.
Sierra Gorda Ecotours, an organization partnering with local caretakers of the dense forests of Michoacán, Mexico, intertwines environmental conservation and cultural preservation into their mission and programs. They operate across the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve — a sprawling (946,000+ acres!) UNESCO heritage site that is home to 15 types of vegetation and dozens of unique communities. By partnering with local communities living in the biosphere and educating tourists on how to preserve the environment and local cultures, Sierra Gorda Ecotours is holistically addressing sustainability through responsible tourism experiences.
At an individual level, there are so many ways to embrace the values of responsible tourism and take action to minimize and reverse the unintended negative impacts of travel on your next trip. From researching and visiting organizations and local businesses that invest in the community to supporting eco-friendly tours and alternative transportation methods, you can make your next trip memorable while being an agent of change.
