Responsible Tourism

Responsible Tourism
Responsible Tourism is about “making better
places for people to live in and better places
for people to visit.”
Responsible Tourism requires that tour
operators, hoteliers, governments, local
people and tourists take responsibility and
action to make tourism more sustainable.
Two important conference discussed the
Responsible tourism.
• Cape Town Declaration of Responsible
Tourism(2002)
• Second International Conference on Responsible
Tourism in Destinations (Kerala -2008)
CAPE TOWN DECLARATION ON RESPONSIBLE
TOURISM (2002)
Cape Town Declaration on Responsible
Tourism held in 2002, attended by 280
delegates from 20 countries.
A declaration on responsible tourism was
agreed. This declaration is based on the Earth
Summit 1992, UNWTO Global Code of Ethics
and the Agenda 21 for tourism, and
Convention on Biological Diversity.
 Responsible Tourism has the following
characteristics (Features)
➢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 and maintenance of the
world’s 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, respect between
tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and
confidence.
Responsible Tourism Guiding Principles
1. Economic Responsibility:
• Minimize negative impacts and increase
positive impacts in the local economy
• Encourage small and medium scale business
2. Social Responsibility
• Involve local community in planning, decision
making and implementation
• Prevent sexual exploitation of local people and
children
• Be sensitive to local culture and respect it
3. Environmental Responsibility
• Conduct EIA
• Reduce wastes, and prevent over consumption of
resources
• Manage the natural diversity - keeping the carrying
capacity.
• Promote education and awareness for all
stakeholders
Second International Conference on
Responsible Tourism in Destinations (RTD2)
(Kerala -2008)
• It is also called RTD2. This conference took
place in Kochi. The conference was co-chaired
by Dr Harold Goodwin of the ICRT (The
International Centre for Responsible Tourism)
and Dr Venu V, Secretary of Kerala Tourism.
This conference assisted Kerala in establishing
Responsible Tourism as its tourism strategy at
state and local level.
The objective of RTD2 is to develop guiding
principles for achieving Responsible Tourism.
RT initiative was first implemented at four
destinations, including Kovalam, Kumarakom,
Thekkady and Wayanad.
 The Kerala Declaration of Responsible
Tourism, 2008,RTD2 recognises that
• Responsible Tourism is not a product; it is an
approach that can be used by all stakeholders.
• RT takes place in communities
• RT is about creating better places for people to live in
and for people to visit.
The highlights of the declaration are:
1. Education and learning: Responsible tourism
education from school to higher education in
the syllabus
2. Campaigning and awareness raising: by
government and business
3. Media : Report tourism news responsibly
4. Empowerment of local communities
5. RT initiative is responsible for sustainable local, social
and economic development
6. Governance: Local, state and National governments to
be responsible
7. Multi-stakeholder partnerships: Cooperation between
stake holders.
8. Commercial sustainability
9. Environmental sustainability
10. Monitoring, measurement and reporting
11. Awards : Constitute RT awards