We are proud to inform our clients and Partners that we decided to apply for the CST Certification of Sustainable Tourism . Our Team work with your support eager to be better day by day.
Our Objective with this new section:
Responsible Tourism, ecotourism and best practices are words listened frequently in the Travel Industry. Nowadays we are more concerned about what we do and what we would like to do better. The main objective of this section is to embrace some basic definitions, related information, web sites or links as a tool where you can spread out your knowledge about these key topics. Optimistically searching together for equilibrium between the pleasures of travelling, amid actions of respect, sharing, learning and helping the different world's cultures and nature wonders we can contribute our world's conservation.
Definition and Ecotourism Principles:
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following principles:
Minimize impact
Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate
Support international human rights and labour agreements
The International Ecotourism Society
733 15th St. , NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005 USA
Tel.: (++1) 202-347-9203
Fax: (++1) 202-387-7915 ecomail@ecotourism.org
Sustainable Tourism Concepts & Definitions
'Sustainable tourism is a positive approach intended to reduce the tensions and friction created by the complex interactions between the tourism industry, visitors, the environment and the communities which are host to holidaymakers. It is an approach which involves working for the long term viability and quality of both natural and human resources. It is not anti-growth but it acknowledges that there are limits to growth.' (Opening editorial of Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Bill Bramwell and Bernard Lane (1993)
Last modified 19 Jan 2005
Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of the present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing the opportunity for the future. It is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled, while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems". "Sustainable tourism development guidelines and management practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations, including mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments. Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability.
Thus, sustainable tourism should:
1) Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.
2) Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.
3) Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.
Sustainable tourism development requires the informed participation of all relevant stakeholders, as well as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and consensus building. Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires constant monitoring of impacts, introducing the necessary preventive and/or corrective measures whenever necessary. Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them."
Source: Sustainable Development of Tourism Conceptual Definition (WTO, 2004)
