Building better places to live and better places to visit
I’ve lived in a resort town for about 15 years. We’re only 14,000 residents, but we welcome over 3 million visitors per year. It has transformed my life and my work. It has also provided me a unique perspective on tourism and how it can shape a community.
Stewarding and managing tourism destinations are a co-created responsibility between government, tourism partners and community groups − all focused with the local’s wellbeing at heart. Most of my work in the last three year has been facilitating conversations designed to build a collaborative approach to managing tourism (known as destination management and development).
The next time you pack your bags and head out on an adventure abroad, consider the impact your trip has on the communities you visit.
I was recently interviewed by Maryam Siddiqi of the Globe & Mail about this topic. She covers a range of issues to consider when planning a holiday: getting around, where to stay, when to book, and respecting your host community.
Take a moment to read this as you plan your next holiday:
How to be a responsible tourist
By 2024, the World Travel and Tourism Council is projecting that tourism around the globe will surpass 2019 levels. Leading destinations need to take action now to develop communities sustainably as better places to live and better places to visit.
And every tourist should be mindful of their impact and be respectful of the communities they visit. We all have a role to play to ensure that travel destinations remain special places for future generations.
Bon Voyage!