The business case for responsible tourism

A new meta-analysis of dozens of recent tourism surveys and market studies finds "increasing recognition among both travel professionals and consumers of the importance of responsible travel.' The analysis by the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, DC and affiliated with Stanford University, also finds “strong evidence” that responsible travel is “good for the economic bottom line.” We have extracted a portion of their meta-study findings, on this business case. In 2012, the number of international tourist arrivals surpassed, for the first time, 1 billion, and is forecast to reach 1.8 billion in 2030, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). In addition, in 2011, international tourism receipts surpassed $1 trillion for the first time ever. With continuing growth in travel, there is increasing recognition among both travel professionals and consumers of the importance of responsible travel—travel that minimizes negative impacts, brings economic benefits to host communities, and preserves the cultural and natural resources of the destinations. Fortunately for travel businesses and destinations, there is strong evidence that responsible travel is also good for the economic bottom line. Within the last few years, sustainability has become much more mainstream within the tourism industry, with increasing numbers of businesses creating environmental departments, adopting environmental and social good practices, seeking certification, and looking at ways to ‘gre