Development and implementation of policies
Here are some guiding concepts and principles for policy development and implementation for sustainable tourism:
Consider the interconnectedness of tourism with other sectors and how a policy change in one will impact all the others.
Sustainable tourism must engage people and companies at a local level.
Promote self-sustaining actions and initiatives that can address long-term goals.
Promote and encourage sustainable destinations that offer quality tourism.
Understand factors that limit tourism to protect its ecological resilience and other crucial factors.
The UNEP and the WTO have also developed a definitive guide to assist policymakers in designing their strategy to meet sustainable tourism goals. There generally are three stages involved in the formulation of a sustainable tourism strategy:
Analyzing the current state of tourism in an area and the resources available to support it. This gives an idea about the current issues and opportunities and how they can be met sustainably.
Defining the vision and strategic objectives as well as the choices that need to be made today for a sustainable tomorrow.
Developing specific policies and action plans that help meet the defined objectives and local, national, and global goals.
The greatest responsibility finally lays on the tourists. They must respect each destination’s culture, customs, environment, and laws. Tourists must adhere to the guidelines and contribute to the common goal of making tourism and the world sustainable, beautiful, and balanced again.
As Chief Seattle, the 19th-century Native American Chief, said, “Take only memories. Leave only Footprints.”
