Responsible Tourism finds favour @WTM

WTM London will celebrate Responsible Tourism Day on November 8. A dedicated platform will address ‘overtourism,’ reducing carbon footprint and highlight Kerala’s Sustainable Development Goals.

This year’s WTM London brings Responsible Tourism to the fore with the introduction of a dedicated theatre on the exhibition floor where several sessions addressing the cause will be held. With 2017 being the United Nation’s International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, it is fitting that this year, WTM London plays host to more responsible tourism sessions than ever before, with almost 30 panels taking place across the three days.

As the global tourism industry feels the heat of overtourism, the new theatre will host a panel exploring how destinations ranging from Barcelona to Seoul are addressing the impact of overtourism, as well as a dedicated session looking at the issue in the remote Scottish islands of Orkney and Arran. This year’s programme will explore the challenges of managing the effects of more and more people becoming tourists and their impacts on the places in unparalleled depth.

The 2017 edition will also look at other topics currently prevalent, such as fighting plastic pollution and protect the oceans; how the industry can fight trafficking in its supply chain; and animal welfare. In addition, Kerala’s focus on integrating Sustainable Development Goals into its tourism development model will also be discussed.

With so much going on, there’s also scope for looking at emerging issues, such as how to deliver slum tourism responsibly; rethinking certification; and the inspiring story of a remarkable project in Bwindi, Uganda. Furthermore, the annual Responsible Tourism Awards will be held in the main theatre instead of the dedicated theatre on November 8, 2017, along with WTM World Responsible Tourism Day.