Responsible Tourism Tourists, temporary citizens

An upturned view of the concept of vacation in the common interest

In 2016 the Waldensian Homes joined theItalian Association of Responsible Tourism (AITR), which was founded in 1998 as a result of some critical reflections on tourism in Italy matured by a group of people who today could be called pioneers.

Responsible Tourism

Responsible Tourism has many declinations that are not easy to summarize in a few lines. We can be helped, for starters, by AITR’s mission statement: “[…] To foster positive interaction between local communities, travelers and tour operators.”

Overtourism

We have become accustomed to being subjected to tourism that is too often disrespectful to territories and their inhabitants. Some examples:

• art cities taken by storm and abused to coincide with major events or special periods;
• sea and mountain resorts that are populated to the hilt for short periods while falling into oblivion during the rest of the year, as if they had lost their meaning and beauty;
• tourism operators and workers subjected to unsustainable work rhythms during peak periods;
• flora and fauna threatened by out-of-norm and uncontrolled tourist flows.

The list is long and is encapsulated in one word, overtourism, which theWorld Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines as “thenegative impact that tourism, within a destination or part of a destination, has on the perceived quality of life of residents and/or the visitor experience.” Yep, the visitor.

Stressed out tourists

Travelers and female travelers, stuck in the mechanisms described above, often return home more stressed than before because they are forced to share space, time and resources with more people than they should.

The consequences

These imbalances have led to the depopulation andimpoverishment of certain areas or neighborhoods over the past few decades with the consequent closure of local businesses.

In smaller towns and cities, people and activities disappeared, infrastructure and services were moved or drastically downsized: kindergartens and schools, train stations, public transportation, social gathering centers, hospitals.

In cities of art, historic centers have been invaded by “hit-and-run” tourists, who by definition (no malice intended) do not care about the places they visit or their inhabitants; they simply settle for quick, pre-packaged tours. It can happen to make quick visits when one has little time and is “in the zone”; there is nothing wrong with that and it can be a way to discover places to which one can return more leisurely. What is not good is tourism as conceived and structured.

Why has it come to this situation?

Basically because the local communities have not been put at the center; because the operators in the tourism chain have not dialogued sufficiently with each other for the purpose of creating an offer that fully enhances the area: because tourists have not been involved and informed in the best way, they have not been welcomed astemporary(con)citizens, on vacation but responsible and aware.

The environment

AITR has published over the years The Charters of Responsible Tourism., full of practical advice and food for thought for organizing trips from the perspective of responsibility, respect for host communities and the environment, with the intention of “prolonging” the experiences once back home.

For the Waldensian Homes and for the Waldensian Diaconia, the issue of environmental protection is central. For the responsible tourist, a sustainable vacation also comes through the reasoned choice of the facility in which to stay overnight.

Waldensian Homes has activated an awareness campaign in the making addressed to all and sundry, but particularly to guests and hosts, in which the actions and good practices implemented or being planned in the accommodation facilities. Guests are invited to contribute with small gestures and attention. Waldensian Homes are featured in the Catalog of Responsible Hospitality of AITR.

Our hope is that this approach will become a shared philosophy of tourism and living, with an eye toward future generations.

Image by Freepik