Taking responsibility for tourism

The World Tourism Organization estimates that tourism accounts for up to 10 per cent of global gross domestic product, making it the world’s biggest industry. The potential for tourism to contribute significantly to poverty alleviation in Commonwealth countries is considerable. However, it is essential that governments ensure the practice of responsible tourism – minimising negative environmental, social and cultural impacts, generating greater economic benefits for local people, involving local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances, and making positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and the maintenance of the world’s diversity. The management and regulation of tourism needs to be undertaken with an eye on all the stakeholders’ interests, keeping the balance between profit and sustainability, and between the visitor and the visited.