Tourism has been growing rapidly in the past years which raises the stakes for this sector. Here are some challenges awaiting the tourism sector:
Finding concrete solutions to these issues is very challenging. For more awareness, the publishing house Viateo has just published the first guide touching on sustainable travel .
The World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as a 'tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities'.
Seven Labels measure the interest of the industry players in implementing sustainable measurements.
The association ‘Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable’ lists in its traveler charter of ethics, the main practices that a traveler should be aware of:
Hotel professionals have long been unwilling to face environmental issues, mainly because of the high cost of products and the complexity of green practices, according to Geneviève Clastres.
But the situation is different now, as the hotels are more inclined to implement those practices for two reasons: enhance the image of their enterprise and cut expenses. This is why the international chain Marriot is launching its first sustainable hotel in June 2010.
Vatel Bordeaux has also chosen this responsible path, it is now certified 'European Ecolabel' and 'Tourism and handicap'.
7 out of 10 French people wish to choose responsible travelling, although they represent only 1% of tourists in France. Sustainable tourism appears to be a source of exponential growth for professionals in the sector.
