The future of tourism lies in sustainability
In 2021, the growth of global tourism maintained a steady evolution and, for the ninth year in a row, it has surpassed the growth of the global economy. This dynamic proves just how important and impactful tourism can be for specific regions around the globe. As a result, booking platforms, hotels and all agents working in the industry must shift their business model to focus not only on sustainable tourism, but also on contributing positively to communities, natural ecosystems, and the cultural heritage of tourist destinations.
The acceleration of technology and sustainability Technology, sustainability, and flexibility will be central aspects in the new age of tourism and the main enabler of a new approach to the industry. For the past decade, in order to meet the massive demand related to booking, cancellations, and changes, businesses working in the tourism sector have introduced all types of technical support to help them run their businesses more effectively. These drastic changes to accessibility, bureaucracy and communications have led to a boost in tourism and the rise of new businesses. In addition, the incorporation of technology into tourism has also led to an increase in the number of virtual and hybrid events held online. Nowadays, travellers can experience virtual forms of tourism from the comfort of their houses.
In fact, these activities aren’t restricted to travelling, but also include other forms of digital entertainment including virtual concerts, virtual reality experiences and even online gambling. This can take the form of live casino games like Roulette and Blackjack, as well as live in-play betting. Demonstrated in a review written by Bonusfinder, it is highlighted how the sports betting and casino markets are exploding in the United States and the United Kingdom. In addition to virtual events and other technological advances, tourism is also adopting sustainability as a crucial aspect of the future of the industry. In fact, sustainable tourism has increased as per DW.com, which is promising for the future of this concept.
Agenda for a sustainable future This new trend tends to focus on supporting small local entrepreneurs, promoting initiatives that include and benefit local communities, and putting local gastronomy and products first. While this type of tourism is often associated with rural locations, such as mountains and small villages, sustainable tourism can be developed in practically all types of environments. On an institutional level, sustainable tourism has also become one of the priorities for international agencies and organizations. For instance, in May last year, the European Council recommended that Member States share their vision, ideas and potential projects on how ecotourism can contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU Green Deal, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. This is in alignment with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In addition, the WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council) has also partnered up with several leading associations working on sustainable initiatives to ensure that travel and tourism benefits people and companies, as well as nature and the environment. Ultimately, the future of tourism depends on the implementation of new policies and business strategies that can promote the emergence of sustainable tourism, which takes into account the impact of human influence in a particular location, but also on a macro level.
