The tourism sector plays a vital role in the growth of the economy and commerce in different countries. Its diversity of activities makes it more and more attractive to people.
However, there are many social practices that make the tourism sector suffer losses and inconveniences, one of them is the pollution caused by tourists in natural areas.

Fortunately, we can take the positive out of the negative side. In the last few years, a movement called sustainable tourism has been emerging, this arises from the need to create a type of tourism that allows us to continue enjoying the natural wonders of the world that surround us.

These practices, besides being friendly and necessary for the environment, guarantee its conservation and the development of its activities so that absolutely everyone can continue to enjoy them.

What is Sustainable Tourism or Ecotourism?

Sustainable tourism is also called ecological tourism. It refers to tourism governed by principles of sustainability. That is, consider the effects it has today and in the future. To meet the needs of visitors while generating income and employment. However, this tourism has a low impact on the social environment.

Why Sustainable Tourism Matters?

Tourism attracts large numbers of people from around the world and offers multiple economic benefits to the country.
However, it has important social and environmental consequences. Some examples of these damages are the acceleration of climate change and the pollution that threatens natural resources.

Principles of Sustainable Tourism

It is governed by the principles of sustainability. But what are these principles? Sustainable, ecological or responsible tourism.

• Depending on the social, economic and environmental characteristics of the destination. Sustainable tourism seeks to develop models to ensure future tourism. And specific to these certain areas.
• Report all possible negative impacts. As well as the erroneous and distorted image that tourists can make of the visited place.
• Appreciate and value sustainable tourism models.

Objectives of sustainable tourism

Sustainable tourism encompasses a series of essential objectives. With the support of the World Tourism Organization (WTO). The predominant rule of sustainable tourism is that we can visit a place and enjoy it but always being conscious of respecting its culture and ecosystem without damaging it.
The basic purpose of sustainable tourism is to consider both the benefits and the challenges, thus, we will learn to value and enjoy the wonders of the planet without harming it.

The objectives of ecotourism are the following:

– The pursuit of long-term, inclusive economic growth through social inclusion, job creation and poverty reduction.
It aims to make efficient use of natural resources.
– Protecting the environment and combating increasing climate change.
– Promoting cultural values, diversity, and heritage. In addition to conserving and protecting both cultural heritage and the natural environment.
– Promote mutual understanding between tourists and the local population, ensuring peace and security.

Guest at Saboga can contribute to sustainable tourism by implementing these pillars.

At the environmental level

It tries to minimize the impact on the environment by promoting the responsible consumption of its resources and helping to achieve a balanced and proportionate development to the needs of the environment.
In addition, economic benefits are generated from the consumption of available resources that help local communities.

In a cultural level

Promotes social union among people of diverse cultures, respecting the reality and socio-cultural truthfulness of each of the local communities. It seeks to promote activities of maintenance, restoration and preservation of collective or national tourist attractions. Archaeological sites, architectural monuments and other physical works are examples of this. This ensures that these cultural manifestations are valued at multiple local, regional or national levels.
Counting on the previous pillars promotes the increase of the community’s self-esteem by making it attractive to tourists.

In a social level 

It makes tourism an even more enriching experience and encourages sustainable tourism practices around tourist attractions. Rural communities are extremely benefited and curiosity for the local culture increases.
Socially it improves the quality of life of the population on many levels and promotes the development of local infrastructure improvements.

In a Economically level

New local jobs are created and the creation and development of tourism businesses is encouraged. In addition, capital inflows to the local economy are increased, alleviating poverty through job creation and income flow.
On the other hand, the opportunities for increased consumption of indigenous and natural products grow and this benefits local farmers and producers considerably.

As we travel, let’s commit ourselves to generate more awareness about the way we engage in tourism. Let’s take care of preserving our temple which is the earth and leave our best footprint on it.