Responsible tourism
Due to major geopolitical chaos, the destinations of international tourist flows have reduced in recent years. In many countries (Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Kenya) tourist arrivals collapsed due to terrorism threats or ongoing conflicts. Tourism therefore appears an extremely volatile industry, too exposed to political and environmental variables. While mass tourism is blamed for not creating development in the countries where it is practiced, international bodies are increasingly identifying a valid response in environmentally sustainable and socially responsible tourism. In fact community-based and sustainable tourism, compared to mass tourism, shows different trends, often even countertrends, resulting in greater stability.
The objectives of ICEI’s action in this area are:
- In developing countries: designing and managing projects aimed to local development, valorization of natural resources and artistic and cultural goods, fighting poverty and creating employment by community-based tourism.
- In Italy and in Europe: investing to create the conditions for direct presence in Italian and European regions, by local development projects, valorizing natural resources and artistic and cultural goods, and creating employment by community-based tourism.
- Contributing to reconverting the tourism industry to practices based on sustainability and social responsibility.
