Sustainable policies: a shared responsibility
Concrete actions that make a positive mark over time
Responsible tourism today means making conscious choices regarding matters such as energy efficiency, management of natural resources and championing local cultures, with a focus on preserving and regenerating territories. Commitment to these causes lays the foundations for a future that will see the quality of tourism and its capacity to generate value being assessed in terms of their long-term positive impacts, for both people and the environment.
Everyone must pull together to pursue this objective: not only tourists, but also accommodation facilities and all players in the field. Together, they can create a virtuous circle of shared responsibility.
Smarties for SMEs: a concrete impact
More than just a project, Smarties for SMEs is a genuine opportunity for small and medium enterprises to evolve and play a leading role in change. Rather than simply introducing green practices, the goal is for them to rethink their role in their home area, by promoting local assets, reducing their impact on the environment and creatively catering to the new needs of travellers.
More and more businesses are taking on this challenge and standing out thanks to the quality of their services, which produce genuine, lasting value for their local areas and communities.
Examples of sustainable policies
Adopting sustainable policies means taking practical, tangible measures. For instance, one example of a sustainable policy found in numerous tourist destinations is the promotion of responsible fishing. As well as protecting marine ecosystems, it encourages tourists to think more about the food they eat and gives them the opportunity to support restaurants and other businesses that care for the environment and natural resources.
Meanwhile, many accommodation facilities are adopting circular economy policies: optimising the use of resources, they reduce waste production and promote the use of biodegradable and recyclable materials. For example, many places are switching to eco-friendly cleaning products and minimising the use of unnecessary packaging.
Sustainable transport is another significant field. It involves promoting the use of electric vehicles, bicycles and other solutions with a low environmental impact. As well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, championing these means of transport also contributes to a slower form of tourism, encouraging visitors to take their time and engage in more in-depth, respectful exploration and discovery of areas. With this in mind, tourist destinations are investing in infrastructure to support sustainable transport, such as cycle paths, electric vehicle charging stations and eco-friendly car sharing systems.