World Charter for Sustainable Tourism +20
Following the signing of the first World Charter for Sustainable Tourism in 1995, the tourism sector took a significant step towards a more responsible and balanced model. This charter, born in Lanzarote, Spain, laid the foundations for tourism that takes into account environmental protection and respect for local cultures. Twenty years later, in 2015, the commitment to more sustainable tourism was renewed with the presentation of the World Charter for Sustainable Tourism +20, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain.
The World Charter for Sustainable Tourism +20 emerged from this meeting as a guide to transform tourism into a driver of positive change. Through a series of commitments and calls to action, a more comprehensive and collaborative approach was presented, involving all key actors: governments, local communities, businesses and tourists. Present at the drafting were: the Lehendakari of the Basque Government, the Minister of Tourism of the Government of the Canary Islands, the President of the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), and the President of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
Foundations and Principles of the +20 Charter
The World Summit on Sustainable Tourism underscored the need to strengthen and support new partnerships between governments, international organizations and public and private actors involved in tourism activities in order to achieve the objectives of sustainable tourism. On the other hand, it was proposed to integrate sustainability into national and international tourism policies, promoting a participatory approach that considers the voices of all stakeholders.
Among the key points of the Charter, was highlighted the importance of:
- Reduce the ecological footprint of tourism, with an emphasis on decarbonization and the adoption of green technologies, to ensure that tourism grows in a sustainable and environmentally respectful way.
- Strengthen local economies through the use of local products and services, which not only boosts economic development, it also ensures a more equitable distribution of the benefits generated by tourism.
- Protect natural and cultural heritage, a fundamental pillar for tourism, ensuring that local communities and indigenous towns are actively involved in decision making related to their territories and cultures.
International authorities and institutions, such as UNESCO and the UNWTO, have a key role to create legislative frameworks that favor sustainability. In addition, tourism destinations were encouraged to adopt low-carbon strategies, to assess the carrying capacity of destinations and to ensure that tourism development does not compromise the quality of life of residents.
The World Summit on Sustainable Tourism +20 made a clear call to the scientific, academic and technological community to take an active role in the transformation of tourism towards sustainability. It also highlighted the importance of building strong partnerships between science and the tourism sector in order to enhance innovation and adaptability to the new challenges of sustainable tourism.
The World Charter for Sustainable Tourism +20 is a roadmap that invites us to rethink how we travel, how we consume and how we interact with the world around us. It is time to act responsibly and with a vision for the future. Sustainable tourism is not just a trend; it is the way to a better future for everyone.
