The United Nations has proclaimed 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. This is good news: it will help raise awareness and, above all, encourage action among everyone involved in tourism, from professionals to travellers.
The world has suffered greatly in many countries and places. It is in our hands, and our responsibility, to find solutions, or at least avoid increasing the inequalities and serious problems we face, from global warming to the disappearance of ancient cultures and ancestral ways of life.
With this perspective, we approach our work at Viajes Tuareg, and we know our friends and customers share this approach. It is the only way we can imagine travelling. We approach other cultures with respect, try to minimise our impact, work with local businesses and partners, and use resources sustainably.
We share the concerns expressed by the United Nations and the World Tourism Organization. We endorse the ideas expressed by Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General in 2015.
With more than a billion international tourists travelling around the world every year, the tourism It has become a powerful force for change, decisively influencing the lives of millions of people. Tourism’s potential to influence the sustainable development are considerable. As one of the world’s leading sources of employment, tourism offers significant opportunities to earn a living, helping alleviate poverty and promote inclusive development.
The International Year of Sustainable Tourism emphasizes the role of tourism in the following five key areas:
- Inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
- Social inclusion, employment and poverty reduction.
- Resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change.
- Cultural values, diversity and heritage.
- Mutual understanding, peace and security.
You can read more about each point on the website Tourism 4 development 2017 and also the video below.
International Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017 video
Our wish for 2017 is that you join the action for a more responsible and sustainable tourism.