An appeal has been made to agents to better support local communities and the environment on World Tourism Day.
Not in the Guidebooks founder and chief executive Carol Savage, believes the key aims of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) about the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, economic and environmental impact should be highlighted.
World Tourism Day was created by the UNWTO in 1970 and this year carries the theme of ‘tourism and green investment’.
Savage pointed to research showing growing demand for eco-tourism and believes that agents need to become more familiar with offering experiential and sustainable holiday options.
She said: “World Tourism Day provides us with the perfect opportunity to consider the impact we are having on the world.
“The UK travel industry is one that is much admired the world over and is responsible for fulfilling the holiday dreams of millions of Brits every year.
“Whilst many of these holidaymakers opt to visit the more popular global destinations, there is a growing number of people who are increasingly looking for a different experience, one that is kinder to the environment and an experience that contributes to destinations and communities who rely so heavily on inbound tourists.”
Savage, who started Not in the Guidebooks in 2019 to offer experience-led travel, added: “More and more Brits are looking for experiential itineraries that enable them to connect with locals and feel the beating heart of the place they visit, with a perfect balance of local adventure and relaxation. And the best part, when travelling on a more sustainable holiday, their travels support local communities and their environment, making their trip even more meaningful.
“We want to be the go-to operator for agents who are wanting to be more au fait with this growing trend and in doing so make more of a contribution to local destinations, local economies and the environment.
“On World Tourism Day 2023, we are reminded of our commitment to ‘Investing in People, Planet, and Prosperity,’ as outlined by UNWTO. It’s a call to action for us and the global community to invest in education, sustainable infrastructure, and innovation for a better future in tourism.”
Pictured: A Not in the Guidebooks tour host.