Sustainable tourism
What does sustainability mean for RESPONS? Our view on sustainable tourism is based on the following four angles, which we seek to accomplish in all products that we sell and/or develop.Environmental sustainability
Environmental education is only one aspect of creating awareness amongst project members during the product development phase.It isn't about not destroying, it's about actively preserving Constructing with local materials, making use of compost toilets, and solid waste recycling are other aspects that make a tourism product more environmentally sustainable. But through sustainable tourism, you add an economic value to the natural resources that the product is based on, and as such create an alternative for unsustainable resource use. Also, campesinos tend to develop a pride of their nature, and create more willingness to conserve. Of course, tourism committees should be committed to performing concrete conservation activities, for example creating native tree nurseries, replanting medicinal plants, cleaning actions or educational tours that teach visitors about the natural environment they are visiting and its local uses.
Social sustainability
Be sensitive, and very transparentA product is socially sustainable when it assures that the existing social balance in a community is not disturbed drastically because of the project’s development. A just income distribution should be guaranteed, a large part of the community members should in a way benefit from the project, every community member should know about the project and agree with it, and any conflict should be avoided, or carefully dealt with.
Cultural sustainability
This angle? is comparable to environmental sustainability, but then for cultural resources. To obtain cultural sustainability, one should not just ensure that cultural resources are not disappearing (more), but also actively engage in their conservation and protection. The Inka Naani project is the best example of this angle;
Environmental education is only one aspect of creating awareness amongst project members during the product development phase.It isn't about not destroying, it's about actively preserving Constructing with local materials, making use of compost toilets, and solid waste recycling are other aspects that make a tourism product more environmentally sustainable. But through sustainable tourism, you add an economic value to the natural resources that the product is based on, and as such create an alternative for unsustainable resource use. Also, campesinos tend to develop a pride of their nature, and create more willingness to conserve. Of course, tourism committees should be committed to performing concrete conservation activities, for example creating native tree nurseries, replanting medicinal plants, cleaning actions or educational tours that teach visitors about the natural environment they are visiting and its local uses.
Social sustainability
Be sensitive, and very transparentA product is socially sustainable when it assures that the existing social balance in a community is not disturbed drastically because of the project’s development. A just income distribution should be guaranteed, a large part of the community members should in a way benefit from the project, every community member should know about the project and agree with it, and any conflict should be avoided, or carefully dealt with.
Cultural sustainability
This angle? is comparable to environmental sustainability, but then for cultural resources. To obtain cultural sustainability, one should not just ensure that cultural resources are not disappearing (more), but also actively engage in their conservation and protection. The Inka Naani project is the best example of this angle;
1)by building a product upon the existing historical resources, these obtain a higher value when conserved well, and
2)by recuperating all the stories and legends from Inca and pre-Inca civilizations from the common memory, people become proud of their ancestral background again.Economic sustainability
If a tourism product doesn’t sell, it doesn’t benefit anybody. Commercially, it needs to work. RESPONS is answering to a need amongst the tourism projects to improve their economic sustainability. RESPONS is a specialized agency that works in a just but efficient way with the communities to offer their products to mainstream markets. Together with you, our visitors, we will benefit a large amount of campesinos and help conserving their natural and cultural resources.
If a tourism product doesn’t sell, it doesn’t benefit anybody. Commercially, it needs to work. RESPONS is answering to a need amongst the tourism projects to improve their economic sustainability. RESPONS is a specialized agency that works in a just but efficient way with the communities to offer their products to mainstream markets. Together with you, our visitors, we will benefit a large amount of campesinos and help conserving their natural and cultural resources.
Sustainable Tourism - in short
It’s informative.
It supports integrity of place.
It benefits residents.
It conserves resources.
It respects local culture and tradition.
It does not abuse its product.
It strives for quality, not quantity.
It means great trips.
It’s informative.
Travelers not only learn about the destination, they learn how to help sustain its character while deepening their own travel experiences. Residents learn that the ordinary and familiar may be of interest and value to outsiders. This encourages cultural conservation and intercultural understanding.
It supports integrity of place.
Destination-savvy travelers seek out businesses that emphasize the character of the locale in terms of architecture, cuisine, heritage, aesthetics, and ecology. Tourism revenues in turn raise local perceived value of those assets.
It benefits residents.
Travel businesses do their best to employ and train local people, buy local supplies, and use local services. Yachaqui Wayi projects do even more than this; for example support to local school, sewage systems, and training and opportunities for others from the community besides project members.
It conserves resources.
Environmentally aware travelers favor businesses that minimize pollution, waste, energy consumption, water usage, landscaping chemicals, and unnecessary nighttime lighting.
It respects local culture and tradition.
Foreign visitors learn about and observe local etiquette, including using at least a few courtesy words in the local language. Residents learn how to deal with foreign expectations that may differ from their own.
It does not abuse its product.
Stakeholders anticipate development pressures and apply limits and management techniques to prevent the "loved to death" syndrome. Businesses cooperate to sustain natural habitats, heritage sites, scenic appeal, and local culture.
It strives for quality, not quantity.
Communities measure tourism success not by sheer numbers of visitors, but by length of stay, money spent, and quality of experience.
It means great trips.
Satisfied, excited visitors bring new knowledge home and send friends off to experience the same thing - which provides continuing business for the destination.
