From 27th of september till today the 4th Encuentros is being held at the University of Primorska - Faculty of Tourism studies - Turistica in Portorož, Slovenia. The aim of this year´s conference is to meet, exchange oppinions and compare survey results on responsible tourism. Encuentros is not like any other conference, it is based on interaction between the presenters and listeners who are not only academics, but also businessmen. The interaction between the host and the guest is typical for the tourism industry and makes it special.

But what does responsible tourism mean?According to several sources responsible tourism is a tourism that is respectful towards the nature, cultural heritage and local communities. As such, responsible tourism is sustainable. And sustainability is the future. The only future.

For example. When an individual is traveling in order to volounteer in the selected destination, to help build a local school, to teach, heal or provide financial support, we can say he is a responsible traveller and is behaving sustainable. Another responsible tourist selects an ecological accomodation rather than a luxury one, buys local food and locally produced souvenirs and is using a bike or local bus to get around the destination. Both contribute to the wellbeing of the local community in their own way.

What about corporate responsibility? Are the companies within the destination really responsible and sustainable? Well some of them are, but the majority is blissfully unaware that employing the cheaper work-labour from abroad is irresponsible towards the local community even if it means less costs and more profit for the company. On the other hand the managers that employ the locals yet increase the company´s debts by irresponsible behaviour and lack of business strategy are not considered sustainable as well.

Foto: Lana Švab (2012)

Some examples of good practice do have positive effects on economy and wellbeing of the local communities within destinations but to multiply those effects we have to connect the governments, strategic planners, stakeholders, NGO organizations and locals into a coherent whole by creating a clear vision. The destination´s image depends on the vision supported by a strategy that is followed by every particle of the chain.

If we want to add the word responsible to tourism industry we have to act responsible. Starting from ourselves and motivating somebody else.

Have a look at the 4th Encuentros program here! My paper was entitled Volounteering and tourism- the case of society Anbot from Piran.