Introduction

Responsibility for travel implies respect for the environment, culture and local communities – and promotes social and economic benefits for all. Navigating the stormy Mekong River in a slow boat. Tasting dishes prepared by a street vendor in Morocco. Reflections on the secrets of being are among the ancient burial grounds of Angkor. The diversity of our world unites us and makes it possible to study and experience the best that the local culture and local residents can offer. We will all be better if we respect people and the planet during our travels. Sustainable and responsible tourism model enters the field of tourism as an alternative way to offset the deteriorating impact of large-scale tourism in some way, mainly globally. Over time, the model of sustainable tourism is gaining more and more attention, as the world is increasingly concerned about generating sustainable development, enabling future generations to enjoy resources similar to those currently used (Lee and Woosnam 2010). The current world is mainly dominated by the globalized capitalist system. Tourism, which is one of the largest industries in the world, is part of the system, which is why most of the new ways proposed for tourism focus on sustainable economic development. As an example, we can take Hasan, who proposed a sustainable tourism model as a way to improve the competitiveness of market destinations. In general, the sustainable tourism model involves the coordination of the three pillars of sustainability (economy, ecosystems, and society) (Woosnam 2011a). The main types of tourism that are called sustainable are: ecotourism, solidarity tourism and community tourism. The essay will focus on how solidarity tourism initiative and ecotourism initiative can promote sustainable and responsible tourism.

Discussion

As stated in the introduction, the essay will explore two initiatives for fostering responsible tourism. The first initiative is solidarity tourism and the second initiative is ecotourism. The next section of this essay will explore the two initiatives in details.

Solidarity Tourism Initiative

Solidary tourism is the kind of tourism that allows us to enjoy the country and collaborate with the development of the destination, making contributions of all kinds for the good of society, with the commitment to help by participating in projects of cooperation. It is an activity that has been carried out for a little over a decade, but which has been growing well since each year more people join. They are usually trips of small groups of people with the same interest, whether in childhood, health or education, who contribute to developing a solution to social problems, whether through donations, talks, medical operations, among others. From the perspective of the world, many countries and regions still pay attention to the single economic effect of tourism development, while underestimating the multiple effects of the other two aspects. Even some well-established tourism developed countries in the world still have this kind of problem, which is embarrassing in a dilemma. For example, in Venice, Italy, sightseeing tourism has continued to climb and become overcrowded for a long time, and historical cities have long been difficult to return. As a result, it is not only difficult for tourists to get the experience they want, but local residents also can’t bear to choose to flee. Under pressure, more and more people worry that this ancient city will be defeated by improper tourism development.

Explained in a very simple way, we could say that solidarity tourism is an alternative trend to other types of traditional tourism, a type of sustainable tourism that not only seeks the personal enjoyment of the traveler, but also the improvement of the ecosystem and of the human communities that live and they work in vacation destinations (Deery, Jago and Fredline, 2011).

Solidarity tourism also receives other names: sustainable tourism, green tourism, ecotourism … All these meanings only serve to complete the true essence of a social phenomenon that has more and more followers every day: practicing a type of undeveloped, responsible, ecological tourism, present and future (Tomljenovic 2010).

Obviously, in order to meet people ’s travel needs, countries around the world continue to simplify related procedures and relax travel restrictions, and naturally release positive energy for peace and friendship. On the contrary, in order to achieve deterrence, some countries often sacrifice the “magic weapon” of canceling free travel or stopping tourist visas. These acts of gross interference in citizens’ travel will not achieve the desired results. With the prevailing world hegemonism, the rise of trade protectionism, and intense competition among various political forces, China has proposed the “Belt and Road” initiative to promote greater interconnection among countries in the world and promote economic cooperation between neighboring countries and related countries. , Will further promote personnel exchanges and cultural exchanges between countries around the world, and will definitely make greater contributions to world peace.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism is also key in promoting responsible tourism. From the late 1980s to the present, as a form of sustainable development, ecotourism is generally favored in the global tourism industry. Since the introduction of the concept of ecotourism in China in the 1990s, it has attracted extensive attention from government departments, tourism, and academia. Ecotourism is a kind of ecological system in which people and nature coexist harmoniously (Woosnam 2011b).

Ecotourism seeks to coordinate and unify tourism, nature protection and local economic development. The scientific management of ecotourism involves the best cooperation among tourists, tour operators, local residents, and administrative departments. At the same time, in the process of rational operation, it is necessary to emphasize the protection of nature to meet the continued existence of ecotourism resources (Woosnam 2012).

Ecotourism particularly emphasizes the protection of viewing objects. In the 1970s and 1980s, when people put forward the concept of sustainable development, they worried that tourism resources would be seriously threatened with the development of tourism, so they proposed the concept of ecotourism, which means sustainable tourism (Ward and Berno 2011).

Recommendations for achieving solidarity tourism

The normal thing is to arrive at a town in the process of development or with few resources, to know their customs and lifestyles, while sharing with each of the inhabitants, while the solidarity works are being carried out by families or small groups, who count their stories. When we travel to the US or Germany, to give a few examples, it does not occur to us to carry a suitcase loaded with gifts to distribute wherever we go. Such actions, far from helping, can increase the feeling of inequality of who receives them and, above all, create a need that conditions the visit of future tourists (Chen and Raab 2012). The best recommendation is to act as naturally as possible and treat the inhabitants of the destination from you to you, showing respect for their traditions and customs. That they feel you and see you as one of them is the best contribution you can make to end social inequalities.

Recommendations for achieving ecotourism

The key recommendations for achieving ecotourism is to adhere to principles of ecotourism. They comprises four aspects: ecological protection, tourism development, environmental education and community participation. It can be said that ecological protection and tourism development are the overall goals of ecotourism, while environmental education and community participation are the ways to achieve ecotourism (Ward and Berno 2011). Ecological protection is a prerequisite, reflecting the responsibilities and obligations of managers; tourism development is the core, allowing tourists to fully enjoy the gifts of nature and providing an atmosphere of physical and mental relaxation; environmental education is the responsibility to ensure that ecotourism becomes a responsibility for respecting nature Form of tourism; community participation is a guarantee, and it can realize the growth of scenic spots and the prosperity of the community. Each of these four aspects has deep meanings, complement each other, and must not be neglected (Hritz and Ross 2010).

In the field of the hotel industry, some of the sustainable actions must be applied in the different design and construction phases, such as using construction materials with low environmental impact, efficient use of energy resources and environmentally friendly products, managing selectively waste and encourage the use of recycled materials, the installation of renewable energy collection systems, etc.  

Along with these actions, and for a reduction in CO2 emissions and cost savings, other energy management services or user consumption control are added (highly energy-efficient installations for heating, cooling, domestic hot water and lighting, systems saving water in rooms, kitchen, laundry, taps and showers, or double flush systems in toilets) (Moscardo 2011).

Regarding waste management and recycling, we will highlight the most toxic and polluting waste: kitchen vegetable oils, toners and cartridges, and the waste derived from building maintenance such as fluorescents, electrical waste, furniture, waste from cleaning etc.

Lastly, implement awareness-raising actions for staff through sustainability training, and for customers.   

This last action is of special importance: an environmental policy in hotels with awareness campaigns aimed at customers, and this as good environmental practice that helps reduce the negative impacts of tourism.

Conclusion

One of the most recurring themes in the tourism sector is the theme of Sustainability. Tourism is an impressive force that produces powerful changes in destinations, economies, societies and the environment. Among the main positive impacts we can highlight that it is a source of economic development and a generator of employment. But it is also a catalyst for attracting foreign investment, diversifying the economy, and redistributing wealth (if tourism development is well planned).  But the exponential growth of tourist flows has caused certain destinations to begin to suffer the negative consequences of these higher volumes of visitors, who are normally concentrated in the same time and space.

It should be added that contribution of individual traveler is invaluable. Simple actions can have important consequences. For example, the protection of cultural heritage, the purchase of local products, and counteraction to the violation of human rights – these simple acts of travelers can be of great importance. Just imagine one simple action, multiplied by billions of times, and the consequences to which it can lead.

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