With the quickly expanding tourism sector, the term ‘responsible tourism’ has become more and more popular. However, as an all-encompassing concept, responsible tourism is still often misunderstood.
To get a better understanding of what responsible tourism means for MRTI, we asked our staff to share their views on the topic.
“Responsible tourism is every action that you do while you’re in a foreign culture or tourist. This includes your gestures, your speaking tone and expressions, and the way that you carry yourself. That’s why I try to be responsible in the way that I behave: with my body language, actions and my outer appearance.” – Re Paul R War
“Responsible tourism is not only about the travellers, but it encompasses all stakeholders who are involved in the tourism industry. For example, before a business invests in a certain area, they need to consult with local people about their business plan. Sometimes they should do Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Social Impact Assessment (SIA) – to make it a win-win situation for locals and the businesses.” – Than Hlaing Oo
“For me, responsible tourism is planning and managing the tourist-wildlife interactions in an educative and mutually beneficial manner. To do so, efficient interpretation is fundamental as well as the full understanding and application of concepts like the Carrying Capacity and Limit of Acceptable Change on an ecosystem. But most importantly, bringing all-embracing expertise in wildlife watching and understanding ecosystems’ diversity in both land and aquatic environments is crucial.” – Angelo
“When I travel, I always try to do research on the location to prepare for the culture and customs of the country. In this way, I can make sure that my behaviour and actions respect the country and place that I’m visiting.” – Reeta
“For me, responsible travelling is about informing myself before going to a different country and not stereotyping a culture. Follow the local customs, dress appropriately, keep an open mind, and think twice about my actions.” – Johanna
“In my opinion, responsible tourism is such a kind of tourism in which thoughts and manners should be conscious to everyone related to tourism in all ways. Travelling is creating beautiful memories, not making burdens to the society. Giving a cheerful smile to local community and supporting as much as you can are responsible things to do while you’re travelling.” – Khaing Zin Thant
“The definition of Responsible tourism means that it promotes dignity, freedom and equality for all people. Responsible Tourism allows for all people to participate and does not serve to intimidate, oppress or take advantage of any people. That both tourists and locals have an environment where they are able to have a free exchange of ideas, cultures and personalities.” – Jackie
“I think, responsible tourism is the manner in which someone acts while he or she is in a foreign country. His or her behaviour, demeanour, way of speaking to others people, value for the local communities and environment are also included in it. So, I try to be responsible, appreciate the foreign culture, have positive manners and a sweet smile.” – Cho Cho Aung
“Responsible tourism is not a type of tourism, it is an attitude to tourism, and attitude can lead to any type of action. Once you change someone’s attitude to tourism, action will follow. To be a responsible tourist is to also to be a responsible person, and looking at all of the aspects that are in your control when you travel.” – Frans
Image Sources
1 – https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ6RWGAVxwt0ec0uMOVe_66yj1MuHKBY–9JBu1o74qc3o1riOW
2 – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Birdwatching_on_beach