Do Hotels Benefit from Promoting Responsible Tourism?
- team9186
- Dec 14, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 28, 2024
“Tourism” has become quite a loaded term. It’s a lifeline and potential threat rolled into one.
I know it sounds dramatic, but it’s true.
On one hand, it brings the world to your doorstep, drives local economies, and bridges cultures.
But, on the other hand, it can be a relentless tide, washing away traditions, straining resources, and leaving footprints that are hard to erase.
Now, we’re not here to talk about how many towels you save from washing. Yes, that matters, but there’s another issue at play. It’s about how tourism, managed responsibly or not, profoundly affects communities.
Hotels have the power, albeit not the explicit responsibility, to steer the course of tourism in the right direction.
And before you dismiss this as a 'not my circus, not my monkey' situation, let me make one thing clear—this isn’t just about doing good for your local community. It’s smart business.
The Growing Trends in Tourism
Here’s the reality: travelers today increasingly care about responsible tourism.
Your potential guests are looking for authentic experiences, meaningful connections, and ways to positively impact the places they visit. It's no longer just about ticking off the top ten tourist attractions; it's about going beneath the surface and experiencing the heart and soul of a destination.
Travelers today are not just looking for a place to grab a coffee; they're seeking out that local café brewing the perfect espresso because it means supporting a family-owned business. They are aware that their decisions can lead to economic exploitation, where big chains overshadow local businesses; cultural erosion, where unique traditions are overshadowed by a one-size-fits-all global culture; and extreme social divides.
And while they may still be heading out with their selfie sticks, the facts tell us many travelers are also now armed with a conscious:
The Undeniable Opportunity for Hotels
Alright, enough with the facts and figures. The trends are clear but the question is: where do you fit into all of this?
And that is where the opportunity lies. See, responsible travel is a daunting task. How can a visitor decipher a family-owned gem from the chain that’s on every few corners throughout the country? How can they figure out where to go to get an authentic experience, where they can discover the true essence of their destination?
It’s a lot of work.
They could spend hours researching, combing through websites and travel blogs, but let’s be honest: they signed up for a vacation, not a research project.
This overwhelming task often leaves travelers longing for support and guidance, they are looking for recommendations that go beyond the typical tourist hotspots.
And who is better to fulfill that need than you?
You’re likely a local, along with the rest of your hotel staff, and that means you’ve got the insight that your guests crave. You know the real-deal places from the tourist traps, the mom-and-pops from the chains, and where your guests can go to scratch beneath the surface and truly experience what makes your city special.
It’s just a matter of figuring out how you can seamlessly share this with your guests to simultaneously elevate their experience and positively impact your community.
And here’s the kicker, if you can provide this experience, you’re bound to attract more guests. But you’ll also be playing a crucial part in preserving the unique character of your local community—and that satisfaction just might outweigh the boost to your bottom line, but that’s for you to decide.