The Atas Conference highlighted the importance of community tourism in tackling global issues.
- Touring specialists assert the sector’s potential to alleviate poverty, combat overtourism, and address the climate crisis.
- Brian Young emphasised the transformative power of community tourism at the Atas Conference.
- Innovative projects such as ‘Trees for Days’ demonstrate tangible benefits for communities.
- The touring sector is adaptable and resilient in the face of global challenges.
The recently concluded Atas Conference shone a spotlight on the transformational potential of community tourism. Key stakeholders within the touring industry discussed how collaborative efforts in tourism can positively impact pressing global issues, particularly focusing on alleviating poverty and tackling the threat of overtourism and climate change.
Brian Young, managing director at G Adventures for EMEA, articulated a critical perspective by highlighting the prevailing focus on the negative impacts of tourism, such as aviation emissions. However, he proposed a balanced narrative by introducing community tourism as a force capable of changing lives. According to Young, the implementation of ‘ripple’ scores by G Adventures measures the economic retention within local communities, further supported by collaboration with Reforest in the ‘Trees for Days’ initiative. This initiative involves planting a tree for each tour day, benefiting 135 communities and indirectly impacting 110,000 individuals.
Young provided concrete examples, referencing a restaurant in Cambodia where tourists not only dine but also contribute to local skill development in culinary arts, hospitality, and management. Another pioneering project is ‘Women on Wheels,’ which facilitates airport transfers in India, empowering women and fostering gender equality. ‘Trees for Days,’ a key initiative underlining these efforts, has brought significant ecological and social benefits, as indicated by the planting of three million trees.
The conference also featured renowned sustainability expert Saunders Carmichael-Brown, who addressed the topic of carbon emissions, noting the advancement in fuel efficiency in aviation over the past decade. Dana Moore from Trees4Travel presented their venture Zeero, aimed at fostering the development of sustainable fuels for various modes of transport. These discussions underscored the industry’s commitment to sustainability, with Young asserting that while consumers might be hesitant to bear additional costs for sustainability, exposure to impactful community tourism projects can raise awareness and foster change.
An additional panel shed light on the inherent adaptability and resilience of the touring sector, which has endured numerous crises such as pandemics, natural disasters, and now, climate challenges. Simon Applebaum from Gold Medal indicated that touring could effectively disperse tourists and their spending, lessening the burden on popular destinations and extending financial benefits to lesser-known areas. Niel Alobaidi of Newmarket Holidays added that the essence of touring naturally veers away from overtourism hotspots, providing quality experiences in a wider range of destinations.
The Atas Conference underscored community tourism’s significant role in addressing global challenges through economic, social, and environmental impacts.
