Is there really equity in tourism? Tourism is a transversal activity with enormous potential to contribute to economic development and improve the quality of life of residents. It can also help preserve biodiversity, traditions, and culture.
However, despite how nice it sounds, the reality is different. In few destinations does this truly occur. The economic resources obtained through tourism are diverted and do not generate the positive impact they should on the local population.
What is currently happening with equity in tourism?
Tourism activity heavily depends on services, infrastructure, and locals. We cannot deny that a tourist’s experience, regardless of what they do or where they are, is highly influenced by local human, material, and immaterial factors.
Despite this, we can witness numerous “extractivist” tourism models. These models only use the value of a destination while contributing little or nothing to its development.
In the worst cases, they leave a negative impact on the place. This happens largely because the resources tourists spend do not stay in the territory and end up being redirected to other distant locations.
For example, models like all-inclusive resorts or cruises create an economic bubble. All tourist expenses end up in one or a limited group of companies, excluding local businesses and workers.
According to a study by the UNWTO in 2014, it was shown that about 80% of tourist spending was leaked out of the Caribbean. This means that the distribution of wealth generated by tourism was extremely unequal.
What impact does the lack of equity in tourism has?
The lack of equity in tourism has economic, social, and cultural consequences. When the benefits of tourism are concentrated in a few hands, divisions and resentments are created within local communities.
The lack of local population participation in the tourism industry can have significant consequences. Some of these include the loss of cultural identity and the degradation of natural and cultural heritage.
This situation also negatively impacts the environment. Tourism models that do not prioritize local suppliers and products promote importation, which has a significant environmental impact due to the transportation of goods and products. Consequently, they can cause irreversible damage to the natural environment.
Opportunities to promote equity in tourism
Definitely, the shift towards a more equitable and sustainable tourism model should be the current focus. It is essential to address not only economic inequalities but also to mitigate the negative environmental impact.
Focus on adventure tourism, community tourism, ecotourism, and rural tourism represents a real opportunity to boost the active participation of local communities.
Focus on adventure tourism, community tourism, ecotourism, and rural tourism represents a real opportunity to boost the active participation of local communities.
By promoting the proximity of suppliers and workers, these models help reduce carbon emissions and support sustainable local development.
The role of governments
Governments and civil society organizations play a crucial role in promoting equity in tourism. Governments must establish policies and regulations that ensure a fair distribution of the benefits of tourism.
They should also encourage the active participation of local communities in the tourism industry. Furthermore, they should invest in sustainable tourism infrastructure and training programs for local residents.
Tourism suffers from a true crisis of equity, and it is time to rethink the current model, which only focuses on maximizing the profits of a few actors, with little consideration for the rest of the participants who are equally important in a tourism experience.
Only through the promotion of sustainable and equitable tourism models can genuine and lasting economic development in tourist destinations be ensured.
