Spotlight on: Socioeconomic travel
In the world of travel, sustainability is not just an environmental issue; it's also a social one. One that has as much to do with carbon impact as it does with the well-being of local people. From cultural exchange to the local economy, community well-being to environmental conservation, the positive benefits of tourism are varied. Socio-economic impact is an important part of the sustainability picture and a top consideration for impact-minded travellers.
Benefits to the local economy are perhaps one of the most frequently cited perks of tourism: supporting businesses, creating jobs and enhancing the local economy to name a few. But these benefits frequently cascade into social ones, too, unique and specific to the community and place. For this reason, discussions of socially sustainable travel must place the local community at the centre, acknowledging that what’s good for one place, isn’t always good for the other.
Whether it’s a local desire for culture sharing, more equitable tourism distribution or historic preservation, the need to listen to the demands of local communities is an essential part of sustainable travel. So with that in mind, here are five places harnessing tourism as a force for social good. And as a visitor? What’s more lovely than arriving in a place where you know your presence is beneficial, is that it also often leads to a very warm welcome.
Hauts-de-France
Often overshadowed by Paris and the South, the Hauts-de-France region has seen a period of recent urban regeneration, made all the more accessible thanks to direct Eurostar connections to Lille. The region is on a mission to help visitors experience its uniquely diverse blend of arty cities, hilltop towns and vast nature reserves, dotted with palaces and chateaux that hark back to the region’s regal past. [see trip]
Belgium
From lacemaking to glass-blowing, beer-brewing to tapestry, Belgium has a long-standing legacy of traditional craft that still thrives today. Through market stalls, neighbourhood breweries and local galleries, visitors get the chance to really engage with this artisanal side of Belgium and the people behind it, who love nothing more than to share their craft. It’s a big part of why those passing through are made to feel so welcome, and a real testament to the social and cultural benefit of tourism to local people. [See trip]
Bosnia and Herzegovina
With the war behind them, Bosnians are embracing tourism as a way to reestablish the reputation of the country for its multiculturalism, natural beauty, and the sincere generosity of its citizens. If you’re after someone to point you in the direction of the Skakavac Waterfall, the botanical gardens of the Ottoman Mosque, or the best place to sample traditional Bosnian coffee, you’ll doubtless be reminded of the kindness of strangers on the road less travelled. [See trip]
Casablanca, Morocco
Increased tourism is both the driving force and result of Casablanca’s most ambitious infrastructure plans to date, improving intercity connections for tourists and locals alike. But it’s also the city’s cultural ambitions that are at the heart of it’s revival. Unbeknownst to visitors that flock straight to the Moroccan capital, Casablanca is home to some of the country’s most exquisite Art Deco and Avant-Garde architecture. Add in the development of Africa’s largest theatre and the renovation of the city’s Medina, and Casablanca is set to rise far beyond its former reputation as a gateway to more frequented Moroccan hotspots.[See trip]
The Netherlands (beyond Amsterdam)
Don’t let Amstrdam’s recent ‘stay away’ campaign put you off; there are plenty of places in the Netherlands that would love a share of the capital’s eager visitors. Attracting holiday-makers to alternative destinations is a key part of creating more equitable and sustainable tourism in the Netherlands. But if you’re after canals, cafe culture and that green-city feel, you don’t need to go without: the Dutch city of Utrecht ticks all the boxes. [See trip]
