Written by Wild Asia on 23 Nov 2008 with 0 comments. Be the first!

Insights and examples of responsible tourism from the Asian region. Perspectives and commentaries from some of the world's visionaries could provide some unique inspiration.

Eco-tourism focuses mainly on the environment and cultural heritage of a place. It was a notion started with the awareness of the consequences tourism had on the environment. However, it later proved to be less than triumphant in sustaining the environment. "Responsible tourism" is the subsequent word on the lips of all those associated with tourism.

So what is responsible tourism? It merely signifies running an industry which has a low impact on the local natural environment while reaping its economic benefits. This has been the latest slant of progression towards protecting environment, people and cultures.

Passionate operators such as Shangri-La Tanjung aru resort (Sabah), Frangipani Langkawi Resort (Langkawi), Marari Beach Resort (Kerala) and Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa (Phuket) are among the few that practice and promote RT through protection of natural areas, efficient resource and waste management, commitment to local employment and dedication to support and development of local cultures. These few organisations have taken the initiative but there is still a lot to be done.

After all, we are all inhabitants of this earth; each and every one of us is responsible for its well-being. Bringing about positive and life-long changes in the tourism industry is one of the defining things we can do to move one step closer to a more promising future.

"Over the last few years, we've become painfully aware that tourism isn't just about passively observing a place, it's also about changing it - and usually for the worse. Most often we literally destroy the beauty or interest we have come to witness. It's therefore paramount that we learn to come up with forms of travel business that don't destroy their host organisms" :- Alain de Botton, Writer & Philosopher

"The significance of each single step towards our shared worldwide goal of sustainable tourism is greater than you may imagine - and these hesitant early steps are the most important as with any journey":- Pen Hadow, Explorer