UJ #19 - Sustainable Peru

TOURISM IN SUPPORT OF PERU’S CULTURAL TREASURES
Christian Declercq
on these magical places. These very reactions are the
visions behind socially responsible and sustainable
tourism.
While these concepts began to brew during the 1960’s
thanks to an increase in activism and social movements,
it was not until the 1980’s that they were strengthened
and formalised with the appearance of institutions that
were advocated to promote these ideals. Within the
tourism sector, these organisations look to both benefit
those implicated in the industry, as well as protect
the natural and cultural resources precious to each
destination.
Kayak and stand
up paddleboard are
two fun, eco-friendly
activity options.
According to Newton’s famous third law of physics, with
every action, there is a reaction. While this statement
was originally coined to explain physics, it can be used in
many other contexts as well, like tourism.
Tourism Cares, established in 2003 by the National Tour
Association (NTA) and the United States Tour Operators
Association (USTOA), is one of these organisations. Its
mission is to work for the wellbeing of the people and
destinations tourism depends. To achieve this, it brings
Christian Declercq
For example, the increasingly popular beaches in
Southeast Asia have seen a massive surge in tourists
in the last few years. The local ecosystem of these
beaches, however, is not at all prepared for such an
increase in human traffic. As tourism depends on the
natural surroundings of destinations – as well as local
communities and cultural heritage sites – we are forced
to react in order to avoid generating negative impacts
Social projects provide
great developmental
alternatives for some of
the more isolated villages.
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