The 8th International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations took place in Manchester during English Tourism Week from the 3rd to the 5th of April, organized by the Centre for Responsible Tourism.
Among all the issues emerged from the Conference, the speeches by James Berresford, VisitEngland chief executive, and Manda Brookman, director of CoaST One Planet Tourism, were really precious.
Just two quotes to understand the deepness of their words:
“Investing in tourism is investing in the future. Sometimes we overlook the message that if we invest in sustaining pubs and bus services and local facilities, they are great not just for tourists but for local residents too”. (James Berresford) – Read also “Agents have a ‘vested interest’ in promoting sustainable tourism, says VisitEngland”
“Tourism should help with flood resilience, improve biodiversity, create thriving, engaged communities. How can we claim that tourism is thriving in a destination where there are food banks for local people?” (Manda Brookman) – Read also Tourism that does not make places better is “another form of mining”
Here the RTD8 reports.
Here the Storify of the RTD8.
I really wish I had attended this conference.