How will the industry measure “building back better”? There needs to be a major reckoning of the industry’s problematic equity imbalance and new performance metrics if the industry is to transform into a more climate-smart, socially sustainable and equitable industry across its supply chain.
The report by global market research company Euromonitor International assessed 99 country destinations on their environmental, social and economic sustainability and country risk. Sweden was ranked first. The country is highly engaged with the Sustainable Development Goals and preserves the Arctic ice and permafrost to help stop climate change.
Bike-share programs became more popular during the lockdown, as more people looked for alternatives to public transport. Even though the programs targeted residents, tourists accounted for more than a third of all users. By bike, tourists reach new neighbourhoods, distributing economic and social benefits of tourism activity more widely.
The Panamanian city of Portobelo is looking to expand its existing tourism offering as part of Panama’s “Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism.” Projects include the education and training of tour guides and the rehabilitation of the historic centre. This master plan reactivates the country’s tourism, conservation and Research (TCR) strategy applied over 20 years ago by the ecologist Dr. Hana Ayala and aims to reduce the social inequality gap and safeguard the UNESCO site.
As part of Skift’s Viewpoint series, Asia travel and consumer trends analyst Gary Bowerman, shares his 10 top lessons from the pandemic so far - “people have had a year to consider the perilous state of the planet, and they’re unimpressed. As borders reopen, sustainable, responsible, and regenerative travel will need to be reimagined, because the tourism sector is about to be in the eco-cross hairs”.
