The roles of tourists, tourism operators, and local communities are important for supporting sustainable tourism. Tourists can choose sustainable tourism by paying slightly higher fees, which encourages conservation. Operators influence consumer choices and work with suppliers and destinations to further sustainability. They provide information to tourists and limit impacts. Local communities are directly involved through jobs, services, and partnerships with operators. They share economic and cultural benefits, and regulate visiting areas to protect resources and promote sustainable development. All parties aim to respect cultures and environments while achieving economic goals.

1. DTM6033
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
TOPIC 7:
ROLES OF TOURIST, TOURISM OPERATOR
AND LOCAL COMMUNITIY IN SUPPORTING
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

2. The Roles and Code of Ethics
•Tourists
•Tourism operators
•Local communities

3. • The tourist is the ultimate actor in making sustainable tourism a reality. If
tourists do not choose to come to the tourism destination, or are not
willing to pay fees to support sustainable tourism, the project will fail.
• Encouraging in patronize sustainable tourism rather than conventional
tourism.
 The tourist may need to be willing to pay higher fees to visit a site that is
sustainable, rather than attending a similar tourism experience elsewhere that is
less environmentally friendly.
 Several European surveys indicate that tourists are willing to pay up to 5% more (of
their entire trip budget), e.g. for such extra costs such as entrance fees, if they
know that the extra money will support the local environment and the community.
 However, tourists, like everybody, have limited budgets, and there does come a
point past which an excessively high fee will turn tourists away.
Tourist

4. Tourist
• When travelling, tourists and
visitors should not commit any
criminal act or any act considered
criminal by the laws of the country
visited and abstain from any
conduct felt to be offensive or
injurious by the local populations,
or likely to damage the local
environment;
• they should refrain from all
trafficking in illicit drugs, arms,
antiques, protected species and
products and substances that are
dangerous or prohibited by
national regulations;
• Enjoy our diverse natural and
cultural heritage and help us to

5. Tourist
• Tourists and visitors have the
responsibility to acquaint
themselves, even before their
departure, with the characteristics
of the countries they are
preparing to visit;
• they must be aware of the health
and security risks inherent in any
travel outside their usual
environment and behave in such a
way as to minimize those risks.
• experience the friendliness of our
people and the welcoming spirit of
our communities. Help us to

6. Tourist
• Avoid activities which threaten
wildlife or plant populations, ’ or
which may be potentially
damaging to our natural
environment.
• Assist us in our conservation
efforts through the efficient use of
resources including energy and
water.
• Select tourism products and
services which demonstrate
social, cultural and environmental
sensitivity.

7. Tourism Operators
• Tour operators play a central role in the tourism industry. As
intermediaries between tourists and tourism service suppliers, tour
operators can influence the choices of consumers, the practices of
suppliers and the development patterns of destinations.
• This unique role means that tour operators can make an important
contribution to furthering the goals of sustainable tourism
development and protecting the environmental and cultural
resources on which the tourism industry depends for its survival and
growth.

8. • Example:
The members of the Tour Operators' Initiative also believe that tour
operators can contribute to the sustainable development of tourism
in protected areas in many different ways, such as:
 Including protected areas in their itineraries and giving customers information about the natural and cultural
features of visited sites and their roles in the conservation of local ecosystems;
 Limiting the size of their groups, or dividing large groups into smaller ones when visiting protected areas;
 Informing protected area managers of visits ahead of time and discussing ways to reduce visitor impacts;
 Integrating sustainability principles into the selection criteria and service agreements of their suppliers, and
choosing locally owned and operated suppliers;
 Making financial contributions to conservation and development projects;
 Providing customers with opportunities to proactively support protected areas; and
 Providing customers with guidelines on how to avoid negative impacts while visiting sensitive areas, for
example by maintaining appropriate distances from wildlife, staying on trails to avoid trampling plants or
causing erosion, and keeping water and energy use down to avoid related impacts on the environment.
Tourism Operators

9. • Tourism activities that created should respect the equality of men
and women
• Encourage travel for purposes of religion, health, education and
cultural or linguistic exchanges.
• Safeguard the natural environment
• Build awareness and educate the tourist and visitors
• Hire local guides, use local suppliers, and treat them fairly
Tourism Operators

10. • Community members play an essential role in tourism. They may
play many direct roles in the tourism industry, including:
 Renting land for development
 Working as occasional, part-time, or full-time staff for private tour
operators
 Providing services to private operators such as food, guides,
transportation, lodging
 Forming joint ventures with private tour operators, who usually
provide marketing, logistics, and bilingual guides, while the community
provides most services
 Operating independent community-based tourism programs
Local Communities

11.  Respect the tourists who visit them and find out about their lifestyles,
tastes and expectations; the education and training imparted to
professionals contribute to a hospitable welcome;
 Local populations should be associated with tourism activities
 share equitably in the economic, social and cultural benefits they
generate
 develop rules and regulation for visiting certain places
 use resources wisely to promotes sustainable tourism development
 associated with tourism activities and share equitably in the economic,
social and cultural.
 need to be active participants rather than passive observers.
Local Communities

12.  Commit to excellence in the quality of tourism and hospitality experiences
provided to our clients through a motivated and caring staff
 Encourage an appreciation of, and respect for, our natural, cultural and
aesthetic heritage among our clients, staff, and stakeholders, and within our
communities.
 Respect the values and aspirations of our host communities and strive to
provide services and facilities in a manner which contributes to community
identity, pride, aesthetics and the quality of life of residents.
 Strive to achieve tourism development in a manner which harmonizes
economic objectives with the protection and enhancement of our natural,
cultural and aesthetic heritage.
 Be efficient in the use of all natural resources, manage waste in an
environmentally responsible manner, and strive to eliminate or minimize
pollution in all its forms.
 Cooperate with our colleagues within the tourism industry and other
industries, towards the goal of sustainable development and an improved
quality of life for all Canadians.
 Support tourists in their quest for a greater understanding and appreciation
of nature and their neighbors in the global village. Work with and through
Code of Ethics: The Canadian Tourism Industry

13.  Article 1: Tourism’s contribution to mutual understanding and respect
between peoples and societies
 Article 2: Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfilment
 Article 3: Tourism, a factor of sustainable development
 Article 4: Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and
contributor to its enhancement
 Article 5: Tourism, a beneficial activity for host country and
communities
 Article 6: Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development
 Article 7: Right to tourism
 Article 8: Liberty of tourism movements
 Article 9: Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry
 Article 10: Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for
Tourism
Code of Ethics for Tourism: 10’s Principles

14. Thank You