Responsible Tourism in Latin America
Since 2004, 34 Latin American companies have been recognised in the global Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM, London. Latin America has many internationally recognised responsible tourism businesses, doing well by doing good.
At WTM Latin America in 2018 the Brazilian Collective for Responsible Tourism (www.coletivomuda.tur.br) was established
Tuesday 3rd April 17:30 – 18:00
Tourism and Local Communities in Latin America
Travellers and holidaymakers increasingly seek to experience local cultures, authentic experiences of local cultures can only be provided in encounters with local people. Community tourism is the concept widely used to describe these experiences. How can the industry best work with communities to deliver high-quality memorable experiences for tourists to extend the length of stay? How can these commercial relationships work to benefit both the formal industry and local people?
Moderator:
Gustavo Pinto
ICRT Brasil e Inverted America Viagens
Speakers: Daniela Marcondes
Maembipe Ecoturismo e Consultoria and Community-Based Tourism in Castelhanos, Ilhabela
Mariana Madureira
Raízes Desenvolvimento Sustentável
Paula Arantes
Serras Guerreiras de Tupuruquara
http://www.serrasdetapuruquara.org
Gustavo Pinto, ICRT member and owner at Inverted America (
www.invertedamerica.com) moderated the panel and started interviewing Marianna Madureira and Jussara Rocha, Projeto Bagagem’s members (
www.projetobagagem.org) about 02 recent milestones on community tourism in the continent: the Latin American Meeting on Community Tourism that took place in Colombia in 2017, and the “Carta de Salvador”, the final document from the Global Forum on Sustainable Tourism - one of the side events at the World Social Forum in Salvador, Brazil.
From these events, the session moved to discussing practical, successful cases on Community Tourism in Brazil. Claudia Carmello presented Garupa (www.garupa.org.br), an online crowdfunding platform for sustainable tourism initiatives to finance local projects. They also provide technical support for the Project “Serras Guerreiras de Tapuruquara” (www.serrasdetapuruquara.org), a pioneering initiative in indigenous territories in Brazil. The project is carried on by Instituto Socioambiental - ISA (
www.socioambiental.org) and was presented by Camila Barra, an anthropologist at ISA.
At the end, Daniela Marcondes presented the Turismo de Base Comunitária de Castelhanos (
www.castelhanos.org). The project grew after the Responsible Tourism sessions at WTM Latin America 2016 when the group organised a technical trip to the community and got the support for its development.
Wednesday 4th April 16:45 – 17:15
Tourism and Local Economic Development: the commercial advantage
The tourism industry can bring local economic development to local communities in rural and urban areas through the creation of employment and through local purchasing of goods and services. As holidaymakers and travellers pursue authentic experiences of the local accommodation providers can secure competitive advantage and extend the guests length of stay, and tour operators and guides can secure a competitive advantage, by sourcing locally.
Moderator:
Gustavo Pinto
ICRT Brasil e Inverted America Viagens
Speakers:
Marianne Costa
Vivejar Turismo Comunitário
Cássio Garkalns
Consultant - GKS Negócios Sustentáveis
Elizabeth Fournier
Localista Costa Rica
On the second panel for responsible tourism at WTM Latin America 2018, speakers and audience talked about the economic benefits responsible tourism brings to a destination. The session started with Cássio Garkalns from GKS Negócios Sustentáveis (
www.gks.com.br), who presented information on his UNEP consultancy for production and consumption in tourism in Latin America. He was followed by case studies in the continent: Elizabeth Fournier from Localista Costa Rica (
www.localistacostarica.com ) showed the company’s work with host communities in her country and how that benefits both the hosts and the visitors; while Marianne Costa from Vivejar (
www.vivejar.com.br) presented her methodology for economic impact management at the destinations where her tour operator has programs.
Thursday 5th April 13:45 – 15:00 30 minutes
Marine Tourism in Latin America
The cruise sector is growing rapidly and demand for opportunities to see marine wildlife is strong: snorkelling and diving, whale and dolphin watching. What are the challenges of offering great experiences for the clients whilst ensuring that tourism does not damage the marine environment or drive away the very species that attract them?
Moderator:
Gustavo Pinto
ICRT Brasil e Inverted America Viagens
Speakers:
Helena Pavese
Diretora World Animal Protection
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade - ICMBio
With a session full of important data on the impacts of tourism to aquatic life in Latin America, the last responsible tourism panel at WTM Latin America counted with the presentation of Mauricio Forlani, Head Wildlife Researcher at the World Animal Protection (
www.worldanimalprotection.org). The NGO presented the recent information about the impacts of tourism in all its forms (cruises, animals in cages, domesticated wildlife) and the consequences for the environment. Mr Forlani made sure to show the trade what are the adequate ways to respect animal welfare when having any wildlife-related experiences at touristic destinations.
