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Definition

For the International Coalition for Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourism defines as the application of the concept of Sustainable Development on Tourism Sector.

So, Responsible Tourism indicates any form of development or tourist activity which respects and preserves in the long term natural, cultural and social resources and contributes in a positive and fair way to the development and the bloom of people who lives, works and spend their holiday in this place.

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Responsible Tourism makes its way further thanks to the commitment of the actors of tourism field in France and in the world and thanks to the willing of the tourists to become again true travellers of discovery.

Nowadays, Responsible Tourism defines as,

on one hand:

- the respect of tourists towards local country, its inhabitants, its environment, its culture and its economy and

on the other hand:

- the respect for the tourist operators in the conception, marketing and promotion of a tourist product towards the local populations, tourists, economic, social and ecological environments of the local country.

With 898 millions* of arrivals and 6,2 % growth, 2007 constitutes a record New Year for worldwide tourism. Forecasts are 1 billion tourists in 2010* and 1.6 billion in 2020*.
This industry opens new areas of freedom and relations and contributes to the development of several countries. But new freedom and financial benefits can have negative impacts on environment and procreate unacceptable forms of working such as sexual tourism.

*source:OMT

Key Figures of Tourism Industry

• 898 million international tourists in 2007. Forecast of 1,6 billions in 2020.


• Tourism represents 12 % of the worldwide GDP.


• Tourism Industry Income exceed 685 billion dollars a year.


• Tourism represents 60 % of international air traffic.


• Tourism is responsible of 5 % of the greenhouse gazes(GES).


• According to UNEP in 2002 (United Nations Environment Program), on the 109 countries with coral reefs, 90 of them have destroyed corals due anchor chains and waste threw by tourists.


• Developped Countries are the main beneficiaries of this tourist development, from 55 to 80 % of the colossal revenues of tourism come back to them.


• On 898 millions of touristes in the world, 10 % choose their destination every year according to the opportunities of sexual tourism.