Responsible Tourism (Grade 10 NSC Matric Tourism): Revision Notes

Responsible Tourism

Introduction to responsible tourism

Responsible tourism is about making positive choices that protect the environment and benefit local communities. As a tourist, you play an important role as a stakeholder in the tourism industry. This means your actions and decisions have a real impact on the places you visit.

Tourists can help reduce the negative effects of tourism on the environment by carefully considering how their travel affects destinations. Choosing products and services that promote sustainable tourism (tourism that protects the environment and supports local people) is a key part of being a responsible tourist.

How tourism businesses can reduce negative impacts

Tourism businesses have a responsibility to operate in ways that benefit local communities and reduce harm to the environment. Here are five key ways businesses can be more responsible:

• Employing locals: Hiring people from the local community creates jobs and keeps money in the area
• Buying from local suppliers: Purchasing goods and services from local businesses supports the local economy
• Supporting local entrepreneurs: Helping small local business owners grow and succeed
• Including local content in products: Featuring local culture, crafts, and traditions in tourism offerings
• Promoting local arts and crafts: Showcasing and selling locally made products to visitors

These practices ensure that tourism benefits the people who live in the destination, not just outside companies.

Responsible tourist behaviour towards the environment

Understanding your role as a tourist

Tourists are stakeholders in the tourism industry, which means you have an important part to play in protecting the environment. Your choices matter! You can limit the negative impact on the environment by:

• Thinking about the effects of your travel decisions
• Choosing products and services that promote sustainable tourism
• Being mindful of how your actions affect natural and cultural sites

Rules for behaviour in natural environments

Good environmental practices

Being environmentally responsible means actively working to reduce your impact on the planet. Here are practical ways to do this while travelling:

Litter control

Proper waste management is crucial for keeping tourist sites clean and protecting wildlife. Good litter control practices include:

• Using rubbish bins: Tourist sites and attractions should have clearly visible rubbish bins that are easy to find and use
• Recycling: Look for separate bins for recyclable materials like plastic, paper, and glass. Always use these when available
• Supporting recycling programmes: Choose accommodations and attractions that have recycling collections in place

Conserving energy

Energy conservation reduces pollution and helps fight climate change. Every small action adds up! Here's how you can save energy while travelling:

• Switch off electrical appliances: Turn off lights, air conditioning, televisions, and other devices when you're not using them or when you leave your room
• Use public transport, walk, or cycle: Instead of hiring a car or taking taxis everywhere, use buses, trains, or bicycles. Walking is great for sightseeing and has zero environmental impact
• Turn off vehicle engines: When you're parked or stopped for a long time, switch off the engine rather than leaving it idling. This saves fuel and reduces air pollution

Conserving water

Water is a scarce resource (something that is limited and can run out) in many tourist destinations, especially in South Africa where water shortages are common. Help conserve water by:

• Shower instead of bath: Showers use much less water than filling a bathtub
• Re-use towels: Don't ask for fresh towels every single day. One towel can be used several times before washing
• Use refillable water containers: Bring a reusable water bottle instead of buying new plastic bottles constantly
• Drink tap water when suitable: In places where tap water is safe to drink, use it instead of bottled water
• Turn off taps properly: Make sure taps are fully closed and not dripping. Report any leaks you notice

Conserving other scarce resources

Beyond water and energy, there are other resources we need to protect:

• Don't buy endangered species products: Never purchase items made from threatened animals or plants (like ivory, certain shells, or exotic animal skins). This supports illegal wildlife trade
• Don't support restaurants serving endangered species: Avoid eating at places that serve meat from endangered animals (like certain types of fish, turtle, or bushmeat)
• Support conservation businesses: Choose to spend money at businesses that actively support environmental protection and wildlife conservation

Benefits of good environmental practices for the tourism industry

When tourists and tourism businesses follow good environmental practices, everyone benefits. Here's why these practices are so important:

Ensures the conservation of attractions

Natural and man-made attractions need to be protected so they can be enjoyed by future generations. If a beautiful beach becomes polluted, or a nature reserve is damaged, tourists will stop visiting. Good environmental practices ensure that attractions remain in excellent condition for years to come.

Limits the impact of human activities

Tourism brings many people to sensitive environments. Without careful management, human activities can damage ecosystems, disturb wildlife, and erode historical sites. By following environmental practices, we limit the impact (reduce the harm) that human activities have on both natural environments and man-made attractions.

Exam tips

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