ABOUT CONCEPT OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Introduction
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ith 200 million of employees, tourism is the biggest industry in the world which incorporates a wide range of economic activities and numerous studies predict its constant further growth. Despite the threat of terrorism, for the first time in history the number of international tourist arrivals exceeded 780 million in 2010. The World Tourist Organization anticipates that by 2015, the number of international tourists will reach 860 million and continue to grow to 1.56 billion by 2020. Tourism is considered an important source of economic wealth (to numerous small-island economies, tourism represents an important part of their annual revenues) and a global phenomenon that includes an increased travel of people to remote destinations. It has been generally acknowledged that the contribution of tourism to the socio-economic development and cultural exchange is tremendous. Today tourism represents a complex phenomenon whose consequences, in terms of its impact on our environment, culture, society and economy, can no longer be ignored. This is best confirmed by the figure of almost 6 billion annual travels (of which 500 million are international flights) and 127 million employees in the world. It is estimated that tourism makes 6% of the net domestic product of the planet. Unfortunately, the consequences of such mass tourism can be devastating, especially in the southern part of the world where there is a less equitable distribution of the revenues generated through tourism that would offset the loss of values and traditions. Besides, such forms of mass and luxurious tourism can often have negative effects on the environment, culture and society as a whole. For the above reasons, tourism calls for a careful consideration by all players, citizens and institutions, tourist industry and end users. Responsible tourism is a direct opposite of the mass tourism. It is the way of travel that primarily implies the awareness of oneself and one’s own actions even though they may include some sort of purchase (of a ticket, gift or overnight accommodation), awareness of the reality of the country of our travel (social, cultural, economic, and environmental) and the possibility of an enlightened and, consequently, a different choice. Therefore, a responsible tourism is an ethical and conscious travel that embraces the countries of destination, their people and nature with respect and availability. A travel that seeks to contribute to the lessening of social differences, protection and conservation of the natural environmental and respect of local cultures, customs and beliefs and a genuine and direct cultural exchange and promotion of the universal principles of equality, sustainability and tolerance. Sustainable tourism in BiH through support to the concept of responsible tourism
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