This ‘Good news in travel & tourism’ wraps up three months of “Good Tourism” & “GT” Travel news, insights, and experiences: April, May, and June 2024.
Share ‘Good news’ as you would a meal in Seoul, South Korea …
It’s “GT”. And go!
“Good Tourism” doesn’t judge. “GT” publishes.
Did you ever want to write a thoughtful piece about the state of the tourism industry; how we got here; how we can make it better (or avoid the worst)?
Has a lack of confidence in your writing held you back? Well, please don’t let it. Your correspondent is here to help you.
If you submit a draft that complies with the simple “GT” Insight guidelines, I will personally copy edit your work and ensure that you are happy with it before I click ‘Publish’.
The freedom to share
Just as “Good Tourism” never defines ‘good tourism’, “GT” will never judge anyone who would, in good faith, share their insights, ideas, expertise, experience, and wisdom. It’s part of “GT’s” mission to offer a platform for truly diverse perspectives and opinions:
From established leaders in academia and industry to young people with the gumption to express themselves;
From elite global organisations to the most modest micro businesses (like “GT”);
From the world’s ‘WEIRD’ (western, educated, industrialised, rich, and democratic) places to the ‘LDCs’ (least developed countries) in the ‘Global South’;
(From those who adore acronyms and categories to those who despise them ;-))
From the centre and from the margins.
No, “GT” doesn’t judge. “GT” publishes.
Join the “GT” network. Contact “GT” »
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“GT” Insights: Informed perspectives on tourism
The “Good Tourism” Blog publishes informed opinions on the issues facing the travel & tourism industry, everyone’s business. “GT” Insights are diverse perspectives written by, for, and about our sector. Here are the most recent:
Venice ‘bookable’: Italians lose freedom of movement
Are Venice’s new day-tripper rules having the desired effect? Or are they unreasonably restricting Italians’ freedom of movement?
This is Dominic Standish’s second “Good Tourism” Insight at the invitation of Tourism’s Horizon, a “GT” Insight Partner.
[You too can write a “GT” Insight. Your organisation can also become a “GT” Partner.]
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Totally awesome: Destinations’ urgent need to rediscover the ‘totality of awe’
A collective sense of smallness, connectedness, and awe elicited by the April 8 solar eclipse reminded K Michael Haywood of the potential that destinations have to inspire awe; from the authentic everyday that host communities may take for granted, to the local effects of larger forces that none of us can afford to ignore.
It’s a “Good Tourism” Insight. [You too can write a “GT” Insight.]
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Regenerative tourism’s myths and realities
Regenerative tourism is great for destinations that choose to focus on it, and for the few who can afford it. But what about the rest of us?
It’s a “Good Tourism” Insight by Jim Butcher. [You too can write a “GT” Insight.]
‘Regenerative’ is the latest ethical prefix to accompany ‘tourism’, following a well-worn path from ‘eco’, ‘sustainable’, ‘green’, ‘community’, ‘responsible’ et cetera.
‘Regenerative tourism’ develops within environmental limits, and plays a role not only in conserving, but also in improving, or regenerating, the environment.
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Conservation, climate, culture challenge food tourism in Botswana
Delly Chatibura sees a huge opportunity for Botswana to leverage its natural and cultural resources for food security and good food tourism. But it is not without its challenges.
[Thanks to Jim Butcher for inviting Dr Chatibura to write a “GT” Insight.]
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“GT” Insight Interviews
A “GT” Insight Interview is presented in a simple Q&A format, or is a summary of an interview whose full transcript is available. The interviewer ensures that the interviewee’s considered answers are faithfully represented.
Prof Valeria Minghetti on peer review, overtourism, regenerative tourism, success
Prof Valeria Minghetti
“Never stop asking yourself questions. Curiosity and the desire to find solutions is what makes a difference,” according to Valeria Minghetti.
Such an attitude will take youngsters a long way in travel & tourism, she reckons.
And it must be redoubled at the very highest levels of academia and industry.
Saverio F Bertolucci interviewed Prof Minghetti for a Tourism’s Horizon Interview. For this “Good Tourism” Insight, Mr Bertolucci identifies his highlights. [The full transcript is on Substack.]
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“GT” Insight Bites
A “GT” Insight Bites post is a compilation of short responses to an identical set of propositions and/or questions, and/or a collection of short opinion pieces that travel & tourism stakeholders are welcome to submit at any time (BiteX). Here are the most recent Bites:
What constitutes ‘progress’ for travel & tourism in 2024?
In 2024, what constitutes ‘progress’ for the travel & tourism industry where you work, or that you have identified through your observations, study, or research?
It’s a “Good Tourism” Insight Bites question.
Your correspondent put the question to the travel & tourism stakeholders in the “GT” network, inviting responses of no more than 300 words.
Thanks to the 18 respondents — professors, professionals, practitioners — who took the time to share their thoughts on the question. Their answers appear in the order received.
Thanks also to Ronda J Green for her BiteX about Australia and Indonesia celebrating geotourism and Herb Hiller for his BiteX about saving the Okefenokee Swamp in the USA.
‘Deep progress’
Ed’s note: A change to the question
The foundation of progress is freedom of speech
Discussions, not slamming doors
‘Memorable, safe, and sustainable experiences’
Don’t take progress for granted
‘Progress for one may well be a drawback for another’
‘The world needs strong mindsets now more than ever’
More sustainable approaches
Consensus on what’s progress is ‘becoming harder than ever’
I am, you are, we are ‘the masses’
A more sustainable Singapore
More people travelling closer to home
‘Change course NOW’
‘Reducing our impact on our natural resources’
Sincere, collaborative sustainability
Progress on several fronts in Rwanda
Decency, dignity, value, compassion
Balancing sustainability, community, and culture in Musanze, Rwanda
Progress for tourism and the environment in Western Australia
“GT” Insight BiteX (‘X’ is up to you)
BiteX: Australia, Indonesia celebrate geotourism
BiteX: Saving Okefenokee
What do you think?
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What does it mean to be critical of tourism?
Some “GT” readers are critical of tourism, particularly ‘mass tourism’. Some in the universities see themselves as part of a ‘Critical Tourism Studies’ movement. But what does it mean to be ‘critical’ in relation to modern tourism?
It’s a “Good Tourism” Insight Bites question.
Your correspondent put the question to the travel & tourism stakeholders in the “GT” network, inviting responses of no more than 300 words. (You too can join the “GT” network. Register.)
Thanks to the 18 respondents — professors, professionals, practitioners — who took the time to share their thoughts on the question. Their answers appear in the order received.
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Share a “GT” Travel Experience or “GT” Travel Postcard
Are you a ‘tourism insider’ keen to share some of the experiences that got you interested and keep you interested in the travel & tourism industry?
Have you ever wanted to write a travel blog about an inspiring travel experience … and have it published?
You are invited to share your travel passion with discerning travellers, and join a list of other distinguished “GT” Friends who have done just that.
It could be a “GT” Travel Experience (500 – 1,000 words) or a “GT” Travel Postcard (your favourite photo from a trip accompanied by an extended caption of up to 300 words).
It doesn’t matter if you think you can’t write. I will personally copy-edit your draft and ensure that you are happy with it before I hit the ‘publish’ button.
It’s all part of the “GT” Travel Experience.
Join the “GT” network. Contact “GT” »
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Good news from friends
Good news in travel & tourism from the wonderful organisations that make “GT” possible. Here is some of what happened recently in the “Good Tourism” network:
Tourism climate action now for small island developing states: SUNx Malta
The climate crisis is most challenging and immediate for small island developing states, which have contributed the least to the problem but are the most exposed to its consequences.
This is according to Geoffrey Lipman, President of SUNx Malta, who keynoted a session on climate change and tourism at the United Nations’ Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) 2024 Summit in Antigua and Barbuda.
Professor Lipman called for the tourism industry to take immediate action, quoting the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)‘s recommendation to peak greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 to have any chance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C by 2050.
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CABI Tourism Cases presents successes, potentials, and challenges of community-based tourism and hospitality for urban and rural development in sub-Saharan Africa. The six case studies are free to access until July 31, 2024.
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Inclusions: How a little place near Angkor became one of the world’s best hotels
There’s a lot of good going on behind the leafy green exterior of one of the world’s best hotels. And much of it is “rather easy”.
Talk is cheap.
Christian de Boer is tired of the hypocrisy that runs rampant in the travel & tourism industry, such as “the B Corps that can’t wait to give you a plastic water bottle”.
Certification systems, which should rigorously uphold certain standards and make decision making simpler for prospective customers and supply chain partners, rather serve to disappoint and deceive.
Industry association and trade media awards reward the paid-up members, patrons, and sponsors of the organisers.
There will of course be credible exceptions; certificates and awards that mean something; that represent effective action.
However, in an atmosphere of declining trust in institutions at all levels, including, or perhaps especially, global, it’s tough to sort the real from the ‘feel’.
Local actions speak louder than ‘like’-able words.
And genuine smiles on the ground tell a story.
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SUNx, CFT Uganda Chapter urge tourism climate action and adaptation in Kampala
SUNx Malta and its Uganda Chapter highlighted the imperative for climate action in tourism, particularly the need to adapt to intensifying weather extremes, at the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2024.
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The importance of good partnerships
To help you navigate dire straits, take the temperature in an uncertain climate, and keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it’s wise to seek out good partners.
“GT” is a good partner. Verify that with a “GT” Partner and then look at partnership opportunities. There’s a package for everyone — big or small; public or private; commercial or not-for-profit — because travel & tourism is everyone’s business.
All “GT” Partners enjoy outstanding value, including the opportunity to contribute news to the “GT” newsletter and to these ‘good news’ wraps of a month or two of “GT” content.
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The “GT” Blog requires registration and sign in to make comment, read comments, and reply to comments. Why? Because “GT” is a ‘safe space’ for diverse perspectives and respectful, friendly debate.
You will NOT be banned for your off-the-wall opinions or your weird sense of humour (within reason; even if the capricious algorithms of our big tech overlords punish the publisher).
However, you WILL be banned for engaging in argumentum ad hominem. If you disagree with something, always tackle the argument not the individual making it.
Join the “Good Tourism” community
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Friends indeed
“Friends indeed” are worthy travel & tourism industry fundraisers and charitable causes that are associated with or suggested by “GT” Partners and friends. Please help them if you can. Share the page with your networks. And link to it from your website.
Stay healthy, smile, have a good time … And when you travel, remember:
#KnowNotNo … It’s not ‘no’. It’s ‘know’.
Gotta go? Then go!If you’ve time, go slowIf you don’t, try lowDo what you know is goodAnd know there is more to know
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Featured image (top of post)
Share ‘Good news in travel & tourism April-June 2024’ as you would share a meal in Seoul, South Korea. Image by Markus Winkler (CC0) via Unsplash.
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Donations, diversity, disclosure
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You are a tourism stakeholder — yes, YOU! — so what’s your view? Do you disagree with anything you have read on “GT”? Join the conversation. Comment below or share your “Good Tourism” Insights. Diversity of thought is welcome on The “Good Tourism” Blog. And your original content supports an independent publisher.
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Note: It is “GT’s” policy to fully disclose Partner or sponsored content. If an item associated with a “GT” Partner is not disclosed as such, then it either met the “GT” Insight guidelines (including “avoid sales pitches”) or it was a simple oversight.
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