Travel can, and should, be a win-win activity

The travel industry is at a pivotal crossroads that will define its future. Suppliers, sellers and travelers all have a significant role in making the future of travel a sustainable success. The traveler should be able to enjoy an authentic experience, with minimal impacts on the natural and cultural landscape, while maximizing the positive economic benefits for the local service providers and the host communities.  This is the essence of being a responsible traveler. 

Traveling responsibly should be every traveler’s goal, and part of that commitment is purchasing services from travel companies, inbound tour operators, local tour guides, and local service providers that are committed to sustainability.  This commitment to sustainability must focus on the 3 pillars: cultural, environmental, and socio-economic.

There is an effort in many parts of the world to assist local entrepreneurs and organized community groups in planning and developing tourism services as a means to supplement family incomes.  This is especially important in communities dependent on farming, fishing and other natural resources, that are being directly influenced and affected by climate change. After tourism activities are developed, and external support has ended, many local service providers have difficulty accessing markets, especially international travelers.  The reasons include: limited marketing expertise, limited internet access, time constraints, language barriers, and many others.

In an effort to provide market access to local tourism service providers operating in Honduras, a local start-up, Honduras Turismo y Marketing SA, is developing a multi-channel marketing platform to address the market access gap.  The company is launching the platform under the choose Honduras brand.    LIKE us on Facebook here  

The mission is to connect responsible-minded travelers, interested in enjoying authentic travel experiences, with local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and organized community groups, committed to sustainable tourism and management practices.  This model of shared responsibilities and benefits can prove to be a win-win relationship for all parties involved.