Destinations have been told they must take responsibility for their own future or risk being ruthlessly exploited by tour operators.
The Travel Foundation warned that while the industry has a responsibility not to overdevelop, countries themselves must resist the temptation to chase the short term dollar. Only through a sustainable approach will they reap the long-term benefits of tourism, the organisation said.
Noel Josephides, speaking on behalf of the Travel Foundation at TravelMole’s travel industry question time, said: “As an industry we’ve always exploited destinations but we are getting better at working with them rather than screwing them into the ground.
“But Destination Management Companies must also be responsible for their own country. If they don’t wake up to the fact that they must make their destination sustainable and look after it, then ruthless exploitation will follow.”
He said unlimited arrivals will not last forever and they will eventually be discarded.
Josephides added that the industry was now working with destinations to ensure a sustainable approach to tourism.
“We are at last saying we will help you,” he said.
Report by Steve Jones
