Sustainable Tourism and Peace, a dialogue with Ronal Chaca
September 27 is World Tourism Day, a date that highlights the importance of tourism in the economic and social development of countries, but above all its fundamental role as a tool for peace, a key aspect that has been emphasized on several occasions.
In this regard, Ronal Chaca, coordinator of the Tourism program at the University of Azuay, considers tourism to be a powerful tool for promoting peace. He points out that tourism has the capacity to generate encounters with different cultures, allowing us to recognize the differences of others. For this reason, tourism is a very effective tool for getting to know and connecting with communities and their needs.
Sustainability undoubtedly plays a key role in the development of responsible tourism. Chaca mentions that regenerative processes are being applied in different territories to avoid the overcrowding of spaces where tourism has a high influx of people. Addressing sustainability from a regeneration perspective will allow us to identify which territory can or cannot be touristic, preventing territories with natural resources from being damaged.
Sustainable tourism seeks not only economic benefits, but also environmental preservation and social equity. Through responsible initiatives, local communities benefit directly, improving their quality of life and promoting social development.
Tourism can also contribute to the creation of peaceful links between countries and local communities if it is thought of from a global perspective, says Chaca. Now, the human being is placed at the centre, promoting the care of the ecosystem and its natural resources for sustainable and responsible tourism.
It is important to mention the role that universities and education play in promoting environmentally responsible practices. Education in the classroom should contribute to making conscious decisions when traveling or when developing tourism projects for future generations.
Our students have the ability to reflect and debate which spaces or territories can be touristic or not, making their own decisions in the face of local development models that are continually being implemented, says Chaca.
Finally, by providing communities with a means to develop autonomously, more stable and secure environments are generated for each of the communities.
Tourism is undoubtedly a powerful tool for fostering peace, as recognized by the United Nations. By promoting understanding between cultures and supporting local communities, tourism has the potential to build a more peaceful and responsible world; we can no longer just talk about tourism, but a path towards responsibility and global understanding.
