WTM reveals 2017 themes
Two themes at this year’s World Travel Market in London will be the emerging phenomenon of ‘overtourism’ and how the tourism industry should meet the United Nations’s sustainable development goals.
Overtourism is a term used by destinations that either feel swamped by tourists or those that believe tourist development is negatively affecting their home without providing enough benefits.
Some are beginning to take action, such as restricting the amount of accommodation available via home-sharing sites like Airbnb, protesting against cruise ships, and restricting visitor numbers in certain areas.
This year’s WTM will gather representatives from some of the destinations most affected and those which have actively sought to address the issue, to explore a range of challenges and responses, such as whether more regulation is needed, how to get local people involved, or if it is time to restrict growth.
Secondly, to mark 2017 being declared by the UN as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, several sessions during the Responsible Tourism Programme will focus on how the industry meets the 17 sustainable development goals, which were agreed in 2015.
Experts will meet to discuss these and the other goals, to explore examples of best practice from across the sector and discuss whether the industry is doing enough to meet its commitments.
WTM London responsible tourism expert Professor Harold Godwin said: "Overtourism is becoming a critical issue in the travel industry. Many destinations are employing a variety of different strategies to limit tourism to improve the experience for both tourist, locals and the environment."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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