Sustainable tourism has become a necessity these days, and the collaborative association Green & Human is at the forefront of creating a more responsible future within the tourism industry. Backed by leading companies from the sector - including Iberia, Grupo Viajes El Corte Inglés, Hotusa and Jumbo Tours - Green & Human has set out to transform the way Spain approaches tourism. It has launched new projects that pay special attention to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the exchange of ideas and knowledge. Ágora de Turismo Sostenible, the sustainable tourism forum, is back for a second time in Malaga this October, shining the spotlight on the Costa del Sol as a successful example in the implementation of sustainable practices and diversified tourism. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the sustainable tourism forum coming to Malaga this year.
Founded just two years ago during the pandemic, Green & Human was born out of the necessity to reinvent the tourist industry at a time when travel and movement was paralysed. Its aim is to promote sustainable development by improving the skills and competences of companies in the area using resources and experience from great companies in order to support SMEs during the transformation.
Held at Auditorio Edgar Neville de la Diputación de Málaga, co-organised by Hosteltur and sponsored by Diputación de Málaga, the sustainable tourism forum will bring together representatives of 300 companies and over a thousand attendees who will be there in person and online via the streaming of the event. The event, taking place on the 17 October, showcases the tourism industry’s growing interest and commitment to embracing sustainability as an integral part of its operations.
The Turismo Sostenible de España 2030 (Sustainable Tourism Spain 2030) strategy states that the fundamentals of a sustainable tourism model revolve around:
- The preservation of natural and cultural values
- Advantages for social issues
- Permanent adaptation
- Leadership
While also focusing on a series of strategic axes:
- Collaborative governance
- Sustainable growth
- Competitive transformation
- Space for tourism, companies and people
- Product, marketing and tourist intelligence
One of sustainable tourism’s greatest concerns is destinations becoming overcrowded, which can have a negative impact on the traveller experience and the local environment. Green & Human advocates for the diversification of the tourist offer, which it sees as the most effective solution to reducing concentrations of tourists. The organisation draws attention to the successful case study of Malaga and the Costa del Sol where the tourist board has worked hard to offer cultural, gastronomic and entertainment experiences beyond the traditional attraction of the sun-kissed beaches. Moreover, a series of actions have been taken to conserve the province’s natural resources, namely the carbon footprint calculator and Senda Azul. Cruise tourism will also be discussed in the forum with Green & Human promoting the responsible development of the industry to benefit destinations and the surrounding area.
Nevertheless, sustainable tourism is facing challenges with regards to training and hiring staff that are qualified in the hospitality trade. A growing problem is lack of vocation for the sector: there is a need to elevate the perception of the profession to bring added value and, in turn, improve salaries.
The Green & Human sustainable tourism forum in Malaga is set to be a crucial space for the exchange of ideas and experiences in the search for a more responsible and sustainable form of tourism. By the end of the event, there will be a clear picture of not only the need for this change, but also the benefits it will bring to destinations, companies and citizens. The Costa del Sol is an exceptional example of how diversification and a focus on sustainability can transform a tourist destination, to the benefit of both the industry and the local communities.
