The Bulgarian Green Party and its Youth Club consider that the problems related to the current tourism trends span the local level up to the global level. The pollution resulting from high tourist density should be addressed. Another area of concern is related to excessive construction such as illegal buildings, high density of hotels, the pressure put on the existing infrastructure and the reluctance towards using the traditional local architectural styles.
We also face the problem of over-crowding in terms of visitors and construction generating high levels of noise pollution and eroding privacy whilst creating new challenges related to waste management, and the excessive and sometimes unsustainable use of water and energy. Another problem encountered was the disrespect of tourists towards the local culture, traditions and nature consequently leading to the local community’s lack of hospitality.
It was concluded that tourism must be ethical in order to be sustainable as a resource and also to enhance its value for both the tourists and the local communities. There was agreement that the main characteristics of ethical tourism include the optimal use of environmental resources, respect towards the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, and the provision of socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders involved.
We demand that stakeholders take responsibility by encouraging quality niche tourism instead of the traditional mass tourism consequently preserving the cultural heritage, raising awareness and empowering the local communities and the competent authorities about the importance of their locality and its economic worth. This can be done by enhancing consciousness about environmental problems caused by tourism whilst monitoring the current status of environmental resources for instance the quality of bathing and fresh water, air and soil pollution.
We urge that the law should be applied and effectively enforced in order to protect the bio-diversity and cultural heritage. NGOs should be encouraged and supported to come up with initiatives in order to improve the balance between tourism, the environment and the local community’s development needs. Companies should be rewarded for encouraging and promoting ethical tourism. Media should also support campaigns aiming at spreading the concept and practical initiatives related to ethical tourism.
Ethical and sustainable tourism is essential to achieve a harmonious balance between the quest for furthering profit and protecting the environment.
The Bulgarian Green Party and the Youth Club believe that the idea of ethical tourism should be an essential part of the ideology and the activities of the member parties within EGP.
