Don't forget to pack your conscience!

Responsible tourism - once dismissed as a little, well, drab - has ditched its old reputation as a holiday choice of dullness and self-denial and is taking off as a global trend.

Operators, destinations and industry organisations in the UK, United States, South Africa, the Gambia, India and Sri Lanka are already practicing responsible tourism and the list is growing, with offerings becoming more diverse and flexible.

“It’s a bit like when the organic food movement started and all you could get was an odd-looking carrot,” says Justin Francis, co-founder of web-based travel agent Responsible Travel. “There are choices now. Whatever you want to do, and whatever your budget, there’s nearly always an alternative holiday that has been thoughtfully created.”

Recognising the global significance of Responsible Tourism is World Travel Market (WTM), one of the world’s largest travel exhibitions. WTM has created World Responsible Tourism Day and the Responsible Tourism Awards, to be celebrated annually during November to recognise hotels, resorts and operators who conduct themselves with care and consideration.

All of us who work at Bedruthan are feeling proud this week that the hotel has been highly commended in the awards. Our special mention is in the category of Best Accommodation for the Environment. We can honestly say that, 50 years ago when the hotel opened, we were doing our utmost to operate in a way that respected and enhanced our local community and environment. We have also understood from the beginning that it is possible to create an experience for our guests that is both luxurious and sustainable. Being a responsible hotel does not mean forcing our guests to wear hair shirts and eat lentils, unless of course, they want to.

So what exactly is responsible tourism?

According to the Wikipedia, responsible tourism is tourism ‘that creates better places for people to live in, and better places to visit’.

The 2002 Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations defines responsible tourism as tourism that:

• minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts
• generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities
• improves working conditions and access to the industry
• involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances
• makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity
• provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
• provides access for physically challenged people

• is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.