We live in a city that is very popular with tourists. Barcelona, like other Mediterranean cities, constantly attracts visitors. Tourism is undoubtedly a source of wealth, but when it gets out of hand, it negatively affects residents’ quality of life and puts environmental pressure on the surroundings with increased pollution and consumption of natural resources. Aspects such as rising housing prices, job insecurity in the service sector, traffic and trouble getting around are added to high water and energy consumption and the generation of large quantities of waste in areas that are normally already very densely populated and stressed.<\/p>\n
The debate is on: tourism as a positive economic activity versus its negative environmental and social pressures. In the last few weeks we have seen several news pieces echoing social demands for tourism de-growth and its orderly management.<\/p>\n
Our holidays are approaching and we often plan trips and stays away from home. Getting to know other cultures and landscapes are intense experiences that help to gain perspective on the realities of our own lives. There is no doubt that tourism is motivating and enriching.<\/p>\n
Because we know first-hand the problems of overcrowding, let’s make sure we act with respect and awareness in the communities we visit and stay in. Let’s be aware of the drinking water we consume and wastewater we produce, try to buy local food, control how much waste we generate, appreciate the value of local materials and articles without expecting rock-bottom prices, select accommodation different from the big hotel chains and a long etcetera of responsible actions that can contribute to making our tourism a profitable and at the same time respectful economic activity.<\/p>\n
When planning our holidays, let’s be responsible, sustainable tourists!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We live in a city that is very popular with tourists. Barcelona, like other Mediterranean cities, constantly attracts visitors. Tourism is undoubtedly a source of wealth, but when it gets…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":97538,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[195,207,209],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-97563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-climate-action","category-decent-work-and-economic-growth","category-ods-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n