Abstract:
Negative socio-cultural, economic and environmental impacts of tourism continue to be a major
concern. This concern has led to the number of initiatives aimed at creating awareness about tourist
activities and the overall impact of tourism on the environment and society in general. This awareness
has already started to have an effect on the way in which some tourists behave, how they select tourism
products and destinations. This wave of awareness may in the future also compel tourism businesses
to operate businesses differently, in a profitable way whilst ensuring the minimisation of the negative
impacts of tourism. This paper focuses on addressing the possible impact of alarming tourism markets
on the negative socio-cultural, economic and environmental issues caused by the tourism industry and
it addresses the impact this awareness may have on tourism businesses currently lacking corporate
social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This paper thus draws the attention of ethical tourism to
businesses and reinforces the importance and implications thereof. Ethical tourism strives to maximise
the positive impacts of tourism, and simultaneously tries to minimise the destructive impacts. The
concept of ethical tourism also means that purchasing decisions of tourism consumers will include an
element of responsible consumption. This in turn will mean that businesses without ethical credentials
will be less competitive, should this “new tourist” phenomenon gain traction. The paper encourages that
the tourism industry should lead the way in terms of responsible tourism, not solely for the purpose
preparing for the ethical tourism market in the future and being competitive, but because it is about
protecting and improving the future of the tourism industry sustainably.
