Society news and articles from the tourism industry, including ethical travel initiatives, community tourism news, controversial destinations, and how tourism affects local cultures.
Sustainable tourism high on Hanoi's agenda
Sustainable tourism was the theme of the Asia-Europe Meeting's (ASEM) tourism forum held this September. Established in 1997 the ASEM aims to address political, economical and cultural issues and strengthen relations between the two regions.
Read more on the sustainable tourism meeting in Hanoi
Global sustainability centers: the 20 cities of 2020
Twenty cities have been named as the most likely to be Global Sustainability Centers by the year 2020. The list of selected cities, which was produced by think tank the Ethisphere Institute consists of 10 large cities (with populations of more than 600,000) and 10 mid-sized cities (with populations less than 600,000). Cities were considered for their environmental and sustainability practices.
Read more on the global sustainability centers of 2020
Ethical travel destinations
The developing world's 10 best ethical destinations for 2008. During the past few years, the term "ethical travel" has entered the globe-trotter's lexicon. Ethical travel is simply mindful travel: an awareness of our impact as we explore the world. Travel is now the biggest industry on Earth but which countries should we visit? Where do we spend our money once we get there?
Read more on ethical travel destinations
China Olympic travel dilemma
The Olympics may have focused attention on China, but it's hardly the first destination to present travellers with this sticky dilemma: Go, and possibly support a repressive regime with tourist dollars, or stay away, and deprive the locals of contact with the outside world. Take Myanmar, for decades the poster child for ruthless dictatorships that welcome tourism.
Read more on the China Olympic travel dilemma
Guilt-free relaxation
For years, the sun, sand and faux fried breakfasts of the Mediterranean was virtually the only option for the annual pack tour pilgrimage. But for an increasing number of travellers, it is the last way they want to spend their down time. There's a growing desire amongst modern Britons for adventure, for learning and for experiences. "We use local guides to tell the travellers about the wildlife, the country, their own lifestyle and culture".
Read more on guilt-free relaxation
Tourism in Laos
It was with great sadness that I read about the disappearance of Sompawn Khantisouk who was on his way to an appointment with Laos police in January. Sompawn (Pawn) is one of the founders of The Boat Landing Guesthouse in Laos and has been fundamental in driving the ecotourism movement forward in Laos.
Read more on tourism in Laos
Tourism to Burma
There is only one country that responsibletravel.com has a policy of not marketing as a tourism destination and that is Burma. We market holidays to many countries with poor human rights records and so you might ask why we make a special case of Burma? It's a very tough decision to make but I believe in 4 arguments that are more important than the fact that is is possible to travel to Burma, and do so in a way which would provide an income for local people.
Read more on tourism to Burma
Supporting local businesses
We at responsibletravel.com feel that responsible tourism really does make a difference – travellers booking responsible holidays are supporting local businesses as well as helping local communities and minimising impact on the environment. We've asked some of our operators what responsibletravel.com membership has meant to their business.
Read more on supporting local businesses
Sustainable tourism was the theme of the Asia-Europe Meeting's (ASEM) tourism forum held this September. Established in 1997 the ASEM aims to address political, economical and cultural issues and strengthen relations between the two regions.
Read more on the 
Twenty cities have been named as the most likely to be Global Sustainability Centers by the year 2020. The list of selected cities, which was produced by think tank the Ethisphere Institute consists of 10 large cities (with populations of more than 600,000) and 10 mid-sized cities (with populations less than 600,000). Cities were considered for their environmental and sustainability practices.
Read more on the 
The developing world's 10 best ethical destinations for 2008. During the past few years, the term "ethical travel" has entered the globe-trotter's lexicon. Ethical travel is simply mindful travel: an awareness of our impact as we explore the world. Travel is now the biggest industry on Earth but which countries should we visit? Where do we spend our money once we get there?
Read more on 
The Olympics may have focused attention on China, but it's hardly the first destination to present travellers with this sticky dilemma: Go, and possibly support a repressive regime with tourist dollars, or stay away, and deprive the locals of contact with the outside world. Take Myanmar, for decades the poster child for ruthless dictatorships that welcome tourism.
Read more on the 
For years, the sun, sand and faux fried breakfasts of the Mediterranean was virtually the only option for the annual pack tour pilgrimage. But for an increasing number of travellers, it is the last way they want to spend their down time. There's a growing desire amongst modern Britons for adventure, for learning and for experiences. "We use local guides to tell the travellers about the wildlife, the country, their own lifestyle and culture".
Read more on 
It was with great sadness that I read about the disappearance of Sompawn Khantisouk who was on his way to an appointment with Laos police in January. Sompawn (Pawn) is one of the founders of The Boat Landing Guesthouse in Laos and has been fundamental in driving the ecotourism movement forward in Laos.
Read more on 
There is only one country that responsibletravel.com has a policy of not marketing as a tourism destination and that is Burma. We market holidays to many countries with poor human rights records and so you might ask why we make a special case of Burma? It's a very tough decision to make but I believe in 4 arguments that are more important than the fact that is is possible to travel to Burma, and do so in a way which would provide an income for local people.
Read more on 
We at responsibletravel.com feel that responsible tourism really does make a difference – travellers booking responsible holidays are supporting local businesses as well as helping local communities and minimising impact on the environment. We've asked some of our operators what responsibletravel.com membership has meant to their business.
Read more on 
