QUALITY IN TOURISM in a honeypot area where there are many opportunities for jobs in hospitality roles , staff care should be paramount to the business . Consider employee benefits , flexible working practices ( where possible ), team happiness of your team , staff training and HR policies and procedures so that the individual can feel cared for and nurtured . n Maintain your integrity , deliver your USPs . Where possible encourage your guests to travel by more sustainable methods , to help reduce traffic issues on the roads ; can you work with a local bike hire company to get them out and about whilst getting them active too ? Improve their experience with you by offering sustainable alternatives .
Aside from your individual impacts , one of the most effective strategies for helping to reduce overtourism in your area is to become a member of the local DMO , enabling them to take responsibility for the overall tourism strategy of the area , and pioneer approaches which benefit members at the same time supporting the long-term sustainability of the area and the distribution of tourists throughout the area . You can then support this strategy by : n considering your own impact on the overtourism issues in your destination – how can you reduce traffic issues , pollution , litter , can you create a more collaborative approach with your local community – getting them more engaged so the tourist experiences your local culture at its best and is happy to welcome tourists to their village , town or city . Identify some of the ‘ hidden gems ’ which are famous with locals , but not with tourists . Can you make recommendations to help spread the tourism burden ? n adapting your promotion – if summer is peak season in your area , shift your marketing and campaigns to encourage visitors to consider autumn / winter breaks . What different things be seen in different seasons ?
While it might be an emerging term at the moment , in 10 years ’ time all tourism will have to be responsible . Those businesses who opt to adapt now will be best-placed to capitalise on future strategies . As Fabian Cousteau said at the WTTC Global Summit 2016 : “ I look forward to the day when there is no sustainable tourism . Just tourism .”
Case study : Bath
The golden city of Bath has been welcoming visitors for over 2,000 years . Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site , Bath is home to some of the most impressive architectural sights in the world such as the Royal Crescent , the Circus and Pulteney Bridge . Bath is the only place in the UK where you can bathe in naturally hot spa water at Thermae Bath Spa and visit 2,000 year old original Roman Baths . The Roman Baths Museum gives a fascinating insight into the original bathing complex and the great Roman temple of Sulis Minerva . Above the Museum in the 18th century Pump Room you can taste the waters , enjoy a meal and
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