What is the difference?

Inclusive, pro poor, and sustainable tourism

Inclusive business in tourism can be defined as tourism that increases business linkages between people from low-income communities and tourism industry actors for long-lasting mutual benefit. Inclusive business in tourism stands for a distinct attitude. Inclusive tourism focuses on the impact of tourism on poverty without loosing sight of environmental effects and commercial viability.

Everybody wins when inclusive business practices are used: tourists, businesses, and local communities. Local artisans crafting unique souvenirs, guides showing off the beauty of their natural environment, waiters that serve delicious local dishes with a smile and a greeting in the local language, communities welcoming guests and protecting their natural environment … there are many ways to achieve mutual benefit.

Pro poor tourism is defined as tourism that results in increased net benefits for poor people. Inclusive organization has its goal which is the collaboration of companies, poor community as partners in order to achieve mutual benefits . Inclusive ventures in tourism offers one means of achieving sustainable and responsible tourism.

Sustainable tourism is defined as that which maximizes the benefits to local communities, minimizes negative social and environmental impacts and helps local people conserve fragile culture and habitats or species. Sustainable tourism involves the commercial perspective in achieving the so-called triple bottom line of sustainability.

Text Credit: GIZ Responsible and Inclusive Business in Tourism Hubs team Destination Mutual Benefit. A Guide to Inclusive Business in Tourism Tewes-Gradl, C., Van Gaalen, M., Pitzer, C.