Report: Creating more inclusive tourism in Protected Areas

Shropshire Hills National Landscape (England) by Emmanuelle Déon

Published on:

Every year, the Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarship supports the work of young conservationists in Protected Areas across Europe. Emmanuelle Déon was one of the winners of the Scholarship in 2023 and travelled to Belgium and England to learn more about creating more inclusive tourism towards disadvantaged groups in Protected Areas.

Article written by Emmanuelle Déon.

How can we take action for a more inclusive tourism towards disadvantaged groups ? 

Sustainable tourism is based on the need to reconcile environmental, economic and social issues. However, the ‘social’ pillar of sustainable tourism often seems less present in the strategies developed by Protected Areas or even Destination Management Organizations, while there are major issues at stake here.

When it comes to better tailor services or facilities for people with disabilities, we are all aware – to a greater or lesser extent – of what needs to be done, even if there is still considerable room for improvement in this field.

But one area where more effort could also be made is the accessibility of tourism for other under-served groups such as people with small budgets. A large share of people still do not have access to tourism (French statistics suggest that 4 people out of ten never go on a holiday): some people are less inclined to undertake holidays or countryside visits, whether for economic, cultural or physical reasons (it may also be a deliberate choice sometimes, but that’s not what we’re looking at here).

It is necessary that Protected Areas and destinations tackle this issue and take action for a more inclusive tourism towards disadvantaged groups in general.

How inclusive tourism can be a solution to the climate challenge

One main reason to wish for more inclusive tourism is that being able to go on a holiday is a source of well-being for people. Holidays can indeed provide a change of scenery, a possibility to renew or strengthen family ties, and a chance to broaden one’s horizons by discovering new landscapes.

But a more inclusive access to sustainable tourism can also be part of the solution when it comes to raising people’s awareness of the current environmental and climate challenges. As Baba Dioum (Senegalese environmentalist) famously stated : “In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught”. In this respect, tourism can help to develop people’s interest in varied landscapes, environments and natural habitats.

Research about initiatives carried out by (or with) nature areas 

Emmanuele Déon with experts during her study visit in Dothill Local Nature Reserve

Currently working as a Sustainable Tourism Project Manager for a regional park in France, I was curious to find out what initiatives could be undertaken by nature areas to make sustainable tourism more accessible towards “potential new vacationers”.

My work has consisted of:

  • An in-person meeting in Flanders / Province of Antwerp (Belgium) to learn more about inclusive tourism strategies and policies.
  • A study visit in Shropshire Hills National Landscape (England), where outreach and engagement work is developed by the National Landscape with underserved communities. In addition, several stakeholders also shared inspiring projects and visions about inclusive access to tourism and leisure.
  • A participation in a conference about inclusive tourism.
  • Several online interviews and researches about other interesting projects included in the report.

Some initiatives described in my report directly refer to access to tourism and holidays for all, while others examples focus on a more local access to leisure in the great outdoors. Access to nature in one’s local environment can indeed be seen as a first step and occasion for individuals to develop new skills, and the ability to prepare for future holidays elsewhere.

Suggestions on how to take action

Protected Areas can act or advocate for a more inclusive tourism, through :

Frequent resting places and signage in Dothill Local Nature Reserve

  • A better understanding of the needs of “under-served groups” and “potential new vacationers”.
  • Building their own awareness and confidence in getting involved towards underserved groups, and in tackling new challenges linked to inclusivity. It also means we need to seek for more diversity in our own teams!
  • Collaborating in partnerships and breaking down silos between social services, tourism, and other sectors. Including volunteer engagement in the scope can also be an interesting lever for action.
  • Developing an inclusive tourism design in all development projects.
  • Developing required infrastructure and transports (affordable, easy to use, convenient…).
  • Offering personalized support for individuals and families concerned.
  • Evaluating impact & ensuring long term engagement towards inclusivity.

This list does not limit itself to things that nature areas are in charge of: some aspects are beyond our scope. But we should all have a global vision of the challenges and potential partners concerned, especially when “working together” is key to an inclusive tourism strategy.

Besides, Protected Areas’ role as “coordinators” between different local partners in their regions, can enable them to be key players in triggering certain dynamics, even when these actions do not depend directly on them.

Dive deeper into this topic through the report below!

Report by Emmanuelle Déon

A special thanks goes out to the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung for providing this chance to young professionals.