Socioeconomic travel
Gabriella Clare Marino
In the world of travel, sustainability isn't just an environmental issue: it's also a social one. One that has as much to do with carbon impact as it does with the well-being of local people. From cultural exchange to the local economy, community well-being to environmental conservation, the positive benefits of tourism are varied. Socioeconomic impact is an important part of the sustainability picture and a top consideration for impact-minded travelers.
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Woody Van der Straeten
Benefits to the local economy are perhaps one of the most frequently cited perks of tourism: supporting businesses, creating jobs, and enhancing the local economy to name a few. But these benefits frequently cascade into social ones, too, unique and specific to the community and place. For this reason, discussions of socially sustainable travel must place the local community at the center, acknowledging that what’s good for one place isn’t always good for another.
Whether it’s a local desire for culture sharing, more equitable tourism distribution, or historic preservation, the need to listen to the demands of local communities is an essential part of sustainable slow travel. So with that in mind, here are five places harnessing tourism as a force for social good. And as a visitor? What’s even better than arriving in a place where you know your presence is beneficial is that it also often leads to a very warm welcome.
Ana Frantz
Hauts-de-France
Often overshadowed by Paris and the French Riviera, the Hauts-de-France region has seen a period of recent urban regeneration, made all the more accessible thanks to direct Eurostar connections to Lille. The region is on a mission to help visitors experience its uniquely diverse blend of artsy cities, hilltop towns, and vast nature reserves, dotted with palaces and châteaux that hark back to the region’s regal past.
Cristobal Martinez
Belgium
From lacemaking to glassblowing, beer-brewing to tapestry, Belgium has a long-standing legacy of traditional craft that still thrives today. Through market stalls, neighborhood breweries, and local galleries, visitors get the chance to really engage with this artisanal side of Belgium and the people behind it, who love nothing more than to share their craft. It’s a big part of why those passing through are made to feel so welcome, and a real testament to the social and cultural benefit of tourism to local people.
Peter Schulz
Bosnia and Herzegovina
With the war behind them, Bosnians are embracing tourism as a way to reestablish the country's reputation for its multiculturalism, natural beauty, and the sincere generosity of its citizens. If you’re looking for someone to point you in the direction of the Skakavac Waterfall, the botanical gardens of the Ottoman Mosque, or the best place to sample traditional Bosnian coffee, you’ll no doubt be reminded of the kindness of strangers on the road less traveled.
Casablanca, Morocco
Increased tourism is both the driving force and result of Casablanca’s most ambitious infrastructure plans to date, improving intercity connections for tourists and locals alike. But it’s also the city’s cultural ambitions that are at the heart of its revival. Unbeknownst to visitors who flock straight to the Moroccan capital, Casablanca is home to some of the country’s most exquisite Art Deco and Avant-Garde architecture. Add in the development of Africa’s largest theater and the renovation of the city’s Medina, and Casablanca is set to rise far beyond its former reputation as a gateway to more frequented Moroccan hotspots.
Maxim Hopman
The Netherlands (beyond Amsterdam)
Don’t let Amsterdam’s recent “stay away” campaign discourage you; there are plenty of places in the Netherlands that would love a share of the capital’s eager visitors. Attracting vacationers to alternative destinations is a key part of creating more equitable and sustainable tourism in the Netherlands. But if you’re looking for canals, cafe culture, and that green-city feel, you don’t need to go without: the Dutch city of Utrecht checks all the boxes.
