Tourism plays a key role in supporting Scotland’s regional and local economies with many rural and island communities reliant on visitor
spend. The economic value of the tourism industry has historically been the predominant focus for both industry and government but in recent years the significance of hospitality and tourism as a driver of sustainable development has become more recognised and valued. The motivation for the development of responsible tourism has, in part, been advanced by visitors’ desire to make more sustainable choices, involving both socially and environmentally responsible experiences.
Tourism touches the everyday lives of Scotland’s people, impacting communities economically, socially, and environmentally. Community-led tourism is understood to be one route to a more sustainable sector, putting people and place before profit. Community-led tourism therefore is at the pioneering end of promoting socially responsible tourism offerings; enriching both the lives of the people who live here and the people who visit.
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