Responsible tourism itineraries Santarém step by step - a proposal for a responsible walking tour

Resumo

Objectives | Tourism plays a pivotal role in the global economy, contributing significantly to a destination's growth and development. However, the adverse impacts of mass tourism on cultural heritage, the environment, and local communities have raised concerns about tourism sustainability. In response to this, responsible tourism has emerged as a vital approach to ensure that tourism benefits all stakeholders while preserving the natural and cultural assets of a destination (Cardia, 2018). Responsible tourism itineraries represent a conscientious approach to travel and tourism that seeks to minimize negative impacts while maximizing positive contributions to the environment, local communities, and cultural heritage (Dayoub, et al., 2020). Responsible tourism itineraries are part of a broader movement towards sustainable and ethical tourism, ensuring that visitors have meaningful and enriching experiences that leave a positive impact on the destination and its people (Brochado et al., 2021). They offer a way for travellers to explore the world while minimizing harm and actively contributing to the well-being of the places they visit. A walking tour can exemplify a responsible tourism itinerary by allowing travellers to immerse themselves in the local culture, minimize their environmental footprint, and support the livelihoods of local guides and artisans while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the destination's heritage (Fistola & La Rocca, 2018; Le Pira, 2021; UNWTO, 2019). This submission presents a comprehensive proposal for a responsible walking tour in Santarém, Portugal, under the name ‘Santarém, Step by Step’. The primary objective of this itinerary is to offer tourists an immersive culturally enriching and sustainable experience while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of preserving Santarém's unique cultural and natural heritage. The walking tour, "Santarém, Step by Step,"

Methodology | The proposed walking tour is designed with a strong commitment to responsible tourism principles, ensuring that the tour benefits both the tourists and the local community and is structured around a 5-phase methodology: preparation, product design, commercialization, realization, and evaluation (Reis & Lavaredas, 2024). Preparation: In this initial phase, meticulous planning takes place. This includes conducting thorough research on the local culture, history, and environment, as well as identifying key stakeholders and potential impacts on the community. It is essential to engage with local communities, assess the environmental impact, and establish ethical guidelines for the tour. Product Design: During this phase, the tour itself is designed. It involves crafting unique and authentic experiences that not only showcase the cultural and natural richness of Santarém but also respect and preserve its heritage. Tailoring the tour to the interests and needs of different types of tourists is also crucial. Commercialization: This step focuses on marketing and making the tour accessible to a wider audience. Promoting the tour ethically and responsibly is essential, emphasizing its cultural and environmental value. Pricing should be fair trade, and marketing efforts should align with responsible tourism principles, highlighting the benefits of sustainable and respectful travel. Realization: The realization phase involves the actual execution of the walking tour. Tour guides and participants must be well-trained to ensure that the tour respects local customs, minimizes its environmental impact, and promotes responsible behaviour. Local communities should benefit from the tour, either through employment opportunities or other forms of support. Evaluation: After each tour, a comprehensive evaluation should take place. This includes gathering feedback from both visitors, local stakeholders and communities to continuously improve the tour's quality and its alignment with responsible tourism principles. Regular assessments help identify any issues and implement necessary adjustments. This multifaceted methodology prioritizes responsible tourism principles, such as minimizing negative impacts on the environment and local communities, promoting cultural understanding, and ensuring economic benefits are equitably distributed. By following this structured approach, the walking tour aims to provide an authentic, enriching, and responsible experience for tourists while contributing positively to the local economy and preserving Santarém's cultural and natural heritage.

Results and implications | The implementation of this responsible tourism itinerary in Santarém is expected to foster greater awareness of responsible tourism among tourists, leading to a reduction in the environmental footprint of tourism activities, and creating a mutually beneficial synergy between economic development for local communities and heritage conservation.

Limitations | Despite its potential benefits, the proposed walking tour underscores the necessity of carefully managing initial implementation costs and ongoing maintenance, addressing the challenges associated with altering tourist behaviour and expectations, navigating potential resistance from local businesses regarding responsible tourism practices, and establishing robust systems for continuous monitoring and adaptation to ensure the sustained effectiveness of the tour.

Conclusions | This proposal presents a responsible tourism itinerary for Santarém, designed to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the preservation of the city's heritage and environment. By embracing responsible tourism principles, Santarém can position itself as a sustainable destination, attracting conscientious travellers who contribute positively to the local community and environment.

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