Walking tourism is now one of the most popular ways to experience a destination. It allows tourists to better engage with local people, nature and culture. It also help the tourists to maintain their health, while having close connection with the local people, where they travel.
A recent report from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) provides examples of walking tourism that can serve as practical references for destinations that want to develop such offerings.
Walking tourism can be developed anywhere as a sustainable tourism offer with a relatively small investment. It can bring about social and economic benefits to residents and communities if properly developed and managed.
“Increasing consumer demand for experiencing a destination in an authentic way and the growing popularity of active tourism make walking tourism more and more relevant beyond walking activities, showcasing a destination as a whole including its local culture and nature,” states the report.
Walking tourism can be developed anywhere as part of a sustainable tourism agenda and requires a relatively small investment, yet provides high social and economic returns for residents and tourists alike if properly developed and managed.
Creating partnerships and soliciting the support of local stakeholders, when developing walking tourism offerings is critical, as residents and tourists end up sharing common goods.
“This might give ground for potential conflicts,” adds the report. “Therefore, access to training and inclusion of the local population in the tourism value chain is needed in order to seize new business opportunities for regional development.”
