Page 287 - Special Topic Session (STS) - Volume 1

STS429 Igor C. et al.

Sustainable grassroots tourism through green
jobs: Measurement issues
Igor Chernyshev , Florabela Carausu
2*
1
1 GJASD International, Chancy (Geneva), Switzerland
2 GOPA Luxembourg S.A R.L., Luxembourg

Abstract
Sustainable tourism takes full account of its current and future economic,
social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of host
communities, visitors, the environment and the industry.
The grassroots or local perspective is a high profile focus of sustainable
tourism discussion. Therefore, the area of common interest is whether a host
community is heavily affected due to the negative impact of tourism activity
on its habitat including fauna and flora. Improving life quality of local
populations at communal level is considered as a solution to protect natural
environment and local bio-diversity.
For the successful and sustainable development of tourism at the local level in
settlements adjacent to or located directly in the territory of national parks,
plantations, protected forests and riverbanks, etc., it is necessary to encourage
the local population to take care of natural resources and biodiversity. A
practical way to achieve this goal could be the greening of tourism and
creation of green jobs for the ingenious population. Thus, the ratio of green
jobs could serve as an indicator of tourism suitability at the local and national
levels.

Keywords
Sustainable tourism; green economy; employment; decent work; green jobs

1. Introduction
At the 2016 G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting, G20 leaders underlined that
“tourism is one of the main sectors driving economic globalization,
interconnection, integration and socio-economic development”. It is a “driving
force for social inclusion with a particular potential to advance employment
and economically empower groups which are more vulnerable to social and
economic risks, including, but not limited to, women, young people, migrants,
indigenous and tribal peoples and rural residents”, G20 China (2016).
Consequently, tourism can lead to the reduction of poverty and to the
promotion of socio-economic development and decent work. However, if
tourism does not respect local cultures and is uncontrolled, unsustainable or
not socially accountable, it can also have a negative impact on local
communities, their heritage and environment, exacerbating inequalities.
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