Travellers are powerful – and they have to assume responsibility. Tourism destinations can only remain attractive and hospitable if travellers are aware of the fact that they leave their mark on the living conditions of the local population as well as on the natural and cultural attractions.

Reisen hat viele schöne Seiten. Die globale Tourismuswirtschaft verursacht leider auch Kollateralschäden, die selten gezeigt werden. Die Naturfreunde Internationale-respect (NFI) möchte mit der Fotoserie „Hinter den Kulissen“, die 2013 an wechselnden Gastgeberorten zu sehen ist, ein breites Publikum auf die problematischen Aspekte des weltweiten Tourismus aufmerksam machen und zum Nachdenken anregen. Ausgewählte Bilder aus dem Fotowettbewerb der NFI zum Thema „Nachhaltiger Tourismus“ zeigen, wieviel Freude achtsames Reisen machen kann.

In discussions on tourism policy reference is frequently made to the allegedly important role of tourism in combating and alleviating poverty. In recent years, this argument has been propounded in particular in the context of global climate justice, true to the motto that long-distance flights admittedly remit greenhouse gas, but that western tourists leave lots of urgently needed foreign currency in the so-called developing countries.

Bio and fair trade are en vogue not just in day-to-day shopping, but more often than not also in holiday planning. “Fair travel” is in demand– but what is it that makes travelling “fair”? Currently, tourism boasts more than 100 quality labels worldwide.