International Centre for Responsible Tourism in Southeast Asia (ICRT-sea)

About US

ICRT-SEA is a pioneering centre that connects members who share a common goal in developing and advocating tourism development through responsible actions using research, education, training, community engagement and partnership. Inspired by Professor Harold Goodwin and Responsible Tourism Partnership, ICRT-SEA is set up to initiate and perpetuate the global responsible tourism movement in the region of Southeast Asia. It aims to harness partnerships between tourism academics, practitioners and communities to promote and realise the responsible tourism initiatives in Southeast Asia for sustainable development. ICRT-SEA is led by Dr Hiram Ting, Director of Responsible Borneo (REBORN), and made up by committee members in this region. REBORN is a signatory of 2022 Responsible Tourism Charter.

Vision

To build and be recognised as a leading centre in Southeast Asia that mobilizes responsible tourism into policy and practice through effective partnership.

Missions

ICRT-SEA realises responsible tourism with five missions as follows:

Research - projects and publications
Education - modules for students
Training - workshops for various stakeholders
Community Engagement - capacity building
Partnership - strategic alliance for real impact

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

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Kuching,
Sarawak

Southeast Asia is often seen as a lucrative business market due to its richness in nature and biodiversity, diverse cultures and people as well as affordable travel expenses. While its history and modern-day politics can be complex at times, it is generally safe for tourists to travel around. Nevertheless, given the effect of globalization and the burgeoning of tourism and hospitality activities, it has inevitably had a significant impact on the environment, economy, social development, and community well-being. In addition to issues which are commonly known in tourism, such as carbon footprint and mismanagement of overcrowding in a destination, the concerns also include intricate conundrums, such as animal and human exploitation for entertainment as well as tourism projects motivated by power play.

Responsible tourism is germane to the countries in Southeast Asia because it aims to benefit the local community, create employment opportunities, preserve cultures, protect environment and sustain economic growth, which in turn, improves the quality of life and the betterment of the society. This region has long been regarded as economically dynamic due to its rising populations and market opportunities to many developed countries. Despite the importance of various tourism aspects, such as smart tourism, event tourism and ecotourism, the sense of responsibility of each and every stakeholder is what is largely needed to develop, recover, sustain and regenerate tourism in Southeast Asia.

Source: An Outlook on Responsible Tourism in Southeast Asia

https://jrtm.org/volume2-issue1-january-2022/