Healthy cities and tourism: integrating healthy lifestyles and tourism practices

Rice, Louis

Abstract

Tourism is transforming many societies, economies and cities. As tourism increases globally, to hitherto unprecedented numbers, there are corresponding transformations in the urban environments catering for tourist practices. However, there is a divergence between the factors driving tourism, sustainability and health. Climate change and human health are two of biggest challenges facing society and both are affected by tourism. The environmental impacts linked to tourism are well known and these impacts tend to be unsustainable for the planet; such that the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) now sets targets to promote sustainable tourist development. Simultaneously, tourism also tends towards unhealthy lifestyles and practices, which the UN is actively trying to promote via their ‘Healthy City’ (UNHC) programme. However there is a gap in knowledge between the policies of sustainable tourism and those of healthy cities. This research examines how to integrate ‘health’ into sustainable tourist development. The health paradigm is moving away from a medical model towards one that unites healthy lifestyles and environments. This is more than just the reduction of pollutants or hazardous materials, but towards the design, construction and inhabitation of settlements that enable and promote healthy sustainable tourism.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: Inclusive Innovation for Enhanced Local Experience in Tourism
• Start Date: Aug 28, 2018
• End Date: Aug 31, 2018
• Acceptance Date: Jun 20, 2018
• Publication Date: Aug 28, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 19, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 19, 2018
• Journal: Inclusive Innovation for Enhanced Local Experience in Tourism Workshop Proceedings
• Print ISSN: ISBN-978-1-78926-634-4
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: tourism, healthy cities, sustainable development
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/862481
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Inclusive Innovation for Enhanced Local Experience in Tourism
• Contract Date: Sep 19, 2018