This is for the ‘...camera-toting, garishly dressed, vociferous, culturally insensitive tourist, who is disconnectedly shunted, sheep-like, from destination to destination on a package tour.’



Tourism is a big industry and various steps are necessary and are being taken to balance the negative consequences of tourism. Let’s have a quick glance at some of the decisions at the 2005 World Summit that took place in New York this September.



#1: To Mitigate extreme weather

#2: Act to curb climate change

#3: Secure Antarctica

#4: Prioritize the environment

#5: Tackle migration issues

#6: Create more jobs

#7: Raise literacy rates

#8: Protect cultural heritage

#9: Fight corruption

#10: Provide more housing

#11: Improve workplace nutrition

#12: Promote workplace safety

#13: Rethink foreign investment

#14: Partner with NGOs

#15: Encourage youthful voices



Now, it is the turn of the tourists to prove their eco-responsibility. Can anyone, who has flown halfway around the world in a jet powered by subsidized fossil fuel and puffing out greenhouse gases, qualify as an eco-tourist - whatever the shape or content of the holiday that awaits them?