60
degradation in different aspects – travelling (e.g. using public transport instead of
private cars), accommodation (e.g. staying in traditional houses or hotels with vernacular architecture instead of uniform global chain hotels), consumption (e.g. eating traditional food made of locally produced ingredients), and other activities (e.g.
participating in local cultural events, using bicycles as local transport, visiting different tourist attractions not only major ones, separating waste).
Another concept is slow travel or slow tourism (Lowry and Lee 2011), which
was initially associated with gastronomic tourism and created as a reaction to fast
living, conventional Sun and Sea concept, an escape from hectic lifestyles, and the
enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures. It evolved gradually from the concept of the
Italian slow food movement in the late 1980s. The next step was branding slow cities (CittaSlow), towns that pass through a rigorous process of certification, with
excellent local food and preservation of the local environment (Matos 2004).
Therefore, slow tourism is associated with ethical commitment of the part of the
travellers, who make a conscious choice to minimise any negative impact that they
might have on the environment or the community, as well as their choice to purchase from local providers (World Travel Market & Euromonitor 2007). Matos
(2004) points out essential characteristics of slow tourism: simple accommodation,
a healthy diet, a leisurely pace, local culture, a peaceful atmosphere, and respect for
the natural environment. One of the most famous rural areas of this type is the
Chianti Region in Tuscany, Italy, which is inevitably connected to Environmental
Citizenship from both the host and the guest. The area with rich natural scenery
consisting of picturesque hills with vineyards and restored old houses, associated
with good local food and wine, was branded as one of the earliest and most famous
destinations of rural tourism, primarily driven by the efforts of the local population
and their consciousness on the value of the region. Visitors are also highly motivated
to experience the region using all senses, but they are also highly conscious of the
uniqueness of the area and are prepared to contribute to its preservation.
All analysed forms and concepts of tourism require elements of Environmental
Citizenship by both hosts and guests, taking into account the environmental, economic, and social impacts of tourism, in order to achieve the sustainable development of destination areas.
4.5 Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage
Equality and justice among different countries and societies are promoted in contemporary documents, in particular the 2030 Agenda. It focuses on improving availability of education, health services, transportation, sanitation, human rights etc.,
but it also stresses culture as an important element of sustainable development. The
most visible and present form of culture involved in the concepts of sustainability is
represented by tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In this section, we will
discuss the importance of cultural heritage for Environmental Citizenship.
I. Šulc et al.
degradation in different aspects – travelling (e.g. using public transport instead of
private cars), accommodation (e.g. staying in traditional houses or hotels with vernacular architecture instead of uniform global chain hotels), consumption (e.g. eating traditional food made of locally produced ingredients), and other activities (e.g.
participating in local cultural events, using bicycles as local transport, visiting different tourist attractions not only major ones, separating waste).
Another concept is slow travel or slow tourism (Lowry and Lee 2011), which
was initially associated with gastronomic tourism and created as a reaction to fast
living, conventional Sun and Sea concept, an escape from hectic lifestyles, and the
enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures. It evolved gradually from the concept of the
Italian slow food movement in the late 1980s. The next step was branding slow cities (CittaSlow), towns that pass through a rigorous process of certification, with
excellent local food and preservation of the local environment (Matos 2004).
Therefore, slow tourism is associated with ethical commitment of the part of the
travellers, who make a conscious choice to minimise any negative impact that they
might have on the environment or the community, as well as their choice to purchase from local providers (World Travel Market & Euromonitor 2007). Matos
(2004) points out essential characteristics of slow tourism: simple accommodation,
a healthy diet, a leisurely pace, local culture, a peaceful atmosphere, and respect for
the natural environment. One of the most famous rural areas of this type is the
Chianti Region in Tuscany, Italy, which is inevitably connected to Environmental
Citizenship from both the host and the guest. The area with rich natural scenery
consisting of picturesque hills with vineyards and restored old houses, associated
with good local food and wine, was branded as one of the earliest and most famous
destinations of rural tourism, primarily driven by the efforts of the local population
and their consciousness on the value of the region. Visitors are also highly motivated
to experience the region using all senses, but they are also highly conscious of the
uniqueness of the area and are prepared to contribute to its preservation.
All analysed forms and concepts of tourism require elements of Environmental
Citizenship by both hosts and guests, taking into account the environmental, economic, and social impacts of tourism, in order to achieve the sustainable development of destination areas.
4.5 Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage
Equality and justice among different countries and societies are promoted in contemporary documents, in particular the 2030 Agenda. It focuses on improving availability of education, health services, transportation, sanitation, human rights etc.,
but it also stresses culture as an important element of sustainable development. The
most visible and present form of culture involved in the concepts of sustainability is
represented by tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In this section, we will
discuss the importance of cultural heritage for Environmental Citizenship.
I. Šulc et al.