by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 9:30 PM ET, Thu February 14, 2019
Whether it's tied to the penchant for experiencing destinations like a local or the increasing popularity of sustainable travel, the reality is that walking tourism is now one of the most popular ways to experience a destination.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has just released a new report designed to provide examples of walking tourism that can serve as practical references for destinations seeking to develop such offerings.
According to the report "increasing consumer demand for experiencing a destination in an authentic way and the growing popularity of active tourism make walking tourism more and more relevant beyond walking activities, showcasing a destination as a whole including its local culture and nature."
Walking tourism also allows travelers to better engage with local populations, nature, and culture while meeting the growing demand for outdoor activities in general, continues the UNWTO report.
An offering that can be developed anywhere as part of a sustainable tourism agenda, walking tourism requires a relatively small investment, yet provides high social and economic returns for residents and tourists alike if properly developed and managed.
Creating partnerships and soliciting the support of local stakeholders when developing walking tourism offerings is also critical, according to the UNWTO report, as residents and tourists end up sharing common goods.
"This might give ground for potential conflicts," adds the report. "Therefore, access to training and inclusion of the local population in the tourism value chain is needed in order to seize new business opportunities for regional development."
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