Sustainable Tourism in Nicaragua: An Alternative to Climate Change

Abstract

Tourism is one of the fastest growing human activities and one of the most diverse, dynamic and malleable economic sectors. Over the last decade, tourism has had to adjust to survive the onslaught of the global economic crisis, the new health crisis and the adverse effects of climate change, such as: the increase in global temperatures changes in precipitation patterns, droughts, desertification and heat waves, increased hurricanes, melting of the poles and glaciers, and of course, rising sea levels. The enormous potential of tourism to produce wealth, goods and services gives it a privileged place in the strategic planning of any nation. In the same way, global demands force the new emerging tourism to be able to contribute to development from the conservation of the environment, the promotion of culture, traditions, identity and national pride.The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has paved the way for strengthening environmental awareness and ensuring that environmental responsibility can be included in all economic and commercial activities globally from all decision-making spaces. Tourism has not been the exception and from the different national legislations, practical actions are already being taken to reduce the negative impact produced by human activity when it intervenes in the different ecosystems.Today, we can see a resilient, sustainable tourism that in practice is more environmentally friendly. In Nicaragua, tourism has taken on new concepts and directions by incorporating sustainable tourism, cultural, ecological, rural and community tourism, as a new alternative to climate change and in favor of commonly exploited resources. Since 2021, this sustainable tourism has been in force, since its premise is not to compromise the resources of future generations, it seeks the balance between environment, culture and economy, to strengthen the quality of life of people and communities, implying the consolidation of sustainable, ethical, humane, participatory, inclusive and respectful tourism development, customs and traditions of all Nicaraguans.