The year 2018 is passed and the debate over responsible tourism is spreading quickly. Looking back from a retrospective, the WTM Responsible Tourism sums up the most relevant debates regarding responsible tourism into the following: First of all, the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2018, awarded the city of Barcelona as the overall winner. In our article "Barcelona 2018 - A Significant Year for Responsible Tourism" you can find detailed information about this special award and what it means for our social impact startup Authenticitys to be based in the city, with a significant status for responsible tourism. Another crucial topic of debate last year were the floods of Venice, that showed that the issue of overtourism have negative consequences on climate change. The frequent protests of locals in Venice against the travelling masses in the city are not unknown. The truth is, Venice has always been a hotspot for travellers. However, the consequences of the climate change, and thus, the approximating floods in Venice that are foreseen in the future have shown the connection between overtourism and climate change, which should be taken serious. In this sense, the WTM Responsible Tourism has given an insight in addressing the problem of overtourism at the WTM congress in London. Especially the city of Barcelona, as the overall winner of the WTM Awards 2018, is mentioned as an outstanding example that has led the way in addressing the challenges of overtourism. Thirdly, it is important to mention the debate about "Black Friday" and its impact on tourism. For so many people in this world, this day is the most important shopping day of the entire year. However, the debate in relation to sustainable tourism is turning the subject and proposes to using this day to leave a positive impact in our world. "What might happen if we used this opportunity not as another saleable moment, but instead as a teachable on?" In our blog post about Sustainable Shopping  you can read about the #BuyNothingDay movement and get an alternative view about this annual 'event'. What can be said for sure is that the list of topics in the tourism industry that are needed to be addressed is extending and thus, the collaboration of innovative and progressive entrepreneurships needed in order to create a positive impact for a more sustainable world. "The name doesn’t matter, Responsible Tourism is a broad agenda and there are many groups pursuing particular issues, all of them important." As mentioned in the Responsible Tourism Program, every initiative that is contributing to a more sustainable tourism industry is relevant and the collaboration with different entrepreneurs necessary. The responsible of responsible tourism is to enable the people on this world to travel freely and with pleasure. The challenge, however, lies in guaranteeing this freedom and at the same time creating awareness of sustainability and the positive impact that the tourism industry has to produce. "Because, great places to live are great places to visit." Another year lies ahead and we are excited to see the outcomes that bring 2019.

Foto: © Barcelona Turism

Barcelona – this week our social impact Startup Authenticitys was invited to join the sustainable tourism conference "Jornadas de Turisme Sostenible" in Barcelona. On Wednesday, 19th and Thursday, 20th of December, Barcelona Turisme organized a conference around the topic of sustainability, including different panels, speeches and discussions. The “Jornadas de Turisme Sostenible” is a congress that opens its doors to experts, entrepreneurs and interested people in the field to reflect together on different visions of sustainable tourism and to create a change to leave a positive impact in the cities we travel. On the first day, the sustainable tourism guru Doug Lansky talked about “Saving Tourism from Itself”. As Barcelona is the leading city in adressing the issues of overtourism and sustainablity, in his speech he clarified the different stages of overtourism and the misinterpretation of managing this certain problem. "Overtourism is unbalanced tourism", he says. That means, that the problem is not the travelling masses that come into a city. The problem is rather the unbalanced tourism that a city has failled to manage. Thus, an effective solution of this issue would be the systematic spreading of tourists and the balancing of the offer in a city. Doug Lansky is a travel writer and is engaged in various fields to contributing to a sustainable tourism industry, especially in creating awareness about the ongoing issue of overtourism that many cities are struggeling with and to find effective solutions. He brings along a lot of experience in the tourism industry through his collaboration with big companies such as Google Travel, Amadeus or the National Geographic. Moreover, he is not only the author of 10 books, including 2 for Lonley Planet and 3 for Rough Guides, he is also a well-known speaker at the National Geographic Headquarters and the United Nations World’s Tourism Organization. In addition to Lanskys speech, other local experts like Mercedes Mora (director of Casa Vicens), Matteo Asensio (International Promotion Manager of Turisme de Barcelona), Julian Montero Ortega (Director of Business Development at Barcelona Zero Limits), Santiago Hernández Zayas (Director of Hotel Princess and Promotor of Barcelona Forum District) and Jordi Sala Serra (Human Resources Director at Hotel Arts Barcelona) joined a round table conference to discuss the different pillars of sustainability and the challenges and different opportunities that tourism means for different destinations. The first day of the Sustainable Tourism Conference in Barcelona provided already an extensive and productive program about the main steps to address in order to contribute to a sustainable tourism industry. Day 2 of the congress – on December the 20^th – was dedicated to the 7^th edition of “Business with Social Vale” (BWSV), at the “Palacio de Congresos de Catalunya”. The event aims to contribute to a social transformation of business companies, by promoting social and sustainable conducts, favouring the sustainable economy of the Centro especiales de empleo (Special Employment Center) and the Empresas de Inserción (Social Integration Enterprises). Experts on different fields like Pedro Olivares Carreño (OLIVARES Consulting), Maite Piera Torres (Human Capital Consulting Deloitte) and like the day before, Doug Lansky discussed about sustainability and about how to include the social factor in today’s business. Another main objective of the BWSV event was to create real business opportunities for the Special Employment Centers and the Social Integration Enterprises. With the face-to-face activities participants were able to get to now all the services of the Special Employment Centers and communicate directly with different companies and experts.

A Christmas present from the heart - there are hardly better things we can imagine of. This year we would like to present you some ideas that are not only from the heart- but also a contribution to shaping the world positively. Our social impact Startup Authenticitys has been featured in the responsible gift guide of Proyectos Ship2B, a foundation that focuses on helping entrepreneurs to accelerate their projects. The primary objective of the Ship2B Foundation is to promote a new way of conceiving the business world by demonstrating that companies can be created to solve the significant social and environmental challenges and at the same time – be profitable. Thus, they are supporting entrepreneurship and impact investment and connect entrepreneurs and their projects with their community of investors. In this sense, Authenticitys can proudly be part of one of these featured “responsible entrepreneurs” presenting their tourism-transforming experiences in cities along with NGO’s and other social companies. Experiences that allows the visitor to see different sides of the town, off-the-beaten-path and at the same time supporting a social purpose. Moreover, Authenticitys is also featured in the Sustainable Christmas Guide of this year's B Corporation Campaign. In this special gift guide you might find another inspiration about sustainable gifting. An unforgettable tour to the Barceloneta - beach with fishermen, an alternative walking tour through the paths of the bohemian and emergent - barri del Born- neighborhood or a special dinner with Syrian refugees - any gift of this type is a relevant step towards sustainability and a social impact. If you want to know more about responsible gifts for Christmas and get to know different visions to shape this world positively - take a look at the Responsible Gift Guide of Proyectos Ship2B and the Sustainable Christmas Guide of B Corporations and get inspired!

Foto: © WTM

We are almost at the end of 2018. Now is the moment we can look back to a year full of significant events, conferences and changes that contribute to creating a sustainable tourism industry. In this sense, each year the WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards are presented at the WTM London, the biggest responsible tourism conference worldwide. One Overall Winner, Eight Golds and Six Silvers have been awarded in this year’s World Responsible Tourism Awards, presented on November 7^th. The awards are not only the intent to inspire others to stimulate new initiatives and innovations of the industry but also to showcase and distinguish great examples of the Responsible Tourism industry. The World Responsible Tourism Awards 2018 recognized the city of Barcelona as the overall winner. By avoiding negative and divisive language in discussing the impact of tourism in this city and by actively addressing severe problems like overtourism, Barcelona managed to be acknowledged as an outstanding example in the tourism industry. What can be achieved to contribute to sustainable tourism? How can others be challenged to do as well or better? Barcelona got the 2018 overall winner award, due to the range of management methods that the city has used to do so in order to achieve a sustainable tourism industry. Thus, it is seen with a potential to educate and challenge other destinations to respond to certain issues, to do more and eventually to increase the positive economic, social and environmental impacts. “It is a significant achievement, it marks you out as a leader in Responsible Tourism; and it carries a responsibility to exercise leadership.” Also, Michael Palin shared his vision on why the Responsible Tourism Awards are so important to this industry: “Getting to know more about each other remains one of the most important hopes for the peaceful future of the planet. If we are really to understand each other better, then we need to be reminded to travel carefully and thoughtfully, listening to people along the way and respecting the world we are privileged to travel through. The Responsible Tourism Awards are one of the most important ways in which we can understand how to travel better. “ Authenticitys, as a significant social impact startup was shortlisted in the WTM Responsible Tourism Speed Networking Buyers 2016 at the World Responsible Tourism Day for ‘responsible travelling’. Based in Barcelona, Authenticitys can proudly be part of the city that was awarded as the overall winner in the World Responsible Tourism Awards 2018.

Foto: © Ayuntament de BCN

Without doubt, the tourism industry needs to share crucial information and expertise about solutions and the positive outcomes of sustainable tourism in order to increase the management intervention that contributes to addressing the problems that the tourism industry is facing. Entrepreneurs, experts but also all interested people need to gather regularly to exchange different missions and visions – and thus, to create a common bond for Sustainable Tourism. The past year contributed to a great extent to that work, and we are more than excited to follow the positive outcomes and new initiatives in 2019.          

Foto: © UNWTO

Who does not dream about travelling? Isn’t travelling, no matter who we are and where we come from, part of our lifestyle and pleasure of living? The vast treasures of travelling lie within the opportunity of broadening your horizon and breaking the barriers between different cultures and nations. Everyone who is given the opportunity should be aware of the significance that travelling brings with it and thus, make the best of it. “Bon voyage!” or “Have a safe trip”? Travel-book writer Rick Steves describes in his new book “Travel as a Political Act” the rising fear of travelling and common prejudices of particular destinations. These lingering prejudices and the avoiding of specific areas of the world is also a consequence due to terrorist attacks in the past years that have put into question the safety of a traveller’s journey and destination. Indeed, a crucial turning point of “carefree” travelling was after the terrorist attacks of September 11th of 2001 in New York. What is more, the recently quite frequent incidents in big European touristic cities like London, Paris or Barcelona, have frightened people to travel around popular destinations. What comes next? Is it a risk to travel to this city? More and more, travellers have to confront questions like these. You never know - and that is the most dangerous part. It might sound like a paradox but in this changing “atmosphere”, including the nationalist movements (like Brexit, for example), travelling has become even more important to see the world and try to understand it better. Only by experiencing real life and by being open to the unknown, you are able to comprehend the other. Why is travelling so important? At first, as the author Steves says, “you learn a lot about your country by leaving it and looking at it at a distance.” So, considered from an ethnocentric point of view, travelling helps to get to know your own roots. This is because while travelling you recognise the differences to your own culture and compare it. It is in our nature to compare ourselves with the unknown because it is what actually identifies us. In this sense, travelling contributes to not only define our own ethnocentricity but eventually to undermine it and open our personal horizon. Thus, leaving our comfort zone and getting to know the unknown might give us the possibility to discover cultural diversity in this world and learn from the other’s perspective. Besides, it is  the chance to get to know and accept the legitimacy of different moralities. “You don't have to like their answer, but at least try to understand it”, clarifies Rick Steves in his book. And of course, this attitude towards the country and the culture we are visiting shapes the world and our future. A cautious approach to the unfamiliar culture does not help the world to develop and transform better the tourism industry – contrariwise – it stops this progress and hinders us to see the truth through our own eyes. One thing is for sure – we all need to be less wary of venturing out into the world and try to use our possibilities to discover the cultural and natural richness of this beautiful planet. Not till then, we are able to actually cause a difference.      

Foto: © Fira Barcelona

Barcelona – The biggest global event for the meetings and events industry, IBTM World 2018, took place from the 27^th to the 29^th of November 2018 and brought together nations from all over the world to promote their cultural richness, diversity, and variety of income-opportunities. Taking place annually in Barcelona, the event aims to inspire the events world to deliver exceptional experiences for their customers. What normally takes a lot of time, planning and organization are possible in three days at one location: building face to face connections with the right people of different countries and companies; and of course, engaging in limitless networking opportunities. Although the IBTM World circulates mainly on its central theme - the event meeting industry – another goal is to be able to demonstrate to other industries that the event industry does take sustainability seriously, what impact it has on the environment and how introducing sustainable meeting practices can make a positive difference. This was a decisive factor for our social impact Startup Authenticitys to get to know the branches on the social impact of the different countries in the world, to create connections with the responsible persons, and to exchange different views and visions for sustainable tourism. Thus, the IBTM 2018 did not only provide different talks and conferences that played an important role in getting this message out so that anyone can take part and start making positive changes in tourism. It was also a crucial event for Authenticitys to broaden its horizon and to get in touch with organisations, companies and different cultures that share similar visions of transforming the tourism industry. Some of these official items about sustainability in the events and tourism industry where: Day 1: “What do the UN Sustainable Development Goals mean for the future for the event industry?” The speaker Miguel Naranjo, programme officer of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, Germany and Fiona Pelham, CEO of Positive Impact Events talked about taking action to address future trends and client demands related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and how these actions can create new opportunities for the event industry. Day 2: Guy Bigwood, group sustainability director of the MCI Group and Sam McNeill, general manager (UK/Europe) of SongDivision about the topic “Shine Bright Like a Diamond: How to add value, authenticity and fun to your next event through sustainability”. Day3: Talk about “Developing a global sustainability strategy” by Emma Owens, partnerships manager, Positive Impact & Sustainable Events Ltd Generally speaking, the importance of sustainability in events and the tourism industry is growing more and more and spreading to the world. Thus - not without reason an important part of the biggest global tourism event, the IBTM World.

Foto: © Positive Impact

In this sense, the IBTM World comprises a vision for a sustainable event in 2020 that aims to demonstrate other industries and governments the relevance of the topic. It is an intent to discover how this can change the events and tourism industry and a start of making impact changes, introduced by the Positive Impact team. They provide content and presentations at the Sustainable Events Corner at IBTM and present internationally at events such as The Global Sustainable Events Summit on the practical and strategic implementation of sustainability. A sustainable event industry for 2020 may sound idealistic, however not far away from what more and more industries are looking for. … Might be a crucial reason for looking forward to IBTM World 2019?

Foto: © Positive Impact

 

How new technologies can contribute to a more global approach to sustainable tourism The change of information and communication technology influenced the tourism industry dramatically and therefore, boosted innovative ideas for the development of the sector in unprecedented ways. Not only various applications were founded but also the growth of widespread usage of the Internet and Social Media channels is continuing. On the 2nd World Conference on Smart Destinations #SCWC2018 8 (25-27 June 2018), held by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the spotlight was on the issue how destinations could and should use technology to establish sustainable tourism management. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili opened the conference with the words: “Technology helps us to manage our social, cultural and environmental impacts better. Moreover, if well managed, tourism can act as an agent of positive change for more sustainable lifestyles, destinations, and consumption and production patterns.” The conference discussed and introduced technological advances like big data and geo-localization to shape new tourism models based on innovation, technology, sustainability, and accessibility. What is more, for the World Tourism Day the UNWTO promoted their theme for 2018 on “Tourism and the Digital Transformation”. How can the digital revolution be used to establish a sustainable tourism industry and to leave an impact? What are the growing economic, societal and environmental impacts of technology and innovation in tourism?  These are crucial questions to be addressed for 2018 in the tourism industry. The conference brought Startups, entrepreneurs, and academics together to discuss and work on ways to deliver smart, innovative and sustainable solutions to this sector. It is comprehensible that a digitally advanced tourism sector has the power to drive further the inclusion in society, the efficient resource management and improve local communities and development opportunities. The question is how to approach this field of development, to achieve sustainability rather than only innovative technologies. Such conferences and summits aim to explore, develop and endorse an alternative approach for sustainable tourism. Thus, it supports the proposition that sustainable tourism can become a useful concept in destination management through the innovative applications of information and communication technology and others. There is no doubt - the digital revolution has already transformed our travel experiences and the way of ‘doing’ holidays. Technology allows us the easy approach to planning and eventually realizing our travel experiences. However, what lies beyond the practical fact of booking and sharing post-trip stories on social media channels? Might technology be useful to make the world a better place - to leave an impact? How can we use the digital revolution as a tool to create sustainable tourism? One crucial start and part of the approach is the promotion and raising awareness of sustainable tourism and spreading it to the public — a vital clue that social impact startups of the tourism industry like Authenticitys seek to achieve through active blog posts and the promotion of sustainable experiences in cities. Moreover, the experiences that Authenticitys offers, like the “Urban Regeneration E-Bicycle Tour” in Madrid, does not only provide the exploring of creativity and redevelopment of its urban spaces but also supports a project that contributes to reducing the CO2 emissions in the city. Using the innovative and creative technological process and being part of an eco-friendly and zero emissions activity is a step further to transform tourism into a sustainable industry. “Going by E-bike is so much more fun and it allows you to see many things in the city in a rather quick way”, so a review about the Authenticity-tour that aims to provide an alternative and combines new technologies with sustainable tourism. Providing sustainable management of tourism will be a necessary part of the future tourism industry to avoid ‘over tourism’, the degradation of local communities and finally ungrateful societies and businesses - unable to get the traveling masses and the rising demand under control. In this sense, the UNWTO Affiliate Members published Global Report on the Transformative Power of Tourism, highlighting initiatives and the potential of the bespoke ‘transformative tourism’. An approach worth to look at and to create one's perspective about this topic.

Fotos: ©UNWTO

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Barcelona – Another year the SmartCity Expo World Congress (SCEWC) opened its doors to the public and provided powerful debates on topics that went deep into the key issue for the future of our cities. The congress started its first day on the 13^th of November and ended with the 15^th – three days full of inspiring activities, networking, meetings and much more.

The initiative of the Smart City Expo World Congress provides a unique meeting in order to share and exchange visions and ideas for urban innovation worldwide. The goal of promoting social innovation for cities and identifying the opportunities that come along with it is to create a better future for the cities we live in and thus, to increase the living quality of the citizens.

The format for 2018 focused mainly on 5 main topics, generating discussions and dialogue roundtables between leading thinkers, entrepreneurs, and experts: Digital Transformation, Urban Environment, Mobility, Inclusive & Sharing cities, and Governance & Finance.

Foto © Fira Barcelona

Based on the values of social inclusion and empowerment these focus topics should contribute to creating awareness and to further critical reflection between the citizens of the different cities worldwide in order to establish a caring society.

Thus, creating sustainable cities is a top priority for the SCEWC. In this sense, the initiative of "Towards Zero Waste" that aims to reduce waste and increase the efficient use of our resources is becoming more and more important. However, not only the questions of how to establish sustainable cities but also how to promote a social impact that citizens and tourists can leave was running like a common thread through the Congress, stimulating speakers and participants to reflect on the most critical issues facing cities today.

Foto © Fira Barcelona

Social Impact Startup Authenticitys participated in the SmartCity Expo World Congress 2016, introducing to the public its main goal of providing social impact experiences to tourists, in order to transform the way of travelling and to leave a positive impact in the cities. Authenticitys has always seen the relevance of conferences like SmartCities. Especially nowadays, it has become an important happening, as the content is heading more and more towards sustainability, rather than only technological processes and innovations. In this sense, social entrepreneur and Nobel Prize laureate, Muhammed Yunus contributed to this year’s highlights as a speaker about “A world of three zeros: The New Economics of Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, and Zero Net Carbon Emissions”. In his speech, he offered his vision of an emerging new economic system and the change that will come through the action of the people and the emergence of new social businesses.

Foto © Yunus Centre

Also, other speakers like Jason Roberts, Founder of the Oak Cliff Transit Authority and the Better Blog Project, Bettina Warburg, Co-founder of Animal Ventures and Robert Muggah, Research director and Co-founder of Igarapé Institute gave inspirational talks and lectures to further discuss how we can shape the cities of the future. After the successful and inspiring SmartCity Expo 2018, we are looking forward to more next year, hoping to be able to observe already the first outcomes and impacts of the Conference.  

Foto: ©meet_the_leader

Last week, the yearly meeting of the World Travel Market in London, taking place from the 5^th to the 7^th of November, ended and created again new possibilities, ideas, and plans for the travel industry in the world. One of the world’s most influential travel provider, like Johan Lundgren, CEO, easyJet, or Bruce Poon Tip , founder of G Adventures and other speakers from different parts of the world, like Eliza Reid, the first lady of Iceland gathered at the WTM meeting 2018, exchanging new ideas and experiences to develop the travel industry and thus, to create remarkable opportunities and social initiatives for travellers. How do we navigate this world of possibilities? This was one of the key questions of this years’ meeting of the World Travel Market in London that faced not only the diversity of possibilities but also the challenge of dealing with ‘this world of possibilities’. The annual World Travel Market London allows the most influential travel providers to share their innovative ideas that will shape the world’s dreams and plans for travel over the next years. The program of the meeting this year varied a lot and gave the different travel agencies and entrepreneurs the chance to connect with experts from different areas of expertise. An interesting and relevant part of the meeting was focused on responsible tourism in order to establish sustainable development. In this sense, the social impact startup Authenticitys was shortlisted in the WTM Responsible Tourism Speed Networking Buyers 2016 at the World Responsible Tourism Day for ‘responsible travelling’. Also this year, on the World Responsible Tourism Day (7th of November), a lot of great WTM Responsible Tourism sessions, talks and panels took place.

©WTM Responsible Tourism

On the first day of the WTM 2018 different topics, like the panel about “Business Taking Responsibility for Security, Health and Safety” stood on the program. There, different solutions for managing the responsibility on different aspects of guests and visitors were provided and discussed. “How can these risks be managed and reduced and whose responsibility is it?” The focus of this panel was to underline the role of businesses in ensuring the security, health, and safety of the travel community. Also, “Creating Shared Value” was another interesting topic. Presented by Harvard Professor Michael E. Porter, it discussed the importance of businesses going beyond CSR and creating shared value. The professor argues that tourism companies must redefine their purpose in order to create a shared value that can bring back together business and society. Only by then, the shared value can “reconnect company success with social progress”. It is getting more and more important, that tourism businesses achieve the engagement of people from the local community with the visitors and tourists, sharing their natural and cultural environment. What is more, the WTM meeting included the input about the exposition “Expo 2020 Showcases the Future of Sustainability- Water and Energy”, a particular project unveiling further details on the plans and progress of the sustainable world expo for the Abu Dabhi Sustainability week in January 2019. “More than just an event” The annual World Travel Market is an opportunity for travel provider and businesses to learn and profit from expert content, networking tools and the exchange of different ideas and solutions for more responsible tourism. By bringing together a community of global travel professionals all year round, mutual learning and understanding can be established and therefore, enables the transmission of creating a social impact in the travel industry.

As one of Europe’s most dynamic startup ecosystem, especially in the field of new technologies (Internet, Mobile Software & Services, e-commerce, Big Data, and Tourism), Barcelona has become a treasured hotspot for entrepreneurs and experts to create new companies and businesses. Furthermore, our co-founder of the social impact startup Authenticitys, Elena Rodriguez-Blanco made it to the list of the most influential evangelists of active entrepreneur leaders in the startup ecosystem of Barcelona. Developed by the Barcelona Founder Institute, this updated list of the “Barcelona Startup Guide” serves entrepreneurs as a guide and overview of all relevant steps for establishing a startup. What is more, it helps them to find useful resources they would need to build up their businesses. The Founder Institute is a global platform of startups and mentors that help entrepreneurs to create their own technology business ideas and to give them a stable impact.

Foto: ©Barcelona Startup Ecosystem Guide

What impact does the startup ecosystem have? Through the steady expansion of the startup ecosystem, the importance of a professional guide and an interactive setting about impact investing and social impact has raised a lot. As an example of this necessity, the first Impact Investing Academy will take place in Vienna between the 8^th and 9^th of November 2018, gathering top experts of Impact Investing to exchange knowledge and experience in an interactive workshop setting. In this context, Authenticitys itself was part of the Investment Ready Program in 2015, a program by #impacthub, based on the belief that “impact ventures play a vital part in accelerating the worldwide adoption of sustainable and inclusive technologies, policies, and behaviors”. Thus, the goal was to make impact ventures ready for investment, growth and international impact. According to the 2018 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) the global startup ecosystem continues to grow, also as a result of the global connectedness and the technological progress. The global connectedness keeps startups at the leading edge of global knowledge about innovation and business models. This, in turn, provides the ability to engage with global customers from the earliest stages and increases the chance to distribute their message to the world. This continual rise of startup ecosystems should be seen as a chance for purpose-driven entrepreneurs and experts from all corners of the world to actually realize a social impact, to spread their message and to reach the society.