Tourism is one of the world’s most important industries, but it also has a significant impact on the environment and local communities. In this context, B corporations are emerging as leaders in promoting sustainable tourism.
What are B Corporations?
B Corporations, or Benefit Corporations, conduct their economic activities while legally committing to meet social and environmental performance standards. Thus, their decisions must consider the impact on their employees, the community, the environment, and their shareholders.
To obtain certification as a B Corporation, a company must meet the evaluation criteria set by the international organization B Lab or by local organizations that are part of the global movement.
B Corporations in Argentina: Sustainable Tourism vs. Mass Tourism
Argentina represents a great opportunity for this sector, which has already taken its first steps in the country. According to official figures, there is a growth that cannot be ignored.
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Argentina, 7.4 million foreign tourists visited Argentina in 2023. In November alone, 644,000 trips by non-resident tourists had a projected economic impact of $423.9 million, making it the best November on record since 2000.
In 2023, there were 205 B corporations in Argentina, placing the country among the top three in the region after Brazil and Chile.
Boomerang Viajes is listed as the first tourism agency in Argentina to be certified as a “B Corporation.” Its value proposition is based on offering alternatives to mass tourism by creating environmentally respectful experiences, engaging with indigenous communities, valuing local culture, and ensuring fair distribution and pricing, as stated on its official website.
Thus, activities such as the following are promoted:
- Being part of the daily life of the place, experiencing exchange and participation with local communities.
- Staying not only in hotels but also in hostels, lodges, and, depending on the destination, in family homes participating in a local development tourism project.
- Giving priority to environmental care, contributing to the development of the local economy, and respecting the lives of the communities in the chosen destinations.
One of the company’s main actions is measuring its carbon footprint. They have a personalized calculator that assesses the impact of users’ trips and then compensates for it. Their goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
For this to work, services are integrated into a sustainable value chain in which suppliers also commit to implementing the same sustainability criteria. Some of the destinations included in the proposal are:
- San Luis and Sierra de las Quijadas.
- Talampaya and Valle de la Luna.
- Valles Calchaquíes in Salta.
- Ruta del Adobe in Catamarca from Tucumán.
Innovations in Sustainable Tourism: Reducing Environmental Footprint
One of the main areas of focus for B corporations in the tourism sector is reducing the environmental footprint of their operations. This objective is addressed through various fronts such as the implementation of waste management practices involving the use of renewable energies, the installation of efficient water management systems in accommodations, or the reduction of food waste through composting and donation programs, for example.
Additionally, adopting eco-friendly technologies, such as smart systems for digitizing processes related to reservations, customer management, and billing, which replace paper with electronic documents, online bookings, and QR codes, is ideal.
Positive Social Impact on Communities
Tourism B corporations involve those who live in communities in the experience they offer to visitors, through the creation of job positions and the implementation of initiatives to visit these underdeveloped but highly potential tourism places.
Challenges and Opportunities for B Corporations in Tourism
Despite their positive impact, challenges such as consumers’ lack of awareness of the importance of sustainable tourism and economic competition from more traditional companies need to be overcome in the coming years. However, this landscape also indicates many opportunities for the growth and expansion of B corporations in the tourism sector, becoming the first choice for those seeking experiences to discover places within the characteristics of sustainable tourism.
The Future of B Corporations
B corporations are paving the way in transforming tourism towards sustainability and social responsibility. Through their innovative approach, they are demonstrating that it is possible to do business ethically and profitably at the same time. With continuous support from consumers and local policies, B corporations have the potential to positively impact the sector.
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