In this episode of Balancing Tourism Podcast, Ged Brown sits down with Chris Flynn, the founder and chair of theWorld Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage, to discuss the critical intersection of tourism growth and cultural preservation. Chris shares his journey from PATA to founding WTACH, his concerns about over-tourism, and why carrying capacity studies should be mandatory for destinations worldwide.
Key topics include:
✅ The unintended consequences of unchecked tourism growth
✅ How destinations can avoid becoming the next over-tourism hotspot
✅ The role of local communities as guardians of cultural heritage
✅ Why big industry players must step up to drive responsible tourism
✅ Eye-opening case studies from Easter Island, Vietnam, and Australia
Chris emphasizes that growth for growth’s sake is unsustainable, urging destinations to rethink their strategies before it’s too late. He also shares inspiring initiatives, like training local communities in sustainable food tourism, to foster pride and long-term resilience.
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