The year 2017 has been declared the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations

The United Nations declared the year 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development (A/RES/70/193). This episode of Animated Science shows our ability –as consumers- to make a change in the tourist sector towards a more sustainable model, which is more respectful with the local environment.

The main character of the story has a full week of holidays which he enjoys while sightseeing. When he comes back and shares his experiences, a piece of coral taken from the sea makes his friends tell him about the need to follow a model of sustainable tourism so that he can discover new cultures and lifestyles while he takes care of the environment, promotes local commerce and contributes to the local development. When his next holidays arrive, his idea of tourism has changed and he enjoys a series of activities which are more respectful and which stick to his new beliefs.

The project is organized by the Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCC+i) of the Communication Area of the University of Barcelona, and funded by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) – Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness.