The Universidad de Alicante recently hosted the XXIII International Tourism Forum in Benidorm, focusing on the necessity of expanding traditional indicators for measuring tourism activity. The forum highlighted the importance of integrating social value into assessments to evaluate tourism's contribution to community well-being and destination development.
Ana Ramón, director of the Pedro Zaragoza Orts Chair of Tourism Studies at the Universidad de Alicante, stressed the need to move beyond conventional tourism evaluation metrics. She advocated for new measures that can better reflect tourism's social impact. Ramón also emphasised the university's role in both research and the dissemination of findings to industry stakeholders, aiming to translate scientific conclusions into actionable measures.
Toni Pérez, the mayor of Benidorm and president of the Provincial Council of Alicante, defended Benidorm's position as a pioneering destination in tourism and highlighted the involvement of the private sector in its development. He remarked on the importance of creating suitable frameworks that enable businesses to thrive and contribute to the destination's progress. "We will only be the best tourist destination if we are the best city to live in," he stated.
Juan Llopis, director of Institutional Relations and Projects at the Universidad de Alicante, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host the forum at the academic institution. He underscored the significance of research and the sector's adaptability in the face of new social, economic, and environmental challenges. Llopis pointed out the university's essential role in generating knowledge and providing tools to help the tourism sector address these issues.
The forum featured various conferences and panel discussions addressing topics such as the profile of responsible travellers, social sustainability, measuring public perception of tourism, and best business practices regarding inclusion. It brought together institutional representatives, specialists from international organisations, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss how to advance towards a tourism model that considers not only its economic dimension but also its impact on the quality of life for residents and those working in the tourism sector.
