La Laguna Unveils Innovative Program to Foster Sustainable Tourism Awareness Among Youth

The City Council of La Laguna has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative aimed at instilling principles of responsible tourism and sustainability in local schools. This program seeks to engage students in understanding the importance of preserving their environment while appreciating the rich cultural and historical heritage of their community.

Curriculum Designed to Promote Environmental Awareness

This educational initiative is meticulously crafted to deepen students’ comprehension of their surroundings, highlighting the critical role that cultural and historical heritage plays in sustainable tourism. By fostering a sense of responsibility, the program aims to create a harmonious relationship between tourism, the local community, and the natural environment.

Estefanía Díaz, the head of the Tourism Department, emphasized that this project marks the inaugural implementation under the Economic Promotion and Sustainable Development Plan. Funded by the Cabildo of Tenerife, the initiative is executed by staff recruited through the Employment Plan, showcasing the effectiveness of active policies in developing skills and planning capabilities within the community.

Interactive Learning Experiences for Students

The program has recently been introduced across various educational institutions within the municipality, where students engage in interactive sessions that delve into the impact of tourism on the environment and the vital importance of sustainability. These sessions are designed to blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on activities that encourage reflection and critical thinking among students.

Workshops are tailored to accommodate different educational levels, with primary education focusing on cooperative learning and playful activities, while secondary education emphasizes sustainable tourism through in-depth analysis, debate, and the identification of best practices that are pertinent to La Laguna’s unique context. This dual approach ensures that students of all ages can grasp the significance of sustainable practices in tourism.

Plans for Broader Community Engagement

The comprehensive curriculum encompasses a wide array of topics, including sustainable development, local identity, cultural spaces, and the multifaceted effects of tourism. Through this initiative, students are equipped with essential tools to adopt responsible habits as both residents and future visitors, fostering a culture of sustainability that extends beyond the classroom.

Feedback from the initial phase of the program has been overwhelmingly positive, prompting the Tourism Department to strategize an expansion of its reach to additional schools, educational institutes, and community centers. This initiative is part of a larger strategy that interlinks education, employment, tourism, and sustainability, creating a cohesive framework for community development.

In the coming weeks, the program will also be rolled out in community centers throughout the municipality, further amplifying the objective of raising awareness about responsible tourism practices. By engaging the broader community, the initiative aims to cultivate a collective understanding of the importance of sustainability in tourism, ensuring that the values instilled in students resonate throughout La Laguna.

Key points

• The City Council of La Laguna has launched an educational program focused on responsible tourism.
• The initiative is part of the Economic Promotion and Sustainable Development Plan.
• Estefanía Díaz emphasizes the importance of education in fostering sustainable tourism practices.
• The program includes workshops tailored for both primary and secondary education.
• Topics covered include sustainable development, local identity, and the impacts of tourism.
• The initiative aims to expand to more schools and community centers in the future.