The Center for Responsible Travel is a left-of-center nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for left-of-center economic policies and regulations on the tourism industry.

The organization has worked to loosen travel restrictions and sanctions on the Communist-controlled country of Cuba, and it believes there should be more environmental regulations on the tourism industry in Cuba. ¹ The Center also belongs to the Future of Tourism Coalition, an organization which has claimed that “the climate emergency is the greatest risk to the future of our planet.” ² The Center advocates left-wing principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), stating that it tries to ensure “fairness and equality in outcomes, not just in resources or opportunity.” ³

Agenda

Future of Tourism Coalition

The Center for Responsible Travel is a member of the Future of Tourism Coalition, a group of six nonprofit organizations that advocate for left-of-center economic policies and regulations in the tourism industry. ⁴ The coalition has 13 Guiding Principles to which it and its members adhere. ⁵

Future of Tourism argues that “Inappropriately large shares of tourism profits should not leave the destination” and that tourism revenues should not “bypass any marginalized communities within the destination.” ⁶ It also believes that the economic success of an area’s tourism industry should not be determined by the industry’s contribution to GDP, but rather by environmental or social goals similar to those used in ESG investing. ⁷

Future of Tourism also argues that “The climate emergency is the greatest risk to the future of our planet.” ⁸ Because of this, the coalition states that “policies to lessen the global impact should favor green infrastructure, construction, and retrofitting for lodging and businesses, as well as abandonment of such carbon-spewing practices as excessive air conditioning, heating, and lighting.” ⁹

Promotion of Tourism to Cuba

The Center for Responsible Travel advocates for loosening sanctions and travel restrictions on the Communist-controlled country of Cuba. The organization says that its work in Cuba involves “mitigating the impacts of climate change on the burgeoning tourism sector” and “advocating for legal U.S. travel to the island.” ¹⁰ Backed by the Ford Foundation and the Christopher Reynolds Foundation, the Center for Responsible Travel conducted a study that researched the impact of predicted environmental changes and the COVID-19 pandemic on the Cuban tourism sector. The organization claimed these issues could be solved by embracing “sustainable tourism recovery.” ¹¹

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Center for Responsible Travel has supported “diversity, equity, and inclusion” programs, and it applies these principles to both its operations and research. The organization has asserted, “Diversity is a reality created by individuals and groups from a broad spectrum of demographic and philosophical differences.” ¹² The Center also states that it is important to ensure “fairness and equality in outcomes, not just in resources or opportunity.” ¹³

People

The Center for Responsible Travel has 14 members on its board of directors, and it has three full-time staff members listed on its website. ¹⁴ The chair of the board of directors is Andrea Pinabell, and its interim executive director is Wesley Espinosa. ¹⁵

Funding

In 2020, the Center for Responsible Travel had a total revenue of $530,545 and total expenses of $567,857. ¹⁶ In 2019, the organization’s total revenue was $761,886, and its total expenses were $788,213. ¹⁷

In 2019, the organization spent $209,241 to promote “sustainable tourism policies and practices” in Cuba. ¹⁸ The Center for Responsible Travel also spent $157,392 on a “sustainable tourism master planning project” for the Middle Eastern country of Oman. ¹⁹

1. Center for Responsible Travel. “Sustainability and Cross-Cultural Dialogue in Cuba.” https://www.responsibletravel.org/how-we-do-it/advocacy/. Accessed January 31, 2023.
2. Future of Tourism Coalition. “Guiding Principle #8: Mitigate climate impacts.” https://www.futureoftourism.org/principle-8. Accessed February 2, 2023.
3. ^[1] Center for Responsible Travel. “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” https://www.responsibletravel.org/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion/. Accessed January 31, 2023.
4. Center for Responsible Travel. “Advocacy.” https://www.responsibletravel.org/how-we-do-it/advocacy/. Accessed February 2, 2023.
5. Future of Tourism Coalition. “Guiding Principles.” https://www.futureoftourism.org/guiding-principles. Accessed February 2, 2023.
6. ^[1] Future of Tourism Coalition. “Guiding Principle #5: Demand fair income distribution.” https://www.futureoftourism.org/principle-5. Accessed February 2, 2023.
7. Future of Tourism Coalition. “Guiding Principle #7: Redefine economic success.” https://www.futureoftourism.org/principle-7. Accessed February 2, 2023.
8. Future of Tourism Coalition. “Guiding Principle #8: Mitigate climate impacts.” https://www.futureoftourism.org/principle-8. Accessed February 2, 2023.
9. Future of Tourism Coalition. “Guiding Principle #8: Mitigate climate impacts.” https://www.futureoftourism.org/principle-8. Accessed February 2, 2023.
10. Center for Responsible Travel. “Sustainability and Cross-Cultural Dialogue in Cuba.” https://www.responsibletravel.org/how-we-do-it/advocacy/. Accessed January 31, 2023.
11. Center for Responsible Travel. “Responding to Climate Change.” https://www.responsibletravel.org/what-we-do/responding-climate-change/. Accessed January 31, 2023.
12. Center for Responsible Travel. “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” https://www.responsibletravel.org/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion/. Accessed January 31, 2023.
13. Center for Responsible Travel. “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” https://www.responsibletravel.org/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion/. Accessed January 31, 2023.
14. Center for Responsible Travel. “Our Team.” https://www.responsibletravel.org/who-we-are/our-team/. Accessed January 31, 2023.
15. Center for Responsible Travel. “Our Team.” https://www.responsibletravel.org/who-we-are/our-team/. Accessed January 31, 2023.
16. ProPublica. “Center for Responsible Travel.” https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/522391916. Accessed January 31, 2023.
17. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Center for Responsible Travel. 2019. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/522391916/202003199349300135/full. Accessed January 31, 2023.
18. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Center for Responsible Travel. 2019. Part III. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/522391916/202003199349300135/full. Accessed January 31, 2023.
19. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Center for Responsible Travel. 2019. Part III. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/522391916/202003199349300135/full. Accessed January 31, 2023.