The tourism industry may soon have a new way to measure visitor impact beyond economic metrics, as researchers unveiled the 'Love Footprint in Destination' concept at the XI International Scientific-Professional Congress on Cultural Tourism in Mexico. Developed by Dr. Ana Mafé García, president of the International Association Cultural Itinerary The Way of the Holy Grail in Europe:https://elcaminodelsantogrial.eu/, this innovative metric allows destinations to quantify travelers' ethical, supportive, and transformative contributions, similar to how carbon footprints measure environmental impact. The concept was presented alongside the World Network of Solidarity, Smart, Regenerative and Circular Routes developed by Dr. Fernando Molina Pons, receiving strong endorsement from the international scientific community.
The proposal represents a fundamental shift toward purpose-driven tourism where visitors become solidarity travelers who leave positive marks on destinations beyond mere economic spending. This approach challenges traditional tourism measurement models by focusing on social, cultural, and environmental well-being contributions. The implementation framework utilizes the RegenEra Tur IA CUBE model, which already has support in DTI CUBES of Benidorm, Altea and La Nucía, scheduled for launch on September 12. The model also integrates pioneering initiatives like The Way of the Holy Grail from Masamagrell and the Biosilk Route in Buñol through RUTA CUBES.
These CUBES serve as accelerators for transitioning toward regenerative and circular tourism, creating living, replicable architectures that connect destinations with sustainable innovation. According to the official congress website:https://www.congresointernacionalturismoculturalcitc.com/, this forum has established itself as a global benchmark over eleven editions, bringing together researchers, managers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers committed to sustainability and innovation. The International Scientific Commission for the Study of the Holy Grail:https://comisioncientificainternacionaldeestudiosdelsantogrial.com/ was represented by experts including Dr. Amada Torres González and Dr. Katya Meredith García Quevedo, highlighting the academic rigor behind these developments.
The concept's reception at the prestigious congress indicates growing recognition that tourism's future lies in integrating regenerative metrics and innovative governance models. As Dr. Mafé García emphasized during her presentation, the industry needs tourism capable of leaving a footprint of love at destinations, measured with the same seriousness as carbon emissions. This development could fundamentally reshape how destinations evaluate success and how travelers understand their impact on host communities worldwide by providing a comprehensive framework for measuring the full spectrum of tourism contributions beyond financial transactions.
