Tourism and the Environment

Tourism and the Environment17LEARNING OBJECTIVESUnderstand fundamental nature of sustainable development and sustainable tourism.Identify guiding principles for achieving sustainable tourism.Review policy aims of an agenda for sustainable tourism.Examine major challenges facing achievement of sustainable tourism.Identify new realities of tourism in era of global climate change.Examine policies and measures to mitigate tourism-induced climate change.Examine concept of ecotourism and its role in sustainable tourism.WTTC KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUESGlobal warmingDepletion of the ozone layerAcid rainDepletion and pollution of water resourcesDepletion and pollutionof land resourcesWTTC IMPLICATIONS OF RESOURCE DEPLETIONPolitical instability or increased competition for land could lead to loss of potential new tourism destinations and degradation of existing destinationsLoss of landscape and wildlife could cause decrease in customer satisfaction with tourism products and lower propensity to travel to some destinationsHigher fuel prices could lead to operational price increases and corresponding decreases in number of travelers in this “price-sensitive market”ELEMENTS OF THE WTTC VISION OF TRAVEL & TOURISM AND THE ENVIRONMENTTravel & Tourism is integral aspect of modern societies.Global awareness of environmental damage is developing rapidly.The resources of world’s largest industry can and must be harnessed to achieve environmental goals.The industry has potential to influence billions of customers per year and use its leverage to achieve beneficial environmental effects.The customer challenge will exert a growing pressure to achieve environmental improvements.Environmental lobbies will add pressure to develop good environmental practice.Self-regulation must be developed rapidly and effectively and used to influence development of appropriate and workable regulations.Corporate environmental mission statements are a vital first step toward self-regulation.Environmental leadership must come from the major international companies.ELEMENTS OF THE WTTC VISION OF TRAVEL & TOURISM AND THE ENVIRONMENT (CONTINUED)SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM: THE CRITICAL AREASDefining the Relevant Population/CommunityDefining the Time HorizonDefining the Dimensions of SustainabilityDefining the Values that Underlie Sustainable DevelopmentSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM: POSSIBLE ALLOCATION OF RESPONSIBILITYSUSTAINABLE TOURISM:12 AIMS FOR AN AGENDAEconomic viability: Ensure viability/competitiveness of tourism destinations and enterprises, so they continue to prosper and deliver benefits in the long term.Local prosperity: Maximize contribution of tourism to economic prosperity of host destination, including proportion of visitor spending retained locally.Employment quality: Strengthen number and quality of local jobs created/supported by tourism, including level of pay, conditions of service, and availability without discrimination by gender, race, disability or other ways.4. Social equity: Seek widespread, fair distribution of economic/ social benefits from tourism throughout recipient community, including improving opportunities, income, and services available to the poor.SUSTAINABLE TOURISM:12 AIMS FOR AN AGENDA (CONTINUED)5. Visitor fulfillment: Provide safe, satisfying, fulfilling experience for visitors, available without discrimination by gender, race, disability, or other ways.6. Local control: Engage/ empower local communities in planning, decision making about management /future development of tourism in their area, in consultation with other stakeholders.7. Community well-being: Maintain, strengthen quality of life in local communities, including social structures and access to resources, amenities, and life support systems, avoiding any form of social degradation or exploitation.8. Cultural richness: Respect, enhance historic heritage, authentic culture, traditions, and distinctiveness of host communities.9. Physical integrity: Maintain, enhance quality of landscapes, both urban and rural, and avoid physical and visual degradation of the environment.10. Biological diversity: Support conservation of natural areas, habitats, and wildlife; minimize damage.11. Resource efficiency: Minimize use of scarce and nonrenewable resources in development and operation of tourism facilities and services.12. Environmental purity: Minimize pollution of air, water, land and the generation of waste by tourism enterprises and visitors. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM:12 AIMS FOR AN AGENDA (CONTINUED)CARRYING CAPACITY DEFINEDMaximum amount of development, use, growth, or change a site or destination can endure without unacceptable alteration in physical environment, community’s social fabric, and/or local economy; and without unacceptable decline in quality of experience gained by the visitor.THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITYEconomicSocialEnvironmentalTHREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITYDEFINITIONS OF ECOTOURISMSome definitions of ecotourism:Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local peopleEnvironmentally friendly travel that emphasizes seeing and saving natural habitats and archeological treasuresA tool for conservationEcologically responsible tourismTYPES OF INDICATORSCore indicators of sustainable tourism which have been developed for general application to all destinationsDestination-specific indicators applicable to particular ecosystems or types of tourism. These indicators fall into two categories:Supplementary ecosystem-specific indicators for application to particular ecosystems (e.g., coastal areas, parks and protected areas, or mountainous regions).Site-specific indicators developed uniquely for the particular site. These reflect important factors of the site, which may not be adequately covered by core and supplementary eco-system-specific indicator sets, but are nonetheless needed for management of the particular site.BENEFITS AND IMPORTANCE OF ECOTOURISMProvides jobs and income for local peopleMakes possible funds to purchase and improve protected or natural areas to attract more ecotourists in the futureProvides environmental education for visitorsEncourages heritage and environmental preservation and enhancementTOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS OF CANADAEnjoy diverse natural and cultural heritage and help to protect and preserve itAssist in conservation efforts through efficient use of resources, including energy and waterExperience friendliness of our people and welcoming spirit of our communities. Help preserve these by respecting our traditions, customs, local regulationsAvoid activities which threaten wildlife or plant populations, or which may be potentially damaging to our natural environmentSelect tourism products and services that demonstrate social, cultural, environmental sensitivityCOMMON FEATURES OF ALL CODESThe need to make an overall commitment to physical and human environment, to accept responsibility for environmental damage and take corrective action where necessary, and promote, reward outstanding environmental performanceThe need to develop policies and strategies that take account of land-use planning regulations and the need to protect some areas from further developmentThe need to develop management policies that enhance beneficial and minimize adverse impacts on the environmentThe need to cooperate with other firms, sectors and countries