Environmental performance in the tourism sector

Environmental performance in the tourism sector Good business is the green business! ADULT LEARNING ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND RELATED TOPICS – II Tourism facts • Tourism is the largest and fastest growing industry in the world. It has significant environmental, cultural, social, and economic impacts, both positive and negative. • If unplanned, tourism can be socially, culturally and economically disruptive, and have a devastating effect on fragile environments. Popular and marketable holidays rely, to a large extent, on the existence of attractive and clean destinations. • • Tourism is an important cross-cutting activity - such as climate change, through air travel; and freshwater, through water usage in hotels and golf courses. In addition, large-scale mass tourism development can pose threats to fragile ecosystems in key eco-regions such as the Mediterranean. Tourism figures in the Mediterranean • 219.6 million international tourist arrivals (excluding domestic) in 1999. This is a 4.7% increase over 1998 figures. • 350 million tourists expected for 2020. • 84% of the tourists are from Europe, mostly northern and western countries. Germany is the largest market followed by the United Kingdom, France and Italy. • Almost 80% of the Mediterranean tourists are received by Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. • Global income by tourism receipts in 1999 was USD 131.8 billion. 1/3 of this income is received by the Mediterranean. • Over the last three years, 2/3 of the income from Mediterranean tourism returned to the hands of less than 10 tour operators from northern Europe. Data source: WTO - World Tourism Organisation • • • • • • • • • Tourism is the largest and fastest growing industry in the world. In 2000, there were nearly 700 million tourists, and in 2020, there will be around 1.6 billion. In 2000, across the global economy, travel and tourism accounted for around 11 per cent of world exports, goods and services, surpassing trade in food, textiles, and chemicals. Around 3.5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from air travel, a share that is expected to increase as air travel does. The Mediterranean is the world's most popular holiday destination Each year, around 5,000 hectares - an area about half the size of Paris are cleared for golf courses, each of which can consume more than 2.3 million litres of water every day. Nearly 80 per cent of international tourists come from Europe and the Americas, while only 15 per cent come from East Asia and the Pacific, and five per cent from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Holidays involving air travel can probably never be wholly sustainable. Among the 10 key areas for marine biodiversity are the Aegean Mountains, Coast and Sea (Greece) and South-Western Balkans and Ionian Islands (Albania, Greece). Key Issues • • Tourism often occurs in areas that are rich in wildlife, such as coastal regions. Tourism can generate money for countries, people and conservation, but it can also divide communities and destroy fragile habitats such as reefs and coasts. Often only a small percentage of the money that a tourist spends on a holiday remains in the destination economy or benefits local people and business. This phenomenon is known as 'leakage'. Although around 80 per cent of UK package holidaymakers believe that it is important that their holidays do not damage the environment, they are ultimately motivated by cost when choosing a holiday. Health and safety are primary considerations for tour operators and their customers, but 'responsible tourism' requires that the well-being of the environment and local people have equal importance. • • • Tourism and the European Union • The Treaty of Maastricht included, for the first time, 'measures in the sphere of tourism’. However, the Treaty gives no particular guidance for a community tourism policy. • An important step forward was taken with the establishment of the Tourism Advisory Committee in 1986, the role of which is to facilitate exchange of information, consultation and co-operation on tourism. • The European Commission presented its ideas 13 November 2001 on how best to exploit the European tourism sector's competitive potential. Outlined in the Communication on Working together for the future of European tourism , the Commission highlights the need to enhance co-operation on and the consistency of tourism policies among the stakeholders involved in tourism. These include the European Commission, Member States, regional and local authorities, industry, associations, and tourist destinations. Some of the key activities advocated in the Communication are: – Promoting dialogue with the tourism industry and other interested parties by holding an Annual Tourism Forum and extending the remit of the Advisory Committee on Tourism. – Fostering networking services and support functions, for instance through competence centers (observatories, study and research centers) at national, regional and local levels. – Ensuring good use of the E.U.’s financial and non-financial instruments to the benefit of the tourism industry, in co-operation with national and regional authorities, and with operators – Promoting sustainable development by further elaborating on and implementing the "Agenda 21" guidelines – Defining and disseminating assessment methods and tools (quality indicators and benchmarking) necessary for monitoring the quality of tourist destinations and services. • On 21 May 2002, the Council of Ministers unanimously adopted a Resolution, based on the Commission Communication, presenting an important step further in the new co-operative approach for the European tourism sector. This is for the first time the Council has adopted a resolution specifically on tourism, in where it urges closer monitoring of the impact of EU legislation on the tourism sector, suggests further examination of promoting Europe as a destination, and invites the industry to support the efforts undertaken by the European Community and the Member States. National issues in Greece • • • • • Increasing number of European tourists, compared to American tourists, increase in domestic tourism. Short tourist period (summer). Tourism infrastructure mainly located in a few areas. ―Sun and sea‖ is what we offer to tourists. The main goals are: -An increase of sustainability and quality in tourism. -Maintenance and building of new infrastructure. -Lengthening of the tourist period. -Promotion of ecotourism. -Education of the employees in the tourism sector. • Mass tourism development is seriously threatening the natural wealth of the Mediterranean region, on the one hand destroying natural areas and habitats, and on the other resulting in an excessive use of resources (land, water, energy), and by contributing to all forms of pollution (water, waste and atmosphere). Tourism infrastructure Huge tourism infrastructure developments have dramatically altered the natural dynamics of coastal ecosystems, mainly along the European shores of the sea. Today, more than half of the 46,000 km coastline is urbanized. Resource demands Increased use of water in hotels, swimming pools and golf courses, especially during the summer, has aggravated water shortage, a major concern in the region. For example, an average Spanish city dweller uses about 250 litres of water per day, while the average tourist uses 440 litres. This number increases to 880 litres if the tourist uses accommodations with swimming pools and golf courses. Effects on animals Tourism infrastructure development is a major cause of habitat loss, especially for endangered species such as sea turtles and monk seals. Marine turtles, for example, have been badly affected by the destruction of nesting sites and by disturbance. Forest fires Tourism development has led to increased forest fires, sometimes deliberately started, to leave more land free for construction. Impact on society Often tourism, while destroying local landscape and culture, does not contribute significantly to local income, as most of the generated profits flow abroad to foreign tour operators and investors. Tourism also generates resource use conflicts with the local population, and disrupts the local way of life and social structures. Sustainable tourism "Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. It is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems." (World Tourism Organization) What is sustainable tourism? • It’s informative. Travelers not only learn about the destination, they learn how to help sustain its character while deepening their own travel experiences. Residents learn that the ordinary and familiar may be of interest and value to outsiders. It supports integrity of place. Travelers seek out businesses that emphasize the local character in terms of architecture, cuisine, heritage, aesthetics, and ecology. Tourism revenues in turn raise local perceived value of those assets. It benefits residents. Travel businesses do their best to employ and train local people, buy local supplies, and use local services. It conserves resources. Environmentally aware travelers favor businesses that minimize pollution, waste, energy consumption, water usage, landscaping chemicals, and unnecessary nighttime lighting. It respects local culture and tradition. Foreign visitors learn about and observe local etiquette, including using at least a few courtesy words in the local language. Residents learn how to deal with foreign expectations that may differ from their own. It does not abuse its product. Stakeholders anticipate development pressures and apply limits and management techniques. Businesses cooperate to sustain natural habitats, heritage sites, scenic appeal, and local culture. It strives for quality, not quantity. Communities measure tourism success not by numbers of visitors, but by length of stay, money spent, and quality of experience. It means great trips. Satisfied, excited visitors bring new knowledge home and send friends to experience the same thing—which provides continuing business for the destination. • • • • • • • Tourism programs should focus on the following areas: • corporate social responsibility in the tourism sector - working with big tour operators to advance their thinking on sustainability. • developing practical tools for responsible tourism, including: – ecological footprinting (to estimate the environmental impact of individual holiday products) – hotel benchmarking (to measure and improve the efficiency of hotels by reducing excessive resource use) – annual sustainability reporting • Participation and advisory work in: – international and national policy fora – responsible tourism initiatives – tourism certification • best practice ecotourism • consumer awareness. Environment and tourism, horizontal measures All measures described have to be accompanied by activities addressed to tourists in their home countries and to citizens and responsible people in the destination regions. As there is a lack of co-ordinated and agreed data on tourism at European level, better research is required on tourism activities. Targets: · Increasing the awareness among tourists of a more sustainable tourism. · Contribute to capacity building at local level to enhance qualified participation in tourism development. · Create incentives for the tourism industry, governments, local administrations and civil society to protect the European Biodiversity. Actions on national levels: · Ensure the consultation and involvement of local stakeholders and of the local population in the process of local planning and development · Ensure qualified participation through access to information and capacity building on local level. · Provide national sustainability reports on tourism. · Collect and provide data on tourism according to a co-ordinated European scheme Integration of Tourism into Overall Policy for Sustainable Development • Ensure that tourism is balanced with broader economic, social and environmental objectives at national and local level by setting out a national tourism strategy that is based on knowledge of environmental and biodiversity resources, and is integrated with national and regional sustainable development plans. Improve the management and development of tourism by ensuring coordination and cooperation between the different agencies, authorities and organisations concerned at all levels, and that their jurisdictions and responsibilities are clearly defined and complement each other. Coordinate the allocation of land uses, and regulate inappropriate activities that damage ecosystems, by strengthening or developing integrated policies and management covering all activities, including Integrated Coastal Zone Management and adoption of an ecosystem approach. Identify and resolve potential or actual conflicts between tourism and other activities over resource use at an early stage. Involve all relevant stakeholders in the development of sound management plans, and provide the organisation, facilities and enforcement capacity required for effective implementation of those management plans. • • • • • • • • Conserve the environment, maintain the quality of the visitor experience, and provide benefits for local communities by ensuring that tourism planning is undertaken as part of overall development plans for any area. Anticipate environmental impacts by undertaking EIAs for all tourism development programmes. Ensure that tourism development remains within national and local plans for both tourism and for other types of activity by implementing effective carrying capacity programmes, planning controls and management. Support implementation of sustainable tourism through an effective legislative framework that establishes standards for land use in tourism development, tourism facilities, management and investment in tourism. Protect the environment by setting clear ambient environmental quality standards, along with targets for reducing pollution from all sectors, including tourism, to achieve these standards, and by preventing development in areas where it would be inappropriate. Management of Tourism • Ensure long-term commitments and improvements to develop and promote sustainable tourism, through partnerships and voluntary initiatives by all sectors and stakeholders, including initiatives to give local communities a share in the ownership and benefits of tourism. Ensure consistent monitoring and review of tourism activities to detect problems at an early stage and to enable action to prevent the possibility of more serious damage. Minimise resource use and the generation of pollution and wastes by using and promoting environmentally-sound technologies (ESTs) for tourism and associated infrastructure. Ensure compliance with development plans, planning conditions, standards and targets for sustainable tourism by providing incentives, monitoring compliance, and enforcement activities where necessary. • • • • Conditions for Success • Increase the long-term success of tourism projects by involving all primary stakeholders, including the local community, the tourism industry, and the government, in the development and implementation of tourism plans. Raise awareness of sustainable tourism and its implementation by promoting exchange of information between governments and all stakeholders, on best practice for sustainable tourism, and establishment of networks for dialogue on implementation of these Principles; and promote broad understanding are awareness to strengthen attitudes, values and actions that are compatible with sustainable development. Ensure effective implementation of sustainable tourism, and these Principles, through capacity building programmes to develop and strengthen human resources and institutional capacities in government at national and local levels, and amongst local communities; and to integrate environmental and human ecological considerations at all levels. • • Simple steps to be undertaken by businesses in the tourism sector • • • • • • • • • • • • Use recycled paper. Choose eco-labeled computers. Use ecological detergents, napkins, toilet paper etc. Prefer lacquer and paints friendly to the environment and the human health. Buy eco-labeled electric appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, cookers etc). Use biogas as a source of energy, as much as possible and decrease electricity consumption by using energy saving electric bulbs. Prefer the consumption of local and traditional products and those made using ecological procedures. Mattresses and all fabrics like sheets, towels, curtains, table cloths etc, could be ecological as well. The companies’ personnel should participate in the recycling programs that their municipality is carrying out and raise awareness among visitors to do the same. Use the appropriate technology for water saving were possible. Educate systematically the company’s personnel in order to improve the environmental performance of the company Apply information programs to sensitize visitors – tourists on environmental issues like transport, recycling, energy & water saving and inform them on any existing municipal environmental projects. Plan your holiday carefully • • Go on holiday during the off-peak period to prevent over straining resources – you'll also avoid the crowds. Find out about your destination before you go on holiday – it may be an environmentally sensitive area. Doing this will also ensure you are informed of what to see and any local customs. Don't travel by air if you can avoid it – air travel uses up large amounts of fossil fuels and creates greenhouse gases. Avoid taking things on holiday that you will throw away. • • • • Dispose of any rubbish responsibly – it can be hazardous. Ask your travel agent or tour operator what they are doing to be environmentally responsible. Be responsible in your accommodation… • Turn off all lights, taps and air conditioning when you leave hotel rooms. • Re-use towels and participate in any green schemes run by hotels. • Dispose of sanitary waste properly. Don't flush cotton buds, and plastics down the toilet – or you might just find them on the beach next time you visit. …and when you are out • Use public transport, cycle or walk instead of using a car. • Use facilities and trips run by local people whenever possible. • Don't participate in hunting or fishing unless it can be shown to be part of an effective management plan. • Take all rubbish home from the beach – turtles are often killed by plastic bags they've mistaken for jellyfish and many items take years to degrade as well as being dangerous. • Boats and jet-skis create noise and chemical pollution which is disturbing to wildlife – don't keep the engine running unnecessarily. • If you are sailing, surfing or windsurfing keep a distance of at least 100m from seal resting and bird nesting sites to avoid disturbing them.