Global Mountain Tourism Current and future conditions

Table of contents INTRODUCTION SUMMER MOUNTAIN TOURISM STATISTICS WINTER MOUNTAIN TOURISM STATISTICS GLOBAL WARMING FUTURE GOALS FOR MOUNTAIN TOURISM CONCLUSIONS

Introduction Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world, increasing from 25 million international arrivals in 1950 to 842 million in 2006, a more than 30-fold increase, with international arrivals expected to double to 1.5 billion by 2020 It is one of the world’s largest industries, employing approximately 235 million people globally and generating over 9.2% of world’s gross domestic product. Mountains are important assets for the tourism industry. They take up an estimated share of 15-20% of the global tourism market, generating between 100 and 140 billion US$ per year. Mountains have been a source of wonder and inspiration for human societies and cultures since time immemorial. The elements that attract people to mountains – clean air, diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity, unique cultures and variety of recreational activities – are under threat, partly because of poorly managed and non-sustainable tourism.

Summer Mountain Tourism Statistics Mountain tourism share of global tourism market is: 15-20% Different summer activities: hiking, biking, kayaking… The market for Mountain tourism aventure is nowhere near saturation point. There is a growing demand for summer activities. It is estimated that more than 50 million people visit mountains each year. (Mountain Partnership 2008)

Winter Mountain Tourism Statistics 2100 Ski Resorts around the world with 400 millions skier days each year Europe: 200 millions skier days North america: 90 millions skier days Development 2011/2012 Change in % North America 51 millions 15.8 % Austria 50 millions 2.3% Switzerland 24.8 millions 4.6% France 55.3 millions 4%

Winter Mountain Tourism Statistic Fast growing countries: Eastern Europe; Bulgaria, Poland and Russia, Winter Olympics 2014 in Sochi Visited by whom ? Andorra 95% foreign visitors Austria 60% foreign visitors Switzerland 50% foreign visitors USA 6% foreign visitors

Global Warming Greenhouse gases: + means of transport - plants = + CO2 Albedo: 1 = white 0 = black Effect on artic

Future Goals for Mountain Tourism Keep the authenticity of the mountains and nurture environmental Protection Decrease the seasonal effect to protect jobs and avoid decline of the industry Diversification of supply Competition from other tourist destinations (cities, beach, forest, safaris, etc). Develop economic growth and territorial divide between large and small resorts and new recreational practices. Adapt to the ageing of the tourist population and growing demands for environmental quality. Need for huge new investments against the background of a reduction of public funding and risk management. Winter sports currently considered a “worn-out” model. Winter sport resorts seem nowadays to have a very low profile in the media landscape. This decline in visibility needs to be corrected. Climate change is an indicator for structural contradictions and weaknesses of alpine tourism, and a “booster” for cultural, geographic and economic revolution in the tourism industry.

Conclusions The demand for mountain tourism activities: trekking, hiking, camping, mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and other forms is ever increasing leading to the rapid expansion of the mountain tourism adventure and recreation market. The investment, operational and managerial decisions of tour operators, other tourism professionals and the wider industry are helping to determine the level of both negative and positive impacts of tourism in mountain environments. It is vital to work with this sector to develop and promote sustainable tourism practices. In fact, Agenda 21 of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) stated that the fate of mountains may affect more than half of the world’s population and acknowledged mountain tourism as a critical component in sustainable mountain development and conservation (UNDESA 1992).