2 What is sustainable tourism, and related forms of tourism? Sustainable tourism is ‘Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.’ WTO Tourism that is based on the principles of sustainable development Tourism that minimizes the costs and maximizes the benefits of tourism for natural environments and local communities, and can be carried out indefinitely without harming the resources on which it depends. The term should be used to refer to a condition of tourism, not a type of tourism. Well-managed high-volume tourism can, and ought to be, just as sustainable as small-scale, dispersed special interest tourism.

Sustainable Tourism CONVENTIONAL TOURISM 1. Has one goal: profit 2. Often not planned in advance; “it just happens” 3. Tourist oriented 4. Controlled by outside parties 5. Focus on entertainment for tourists 6. Conservation not a priority 7. Communities not a priority 8. Much revenue goes to outside operators & investors SUSTAINABLE TOURISM 1. Planned with three goals: profit, environment, and community (triple bottom line) 2. Usually planned in advance with involvement of all stakeholders 3. Locally oriented 4. Locally controlled, at least in part 5. Focus on educational experiences 6. Conservation of natural resources a priority 7. Appreciation for local culture a priority 8. More revenue stays with local community and MPA

Triple bottom line of sustainable tourism (International Ecotourism Society, 2004) 1. Environmentally, sustainable tourism has a low impact on natural resources, particularly in protected areas. It minimizes damage to the environment (flora, fauna, habitats, water, living marine resources, energy use, contamination, etc.) and ideally tries to benefit the environment. 2. Socially and culturally, it does not harm the social structure or culture of the community where it is located. Instead it respects local cultures and traditions. It involves stakeholders (individuals, communities, tour operators, government institutions) in all phases of planning, development, and monitoring, and educates stakeholders about their roles. 3. Economically, it contributes to the economic well being of the community, generating sustainable and equitable income for local communities and as many other stakeholders as possible. It benefits owners, employees and neighbours. It does not simply begin and then rapidly die because of poor business practices.

Sustainable Tourism 1) Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural resources and biodiversity. 2) Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance. 3) Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio- economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.

UNWTO Principles of Sustainable Tourism

1) Economic Viability To ensure the viability and competitiveness of tourism destinations and enterprises, so that they are able to continue to prosper and deliver benefits in the long term. 2) Local Prosperity To maximize the contribution of tourism to the economic prosperity of the host destination, including the proportion of visitor spending that is retained locally. 3) Employment Quality To strengthen the number and quality of local jobs created and supported by tourism, including the level of pay, conditions of service and availability to all without discrimination by gender, race, disability or in other ways. 4) Social Equity To seek a widespread and fair distribution of economic and social benefits from tourism throughout the recipient community, including improving opportunities, income and services available to the poor. 5) Visitor Fulfillment To provide a safe, satisfying and fulfilling experience for visitors, available to all without discrimination by gender, race, disability or in other ways. 6) Local Control To engage and empower local communities in planning and decision making about the management and future development of tourism in their area, in consultation with other stakeholders. EU 12 Principles of Sustainable Tourism

7) Community Wellbeing To maintain and strengthen the 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 To respect and enhance the historic heritage, authentic culture, traditions and distinctiveness of host communities. 9) Physical Integrity To maintain and enhance the quality of landscapes, both urban and rural, and avoid the physical and visual degradation of the environment. 10) Biological Diversity To support the conservation of natural areas, habitats and wildlife, and minimize damage to them. 11) Resource Efficiency To minimize the use of scarce and non-renewable resources in the development and operation of tourism facilities and services. 12)Environmental Purity To minimize the pollution of air, water and land and the generation of waste by tourism enterprises and visitors.

Thomas Cook website Sustainable Tourism (also called Responsible Tourism) is simply about making a positive difference to the people and environment of destinations we travel to by: - Respecting local cultures and the natural environment - Buying local, giving fair economic returns to local families - Recognising that water and energy are precious resources that we need to use carefully - Helping to protect endangered wildlife - Protecting and enhancing favourite destinations for the future enjoyment of visitors and the people who live there - Taking responsibility for our actions while enjoying ourselves

Responsible tourism Tourism that can be consumed in a more responsible way – Is the term used by the tourism industry – Is not the same as sustainable tourism which has a more future focus

Responsible Tourism The 2002 Cape Town declaration agreed that responsible tourism: * minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts * generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities; improves working conditions and access to the industry * involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances * makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity * provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues * provides access for physically challenged people * is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence

Ecotourism Ecotourism embraces the principles of sustainability, but it refers explicitly to a product niche. It is about tourism in natural areas, normally involving some form of interpretative experience of natural and cultural heritage, positively supporting conservation and indigenous communities, and usually organized for small groups.

Challenges Climate change World poverty Biodiversity loss Support for conservation Health, safety and security

Challenges Tourism may contribute up to 5.3 per cent of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, with transport accounting for about 90 per cent of this. Estimates suggest that aviation accounts for 2−3 per cent of the world’s total use of fossil fuels and up to 3.5 per cent of the anthropogenic greenhouse effect. More than 80 per cent of this is due to civil aviation.

Pros of tourism On the positive side, tourism can: Provide a growing source of opportunities for enterprise development and employment creation as well as stimulating investment and support for local services, even in quite remote communities. Bring tangible economic value to natural and cultural resources. This can result in direct income from visitor spending for their conservation, and an increase in support for conservation from local communities. Be a force for inter-cultural understanding and peace.

Cons of Tourism Conversely, tourism can: Place direct pressure on fragile ecosystems causing degradation of the physical environment and disruption to wildlife. Exert considerable pressure on host communities and lead to dislocation of traditional societies. Compete for the use of scarce resources, notably land and water. Be a significant contributor to local and global pollution. Be a vulnerable and unstable source of income, as it is often very sensitive to actual or perceived changes to the environmental and social conditions of destinations.

Websites Global Development Research Centre, Japan European Charter for Sustainable Tourism World Tourism Organisation: United Nations Environment Programme

References Making tourism more sustainable, UNEP Guide for sustainable tourism best practices, Rainforest Alliance Practical, profitable, protected: A starter guide to developing sustainable tourism in protected areas, Europarc Federation, ECEAT