1. PRE-SESSIONAL CONSULTATIONS ON TAR-IPCC
27–28 November 2003, Milan, Italy
Climate Change and Tourism
Gabor Vereczi
Programme Officer
Sustainable Development of Tourism
World Tourism Organization

2. World Tourism Organization
Leading international organization in the field of tourism
UN Specialized Agency
Headquarters in Madrid, Spain
Intergovernmental organization with 150 Member States and Territories
350 Affiliate Members: private sector (tourism trade associations, major airlines, hotels, tour operators), local authorities, education and research institutions, NGOs

3. World Tourism Organization
Regional Representation Sections:
Africa
Europe
Americas
Middle East
Asia-Pacific
Program Activity Departments:
Tourism Statistics
Market Intelligence and Promotion
Human Resources Development
Sustainable Development of Tourism
Quality of Tourism Development
Press and Communication, Documentation, Publications
Affiliate Members:
Business Council
Education Council
Destination Management Programme

4. WTO-Sustainable Development of Tourism Main fields of activity
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, 7th Session (CSD-7), 1999
Tourism at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002)
Poverty Reduction through Sustainable Tourism
Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
Policy and planning for the sustainable development of tourism
Indicators of sustainability for tourism
Voluntary initiatives and certification systems for sustainable tourism
Compilations of good practices in sustainable development of tourism
Sustainable development of tourism in coastal areas and islands
(International Network for Coastal Destinations)
Ecotourism, tourism in protected areas, International Year of Ecotourism 2002
Urban tourism and tourism at cultural heritage sites
Congestion management at cultural and natural sites
The Tour Operators Initiative
Climate Change and Tourism

5. WTO activities related to Climate Change and Tourism
Handbook on Natural Disaster Reduction in Tourist Areas (WMO-WTO, 1998)
First International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism, April 2003, Djerba, Tunisia
140 delegates from 45 countries:
- scientific community
national tourism and environment administrations
local governments.
tourism industry
NGOs
UN Agencies
With the climate change extreme climatic events can become more frequent-huge impact
IPCC
WMO
UNCCD
IOC

6. Main outcomes of the Djerba conference:
First international encounter of climate change experts and tourism professionals
WTO Background Paper on Climate Change and Tourism Papers by relevant international agencies
25 technical presentations and case studies on:
Tourism and water resources
Tourism in small islands and coastal zones
Tourism in mountainous regions
Policy issues and mitigation of the effects of climate change
Djerba Declaration on Climate Change and Tourism – a basic reference, call upon the major stakeholder groups
Recommendations for future actions

7. Tourism and climate change: a two-ways relationship
1. Tourism is impacted by climate change in many ways:
Changing and more erratic weather patterns difficult tourism planning and operations
Natural disasters harms in infrastructure, natural and cultural heritage and host communities.
Climate-induced changes in general health conditions visitor safety and insurance practices.
Raising sea levels and temperatures threat to coastal and island destinations and marine sites.
Diminishing snow conditions mountain and winter-sport tourism.
Altered hydrological cycle destinations in arid and drought-prone areas (water availability), flood-prone areas, (shallow) lakes

8. Effects of climate change impacts
Environmental impacts (beach erosion, harm in infrastructure, lack of snow, changing weather patterns, bad health conditions, etc.)
Changes in demand patterns (tourism flow: global warming-northern territories become more attractive, changing seasons, alternative destinations)
Socioeconomic impacts at destinations (e.g. employment and labour demand in tourism, social infrastructure)
Knock off effects on other sectors (e.g. agriculture, handicrafts)
Need for adaptation measures

9. Examples of best practices in adaptation
TAR-IPCC
 Impacts and mitigation
Submissions from Parties
ANNEX IV: Review of existing knowledge. Lessons from on-going practice.
Hazard type
Examples of best practices in adaptation
Drought
·         Rain water capture
·         Soil conservation measures – no tillage agriculture
Flooding
·         Dikes and civil defense infrastructure
·         Flood plain management and zoning
Extreme temperatures
·         Improved ventilation in housing
·         Improved emergency health services
Coastal storm surges
·         Mangrove restoration
·         Planned retreat and zoning regulation
·         Desalinization plants
·         Regulated tourism industry
·         Municipal planning

10. Climate Change 2001: Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
6.5. Socioeconomic Impacts of Climate Change
Socioeconomic Impacts as Part of Vulnerability Assessment
There will be negative impacts on several sectors, including tourism, freshwater quality and supply, fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture, human settlements, financial services, and human health.
17. Small Island States
Tourism
Tourism is a major economic sector in many small island states
Effects of climate change on tourism will be both direct and indirect.

11. Tourism and climate change: a two-ways relationship
2. Tourism is a contributor to the causes of climate change
“The polluter pays” – more effort to environmentally sustainable tourism
Polluting effects: all aspects of tourism activity, primary from transportation services (road and air) – GHG emissions
Other sustainability issues: intensive use of energy and water, effects on flora and fauna
Need for policies and mitigation measures

12. Follow up to Djerba WTO’s plan for programme of action
Clearing house on climate change and tourism
Regional conferences and seminars
Research on the tourism sector’s (both public and private) and the tourists’ perception of climate change impacts
Case studies, comparative studies.
Studies on extreme climate events and their implications to tourism.
Based on the above actions: development and dissemination of policy, planning and management tools for adaptation and mitigation
Possible joint actions with partner UN agencies:
IOC: coastal zones and island
UNCCD: destinations in arid and desert areas
UNEP: consumption patterns, mitigation
UNDP: Adaptation Policy Framework

13. Central recommendations for UNFCCC-SBSTA and IPCC:
Include a resolution on tourism among the decisions of COP
Encourage countries to investigate impacts on tourism in the framework of the next National Communications
Treat tourism specifically in the 4th Assessment Report
Count on WTO as a partner to coordinate the above and related activities.

14. Thank you!