Learning Objectives Recognize the world-wide importance of natural resource conservation and sustainable tourism development Learn how ecotourism can benefit local people Understand the dangers and limitations of ecotourism Understand tourist codes of ethics and guidelines Learn current environmental practices of tourism organizations and suppliers Learn how to maintain natural destinations

WTTC  Key Environmental Issues  Global warming Depletion of the ozone layer Acid rain Depletion and pollution of water resources Depletion and pollution of land resources

WTTC Implications of Resource Depletion Political instability or increased competition for land could lead to loss of potential new tourism destinations and degradation of existing destinations Loss of landscape and wildlife could cause a decrease in customer satisfaction with tourism products and hence lower propensity to travel to some destinations Higher fuel prices could lead to operational price increases and corresponding decreases in the number of travelers in this “price-sensitive market”

Elements of the WTTC Vision of Travel & Tourism and the Environment Travel & Tourism is an integral aspect of modern societies Global awareness of environmental damage is developing rapidly The resources of the world’s largest industry can and must be harnessed to achieve environmental goals The industry has the potential to influence billions of customers per years and to 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 the 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

The Premises of Sustainable Development The Premise of Interdependency The Premise of Multidisciplinarity The Premise of Previous Experience The Premise that Nature is Better The Premise of Politics and Power

Sustainable Development and Tourism: The Critical Areas Defining the Relevant Population/Community Defining the Time Horizon Defining the Dimensions of Sustainability Defining the Values that Underlie Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development A Possible Allocation of Responsibility in Tourism: A Possible Allocation of Responsibility

Sustainable Tourism  An Agenda for Action  ACTIVITIES: Coordinating the development of a tourism philosophy and vision for the community/ region Specifying the major goals of the community/region with respect to tourism Obtaining consensus concerning the social, physical, and cultural carrying capacity of the community/region in question Identifying the specific action initiatives necessary to meet the tourism development objectives while respecting the destination’s carrying capacities Gaining agreement on the measures to be used in monitoring the impacts of tourism in the community/region Gathering and disseminating information concerning the impacts of tourism on the community/region

Sustainable Tourism  An Agenda for Action  PROGRAM ELEMENTS: Maximum total visitation levels to a community/region An obligatory tax to support tourism infrastructure planning, development, and maintenance Community-supported legislation to protect and preserve unique resources and heritage sites Community and industry consensus concerning architectural and signage standards Support for standards and certification programs that encourage staff development and the delivery of high-quality service

Definitions of Ecotourism Some definitions of ecotourism are as follows: Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people Environmentally friendly travel that emphasizes seeing and saving natural habitats and archeological treasures A tool for conservation Ecologically responsible tourism

Benefits and Importance of Ecotourism Provides jobs and income for local people Makes possible funds to purchase and improve protected or natural areas to attract more ecotourists in the future Provides environmental education for visitors Encourages heritage and environmental preservation and enhancement

Translating Idealism into Sustainable Tourism - What Managers Need to Know - Measures of The general relationship between tourism and the environment The effects of environmental factors on tourism The impacts of the tourism industry on the environment

Types of Indicators Core indicators of sustainable tourism which have been developed for general application to all destinations Destination-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 that are developed uniquely for the particular site. These indicators reflect important factors of the site. Which may not be adequately covered by the core and supplementary eco-system-specific indicator sets, but are nonetheless needed for management of the particular site.

Core Indicators of Sustainable Tourism a International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources b The composite indices are largely composed of site-specific variables. Consequently, the identification and evaluation of the indicators composing these indices require on-site direction from an appropriately trained and experienced observer. In the future, based on the experiences in designing composite indicators for specific sites, it may be possible to derive these indices in a more systematic fashion. See the case studies for Villa Gesell and Peninsula Valdes for application of these indices. Source: World Tourism Organization

Tourism Industry Associations of Canada Enjoy our diverse natural and cultural heritage and help us to protect and preserve it Assist us in our conservation efforts through the efficient use of resources, including energy and water Experience the friendliness of our people and the welcoming spirit of our communities. Help us to preserve these attributes by respecting our traditions, customs, and local regulations Avoid activities which threaten wildlife or plant populations, or which may be potentially damaging to our natural environment Select tourism products and services that demonstrate social, cultural, and environmental sensitivity

Common Features of All Codes the need to make an overall commitment to the physical and human environment, to accept responsibility for environmental damage and take corrective action where necessary, and to promote and reward outstanding environmental performance; the need to develop policies and strategies that take account of land-use planning regulations and the need to protect some areas from further development; the need to develop management policies that enhance beneficial and minimize adverse impacts on the environment; and the need to cooperate with other firms, sectors and countries. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2009