Destinations must be at the forefront of sustainability if responsible tourism is to become a reality. Ian Taylor looks at a report that points the way.
Responsible tourism is the focus of one day at World Travel Market, but it is also key to the future of travel. If the industry and governments fail to sustain the world’s climate, environments and communities, ultimately there will be nowhere to visit.
Forum for the Future is a sustainable development body in the UK that works with the travel industry. Last month it published a report on sustainability in resorts called Paradise Found.
This suggests ways to develop destinations with examples of good practice, and shows how some businesses are taking action on climate change or making plans to adapt to the consequences.
The authors argue resorts can benefit communities and the environment in ways they fail to now and also become more profitable. But at the moment there are no truly sustainable tourism developments in existence.
Forum for the Future business programme director and co-author Stephanie Draper said: “The industry has made mistakes in the past and needs a new approach to include long-term sustainability in strategic planning.
“Paradise Found is a vision for a way forward, offering guiding principles for those developing or refurbishing developments.”
The report examines sustainability in five areas – the environment, people, communities, infrastructure and finance. It argues renewable-energy technology and emission-reducing features should be incorporated in all resorts, not just new ones – avoiding the need for air conditioning, for example.
Draper said: “The temptation when planning a resort is to find a virgin piece of land and build something new. We want to move
to refitting and refurbishing.”
She acknowledges truly sustainable tourism also has to address how people reach a destination, suggesting: “Ideally, sustainable tourism developments would avoid the need for flights by appealing to domestic markets or providing more-sustainable transport options. They should encourage people to travel in the most sustainable way.
“But people can make a contribution to the local community when they fly long-haul rather than stop going abroad.
The way to resolve issues about flying is to go on holiday for longer and fly less often.”
Draper concedes there is a long way to go. The report notes that while tourism generates more than 10% of the world’s GDP, “much of this benefit never makes it to host communities.”
She also acknowledges that good practice in one area may not reflect sustainable practice across the board.
For example, Paradise Found highlights the Six Senses Soneva Fushi property in the Maldives, which boasts a sea-water cooling system and offers guests bicycles and battery-powered golf buggies.
That is commendable. But tourism workers in the Maldives have until now been denied trade union rights.
Elsewhere, the report refers to the Aspen Skiing Company, which runs a save-snow campaign to educate visitors on cutting emissions. It does not suggest whether flying from the UK to Colorado to ski qualifies as responsible tourism.
Draper concedes the stakes are high and said tourism cannot simply look to carbon offsetting to meet its responsibilities. “The timescale is tight on climate change and the industry has been fairly slow,”
she said.
“There is cynicism about companies buying their way out of environmental responsibility. The challenge is to make sustainable behaviour easy and enjoyable.
“We are not underestimating the challenge,” she adds. “But it is possible to turn around.”
- Paradise Found report [Forum For The Future website]
- Read Stephanie Draper’s opinion
Paradise found
Paradise Found suggests the tourism industry invests in five areas or ‘capitals’:- Natural – developing a low-carbon economy, protecting water, recycling waste, sourcing responsibly, protecting biodiversity
- Human – offering long-term employment
- Social – respecting local culture and communities, prioritising local goods
- Manufactured – using renewable energy and sustainable design
- Financial – investing long term
The report is the first in a series. The upcoming Overland Heaven report will propose alternatives to flying. Tourism 2023, due next year, will explore the impacts of climate change and pressure on resources.
Responsible Tourism
World Responsible Tourism Day aims to educate the industry and public and explore how destinations can be more sustainable.
Responsible tourism is defined by the Cape Town Declaration of 2002 as that which:
- Minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism
- Generates greater economic benefits for local people, improves work conditions and involves local people
- Conserves natural and cultural heritage and is culturally sensitive
