It seems odd to talk about a shortage of water in England in November – we are usually complaining about too much. But today at World Travel Market there is a debate asking: ‘Water – is there enough for tourism?’
Our industry is used to relying on – and selling – blue skies, warmth and sunshine. Customers usually want to get away from the British climate and bask in the heat somewhere where sunshine is guaranteed and rainfall is rare.
Yet when we arrive on holiday we want to swim, shower and have plentiful water on tap, as well as enjoy lush, green lawns and plants – not to mention golf courses.
The travel industry worldwide has a problem – more tourists are consuming more and more water in the world’s driest places.
A tourist in Morocco, for example, uses 10 times as much water as a local person.
A recent analysis reported demand is doubling every 20 years and said water is “the petroleum for the next century”.
As we meet at WTM and plan for next season, what can any of us do to help avoid a crisis? Luckily, there are some simple, practical solutions.
As a first step, companies can assess the water use in their operations – especially accommodation.
Installing lower-flow shower heads and taps, reduced-flush volumes in toilets and maintaining toilet cisterns to avoid constant refilling can make a significant difference – these are simple steps that also save money.
A recent change of practice at Starbucks, where kitchen taps were previously left running all day but are now turned off, will save a fortune in water bills – and, perhaps, the company’s reputation.
Hilton Hotels managed to save 5% of its total water use across Europe without any impact on guests – equivalent to one Hilton in 20 using no water at all.
Today at WTM, Cyprus will unveil encouraging initial results from a water-saving project undertaken this summer.
Water is now one of the Travel Foundation’s major themes. Last year we supplied practical tools for reducing water and energy use to thousands of hotels in several Mediterranean countries.
- What can you do to help?
- Today at WTM: Water – is there enough for tourism? North Gallery, Rooms 4 and 5, 12.30pm
