We are in danger of forgetting the positive impact travel and tourism can have, says Abta’s Carol Rose
Too often it seems that the narrative around travel and tourism is a negative one. Package holiday nightmares, overtourism, carbon emissions, ecosystems under pressure – these are among the issues aired.
Under this deluge of negativity, we are in danger of forgetting the incredibly positive impact that travel and tourism can also have.
At Abta’s recent Travel Convention in Greece, a panel gave an insightful session around ‘Tourism for Good’. It received an enthusiastic response from the audience, making it clear we need and appreciate these heart-warming and inspiring stories to counterbalance the negativity.
A representative from Costa Navarino, the venue for the convention, gave a detailed run-through of the resort’s creation. Thousands of mature olive, as well as other trees, were transplanted around the complex.
Water retention tanks were also installed to help capture rain water, an important solution to a serious problem as climate change worsens.
Costa Navarino’s beach is an important nesting site for loggerhead turtles and great care has been taken to protect them. Measures have been introduced to ensure artificial light from the resort does not reach the beach, to make sure hatchlings don’t mistake it for moonlight on the sea. Before the resort was created, only 12 nests were found; now, there are more than 70 – a tribute to the success of the resort’s efforts.
Supporting local people
The resort works very closely with local people, making sure they feel part of its conservation efforts, including a scheme to find homes for hundreds of stray dogs. Costa Navarino also provides employment for many local people in an area of high unemployment and, all in all, it fully deserves its Abta Travelife certification.
Working closely with local people is vital in so many areas. As one of the speakers expressed so well, they partner with indigenous people on many of their tours as they are the true stewards of the land. In developing nations, people may be forced to poach endangered wildlife or destroy trees and other plants out of a very real need to provide for their families. One example given by a panellist about how tourism can flip this around was of a former poacher who now works as a tour guide. This was a classic case of poacher turned gamekeeper, a lifestyle the tour guide was said to find much more fulfilling as he now conserves wildlife rather than destroying it.
Working in partnership
Providing viable sources of employment through responsible tourism gives local people an even greater incentive to maintain and support their environment. It’s a given that no one else has a better and more profound relationship with the land than the people who live in the destinations we are simply guests in.
Many Abta members are also working in partnership with destinations and NGOs active in the area of nature conservation and preservation. We increasingly recognise the need to maintain and enhance biodiversity. To encourage and support members in this work, as well as to highlight the incredible efforts that are already underway, we have created a number of biodiversity workshops that are open to all Abta members to attend.
Perhaps the most inspiring examples in the Costa Navarino session were provided in a number of videos by Richard Hammond of Green Traveller.
One highlighted the story of a young woman who, through sheer force of character and persistence, and in the face of substantial resistance due to her gender, got herself an education. After numerous rejections for jobs, she did not give up – and now works as a safari guide. Tourism has totally transformed her life.
Her story will hopefully help change attitudes and give other people hope that they too can achieve their dreams and turn their lives around thanks to the opportunities provided by tourism.