Tourism that
Doesn’t Cost the
Earth
Can we make
the world’s
largest industry
respect the
limits?
Nova Scotia Canada
Tourism is now the world’s
largest industry
• Tourism is the largest migration in
human history and it happens every
year
• Tourism is a significant source of
employment for nearly one person
in five globally
• People will travel, and always have
• Asia is the fastest growing source
of tourism – more than 20% per
year
• The only countries which have
managed to stop tourism by their
citizens are North Korea and for
outbound tourism, Cuba
• Tourism stresses particular places –
the popular destinations.
London Eye
Tourism is the top of the food chain
of consumption
• Tourism is the main source of foreign
exchange for half the world’s countries
and more than half the GNP of many
small island developing states
• Tourism is growing rapidly –
particularly in Asia
• Tourism is the only consumer of many
goods (toilet seat strips, tacky
souvenirs, glass covers, plastic hula
dancers, t-shirts with the name of the
destination etc.)
• Tourists use about five times as much
water and energy per day per tourist
as locals in most places
Can we handle this growing impact?
Kimberley BC
Costinesti Romania
Seven ship day
in Philipsburg
Sint Maartin
Nassau Bahamas
The Challeng of
Greening Tourism
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Greening how you get there
Greener hotels and resorts
Greening food services
Getting the agents and organizers to create
greener tours and products
• Getting tourists to demand and value more
environmentally sound choices
• Greening the overall planning process for
operators and destinations
• Providing technical solutions which work
Green transport
Canada
Thailand
Bulgaria
Travel by bus
Meteora Greece
Niagara Falls
Lahore Pakistan
Tactics to green
buses
• Low emission buses –
electric, propane, fuel cell
• No idling when parked
(Eiffel tower example)
• Air conditioning
management
• Improved scheduling
• Integrated transport
systems (public transport
options)
• Footprinting tours
• Marketing solutions
(bunching destinations)
Swiss Alps
Not just green on the
outside – how to make air
travel more efficient
Airline solutions:
Fast food?
• Fuel efficient planes
• Pre-scheduling landing
slots for flights (BA,
Lufthansa)
• Walk-on buffet
(Lufthansa)
• Destination pick-up for
duty free
• Packaging reduction
for all on-flight
commodities
• Strong enforcement of
weight for carry-on
bags
• Offsets
• Virtual vacations
Greening Hotels
Evason Hua Hin
Thailand
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
(award winning program)
Todos los Santos Mexico
Petra Jordan – local design and energy management program
Restaurants
• Greener methods, not
greener food
• Smaller portions
• Local purchase
• Waste separation
• Doggie bags
• Recycling of grey
water for plants, lawns
• Re-use of waste –
send to local farmers
for pig or chicken feed
• Energy saving
Tianmu Hu China
Changing food
culture
Tblisi Georgia
Jiangsu
China
Attractions
• The worst are water slides
Aya Napa
Cyprus
Lianyungang China
Golf courses
• New initiatives for
“green” golf:
– Native vegetation
– Organic fertilizer
– Maintain tree belts and
habitat corridors
– Use grey water
– Collect runoff and treat
effluent
– Fertilizer management
plans
– Zero toxic herbicides
– Wetland water hazards
Muskoka Ontario Canada
Water Sports
Phang Nga
Thailand
Aruba
• Avoid motorized
craft
• Trained guides
• Separated areas for
different uses
Conservation Plans for Sites
Lanark Highlands
Ontario Canada
Sports events
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
• New initiative to “green the
games”
• Started with Atlanta games –
Sydney was greener, China
used Games as catalyst to
clean Beijing, London
pledges to top that
• Energy saving, water,
recycling, public transport,
green procurement
• Plan to recycle and reuse
facilities
• New low-impact transport
systems
• Crowd management
• EMS
Green Travel Agencies and Tours
• Ecotourism society
• Green Globe 21
• Conservation
international
• Partnerships between
Agencies and NGOs
• Local links and
expertise
Phang Nga
Thailand
Cruise Ship Initiative
(reducing physical impact)
Cape Verde Islands
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Water and energy conservation
Control of emissions
Recycling of water
Garbage separation for recycling
No dumping of bilge water inshore
New steps to control impact onshore
Bermuda
Nassau Bahamas
Tallinn Estonia
Juneau Alaska
Sustainable Cruise Destinations
New initiatives
• Scheduling
• Shorter voyages from new
of origin - repositioning
• Joint planning with ports
• Plug in the ship (Juneau)
• Contribution to conservatio
ports and tours
• Visitor management
Inside Passage BC
Surprise: the world’s largest
cruise ship is rated the most
energy efficient per passenger
Allure of the Seas in Fort Lauderdale
New Global Initiatives – with local
impact
• Green Globe
• Small Island
Developing States
green economy
initiative
• Global Sustainable
Tourism Council criteria
for sustainable
properties and (new) for
sustainable destinations
Greening Criteria: Planning
Jeddah Saudi Arabia
 Plans - Economic ecological and social factors,
participatory process
 Holistic approach – examining options, selection
of concept /project area
 Site selection Siting of structures and activities
should site sensitivities. (seek most appropriate
site to minimize negative impacts)
 Project design Design standards for siting, design
compatibility, aesthetics, impact reduction re
ecological and cultural values (design to minimize
negative effects on site and surrounding areas)
 Design for wastewater, water use reduction,
energy conservation,. Build in energy
conservation technology
 Impact assessment Formal environmental and
social impact review procedure
 Participatory processes Plans/programs should
involve local suppliers/guides etc - Ongoing
participation in facility and site
management/decision process for local
community/stakeholders
Green Criteria: Construction Phase
• Construction standards for:
site disruption during
construction, transportation,
noise, debris, site cleanup.
(bonds posted to cover cost of
any ecological damage,
restoration)
• Selection of local/suitable
materials re protection of
species, energy reduction,
local benefits, recycling when
replaced)
Red Sea coast
Saudi Arabia
Operations
• Management -Facility should have
EMS in place
• Grounds operator has ecological
inventory of grounds and sites, ongoing
monitoring of state of indicators species,
trails, impacted areas
• Clear management plan based on risk
management and visitor management
criteria. Specific plans for key fragile
sites or specific activities Staff training
with specific training modules for
guides, interpreters, groundskeepers,
hotel staff
•
Burj Dubai
Mandina Lodge
The Gambia
Conservation(1)
Aruba
• Specific plans/actions to
promote conservation,
• Participates in and/or
supports protection of natural
protected areas..
• Complies with trade laws on
selling illegal products
• Site management –in place
and monitored
• Consumption -Must have
water management plan - to
include technical measures
(low flow toilets, showers)
greywater recycling,
education and awareness,
laundry reduction programs
etc, (can have separate
systems for drinking/cooking)
• Program /audit to minimize
fossil fuel use.
Conservation(2)•
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Diani Beach Kenya
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Liquid Waste management100% treatment of wastewater
Stormwater - separation,
controlled runoff, grey water reuse, water consumption
reduction,)
Solid Waste management Waste reduction and recycling
programs required with goals
monitored and recorded. for
separation, composting,
recycling emphasized for
organic and inorganic waste.
Program to seek local products,
products which can be recycled
or re-used. Regular monitoring
of consumption.
Use of third party waste audits)
Tourist activity
management
Otway Sound Chile
• Marketing and pre-visit materials
stress natural /sensitive tourism and
appropriate tourist behaviours
• Information program for tourists, effort
to direct tourists to trained guides and
eco-sensitive tours,
• Guests informed of conservation,
recycling and specific environmental
measures adopted by property.
Manual provided with sustainability
mission and policies.
• Communication and involvement of
guests in conservation efforts. Info on
local plant species, natural areas.
• Program to limit engine, tourist noise
in areas sensitive to natural
environment and wild animal
behaviour.
• Opportunities provided for visitors to
contribute financially or otherwise to
habitat conservation.
Community involvement/benefit
• Appropriate process
established to involve local
community in planning and
oversight process and to
facilitate ongoing linkages
between tourism property and
surrounding residents.
• Menu should contain/favour
locally purchased foods, local
cuisine.
• Opportunities to purchase
local crafts and produce
The Gambia
Planning the Best Environmental
Resorts (Maldives case and
global applicastions)
• 10 specific areas for greening – part of
review process
1)Understanding of Baseline Environmental
Conditions and Assets of the Site
• Survey/state of the environment.
• Sensitivity analysis done on key biophysical
features, rare or fragile species, physical processes,
identifying potential impact of these on the design,
siting, management and mitigation;
• Identifies impact on water production, waste
disposal, need for tourist behaviour management.
• Reference to current and/or past human use(s) and
potential factors to consider in development,
including local sensitivities and level of participation.
2)Energy Generation Methods
Male Maldives
• Excellent plan with innovative
elements.
• Full exploration of alternatives.
• Commitment to test alternative
sources.
• Full fuel management plan
with spill containment, pipe
testing, vacuum systems etc.
• Generator management with
high efficiency, heat
recuperation from other
operations, real-time energy
use monitoring, contingency
plans, backup systems.
4)Water Drawdown/Production
Soneva Fushi Maldives
• Design of system to respond to
ecological conditions and
sensitivities.
• Clear consideration of impacts
of siting, disposal of salt from
desalinization, capture of
rainwater, ongoing monitoring
of infiltration and impact on
freshwater aquifers, real time
monitoring of demand and
water budget, contingency
plans.
• Clear grey water management
system with grey water budget,
methods to monitor grey water
quality and to control quality
before use/release.
3)Energy
Conservation
• Full cradle to grave energy
management plan beginning with
construction phase.
• Real time monitoring of use,
efficiency.
• Regular energy audit.
• Design of structures to reduce
energy demand (insulation, lighting,
shade, heat retention).
• Energy efficient appliances,
cogeneration/heat extraction,
• Employee training program for
energy savings, information program
for guests,
• Reduction of energy hungry
attractions (e.g., powerboats)
• Integration of energy management
into overall management process.
5)Water Conservation
• Comprehensive water management and monitoring
plan which includes real time monitoring of use(s)
• Design strategy for low consumption in all parts of
resort;
• Education for staff; sensitization for guests; attention
to specific conservation strategies for major water
users such as laundry, restaurants, irrigation
systems, guest facilities in all areas.
• Integrated plan for water generation/conservation/
sewage (often as water budget) with specific capture,
cleaning and use plans for grey water
6) Sewage/Waste Water Management:
• Full cradle-to grave management of waste water,
integrated with water production and conservation.
• Efficient monitored system with quality control at all
stages. Best plans included detailed procedures for
grey water separation, quality monitoring and use,
and methods to control and monitor impacts of grey
water use (for e.g. Irrigation) on aquifer.
• Indicators defined re water quality for effluents to be
recycled.
• Clear contingency plans for water spills, excess
release; zero discharge of untreated effluents into
either sea or land.
• Specific technologies cited which will ensure suitable
quality of wastewater. Clear plan to clean/reuse
sludge.
7)Solid Waste
Garbage
• Complete plan for waste management, from procurement,
design for reduction, specific plans for waste monitoring,
• Program to integrate waste management into each part of the
resort (e.g., kitchen, housekeeping, recreation, grounds
keeping, office).
• Means to handle all waste with zero discharge (with some
recycling exceptions which are sent to suitable depots).
• Integration with wastewater/incineration/heat recapture as
part of comprehensive EMS or equivalent.
8)Conservation of Flora and Fauna
• Complete conservation strategy
for site and surrounding
ecosystem(s), ongoing
conservation/enhancement of key
species and ecosystems.
• Comprehensive ongoing
monitoring program involving
scientific experts, on-site full time
environmental managers and
protection officers, specific
scientific and educational
programs for guests, staff, other
local community members,
• Links to national and international
conservation organizations,
certification under international
ecological programs.
9) Mitigation of Impacts of Development
Process
• Full cradle to grave impact
management plan beginning at
design/construction phase.
• Best proposals provided
complete tables of sensitivities,
expected impacts and effects
of construction, operation and
visitor activities, expected
areas of concern and
mitigation/control measures to
be undertaken for each.
• Co-management of the site
during the entire process.
10)Management of Tourists
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Clear identification of key sensitivities and
likely range and impact of tourist activities
(on site and in visited areas).
Full visitor management plan, with
sensitivity analysis and proposed
responses for each predicted tourist
activity, and also examined comanagement options.
Range of built solutions to reduce potential
for impact, human solutions – awareness,
monitoring, incentives, regular reporting
system, educational approaches for
visitors, staff, local communities likely to
interface with the tourists.
Clear consideration of a range of visitor
management techniques, suitability of
such techniques from both local and visitor
cultural perspectives, monitoring and steps
towards implementation of e.g. EMS,
ISO14000, Green Globe or similar as
comprehensive ongoing
mitigation/management process.
Reducing the footprint of tourism
globally
Meeting “Juan Valdez”
Cartagena Colombia
• Will be difficult because
travel does consume
energy
• Can be used to lever
environmental improvement
and cultural understanding
• Can be used to transfer
resources to those who
need it.
• May be effective in
substituting experiences for
material consumption
Reduce your personal footprint
• Home exchange
• Plan efficient itineraries
• Travel in public
transportation
• Choose environmentally
responsible agents and
hotels/resorts
• Buy locally
• Contribute to conservation
• Learn about local culture
• Live where practical like
the locals do
Local tourists Lahore Pakistan
Cruise – it is
the most
efficient way
to travel
Quebec City Canada
For more information and sources
see www.Tourisk.com
Photography ©Ted Manning