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17 CHAPTER TOURISM AND THE ENVIRONMENT 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. CHAPTER OUTLINE Outline Summary 1. Introduction Points of Emphasis The needs and structure of the host community should be improved by ecotourism as well as preserving, sustaining, and improving the natural environment. Provides the WTTC view. Consider myths and misconceptions regarding tourism which make excellent class discussion topics. 2. Does tourism threaten the environment 3. Sustainable development If the developer and architect begin a project with environmental protections as an important goal, then all parties involved will comply with this mandate. Buildings and grounds should blend into the natural landscape as fully as possible. Acquainting guests with the natural attractions by using nature trails and similar facilities and programs will increase satisfaction. Globally tourism impacts and is impacted by many resource factors petroleum being a good example. Sustainable development must be a workable approach ensuring as much as possible that we replace what we consume, and do not create byproducts that pollute or destroy the ecosystem upon which future generations depend. We are all responsible. 4. Common terms used and Ecotourism is the most commonly used ecology (living things and their definitions environment) plus their use in tourism. There are many definitions but mainly it is environmentally friendly travel. 5. Examples of ecotourism Most tourism, other than business or urban tourism, depends on the appeal of the natural environment. These include climate, land forms, snow, ice, scenery, the fauna, flora, water resources, beaches, natural beauty, and a place for outdoor activities. Degradation of such resources diminishes their appeal. The U.S. Travel Data Center reported that in 1991 over 8 million Americans participated in ecotours offered by over 300 companies and organizations. These include the Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, National Audubon Society, Museums, and others. 6. Benefits and importance Provides jobs and income for local people, helps protect and enlarge of ecotourism existing area, encourages heritage and environmental protection for new areas as well as underwater attractions. Many ecotour areas are in developing countries, helping their economies. 7. Dangers and limitations If the financial benefits of ecotourism are not shared with local people, then their use of the natural resources will compete with that of the ecotourists. This situation will very likely damage the natural attractions. Monetary leakage and fluctuations in demand are also problems. These can be alleviated by purchasing as many goods and services locally as possible and encouraging other forms of enterprise besides tourism. 8. Current tourism industry Individual Tourists Responsibility, ASTA s Ten Commandments on practices Eco-Tourism, Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Canada s National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy Codes, Travel Industry Association of America, World Tourism Organization, World Travel and Tourism Environmental Research Centre, Pacific Asia Travel Association, and Individual Firm Efforts, are topics covered. KEY CONCEPT DEFINITIONS ASTA S TEN COMMANDMENTS: The American Society of Travel Agents has formulated 10 traveler environmental guidelines and is firmly supportive of such measures world-wide. BENEFITS OF ECOTOURISM: Helps to provide jobs and income for local people; encourages improvements and expansion of natural areas; helps heritage and environmental preservation-enhancement; and also helps to create new parks, forest or biosphere reserves; and even underwater trails and attractions such as coral reefs. CARRYING CAPACITY: Answers the question, How many ecotourists can the area accommodate each day without damaging its attractive features. Pollution problems also must be adequately addressed. CODE OF ETHICS FOR TOURISTS: Produced for the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. It contains five guidelines: 1) Enjoy and help preserve our natural and cultural heritage, 2) Efficiently use resources including energy and water, 3) Helps preserve local traditions, customs, and regulations, 4) Don t threaten wildlife or plant populations, and 5) Select tourism products which demonstrate social, cultural, and environmental sensitivity. Codes of ethics have also been formulated for the Industry, Tourist Industry Associations, Accommodations, Foodservice, Tour Operators, and Ministers of Tourism (national organizations). DEBT-FOR-NATURE-SWAP: Large international conservation groups such as the World Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy arrange for a lending institution to forgive large sums of a country s national debt in exchange for park creation. The country s government agrees to create, expand, or improve portions of their natural resource conservation projects for their country, thus creating ecotourism destinations. ECOTOURISM: The most popular, commonly used term that implies that any development intended to attract tourists will be planned and constructed to minimize damage to the natural and cultural environment. Also describes a type of trip in which the primary appeals are the climate, outdoor enjoyment, natural beauty, waters, flora, fauna, and cultural resources of the destination. ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT: We strongly recommend that such development proceed in accordance with the now-established principles of sustainable development as described in this chapter. ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION: A national policy concept which holds that any tourism destination area or project should aim to preserve the area or site s potential for appreciation by future generations. Also, at the same time, help to improve the quality of life for those local people who would be affected by the project or development. LAND USE PLANNING: Forward-looking public action to identify, describe, and subsequently protect and enhance attractive and unique areas suitable for ecotourism and other uses. This process requires keeping environmental preservation as a high priority. LOCAL POPULATIONS AND BENEFITS: Provides jobs and income, makes funds available for purchasing and improving protected or natural areas to attract more future ecotourists, encourages heritage and environmental preservation and enhancement. PATA CODE FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE TOURISM: This code consists of guidelines intended to positively influence their members to adopt the necessary practices and policies to conserve and enhance the quality and beauty of renewable natural resources together with the conservation of non-renewable resources. PRINCIPLES FOR IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: If it is to work, sustainable development must become a normal way of thinking and acting by a majority of the global community. It must be a workable approach to ensuring that we can replace what we consume and that in the process of consumption we do not create by-products that pollute or destroy the ecosystem on which future generations depend. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: The essential concepts are: We are all responsible plus five premises: interdependency, multidisciplinarity, previous experience, nature is better, politics and power. There are also critical areas comprised of: 1) Defining the relevant populations and community, 2) Defining the time horizon, 3) Defining the dimensions of sustain ability, 4) Defining the values which underlie sustainable development, 5) Allocating Responsibility, 6) Concept of Shared Responsibility, and 7) An Agenda for Action. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: One of several terms which denote purposeful travel to natural habitats to create an understanding of the natural history as well as the culture pertaining to that environment. Another important consideration is that such tourism helps to sustain and improve the well being of local people. WTTC RESEARCH CENTRE: This center has been recently established in cooperation with the Oxford Centre is guided by six major purposes or missions all intended to guide tourism s global growth in sustained, intelligent, and enlightened manner.

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