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8/8/2019 Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Plan
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ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
STRATEGIC PLAN
2 0 0 9 2 0 1 2
8/8/2019 Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Plan
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CONTENTS
Eecie a 1
Ici 3
Challege a ppiie 4
Tourism's Carbon Footprint 4
Consumer Demand 6
Business Perormance 8
Partnerships & Frameworks 10
Minimising Resource Use And Waste Production 12
Assisting The Tourism Industry To
Adapt To Climate Change 15
Leaig he wa 16
Ke peface iica 18
Appei 20
MINISTERS FOREWORD
The Victorian Government is taking the
lead in environmentally sustainable tourism.
For Victorias tourism industry, taking action
on sustainability is not only environmentally
necessary, it is also about enhancing the
competitiveness o individual tourism
businesses and promoting Victoria as a
sustainable tourism destination.
I am pleased to present the EnvironmentallySustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012
which outlines the benets to our tourism
industry o implementing environmentally
sustainable business practices, whileproviding a ramework to guide the uture
sustainability o Victorias tourism industry.
The Plan is not only a step orward in
assisting the tourism industry to mitigate
the impacts o climate change, but will
assist businesses to transition toward
environmentally responsible business
practices.
I look orward to the continued growth o
sustainable tourism oerings throughout
our State.
TIM HOLDING MP
Minister or Tourism and Major Events
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012 1
ExECUTIVE SUMMARY
Tourism is one o Victorias key industries, generating more
than $15 billion or the States economy and employing
approximately 180,000 people. The industry represents
6.1 per cent o Victorias total Gross State Product (GSP)
and 7.0 per cent o employment.
Sustainable tourism can be dened as tourism that delivers
positive economic, social and environmental outcomes with
consideration to the needs o the visitor, industry, community
and environment.
Demand or sustainable tourism practices in Australia is rising
as consumer demand grows and industry, Government and
tourism operators recognise the advantages o meeting higherenvironmental standards.
The Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan has
been developed by Tourism Victoria in consultation with State
Government representatives and key tourism bodies.
It addresses the key challenges o implementing
environmentally sustainable tourism practices in Victorias
tourism industry.
It also addresses issues associated with climate change and
assisting the Victorian tourism industry to adapt to a range
o national and international measures to mitigate its impacts.
This Strategic Plan encourages businesses to adopt more
sustainable practices in order to reduce their environmental
impact and achieve cost savings. It promotes the use o State
and Federal Government programs such as CarbonDown
and Grow Me the Money and urges the industry to
develop partnership opportunities or the enhancement o
environmentally sustainable tourism in Victoria.
Key challenges/opportunities as set out in this Environmentally
Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan are:
Reducingthetourismindustryscarbonfootprint;
Meetinggrowingconsumerdemandfor
sustainablepractices;
Improvingbusinessperformancethroughsustainable
tourism and marketing the Victorian tourism industrys
environmentalcredentials;
Developingpartnershipsandframeworks;
Minimisingresourceuseandtheproductionofwaste;and
Assistingthetourismindustrytoadapttoclimatechange.
Businesses and the industry need to position themselves
to meet these challenges and take advantage o new
opportunities arising rom changing consumer preerences
as well as changing environmental and business practices.
High priority actions identied in this Strategic Plan to be
undertaken in 20092012 are:
Promotingbusinesseswhichdemonstrateenvironmental
credentialsthroughaccreditationprograms;
Developinganddistributingacarbonfootprinttoolkitfor
usebybusinessesanddestinations;
Developingandimplementingaresponsiblevisitorcommunications plan, including a responsible travel section
onvisitvictoria.com;
WorkingwiththeVictorianEmployersChamberof
Commerce and Industry to ensure that tourism is
an integral par t o the Grow Me the Money and
CarbonDownprograms;
Preparingguidancenotesforeventorganisersoncarbon
footprintmeasurementandreductionstrategies;
PromotingandcontinuingtoenhancetheSustainability
in Tourism section o the Tourism Excellence program, in
ordertoassistbusinessestobecomemoresustainable;and
Providingadvicetoregionalandmetropolitantourism
organisations on engaging with tourism businesses on
sustainability matters, including climate change.
The key measures o success o the Environmentally
Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan will be:
Increasednumberoftourismbusinessesparticipatingin
carbonmeasurement,reductionandoffsetprograms;
Increasedrecognitionofleadingenvironmentallyfriendly
tourismbusinesses;
Increasednumberofindustryprofessionalswithexpertise
insustainabilityissues;
Increasednumberofconsumersseekingsustainable
experiences and acting in a more environmentally
friendlymanner;
Increasednumberofbusinessesparticipatingin
environmentalimprovementprograms;and
IncreasednumberofbusinesseswithTourismVictoria
endorsed environmental accreditation.
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2
Sustainability is about morethan just looking after our
natural environment. It isalso about considering thesocial and economic impactof what we do.
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012 3
INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
The World Commission on Environment and Development
outlines sustainability as: orms o progress that meet the
needs o the present without compromising the ability o
uture generations to meet their needs.
Sustainability is about more than just looking ater our natural
environment. It is also about considering the social and
economic impact o what we do.
The United Nations World Tourism Organizations denition
o sustainable tourism brings the above concepts together
and denes sustainable tourism as tourism that delivers
positive economic, social and environmental outcomes with
consideration to the needs o the visitor, industry, community
and environment.
For the purposes o this strategy the term sustainable tourism
is, in the most par t, used in reerence to the environmental
impacts o tourism. In particular the need to encourage the
tourism industry to minimise resource use, better meet
consumer demand, achieve greater business perormance and
address the associated challenges posed by climate change.
Demand or sustainable tourism practices in Australia is
rising as consumer demand grows and government and the
tourism industry recognise the advantages o meeting higherenvironmental standards.
Sustainable tourism is important to all tourism stakeholders.
It is essential that government bodies and the tourism
industry work together to enhance uture sustainability
opportunities and reduce the adverse impacts o tourism.
OUR vISION
Tourism Victorias vision is, that over the next decade, the
Victorian tourism industry will:
Formagroupofleadinggreenbusinesses;
Bepositionedtorapidlytakeupsustainable
practicesinthefuture;and
Betterunderstandconsumerdemandfor
environmental perormance.
Why IS ThIS PLAN IMPORTANT?
Unsustainable tourism practices can aect the uture viability
ofthetourismindustry;andtheStateGovernment,through
Tourism Victoria, is taking a leadership role in addressing the
challenges o this sector.
The scale o the tourism industry in Victoria and its growth
orecasts mean that the environmental and social impacts otourism can not be overlooked.
Historically, Tourism Victoria has undertaken and supported
a number o sustainable tourism activities however, it
is recognised that numerous challenges still exist. The
Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan provides
an opportunity to address those challenges and embrace
uture sustainable opportunities in a coordinated manner.
Tourism Victoria, through the Environmentally Sustainable
Tourism Strategic Plan, will assist the tourism industry to
change negative community perceptions o the industry and
achieve economic benets through sustainable practice.
This Strategic Plan encourages businesses to embrace
sustainable tourism practices in order to meet consumer
demand and to improve business perormance.
In addition, the Federal Government is pursuing the Carbon
Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) which will introduce a
carbon trading scheme in Australia. This trading scheme will
aect economic conditions and visitor travel patterns. Tourism
Victorias Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan is
needed to assist in positioning the tourism industry to adapt
to these changes.
Key challenges/opportunities as set out in this Environmentally
Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan are:
Reducingthetourismindustryscarbonfootprint;
Meetinggrowingconsumerdemandfor
sustainablepractices;
Improvingbusinessperformancethroughsustainable
tourism and marketing the Victorian tourism industrys
environmentalcredentials;
Developingpartnershipsandframeworks;
Minimisingresourceuseandtheproductionofwaste;and
Assistingthetourismindustrytoadapttoclimatechange.
STRATEgIc cONTExT
The Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan is an
integral part o the State Governments 10 Year Tourism and
Events Strategy, which encourages the industry to perorm atworld class levels in critical areas such as sustainable tourism.
This impor tance is reinorced in Tourism Victorias Business
Plan 20072010, with sustainability an underlying principle
that is embedded throughout the publication.
At the national level, the Council o Australian Governments'
(COAG) National Climate Change Adaptation Framework
identies tourism as one o many sectors vulnerable to
climate change. The COAG Framework gave the Tourism
Ministers' Council (TMC), which is made up o Federal,
State, Territory and New Zealand Tourism Ministers, the
responsibility or developing a two-year Action Plan. A
Framework or Action was endorsed by TMC in July 2008.
This Framework includes some o Tourism Victorias actions
under the Action Plan.
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 200920124
TOURISMS cARBON fOOTPRINT
Wh i hi ie ipa?
According to the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research
Centre (STCRC), tourism is the seventh highest contributor to
Australias greenhouse gas emissions, producing approximately
our per cent o the countrys total carbon emissions. As these
emissions are likely to increase with tourism sector growth, it is
important that the Victorian tourism industry responds.
Tourism accommodation, transport, events and attractions
consume signicant amounts o uel, energy and water and
can impact the natural environment. O these, air transportis by ar the largest contributor to tourism emissions,
accounting or 40 per cent o the sectors contribution to
CO2 emissions globally.
The introduction o low cost carrier airlines in Australia has
improved accessibility to fights and opened new travel markets
but in turn has increased energy consumption.
It is important to note that the aviation sector continues
to implement measures to reduce aviation greenhouse gas
emissions. Aircrat are 70 per cent more than they were 40
years ago through improvements in aircrat design, engine
eciency and operational practices. However, the demand
or aviation is orecast to exceed these improvements and
thereore poses a signicant challenge.
Similarly, despite much technological advancement, motor
vehicles also contribute a signicant portion o the tourism
industry's carbon ootprint.
Recognising the economic importance o aircrat, motor
vehicles and accommodation or Victorian tourism does not
reduce the need to minimise the environmental impact o
the industry.
Industry and governments need to better gauge the carbon
ootprint o tourism activity in order to improve perormance.To address this, Tourism Victoria recently commissioned a
study to develop a carbon ootprinting toolkit. The toolkit
will assist destination managers and tourism businesses to
measure their environmental impact.
Tourism Victoria will play a leadership role in advocating
green tourism and promoting ways that tourism businesses
can reduce resource use. This includes encouraging
recognised carbon oset programs and educating both
tourist operators and visitors to Victoria to make more
inormed choices regarding sustainability.
Wha will we ?
Throughincreasedconsultationanddevelopmentprograms, Tourism Victoria will work in partnership with
the tourism industry to measure and reduce the carbon
ootprint o tourism in Victoria.
Inadditiontobroadergovernmentinitiatives,Tourism
Victoria will conduct an audit o its own carbon ootprint
and aims to incorporate more energy saving and
environmentally sustainable practices into its activities.
TherearelimitedopportunitiesfortheVictoriantourism
industry to directly reduce the environmental impact o
tourism-related air travel. However, Tourism Victoria will
work with the aviation industry to actively inorm consumers
about the impacts o tourism and encourage airlines toimprove uel eciency.
Intermsofcartravel,tourismplannersandbusinesses
should, where appropriate, work together to promote
a modal shit towards the use o more environmentally
riendly orms o transport or tourism (train, buses, bicycles,
oot) both to and within tourist destinations.
ChALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
CAsE study: Go WEst tours
Go West Tours conduct more than 20 trips per
week with a feet o diesel uel vehicles. With the
environments natural assets at the core o its business
success, tour proprietors have developed environmental
practices which have resulted in a business boom.
Go West Tours contacted Greenfeet Australia to
calculate its total uel usage or 12 months and oset
this usage. The company produced approximately
123 tons o Carbon Dioxide and planted 461 trees
to oset these emissions.
In addition, the business trained its drivers in uel
efcientdrivingtechniques;convertedtolowenergy
lightbulbs;recycledsupplies;andmonitoreditshead
oces water and power use.
As a result Go West Tours have reduced the cost o
uel and vehicle repairs, reduced resource bills and
enjoy near ull capacity tours.
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Working together topromote the use of more
environmentally friendlyforms of tourism transport.
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 200920126
cONSUMER dEMANd
Wh i hi ie ipa?
The last ew years have seen a considerable increase in
consumer awareness o sustainable tourism, partly uelled
by extensive media coverage. Consumers are increasingly
seeking environmentally riendly products and have a
greater understanding o the impacts o sustainability
and climate change.
There is a low but growing number o consumers willing to
change their actions in relation to these issues and businesses
can target these consumers to gain a competitive advantage.A range o studies, three o which are reerenced below, have
been undertaken to look at the correlation between the
environmental impacts o tourism and changes in consumer
demand/behaviour. Studies investigate the gap between what
people say they might do and the number o people who
have changed their behaviour or are willing to pay more or
a more sustainable experience.
Tourists are increasingly demanding that the environments they
visit are high quality and pollutionree as well as inherently
interesting. Consumer awareness regarding sustainable tourism
has also uelled concern among some travellers and made
them reluctant to undertake tourism activities including long
haul travel to destinations such as Australia. This is a key
concern or the Victorian tourism industry.
In May 2008, a joint Commonwealth and State study into
consumer awareness ound that although consumers eel
that the environment is important, they have a tendency not
to take responsibility or environmental issues. Many also
eel that travel is a reward to be enjoyed and that i they are
sustainable at home they need not worry about such issues
whilst travelling.
The study notes that there is a dierence between attitudes
and behaviours or approximately 44 per cent o thosesurveyed. This is a challenge or Victoria as, i and when
behaviours and awareness all into line, businesses must be
prepared to meet this consumer demand. Victorian tourism
businesses need to take action now so that the State will
remain at the oreront o tour ism in Australia.
Supporting these ndings, the 2007 Lonely Planet Travellers
Pulse Survey (24,500 respondents worldwide) ound the
ollowing in relation to consumer demand:
84percentofrespondentssaidtheywouldconsider
osetting their emissions in the uture (3 per cent had
donesointhepast);
90percentofpeoplesaidtheywouldormight
purposefullytravelinalowimpactway;and
93percentofpeoplesaidtheywouldormight
purposeully partake in environmentally riendly travel in
the uture.
A Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC)
study also ound that 70 per cent o tourists surveyed indicated
that they would change their travel patterns or plans in the
uture to be more green.
However, the Lonely Planet Pulse Survey results and STCRC
study ound that while consumers are aware o sustainability
impacts, it seems that many are not willing to pay signicantlyhigher rates or environmentally sustainable surcharges. When
asked to speciy how much extra they would be prepared to
pay or green accommodation, the STCRC study ound that
25 per cent said they would pay a 510 per cent premium,
and 12 per cent would pay a 1020 per cent premium.
These results suggest that awareness o a tourism operators
eorts to unction in an environmentally responsible manner
may attract additional patronage and it would be benecial
or tourism businesses to ocus on this market.
It is also impor tant to note that the Federal Governments
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will bring about changesto the cost associated with sustainable tourism as the cost
will, in the uture, be priced in to everyday rates.
In order or there to be a reduction in the tourism industrys
environmental impact, consumers need to be more
responsible in their travel choice and behaviour. It can be
expected that over time there will be some rebalancing
o behaviour and expectations and it is important that
businesses prepare or increasing demand or sustainable
tourism products.
Wha will we ?
In20092010TourismVictoriawilllauncharesponsiblevisitor communications campaign. The campaign will
highlight sustainable tourism operators and inorm
consumers about ways to reduce their impact on the
environment.
Aresponsibletravelsectionwillbedevelopedonthe
Tourism Victoria website that will list green accredited
accommodation providers and events and market
sustainable activities.
TourismVictoriawillactivelyassisttourismbusinesses
to better communicate their green credentials through
marketing initiatives and will support research into changing
consumer behaviour associated with environmental issues.
ChALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES cont.
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Awareness of a tourismoperator's efforts to function
in an environmentallyresponsible manner mayattract additional patronage.
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 200920128
BUSINESS PERfORMANcE
Wh i hi ie ipa?
Sustainable tourism is not only a matter o environmental and
socialstewardship;itisalsoanimportantelementinenhancing
the competitiveness o a destination and the prots o
individual tourism businesses.
There is a connection between environmental and commercial
sustainability as reducing energy consumption, minimising waste
and conserving water can save money and so increase prots.
Simple changes such as using high-eciency light globes can
result in signicant cost reductions.Adopting energy eciency practices will also assist tourism
businesses to adapt to a carbon constrained uture. In
addition, it will minimise the impact o increasing energy costs
associated with the introduction o the proposed Carbon
Pollution Reduction Scheme.
Tourism Victorias Tourism Investment Guidelines highlight that
tourism accommodation businesses oten have the greatest
environmentalimpactofanycommercialbuildings;consuming
energy, water and other resources yearround.
While more environmentally sustainable buildings can incur a
small green premium above the costs o standard construction,they deliver a suite o nancial and environmental benets that
conventional buildings do not. A lie cycle savings evaluation,
undertaken as part o the Tourism Investment Guidelines,
documents that savings rom investment in sustainable design
and construction generally exceed any additional upront costs.
Businesses which have acted to improve their environmental
perormance have also discovered a growing number o
audiences keen to hear about it. Businesses have beneted
rom keeping their messages simple and accurate and by
emphasising consumer benets.
By creating greater linkages between sustainable tourism
businesses and consumers, Tourism Victoria can assist in
developing the competitiveness o Victorias tourism industr y.
The challenge is ensuring that Tourism Victoria and other
industry stakeholders can condently market tourism
businesses that are genuinely green, especially in light o the
ACCC guidelines on green marketing.
Tourism Victoria welcomes the broad range o business
support and accreditation programs that have emerged in
recent years to identiy green businesses. However, it should
be noted that these programs have caused some conusion
among both businesses and consumers as to common
standards.
CAsE study: ALto HotEL
The Alto Hotel on Bourke Street, Melbourne opened
in 2006. Its eco design and sustainability principles have
delivered both business advantages and recognition. The
Hotel was the rst Melbourne CBD Hotel to receive
the coveted Green Globe Certication, and has been
awarded several sustainability awards.
Through minimising resource use and including
environmentally sustainable design into the buildings
structure owners, Suzanne and Ricardo Krauskop have
achieved savings o up to $50,000 per year and increasedrecognition o the business, resulting in urther prots.
Were not anatics. Were just genuinely interested
in sustainability and can see that it delivers business
advantages and minimises damage to uture
generations, said Mr Krauskop.
Sustainability can create amazing commercial
opportunities and has increased our prots, he said.
ChALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES cont.
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Tourism Victoria recently completed a study to develop o
relevant accreditation and certication programs, including
industry par ticipation, costs and the standards assessed.
As a result o this study, or rms to be identied and
promoted as part o its planned responsible travel marketing
activities, a tourism business or event must demonstrate that
they meet the ollowing criteria:
Implementinginitiativestoreduceenergyconsumption;
Implementinginitiativestoreducewaterconsumption;
Implementinginitiativestoreducewastesenttolandll;
Commitmenttocontinualimprovementthroughmeasuring and monitoring the impacts/eects o the
initiativesimplemented;
Educatingandcommunicatingwithconsumersonthe
environmentalpracticesimplemented;
Adheringtoanenvironmentalmanagementplanor
environmentallysustainablepolicy;and
Independentassessmentofthebusinessenvironmental
practices by a qualied environmental consultant/assessor.
Tourism Victoria will devote resources to marketing
businesses that adopt these criteria.
Wha will we ?
TheStateGovernmenthasanumberofprogramsthat
businesses can access to improve perormance through
sustainability. The CarbonDown and Grow Me the
Money programs help businesses cut water use, energy
use and waste in order to save money and reduce their
environmental impact. Tourism Victoria will work with these
programs to ensure that they include content relevant to
tourism operators.
TourismVictoriawilladopttheIdenticationand
Promotion o Sustainable Tourism Businesses policy and
encourage businesses to adopt key green criteria. Genuinegreentourismbusinessesandeventswillreceive
greater recognition through Tourism Victorias website and
other marketing activities.
TheQantasSustainableTourismAward,introducedin
2008 to the Australian and Victorian Tourism Awards will
continue to be developed and promoted.
ThroughTourismVictoriasprofessionaldevelopment
program, the organisation will provide advice to Regional
Tourism Boards on sustainability matters, including
climate change.
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012
Achieving a more sustainable tourism industry in Victoria is
undamentally about a number o stakeholders working together
government, consumers and industry, as demonstrated above.
Only through the collaboration o these partnerships will the
industry be able to achieve a more sustainable uture. Tourism
Victorias role is to acilitate the integration o these stakeholders
to achieve results or tourism throughout the State.
A growing global trend is the increased emphasis by
governments on embedding sustainability across allmainstream strategic planning and policy. The tourism sector
is no exception with a number o national and regional
tourism agencies making headway in using sustainability as a
ramework or all activities.
There is also an opportunity to link the emerging green
travel consumer market with the Victorian tourism businesses
who have adopted sustainable practices. This will potentially
provide these businesses with a competitive advantage and
encourage other operators to improve their environmental
perormance.
Tourism Victoria continues to build par tnership rameworks
or the tourism industry and in 2006 was instrumental inthe ormation o the Sustainable Tourism Partnership. This
orum, composed o representatives o key government
agencies, tourism industry and nongovernment agencies,
aims to oster dialogue on key sustainable tourism issues and
encourage sustainable practices.
Wha will we ?
TourismVictoriawillactivelyutiliseitspartnershipsacross
industry and government to ensure that tourism becomes
a ocus o policy and programs such as the Victorian
Governments Our Environment Our Future ramework
and the CarbonDown and Grow Me the Money programs.
TourismVictoriawillworkwithrelevanttourismagencies
to identiy ways to improve sustainable practices in each
tourism region o Victoria.
TourismVictoriawillconductanenvironmental
sustainability audit o its key programs. It will make
tourism sustainability a key consideration whendealing
with stakeholders and when generating General Service
Agreements.
TourismVictoriawillactivelysupporttheSustainable
Tourism Partnership. It will lead the group in its promotion
o sustainable tourism and coordination o activities such
as regular industry orums and the review o sustainable
tourism policies and plans.
10
PARTNERShIPS & fRAMEWORkS
Wh i hi ie ipa?
GovErnmEnts
Integrate environmental, social and economic objectives into tourism policies and plans and provide
the enabling environment or private sector.
ConsumErs
Voice the demand or sustainable business travel products and be a responsible holiday maker.
Industry
Promotes voluntary integration o environmental and social good practices in their business operations.
ChALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES cont.
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This Strategic Planencourages businesses to
adopt more sustainablepractices in order to reducetheir environmental impactand achieve cost savings.
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 2009201212
ChALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES cont.
MINIMISINg RESOURcE USE & WASTE PROdUcTION
Wh i hi ie ipa?
Victorias estimated 100,000 tourism-related enterprises and
numerous events play a central role in ostering sustainable
tourism. By minimising water use, energy use and waste
production, businesses can reduce their impact on the
environment and achieve cost savings.
Sustainability is oten thought o as an expensive and
complicated ideal, especially or small to medium sized
business. Some o these businesses, which dominate Victorias
tourism industry, have not actively accessed State and FederalGovernment activities that encourage the adoption o
sustainable practices.
A recent STCRC study ound a number o barriers to
implementing sustainable practices by Victorian tourism
businesses including the costs o implementation, the labour
intensity o becoming certied, a lack o government and
industry support and the technical nature o inormation orums.
However, there are a wide range o activities that can
be undertaken by businesses to improve environmental
perormance. Activities range rom accreditation programs
down to simple actions such as recycling or the use o energy
ecient light globes. Every business can nd somewhere inthe spectrum o sustainable tourism practices to enhance
their environmental credentials and reduce costs.
In terms o events, many organisers are now recognising that
events do not have to have a signicant environmental impact.
Through sustainable tourism initiatives, organisers can take
responsibility or the environmental impact o their event.
Environmental leadership demonstrated by major events such
as the Australian Formula One Formula 1 ING Grand Prix and
regional events including Falls Festival and the Castlemaine State
Festival is helping to transorm the event industry.
Despite the eorts o some key events there are still a
number o organisers unsure o the steps required to reduce
their environmental impact, including carbon ootprint
measurement and reduction.
From a business events perspective, the Melbourne
Convention and Visitors Bureau was the rst in Australia to
conduct a comprehensive green audit o the acilities and
services used by delegates.
CAsE study: rACv InvErLoCH
As part o its commitment to environmental outcomes
in the conduct o its business and to assist members
to reduce their environmental impact, the RACV has
developed and applied environmental design criteria to
its building, construction and reurbishment projects.
RACVs holiday acility at Inverloch has been designed
to maximise the sites natural attr ibutes. The site is being
revegetated with native grasses and trees all indigenous
species. The wetlands will provide habitat or birds and
aquatic lie while assisting with drainage and water qualitymanagement. Landscaping has been designed to minimise
watering requirements.
CAsE study: tHE AustrALIAn
FormuLA 1 InG GrAnd PrIx
The Australian Formula 1 ING Grand Prix, like many
large events, must consider a range o environmental
issues, and has made reducing its environmental impact
a key part o managing the event.
In 2009, approximately 280,000 patrons attendedVictorias ourday Formula 1 ING Grand Prix event.
The Australian Formula 1 ING Grand Prix Corporation
(AGPC), which manages the event is committed to
minimising the impact o the race on the environment.
It undertakes specic activities to minimise impacts,
particular ly in regard to carbon reduction, water
recycling and waste management.
To achieve its environmental objectives and targets,
AGPC works with its environmental packaging and
waste recycling par tner, Cleanevent and has par tnered
with Greenfeet who plant native trees in Victoria to
absorb the carbon dioxide generated by the event.Cleanevent coordinate the use o recycled water or
track surrounds and collect sor ted waste which is then,
onprocessed and made into reusable raw materials.
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012 13
This audit led to the development o the Green Credentials
Report which identies green initiatives undertaken by
Melbournes Business Events suppliers towards reducing their
carbon ootprint and highlights best practice.
In addition, the new Melbourne Convention Centre building,
which was opened in June 2009, has been built to a six star
environmental rating. The Centre is the rst o its kind in the
world and its environmental credentials are a major selling
point in attracting international conerences.
Wha will we ?
TourismVictoriawillprepareanddistributeguidancenotesor event organisers on resource and water reduction
and ways that they can measure their carbon ootprints.
Events are also encouraged to be more sustainable by the
incorporation o sustainability criteria in State Government
unding applications.
TourismVictoriawillencouragetheGrowMetheMoney
and CarbonDown programs to incorporate inormation
on environmentally sustainable tourism. This inormation
will also be available to businesses through Tourism
Victorias Tourism Excellence Program.
Sustainabletourismpracticesareexpectedtobefeatured
as a part o the new national Tourism Accreditation
Framework system that will be released in 2010.
Falls Festival, photography by Zak Kaczmarek
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Tourism businessesand destinations need
to anticipate and adaptto the impacts of climatechange by assessingtheir exposure andtaking action to addressthese impacts.
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012 15
ASSISTINg ThE TOURISM INdUSTRy
TO AdAPT TO cLIMATE chANgE
Wh i hi ie ipa?
Governments at all levels are undertaking signicant work
on the challenge o climate change and the responses
needed to mitigate its eects and adapt to its changes on
the physical environment.
At the Commonwealth level, the Carbon Pollution Reduction
Scheme White Paper was released on 15 December 2008
and work is currently underway or the commencement
o the scheme on 1 July 2010. At the State level, the
Victorian Government is currently undertaking work on thedevelopment o a Climate Change White Paper. Both o these
initiatives include consideration o how to assist industry and
business to adapt to climate change.
CSIRO projections indicate that by the year 2070 Victoria
will be approximately 0.75.0 degrees warmer than it was
in 1990. This may increase the requency o severe weather
throughout the State, which combined with decreased rainall,
may lead to weather conducive to bushres, drought and
other natural disasters.
Tourism businesses and destinations need to anticipate and
adapt to the impacts o climate change by assessing their
exposure and taking action to address these impacts.
Some challenges posed by climate change include:
Insomeareas,theCSIROprojectionsindicatethatthere
willbeuptothreetimesmorehotdays;
SnowsportsinVictoriawillbeatriskfromshorterseasons
andunreliablesnowcover;
Rainfalldecreasesarestrongestinspring(downby25
per cent in some areas) which may aect the natural
beautyofdestinationsandcoulddecreasevisitation;and
Weatherconditionsconducivetobushresanddrought
could threaten tourist businesses and destinations.Regional and local tourism organisations that have been
created through publicprivate partnerships are in an
excellent position to encourage businesses to plan or
sustainable tourism and climate change issues.
Particular attention is required in regional areas which are
most aected by climate change.
Wha will we ?
TourismVictoriawillengagewiththeCommonwealthand
its State and Territory counterparts to provide a consistent
national approach to tourism industry mitigation and
adaptation initiatives. Tourism Victoria will also work in
partnership with State Government agencies to ensure
that tourism industry issues are ully considered in the
development o Victorian Government policies and
responses to climate change.
AspartoftheGovernmentsbroadercommunicationson
climate change, Tourism Victoria will include climate change
issues in regular newsletter articles and create a dedicatedclimate change section on Tourism Victorias corporate
website.
TourismVictoriawillcontinuetoprovideadvicetoregional
and local tourism managers on crisis preparedness and
will release an Emergency Management Toolkit in October
2009 to assist tourism businesses to plan or, respond to,
and recover rom crisis events both manmade and natural.
TourismVictoriawillcontinuetosupportVictoria
Universitys Climate Change and Tourism Adaptation
Research Project in the Great Ocean Road region to help
develop knowledge o the impacts o climate change on
the tourism industr y.
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 2009201216
LEADING ThE WAY
As the State Governments tourism agency, Tourism Victoria will
continue to develop and promote sustainable tourism practices.
Already, Tourism Victoria has undertaken or supported a
number o key sustainable tourism activities including:
CommissioningtheSTCRCtoundertakestudiestoassess
the environmental attitudes and behaviour o Victorian
tourism enterprises and the consumer perceptions o
sustainablepractices;
PartneringwiththeCityofMelbourneonSavingsinthe
City, its innovative environmental program to help city
hotelscutenergy,waterandwasteconsumption;
CoordinatingandlaunchingthesustainabilitymoduleoftheTourismExcellenceprogram;
IncorporatingasustainabilitysectionintothenewTourism
InvestmentGuidelines;
FormingandsupportingtheSustainableTourism
Partnership;
CommissioningaTourismDestinationCarbon
Footprintstudy;
DevelopingtheCrisisCommunicationsHandbookfor
Regional and Local Tourism and associated pocket guide
andworkshops;
Incorporatingsustainabilitycr iteriaintoTourismVictoriasEventsFundingProgram;
Embeddingsustainabilityasanunderlyingprincipleof
TourismVictoriasBusinessPlan20072010;and
Undertakingastudyintoidentifyingsustainabletourism
businesses and promotion o these to consumers seeking
this type o experience/product.
The execution o this Plan in 20092012 builds on Tourism
Victorias work in this area.
High priority actions identied in this Strategic Plan to be
undertaken in 20092012 are:
Promotingbusinesseswhichdemonstrateenvironmental
credentialsthroughaccreditationprograms;
Developinganddistributingacarbonfootprinttoolkitfor
usebybusinessesanddestinations;
Developingandimplementingaresponsiblevisitor
communications plan, including a responsible travel section
onvisitvictoria.com; WorkingwiththeVictorianEmployersChamberof
Commerce and Industry to ensure that tourism is
an integral par t o the Grow Me the Money and
CarbonDownprograms;
Preparingguidancenotesforeventorganisersoncarbon
footprintmeasurementandreductionstrategies;
PromotingandcontinuingtoenhancetheSustainability
in Tourism section o the Tourism Excellence program, in
ordertoassistbusinessestobecomemoresustainable;and
Providingadvicetoregionalandmetropolitantourism
organisations on engaging with tourism businesses on
sustainability matters, including climate change.
Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012
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17
Tourism Victoria will continue
to develop and promotesustainable tourism practices.
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 2009201218
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The above chart identies: the key challenges and
opportunities addressed by the Environmentally Sustainable
Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012;thedesiredoutcomes
which will improve the tourism industrys perormance in
theseareas;andthekeystrategiesbywhichthePlanwill
encourage those outcomes. These strategies recognise that
Tourism Victoria has a greater capacity to infuence outcomes
in some areas relative to others and that other local, State
and Federal Government agencies, consumers and industry
itsel also have a cr itical role to play.
CHALLEnGEs &oPPortunItIEs
dEsIrEdoutComEs
KEydIrECtIons
mEAsurEsoF suCCEss
KEyACtIons
Reducing the tourism
industrys carbon ootprint
Decreased per capita carbon
output rom tourism activity
Promote awareness o
carbon ootprints to
businesses and regions
Increase in number o
regional tourism managers
and businesses using the
carbon ootprinting toolkit
Finalise and distribute toolkit
Encourage business and
regional uptake o carbon
reduction opportunities
Increase in number o tourism
businesses participating
in carbon measurement,
reduction and oset programs
Promote Grow Me the
Money and CarbonDown
and other key State
Government initiatives.
Promote appropriate
opportunities or lower
emissions transport
Provide a leadership role Tourism Victoria will audit
its carbon ootprint and
implement a carbon reduction
program
Develop and implement
Tourism Victoria carbon
reduction strategy
Work with transport
stakeholders to support
carbon reduction initiatives
Meeting growing consumer
demand or sustainable
practices
Sucient Victorian tourism
industry product to meet
consumer demand or
sustainable tourism
Increase in the number o
businesses with credible
environmentally riendly
business practices
Increase in number o tourism
businesses participating
in carbon measurement,
reduction and oset programs
Increase in recognition o
leading environmentally
riendly tourism businesses
Promote Grow Me the
Money and CarbonDown
and other key State
Government initiatives
Actively promote tourism
rms with endorsed
environmental accreditation
Increase skills relating to
environmentally riendlypractices across Victorian
tourism bodies
Increase in number o industry
proessionals with expertise insustainability issues
Include sustainability issues
in proessional developmentprograms
Increase in consumer
awareness o sustainability
issues
Increase in number o
consumers seeking sustainable
experiences and acting in a
more environmentally riendly
manner
Establish responsible traveller
section o website
Develop and implement
responsible traveller
campaign
Develop responsible traveller
resources or businesses
Improving business
perormance through
sustainable tourism and
marketing the Victorian
tourism industrys
environmental credentials
Increased opportunities
or consumers to link with
environmentally riendly
businesses
Increased consumer
awareness o environmentally
riendly businesses
Increase in presence o
environmentally riendly
tourism businesses in Tourism
Victoria promotional material
Enhance environmentally
riendly business presence
on website and in other
promotional material
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012 19
CHALLEnGEs &oPPortunItIEs
dEsIrEdoutComEs
KEydIrECtIons
mEAsurEsoF suCCEss
KEyACtIons
Developing partnerships and
rameworks
A coordinated approach
to tourism sustainability
issues across the Victorian
Government and industry
Tourism sustainability issues
are ully considered in broader
Government activities
Held quarterly meetings
with the Sustainable Tourism
Partnership
Work with other agencies
Support the Sustainable
Tourism Par tnership
Tourism sustainability activities
are coordinated with industry
Open communication with
the industry on sustainability
issues
Support the Sustainable
Tourism Par tnership
Minimising resource use and
the production o waste
Decreased per capita
resource use rom tourism
activity
Increase in the number o
tourism businesses with
credible environmentally
riendly business practices
Increase in the number
o tourism businesses
participating in environmental
improvement programs
Increase in number otourism businesses with
Tourism Victoria endorsed
environmental accreditation
Promote Grow Me the
Money and CarbonDown
and other key State
Government initiatives
Develop and publish apolicy on endorsement o
environmental accreditation
programs
Environmentally riendly
tourism business practices
included in accreditation
programs
Increase in number o
accreditation programs with
sustainability modules, and
quality o modules
Work with accreditation
programs to increase the
ocus on environmental
sustainability
Assisting the tourism industry
to adapt to climate change
Victorian tourism industry is
positioned to meet physical
and economic challenges
arising rom climate change
Tourism industr y issues
considered in State and
Commonwealth climate
change strategies
Tourism industr y recognised
in relevant Commonwealth
and State strategies
Engage with State and
Commonwealth counterparts
Increase business and industry
awareness o climate change
challenges and issues
Number o businesses actively
seeking advice on adaptation
to climate change issues
Communication activities
Disseminate Emergency
Management Toolkit
Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 2009201220
APPENDIx
The ollowing is a list o certication
programs, rebates and unding
opportunities and support programs.
cERTIfIcATION PROgRAMS
Green Globe
Green Globe is a global benchmarking
and certication system assisting the
international travel and tourism industry
to attain sustainability. Green Globe
promotes responsible tourism through
the management o environmental
impacts around climate change, waterand waste management.
www.ec3global.com
Tel (07) 3238 1900
Ecocertication
The Eco Certication Program identies
genuine ecotourism and nature tourism
operators across Australia and provides
industry, protected area managers,
local communities and travellers with
an assurance that a certied product
is backed by a commitment to best
practice ecological sustainability, naturalarea management and the provision o
quality ecotourism experiences.
www.ecotourism.org.au
Tel (07) 3252 1530
Climate Action
Certication Program
The Climate Action Certication
Program is dedicated to ranking eorts
to reduce carbon emissions. It is
designed or all sectors o the tourism
industry, regardless o size and level o
carbon reduction already undertaken.It includes the tourism hotels,
attractions, tours, transport, restaurants,
travel agents, tourism commissions and
industry bodies.
This certication scheme is a user
riendly, online questionnaire with on
line instant help desk, and automatic
ltering so businesses only deal with
relevant questions.
www.sustainabletourismaustralia.com
Tel (07) 3252 1530
Australian Tourism
Accreditation Program (ATAP)
Whilst not primarily an environmental
accreditation program, ATAP oers useul
tips and inormation on holistic business
development including environmental
and cultural sustainable practices.
www.tourismaccreditationvic.com.au
Tel (03) 9620 4199
REBATES ANd fUNdINg
OPPORTUNITIES
Smart Water Fund
The Smart Water Fund provides
unding or innovative projects in water
recycling, water conservation and
biosolids management in metropolitan
and regional urban Victoria.
www.smartwater.com.au
Tel 1800 882 432
Sustainability Fund
The Sustainability Fund is designed to
support projects that oster sustainable
resource use and have economic andsocial benets or Victorians. Projects
supported by the und are working
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
rom dairy arms, establish recycling
systems in high-rise apartments,
create parklands rom old landll sites,
conduct research into solar powered
rail, deliver sustainability workshops or
small business and reduce energy use
rom domestic water heating and air-
conditioning.
The Fund also supports sustainability
projects in Neighbourhood RenewalAreas, projects outlined in the
Environmental Sustainability Action
Statement (ESAS) and projects in
partnership with local councils through
the Sustainability Accord.
sustainabilityfund@sustainability.vic.gov.au
SUPPORT PROgRAMS
Grow Me The Money
This program is designed or small to
medium sized businesses, operating in
regional or metropolitan areas.
Many businesses are conscious o their
environmental ootprint and are eager
to begin implementing environmentally
riendly practices but aren't sure where
to start. Grow Me The Money guides
small to medium sized businesses
through the steps necessary to
become more sustainable and benet
rom their eorts.
Grow Me The Money is best suited
to businesses that have access to their
energy and water bills and have been
operating or at least 12 months.
www.growmethemoney.com.au
VIC1000
VIC 1000 is a pilot sustainable business
management program working with
1000 small to medium size enterprises in
ve regions throughout Victoria. Through
better understanding o their business
operations, participating businesses
are empowered to reduce their level
o environmental impact, while at the
same time saving signicant amounts on
their operating costs. Working with local
councils and trader groups to develop
communal strategies, the program brings
benets to both the businesses and
residents o local communities.
www.villagegreen.com.au
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Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Strategic Plan 20092012 21
Waste Wise
The Waste Wise Business program
provides resources and support or
businesses to improve their waste
management practices and reduce the
volume o landll waste. Businesses
can apply or Waste Wise certication
which is a great way o demonstrating
achievements to guests and sta.
Certied organisations also have
opportunities or publicity through
workshops, orums, newsletters, website
and published case studies.The program is managed by Sustainability
Victoria and delivered by experienced
acilitators rom within Sustainability
Victoria and Regional Waste
Management Groups around Victoria.
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
Tel (03) 8626 8700
Gumnut Awards
The Gumnut Awards is a progressive
rating scheme or holiday, tourist
and residential parks that recognise
a commitment to environmentalsustainability and social responsibility.
Parks are granted a Gold, Silver or
Bronze Award based on their level
o achievement in environmental
management.
www.gumnutawards.com.au
Keep Winter Cool
The Keep Winter Cool initiative aims
to raise community awareness o the
potential eects o climate change on
alpine environments and snow sports
and demonstrate a commitment
by alpine area managers and snowsport industries to reduce their own
greenhouse gas emissions.
www.keepwintercool.com.au
Victorian Tourism Awards
QantasAwardforExcellence
in Sustainable Tourism
This category is open to tourism
operators that exempliy a strong
commitment to sustainable and
innovative business practices. The award
recognises and showcases successul
tourism businesses that set out to
minimise their environmental impact,
conserve natural resources, respect local
cultures and benet local communities.
www.victoriantourismawards.com.au
Carbon Innovators NETWORk
EPA Victoria has been approached
by a number o businesses or
support and advice on climate change.
In response, EPA has established the
Carbon Innovators Network a
network or business leaders and
climate change experts.
EPA will help organisations strategically
and practically address their carbon
emissions, and in doing so transorm
climate change rom a business costto a business opportunity. We want
to stimulate debate and innovation
in carbon management and provide
the support and tools businesses
require to develop appropriate carbon
management strategies.
www.epa.vic.gov.au
Resource Smart Business
Sustainability Victoria is helping to assist
Victorian businesses identiy, design and
implement sustainable energy solutions.
For more inormation on these
initiatives visit Sustainability Victoria.
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
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Published by the Victorian Government, Melbourne, Victoria This Plan is printed on Tudor High White paper using computer
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