Sustainable Tourism: Impacts On and Off the Beaten Path - IGLTA Convention 2011

Sustainable TourismImpacts On and Off the Beaten Path

Bruno Maia/Naturezafotos.org

Bruno Maia/Naturezafotos.org

Bruno Maia/Naturezafotos.org

What is sustainable tourism?

The tourism industry has trouble defining it…

• Green Tourism

• Ecotourism

• Geotourism

• Authentic Travel

• Cultural Tourism

• Adventure Tourism

• Community Tourism

• Responsible Tourism

Sustainability is vital to the life of the tourism industry.

Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development. A suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability. UN World Tourism Organization

Every day, tourism plays a larger role in our world.

• Over 900 million international tourists traveled last year

• UNWTO forecasts it will increase to 1.6 billion tourists by 2020

Sustainable Tourism has the power to create change on a global scale.

• Preserve destinations for generations to come

• Safeguard our cultural and environmental heritage

• Promote social equality

• Energize new markets to travel

• Revitalize local communities

• Create jobs along the rich value chain

• Keep tourism dollars within destinations

• Help businesses reduce costs

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… but there is hesitancy.

• “It’s Just a Fad”• “Too Expensive”• “Too Complicated”• “Requires Sacrificing

Quality”• “No Return on

Investment”

Consumers are ready.

• 66% in U.S. believe their travel choices make a difference*

• 80% in Europe believe their travel choices make a difference**

• 44% consider the environment when making travel decisions*

• 56% are skeptical about sustainability and looking for information*

• 95% of business travelers think hotels should be “green”***

• 67% would change travel habits if they knew it made a difference**

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*Sabre Holdings, 2010**TUI

***Deloitte

What do “sustainable travelers” look like?

• Younger. Average age is 39. Non-green traveler is 44.

• Educated. 48% have a college degree.

• Wealthier. 13% higher income.

• Spendy-er. $2,000 more on travel per year.

• Tech Savvy. Book online and value technology.

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*Saber Holdings, 2010

** LOHAS**TUI*

But what are they looking for?

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The things that you can probably guess…

• Conservation of natural resources• Protecting biodiversity• Reduction of waste• Minimizing effects on climate change

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And some you didn’t know you knew...

Uniqueness Quality ParticipationAuthenticity

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National Geographic and Travel Industry AssociationResearch of American Travelers:

• Over one-half think its harder to find unspoiled places than it used to be

• Three out of four don’t want their travel to harm the place they visit

• 74% seek “authentic”, “local,” and “distinct” experiences

• 55 – 65 million Americans can be considered experiential travelers

• These travelers spend 75% more than other travelers on each trip.

With sustainable tourism

We all benefit.Travelers

Businesses

Tourism Boards

Governments

Residents

Bruno Maia/Naturezafotos.org

Hundreds of organizations are doingthe right thing. But each in different ways.

Introducing the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria

A set of common guidelines created with the input of experts, groups and companies from around the planet, defining sustainable tourism in a way that is actionable, measurable and credible. Setting a minimum standard of sustainability for tourism businesses across the globe.

What are the Criteria?

• 37 criteria organized in 4 key areas of sustainability

• A universal language defining a minimum standard for sustainability

• Global principles that can be adapted to address local conditions and specific industry sectors

• A roadmap to sustainability

GSTC Criteria: Global input.Global standard.

Establishment of GSTC Criteria:

• Outreach to 80,000 constituencies

• 2,000 experts

• 18-month process

• 5 rounds

• 4,500 existing criteria analyzed

• 91% approval for any criterion

• ISEAL compliant

The power of a single solution.

• Global, actionable definition of sustainable tourism

• Trust and value in certification

• Influence on consumer demand and confidence

• Larger market potential and greater share

• Supply and market positioning for sustainable product

www.gstcouncil.org

Questions? Next up:

• Sustainability at the Destination: San Francisco, CA

• Sustainability Tool for the Destination: Geotourism

• Sustainability at the Business: Fairmont Hotel

• Sustainable Tours: TUI

Bruno Maia/Naturezafotos.org

San FranciscoRated one of the Top 10 green cities in the United Statesby National Geographic’s Green Guide

Cultural Heritage PreservationRoute Development & Promotion

Green Business ProgramInnovative Public Transit

Minimize Solid WasteEnergy Conscious

Green Meeting Spaces Slow Food Movement

National Geographic’s Geotourism Program

Printed and online platforms that tell the unique story of a place

Local Geotourism

Council

Local Public Forums

Local Nominations

National Geographic Review & Editing

The Geotourism Process

Geotourism MapGuides

Geotourism MapGuide

Fairmont Green Partnership Program

First chain-wide environmental program

Unique location of hotels

Fairmont Green Partnership Program

Waste Management

EnergyConservation

WaterConservation

CommunityPartnerships

Fairmont Green Partnership Program

Fairmont Royal York

Reduced water intake by 476,000 liters/day

Received award from City of Toronto for $50,000

Exceptional public relations

Fairmont Vancouver

Reduced carbon emissions by 7800 tons

Saved $700,000

Exceptional public relations

TUI Travel

“Sustainability is still not a major deciding factor for most people when they choose a holiday…

“… but it is in the interests of our destinations and the environment that it

becomes a strong influence factor.”

TUI Travel

TUI Travel

• 6% cut in carbon emissions by 2014

• 94% are engaging with social or environmental projects issues or organizations

• 77% of businesses are engaging their partners on environmental issues

• 92% of businesses have put in place sustainability management plans

TUI Travel

A commitment to communicating the importance of sustainability

Encouragement of new practices

Rewarding efforts

The journey may be long.But it’s worth it.

Sustainability will not happen all at once.But, every little bit counts – for you and the traveler.

David BrownSolimar International

d.brown@solimarinternational.com(202) 518-6192

Shared Rewards.Shared Responsibilities.