No 5 English Version

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Review of the Latest Practices onEnvironmental Evaluation of Tourism Policies and Proposals

Review of the Latest Practices on

Environmental Evaluation of Tourism

Policies and Proposals

(2007)

Final Report

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview

1.1.1 Tourism is a growing industry in Hong Kong and millions of tourists are flocking toexperience Hong Kongs wonders every year. Apart from visiting traditionalattractions tourists are !ecoming more and more interested in visiting attractionswit" t"e concept of sustaina!le tourism. T"e market and demand for sustaina!letourism is growing in Hong Kong as well as internationally.

1.1.# $n recent years t"ere "ave !een increasing num!ers of new initiatives and proposalsto t"e government to furt"er en"ance Hong Kongs attractiveness to tourists. %anyof t"e proposals are associated wit" en"ancing green attractions in Hong Kong suc"

as developing country parks pristine sites and !eac"es into tourism attractions.Accordingly t"ere is an increasing need to en"ance t"e present tools for evaluating

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t"e environmental accepta!ility and sustaina!ility of tourism proposals anddeveloping an environmental evaluation process for tourism policies and proposalsw"ic" can !e assisted !y reviewing w"at ot"er countries are doing and !yunderstanding international trends.

1.1.& Atkins '"ina (td. )Atkins* "ave !een commissioned to undertake a review under t"eTender Ref.+ ,A -/--0 Tender for Hire of ,ervice for a Review of t"e (atest2ractices on 3nvironmental 3valuation of Tourism 2olicies and 2roposals.

1.2 Objectives of the Services

1.#.1 T"e goal of t"is review is to collect information to facilitate t"e 3nvironmental2rotection 4epartment )324* in identifying tools for t"e environmental evaluation oftwo kinds of initiatives+

Tourism policies programmes and plans5 and

,ustaina!le tourism proposals.

1.#.# T"e specific o!6ectives of t"is review are to+

$dentify and review t"e latest policies policy tools mec"anisms and practiceson environmental protection scrutiny of tourism policies programmes andplans5 and

$dentify and review t"e latest guidelines criteria re7uirements tools andpractices on assessing certifying and enforcing sustaina!le tourism proposalsincluding !ot" t"e statutory and t"e non/statutory systems.

1.#.& A review was undertaken of t"e latest international practices in t"ese areas w"ic"included several different countries development co/operations and ot"er

international organisations renowned in t"e field of sustaina!le tourism. For tourismproposals t"e o!6ective was also to present examples of environmentally sustaina!letourism pro6ects t"at "ave !een implemented in eac" country and for eac"development co/operation and organisation.

1.#.0 ,tage 1 of t"is assignment reported t"e findings of t"e review of t"e practices of ninedifferent countries and one development co/operation. ,tage # of t"is assignmentincludes t"e Final Report covering t"e ,tage 1 findings and t"e remaining tencountries and six organisations identified for ,tage #. T"e countries and t"edevelopment co/operations for t"e two stages were selected !y t"e 324 and arepresented in Ta!le 1.1.

Table 1.1Countries and Organisations for Review in Each tage

Countries

Stage 1

Europe Australasia

Finland Australia

France 8ew 9ealand

,wit:erland orth A!erica

;nited Kingdom ;nited ,tates of America

Asia

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"evelop!ent Co#operations orld Heritage'entre. T"is is an esta!lis"ed programme and will provide very useful insig"t into t"e

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met"ods adopted for assessing and monitoring sites against an international set ofguidelines w"ic" are !ased on t"e principles of sustaina!le development andtourism.

1.#. =reen =lo!e is t"e glo!al !enc"marking certification and improvement system for

sustaina!le travel and tourism. $t is !ased on Agenda #1 and principles forsustaina!le development endorsed !y t"e 3art" ,ummit in 1#. T"e system w"ic"provides companies communities and consumers wit" a pat" to sustaina!le traveland tourism was initially developed in 1& !y t"e >orld Travel and Tourism 'ouncil)as =reen =lo!e #1*. 'ompanies and communities are certified in accordance wit"four glo!al standards+ company community international ecotourism and precinctplanning and design. A review of =reen =lo!e provides an understanding of aleading certification system for sustaina!le tourism.

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2. !"C#$ROUND

2.1 Concepts an% "efinitions

Sustainable Tourism

#.1.1 At t"e 1# 3art" ,ummit in Rio de T? >TT' and 3art" 'ouncil.

"ttp+CCwww.world/tourism.orgCsustaina!leCdocCa#1/def.pdf& 3art" ,ummit #--#. "ttp+CCwww.eart"summit#--#.orgC0 ,ustaina!le 4evelopment of Tourism ;nited 8ations >orld Tourism ?rganisation.

"ttp+CCwww.unwto.orgCframesetCframeIsustaina!le."tml

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3nsure via!le long/term economic operations providing socio/economic!enefits to all stake"olders t"at are fairly distri!uted including sta!leemployment and income/earning opportunities and social services to "ostcommunities and contri!ute to poverty alleviation.

#.1. As defined !y t"e =lo!al 4evelopment Researc" 'entre sustaina!le tourism in itspurest sense is+

"n industry which attempts to ma#e a low impact on the environment and local

culture, while helping to generate income, employment, and the conservation of

local ecosystems. It is responsible tourism which is both ecologically and culturally

sensitive$ .

#.1. $n 8ew 9ealand sustaina!le tourism is a!out operators and regions working smarterand more sustaina!ly. For example operators s"ould+

%ake t"eir !usiness practice more energy/ and waste/efficient5

$nvolve t"e community in decision making5

$dentify potential risks to t"e environment from t"eir !usiness and avoidingt"ose risks5

$dentify opportunities to market a !usiness as sustaina!le5 and

$dentify !eneficial partners"ips.

T"e natural environment our communities cultures and !usinesses all form part ofw"at makes up t"e tourism industry. @usinesses can !enefit from t"e increasingnum!er of visitors seeking an aut"entic and interactive experience !y incorporating

sustaina!le !usiness practices into t"eir operations.

#.1.D Alt"oug" definitions of sustaina!le tourism vary somew"at t"ey all em!race t"esustaina!ility principles in environmental socio/cultural and economic terms andre7uire a commitment from stake"olders involved including governments tourismoperators t"e community and visitors. T"e underlying principle of sustaina!letourism development is to ensure economic social and environmental via!ility fortourism developments for its life span. $t is important to distinguis" t"e difference int"e concept of ecotourism from sustaina!le tourism w"ic" includes all sectors of t"etourism industry and not 6ust nature or culture/!ased attractions.

#.1.E %aking tourism sustaina!le is not limited to t"e level of policy and planning !ut can

also !e enforced in t"e development and operation of tourism. 'ertification systemsinitiated !y independent organisations or individual countries for tourism operatorsinfrastructure and destinations are gaining more recognition and can also play animportant role )e.g. =reen =lo!e offers four types of certification standards forcompany community C destinations international ecotourism and precinct planningand design*.

,ustaina!le Tourism =lo!al 4evelopment Researc" 'entre. "ttp+CCwww.gdrc.orgCuemCeco/tourCeco/tour."tml

,ustaina!le Tourism %inistry for t"e 3nvironment. "ttp+CCwww.mfe.govt.n:CissuesCsustaina!le/industryCinitiativesCsustaina!le/tourismC

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%cotourism

#.1. 'onfusion over t"e meaning of sustaina!le tourism "as !een compounded in somecountries !y use of t"e term Gecotourism as meaning t"e same as Gsustainabletourism. However ecotourism is more appropriately considered to !e a su!set of

sustaina!le tourismD.

#.1.1- T"e year #--# was declared !y t"e ;8 as t"e $nternational Jear of 3cotourism andBue!ec 4eclaration on 3cotourism was announced during t"e >orld 3cotourism,ummit. $n t"e declaration it is recognised t"at ecotourism em!races t"e principlesof sustaina!le tourism concerning t"e economic social and environmental impactsof tourism.

#.1.11 To distinguis" ecotourism from t"e sustaina!le tourism t"e declaration stated t"atecotourism em!races t"e following specific principles+

'ontri!utes actively to t"e conservation of natural and cultural "eritage5

$ncludes local and indigenous communities in its planning development andoperation and contri!uting to t"eir well/!eing5

$nterprets t"e natural and cultural "eritage of t"e destination to visitors5 and

(ends itself !etter to independent travellers as well as to organi:ed tours forsmall si:e groupsE.

&olicy, &lan and &rogramme

#.1.1# 2olicy plan and programme can !e understood as a "ierarc"y in a decision/makingprocess. @roadly speaking a policy is a "ig" level of action incorporating general

goals. A plan or programme is a set of practical action or procedure designated toimplement policies and ac"ieve t"eir aims.

#.1.1& A local example of t"e actions leading up to t"e development of programme is asfollows+ as a conse7uence of t"e downturn in visitor arrivals after 1D t"egovernment of t"e Hong Kong ,pecial Administrative Region )HK,AR* decided t"atHong Kong needed to diversify its tourism product to stay competitive. $t wasidentified t"at family market was seen as one of t"e options. $t t"en !ecame agovernment policy to identify family friendly attractions products and to esta!lis" aninstitution )Hong Kong Tourism 'ommission* to look at t"is specific issue. T"is policywas t"en developed as part of a study to review possi!le locations and attractions Cconcepts )e.g. ;niversal ,tudios 4isneyland* w"ic" was t"e planning or programme

stage. 2olicy plan and programme are of strategic level and t"e implementation of aplan or programme is t"roug" pro6ect)s* )i.e. 4isneyland t"eme park*.

D>orks"opon ,ustaina!le Tourism 'orporate ,ocial Responsi!ility 8etwork. "ttp+CCwww.eeg/uae.orgCcsrCworks"op/series/#/11/-0."tmEBue!ec 4eclaration on 3cotourism >orld 3cotourism ,ummit Bue!ec #--#. "ttp+CCwww.world/tourism.orgCsustaina!leC$J3C7ue!ecCanglaisCdeclaration."tml

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Sustainable Tourism &roposals

#.1.10 Tourism itself is a !road concept and tourism pro6ects can vary greatly in si:e andnature. For example t"ey can range from a t"eme park development )e.g.4isneyland* or a walking trail in a country park and can include infrastructure to

support t"e existing tourism facilities )e.g. access road improvement to a resort area*or a reform of a licensing system for tourism operators in a protected area. As suc"t"e sustaina!le tourism pro6ects identified for t"is review are wide ranging.

Screening

#.1.1 ,creening is a process of determining w"et"er or not an assessment is re7uired for aparticular pro6ect and it is intended to ensure t"at proposed pro6ect is su!6ect to t"eappropriate extent and type of environmental assessment.

Scoping

#.1.1 ,coping provides a focus for environmental assessment !y identifying key issues ofconcern at an early stage and ensuring t"at t"ey are su!6ect to assessment at t"eappropriate level.

%nvironmental 'eport

#.1.1D 3nvironmental report means a document containing t"e description of t"e likelyenvironmental impacts. T"e terminology used for descri!ing t"e document varies indifferent countries )e.g. environmental report environmental statement assessmentstatement*.

#.1.1E T"e level of details and t"econtent re7uirements of environmental report are su!6ect

to t"e assessment re7uirements of t"e countries. An environmental report cancontain preliminary review findings or compre"ensive analysis of assessment results.

&ublic (onsultation

#.1.1 2u!lic consultation is a process involving t"e pu!lic w"ic" is formalised t"ereforeo!liging t"e competent aut"ority to take t"e results into consideration. $ncreasinglygreen groups or organisations engage in t"e process of pu!lic consultation andcontri!ute during t"e environmental protection scrutiny of tourism policies plansprogrammes and proposals.

Strategic %nvironmental "ssessment )S%"*

#.1.#- ,3A is a systematic process wit" multi/stake"older involvement for analysing andevaluating environmental implications of proposed policies plans and programmesfor assisting in strategic or planning decision/making and for following up strategic orplanning decisions.

#.1.#1 ,3A includes t"e evaluation of t"e likely environmental implications t"at willultimately lead to determining t"e scope of an environmental report and itspreparation and pu!lic participation and consultation and taking t"ese factors intoaccount in t"e plan or programme1-.

Hong Kong ,trategic 3nvironmental Assessment %anual )$nteractive 3dition* 324.

"ttp+CCwww.epd.gov."kCepdCenglis"Cenvironmentin"kCeiaIplanningCsea#--CinteractiveCp1-111."tml1-2rotocol on ,trategic 3nvironmental Assessment to t"e 'onvention on 3nvironmental $mpact

Assessment in a Trans!oundary 'ontext ;nited 8ations 3conomic 'ommission for 3urope."ttp+CCunece.orgCenvCeiaCdocumentsCprotocolenglis".pdf

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Strategic %nvironmental +onitoring and "udit )S%+"*

#.1.## ,3%LA is a process of monitoring t"e enviornmental performance and auditing t"eresults of t"e performance of implementing a policy plan or programme.

2.2 &ac'groun% to the eview

%nvironmental %valuation of Tourism &olicies, &lans and &rogrammes

#.#.1 T"e multi/sectoral nature of tourism makes t"e development of tourism policy acomplex matter. %any government departments suc" as finance immigration "ealt"education and environment )to name !ut a few* can "ave an influence on "owtourism policies are developed.

#.#.# To facilitate t"e process of policy making most 6urisdictions "ave a %inistry of Tourismor a similar entity t"at is c"arged wit" co/ordinating t"e process of tourism policymaking. @ecause of its status as a ,pecial Administrative Region ),AR* of t"e

2eoples Repu!lic of '"ina )2R'* Hong Kongs situation is different.

#.#.& 2rior to t"e esta!lis"ment of t"e Tourism 'ommission )T'* under t"e 3conomic4evelopment and (a!our @ureau of t"e =overnment of t"e HK,AR in %ay 1Hong Kong did not "ave a single government entity t"at was responsi!le for tourismpolicy and development. Alt"oug" t"e Hong Kong Tourist Association )HKTA* "ad!een esta!lis"ed decades !efore its role was predominantly t"e marketing of t"edestination )t"is role is now played !y t"e Hong Kong Tourist @oard )HKT@**.

#.#.0 ,ince its esta!lis"ment t"e T' "as spear"eaded t"e development of tourism in HongKong !y initiating ma6or tourism infrastructure pro6ects suc" as Hong Kong4isneyland and !y commissioning consultancy studies t"at investigate t"e feasi!ility

of potential new tourism pro6ects suc" as ecotourism in t"e 8ort"ern 8ew Territories.

#.#. $n its decision making process t"e T' draws on t"e knowledge of t"e mem!ers of t"eTourism ,trategy =roup t"at is made up of representatives of government industryand academics. T"e T' provides a voice for tourism in all government decisions t"atimpact on t"e way t"e sector develops in Hong Kong and t"us makes a ma6orcontri!ution to t"e success of tourism.

#.#. Tourism is one of t"e ma6or economic pillars of Hong Kong. $n #-- t"e tourismindustry set a new record wit" over #& million visitor arrivals up D.1M year/on/year11.Tourism expenditure associated wit" in!ound tourism registered dou!le/digit growt"of 10.1M compared wit" #--0 reac"ing a total of HKN1-. !illion 1#.

#.#.D Tourism related activities can eit"er impact positively or negatively on t"e environmentin w"ic" t"ey take place. ?n t"e positive side growt" in tourism can !e a catalyst forimproving t"e environmental 7uality conserving t"e natural environment and cultural"eritage !ecause of t"e expectations and demands from tourists for an intactenvironment. ?n t"e negative side if not properly managed tourism may compete forscarce resources )e.g. land* cause degradation of t"e p"ysical environmentcontri!ute to local air pollution and may put considera!le pressures on localcommunities.

#.#.E T"e interdependence !etween tourism and t"e environment makes environmental

11Tourism 2erformance Tourism 'ommission."ttp+CCwww.tourism.gov."kCenglis"CstatisticsCstatisticsIperform."tml1#HKT@ releases #-- Oisitor ,pending and Fe!ruary #-- Oisitor Arrival Figures Asia Travel Tips."ttp+CCwww.asiatraveltips.comCnews-C#D&/HongKong.s"tml

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protection scrutiny important in t"e decision/making process of tourism policies. $nHong Kong environmental protection scrutiny of many tourism activities is presentlyre7uired wit"in t"e current administrative and statutory framework.

#.#. 'urrently ,3As in Hong Kong are generally applica!le to t"ree types of policies plans

and programmes including territorial land use planning1&

transportation strategiesand policies10and sectoral strategies and policies1. ,ome of t"e policies strategiesw"ic" "ave !een undergone t"e ,3A process were related to tourism development)e.g. cross !oundary transportation planning could facilitate t"e cross !order tourismdevelopment*.

#.#.1- T"e #--/#-- '"ief 3xecutives 2olicy Address stated t"at in t"e future all newma6or government policies will !e su!6ect to environmental protection scrutiny1andt"at sustaina!ility and environmental considerations would !e taken into account!efore ma6or policy decisions were made1D. %a6or tourism policies t"us are re7uiredto go t"roug" a strategic environmental assessment process under t"isadministrative re7uirement.

#.#.11 Apart from t"e administration re7uirement ,3A can !e undertaken under t"e3nvironmental $mpact Assessment ?rdinance )3$A?*1E. ;nder t"e 3$A? it ismandated to undertake 3nvironmental $mpact Assessment )3$A* for ma6or ur!andevelopment or redevelopment pro6ects listed in ,c"edule & of t"e ?rdinance prior toconstruction and operation. T"e assessment can !e regarded as statutory ,3A forma6or development plans. T"e 8ort"s"ore (antau 4evelopment Feasi!ility ,tudycompleted in #--- is one example of an ,3A report for a development plan undert"e 3$A? decisions1.

(ertification, "ssessment and %nforcement for Sustainable Tourism &roposals

#.#.1# T"ere is no statutory and non/statutory re7uirement on t"e certification assessmentand enforcement for sustaina!le tourism proposals in Hong Kong. ,ome tourismproposals are under t"e am!it of t"e 3$A?.

#.#.1& T"e 3$A? is adopted to provide for assessing t"e environmental impacts of certainpro6ects and proposals so as to protect t"e environment. To minimise t"e potentialenvironmental impact from pro6ect developments a list of pro6ects t"at can "aveadverse impact on t"e environment are defined as 4esignated 2ro6ects in ,c"edule# of t"e 3$A? and it is mandated t"at t"ese 4esignated 2ro6ects are su!6ect to an3$A process.

#.#.10 An 3nvironmental 2ermit is re7uired from t"e 4irector of t"e 324 for a 4esignated2ro6ect prior to construction and operation. $n t"e 3$A process t"e assessment ofenvironmental impacts of a pro6ect are re7uired t"roug" eit"er an initialenvironmental review of a 2ro6ect 2rofile if t"e 4irect Application of an

1&G Hong Kong ,trategic 3nvironmental Assessment %anual )$nteractive 3dition* 324."ttp+CCwww.epd.gov."kCepdCenglis"Cenvironmentin"kCeiaIplanningCsea#--CinteractiveCp&1-1-1."tml10Hong Kong ,trategic 3nvironmental Assessment %anual )$nteractive 3dition* 324."ttp+CCwww.epd.gov."kCepdCenglis"Cenvironmentin"kCeiaIplanningCsea#--CinteractiveCp&1-1-#."tml1Hong Kong ,trategic 3nvironmental Assessment %anual )$nteractive 3dition* 324."ttp+CCwww.epd.gov."kCepdCenglis"Cenvironmentin"kCeiaIplanningCsea#--CinteractiveCp&1-1-&."tml1GT"e #--/ 2olicy Address HK,AR. "ttp+CCwww.policyaddress.gov."kC-/-CengCp."tm1DG(' 2aper 8o. '@)1* &00C-/- (egislative 'ouncil. "ttp+CCwww.legco.gov."kCyr-/-Cenglis"CpanelsCeaCminutesCea-1-#1.pdfPsearc"QM###--/#--M#-policyM#-addressM#-environmentalM#-protectionM#-scrutinyM##1E3nvironmental $mpact Assessment ?rdinance 324."ttp+CCwww.epd.gov."kCeiaCenglis"ClegisCindex1."tml18ort"s"ore (antau 4evelopment Feasi!ility ,tudy Final Report 3nvironmental Resources%anagement. "ttp+CCwww.epd.gov."kCeiaCregisterCreportCeiareportCeiaI-0-#---Cindex."tml

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3nvironmental 2ermit is soug"t or !y applying for an 3$A ,tudy @rief andundertaking a detailed study in an 3$A report s"ould t"e full 3$A process !e re7uired.2u!lic inspection is re7uired for !ot" processes. T"e principles proceduresguidelines re7uirements and criteria of conducting an 3$A are detailed in t"e relevantTec"nical %emorandum#- and =uidance 8otes#1. @y undertaking an 3$A t"e

potential impacts of a pro6ect and alternatives or mitigation measures can !eidentified in t"e early planning stages.

#.#.1 $n ,c"edule # of t"e 3$A? some tourist and recreational developments are classifiedas designated pro6ects suc" as a motor racing circuit a t"eme park or amusementpark wit" a site area of more t"an #- "ectares in si:e. ;nless ot"erwise specified in,c"edule # pro6ects located in an existing or ga:etted proposed country park orspecial area a conservation area an existing or ga:etted proposed marine park ormarine reserve a site of cultural "eritage and a site of special scientific interest arealso defined as designated pro6ects. As more tourists are interested in t"e greenattractions in Hong Kong more proposals associated wit" tourism development int"e a!ove areas are expected from developers.

#.#.1 T"e 3$A? is t"e existing legal mec"anism t"at is used to ensure t"e tourism relatedpro6ects wit"in t"e a!ove scopes are implemented in an environmentally sustaina!lemanner.

#-Tec"nical %emorandum 324. "ttp+CCwww.epd.gov."kCeiaCenglis"ClegisCindex&."tml#1A =uide to 3nvironmental $mpact Assessment ?rdinance 324."ttp+CCwww.epd.gov."kCeiaCenglis"CguidCindex1."tml



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%. &ET'ODO(O$)

%.1 eview rocess

&.1.1 4ue to t"e specific information re7uired for t"is review a 7uestionnaire was developedand circulated to relevant parties in t"e countries and t"e organisations t"at wereidentified. T"e 7uestionnaire is provided in Appendix A1 and t"e informationre7uested included information on t"eir environmental evaluation mec"anisms oftourism policies plans and programmes and statutory or non/statutory re7uirementsof certification assessment and enforcement for sustaina!le tourism proposals.

&.1.# For eac" of t"e countries and organisations t"e government aut"orities responsi!lefor environmental protection and for tourism policy were targeted. T"is includednational regional or local aut"orities environmental protection aut"orities or tourismcommissions. T"e aut"orities t"at "ave !een contacted are summarised in AppendixA#. All communication )w"et"er !y email letter or p"one call* was centrally recordedand carefully tracked.

&.1.& $n parallel wit" t"e circulation of re7uests for information an internet and literaturesearc" was also carried out and t"e sources of information were recorded.

&.1.0 T"e 7uestionnaires t"at were returned were compiled into summary ta!les inappendices and an analysis of t"e policy tools was undertaken.

&.1. An overall review and comparison of t"e various mec"anisms and processes used fort"e environmental evaluation of tourism policies plans and programmes and forcertification assessment and enforcement for sustaina!le tourism proposals wast"en undertaken.

&.1. References "ave !een 7uoted for t"e information provided and acknowledgements"ave !een made appropriately. T"e relevant we!/links to t"e full version ofinformation and documents referenced "ave eit"er !een provided or as necessary a"ard copy of t"e documents "as !een included. Furt"er agreements "ave !eeno!tained from t"e relevant sources for producing t"e reports and reproduction of anylegislation or tec"nical guidance documents t"at are not pu!licly availa!le.

&.1.D To ensure t"e correct analysis and interpretation was undertaken !ot" internal andexternal review from t"e countries C organisations providing t"e information wasundertaken.

%.2 eview Approach

&olicy Tools

&.#.1 $n practicing environmental protection scrutiny on tourism policies plans andprogrammes and assessment certification and enforcement for sustaina!le tourismproposals a wide range of policy tools are used C initiated. $n general t"ey can !ecategorised into command and control voluntary and economic instruments. T"isstudy identifies "ow t"ey are used in different countries and organisations.

&.#.# 'ommand and control instruments cover !ot" legislative and administrativere7uirements including legislations regulations licensing land use planning anddevelopment control. (egislation provides t"e aut"ority to enforce re7uirements

w"ic" are defined and ela!orated !y regulations. (icensing is "elpful in strengt"eningcompliance suc" as controlling t"e num!er of operators in a particular area.



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&.#.& $n terms of t"e environmental protection scrutiny in t"e tourism decision/makingprocess legislation and regulations could !e used for t"e purpose of controllingenvironmental impact )e.g. control t"e disc"arge of wastewater in t"e protected area*or promoting environmental sustaina!ility )e.g. empower an aut"ority to promotesustaina!le tourism*. T"e legislation and regulations can !e specific to tourism )e.g.

T"e %aldives Tourism Act 1 provides a framework for t"e determination of :onesand islands for t"e development of tourism in %aldives* or generally applied toenvironmental protection )e.g. 3$A?*.

&.#.0 Ooluntary instruments include guidelines codes of conduct reporting and auditing andcertification. =uidelines and codes of conduct can !e drawn up !y t"e government Corganisations or initiated !y t"e industry eit"er implemented in individual country orinternationally. =uidelines and codes are not limited to operation )e.g. code ofconduct for tour operators in sensitive area*5 it can !e applied in t"e policy planningand development control process. ,imilarly reporting and auditing could !e used asassessment criteria in evaluating a plan or proposal or a monitoring tool for a pro6ect.

&.#. 'ertification in tourism is used primarily to measure t"e 7uality of tourism operators ordestinations. Recently more certification sc"emes cover sustaina!ility issues and Cor measure Gprocess suc" as "aving an environmental management in t"e tourismdevelopment plan.

&.#. 3conomic instrument can !e implemented in t"e forms of imposing taxes or c"argesor providing financial incentives. Taxes C c"arges in relation to environmental input oroutput during tourism activities or protected areas can !e used to affect t"eenvironmental performance of a tourism pro6ect or a destination suc" as entrance feeof a national park can "elp to control t"e num!er of visitors. Financial assistanceoffered !y government or world organi:ation could influence t"e environmentalperformance of tourism development )e.g. ;83,'? >orld Heritage sites*.

"nalysis of the &olicy Tools

&.#.D $n analysing t"e policy tools adopted !y individual countries and organisationsidentified in t"is study t"e following aspects of t"e tools were reviewed+

Type of t"e policy tool )i.e. statutory or non/statutory*

Aut"orities and stake"olders

2rocess

o ,creening and ,coping

o Assessment %et"od

o 3nvironmental Reporting

o 'onsultation

%onitoring

&.#.E ;pon t"e findings of individual countries and organisations an overall review andcomparison were undertaken to identify t"e trend of glo!al practices in t"eenvironmental evaluation of tourism policies plans and programmes andcertification assessment and enforcement for sustaina!le tourism proposals.

&.#. T"e review and comparison covered t"e following aspects+

Types of policy tool adopted



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o command and control instrument5

o voluntary instrument5 and

o economic instrument.

,tatutory or non/statutory '"aracteristics of sustaina!le tourism pro6ects

"pplication and -imitation

&.#.1- As descri!ed in ,ection # tourism itself is a !road concept and tourism developmentis not limited to t"e tourism policies plans programmes and proposals !ut can !edriven !y ot"er non/tourism policies plans programmes and proposals )e.g. animprovement in t"e access road to a country park can affect t"e tourism activities int"e park*. T"is study focuses on t"e environmental evaluation mec"anisms andprocesses for tourism specific policies plans and programmes and t"e certificationassessment and enforcement for sustaina!le tourism proposals.

&.#.11 T"e examples of sustaina!le tourism pro6ects presented in t"is report are notnecessarily tourism specific. T"e pro6ects t"emselves may "ave !een driven !y t"eneed of environmental improvement protection of cultural "eritage improvement inlocal employment and ot"er factors.

&.#.1# T"e review of t"e environmental evaluation mec"anisms and processes for tourismpolicies plans programmes and proposals was primarily undertaken at national Cfederal level. A review of regional C territorial practices was only undertaken w"en t"enational C federal mec"anisms or processes were not availa!le. As suc" morespecific area wide C state wide programmes may!e in place.



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*. RE+IE, -INDIN$

*.1 resentation of the *in%ings

0.1.1 2art two of t"is report presents t"e findings and analysis of t"e review of eac" countryor organisation. 3ac" country or organisation is presented wit" a summary of t"eprocesses adopted for t"e environmental protection scrutiny of tourism policiesplans and programmes as well as t"e met"ods used for t"e certification assessmentand enforcement for sustaina!le tourism proposals. Reference is made to t"einformation presented in a summary ta!le for eac" country or organisation in anAppendix. >"ere necessary copies of t"e statutory or guideline documents used int"ese processes are also attac"ed wit"in eac" Appendix.

0.1.# T"e findings are alp"a!etically presented from t"e countries in t"e regions+ 3uropeAustralasia 8ort" America ,out" America Asia and Africa. 4evelopment co/operations and ot"er organisations are presented following t"e country reviews.



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. "N"()I "ND DICUION

.1.1 @ased on t"e findings of t"e various mec"anisms and processes used for t"eenvironmental evaluation of tourism policies plans and programmes as well as t"eassessment certification and enforcement for sustaina!le tourism proposals ananalysis "as !een undertaken on t"e trend similarity or difference of t"emec"anisms and processes employed in different countries C organisations.

.2 "iscussion on the Environ!ental Evaluation of +ouris! olicies, lans an%rogra!!es

.#.1 ?nly command and control instrument were identified in t"e environmental evaluationof tourism policies plans and programmes. 3conomic and voluntary instruments forenvironmental evaluation of tourism policies plans and programmes were not foundin t"e countries of t"is review study.

.#.# 4ue to t"e status of t"e development co/operations and t"e international

organisations t"e environmental evaluation instrument t"ey "ave used are onvoluntary rat"er t"an command and control !asis.

&olicy Tools for %nvironmental %valuation of Tourism &olicies, &lans and

&rogrammes

Tourism &olicies (ountries

.#.& 8ot all countries in t"is review study "ave re7uirements eit"er statutory oradministrative for environmental evaluation of tourism policies.

.#.0 T"ere are eig"t )i.e. 4enmark Finland 8et"erlands 8orway Australia 'anada;nited ,tates of America and


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.#.E T"e 3nvironmental 2rotection and @iodiversity 'onservation )32@'* Act is t"e keylegislation for assessing environmental implications of any actions t"at can "avesignificant impacts on t"e national significant matters in Australia. T"e legislation ismainly applica!le to p"ysical activities5 "owever it can apply to policies in w"ic"development activities will !e followed.

.#. ,imilar to Australia t"e 8ational 3nvironmental 2olicy Act )832A* and its regulationsare adopted to assess environmental implications of other maor /ederal actionsint"e ;nited ,tates of America w"ic" can apply to policies plans programmes as wellas pro6ects.

Tourism &olicies 0rganisations

.#.1- Two organisations Asian 4evelopment @ank and >orld @ank "ave re7uirements onenvironmental evaluation of tourism policies. T"e ;nited 8ations 4evelopment2rogramme );842* assists countries in integrating environmental considerationsduring planning and decision/making process !ut t"ere is no stated re7uirement.

Tourism &lans and &rogrammes (ountries

.#.11 8ot all countries in t"is review study "ave re7uirements eit"er statutory oradministrative for environmental evaluation of tourism plans and programmes.

.#.1# T"ere are twelve )i.e. Austria 4enmark Finland 8et"erlands 8orway ;nitedKingdom Australia 'anada ;nited ,tates of America '"ina


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.#.1E ,imilar to t"e Australia t"e 8ational 3nvironmental 2olicy Act )832A* and itsregulations are adopted to assess environmental implications of other maor /ederalactions in t"e ;nited ,tates of America w"ic" can apply to policies plansprogrammes as well as pro6ects.

.#.1 $n '"ina environmental evaluation of tourism plans and programmes are re7uiredprior to t"e esta!lis"ment of t"e plans or programmes.

.#.#- T"e statutory approac" for environmental evaluation of tourism plans andprogrammes in Korea is different from ot"er countries. T"e environmental evaluationis conducted w"en t"e framework of t"e plans or programme "ave already C almost!een confirmed.

Tourism &lans and &rogrammes 0rganisations

.#.#1 Two organisations Asian 4evelopment @ank and >orld @ank "ave re7uirements on

environmental evaluation of tourism plans and programmes. T"e ;nited 8ations4evelopment 2rogramme );842* assists countries in integrating environmentalconsiderations during planning and decision/making process !ut t"ere is no statedre7uirement.

.#.## A summary of environmental evaluation tools for tourism policies plans andprogrammes is presented in ta!le .1.



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Table .2u//ar0 of Environ/ental Evaluation Tools for Touris/ olicies lans and rogra//es

Countr- . Organisation olicies lans rogra!!es

3nvironmental 3valuation Tools ,tatutory Administrative ,tatutory Administrative ,tatutory Administrative

Austria

4enmark

Finland

=ermany

8et"erlands

8orway

,wit:erland

;nited Kingdom

Australia

8ew 9ealandS

'anada

;nited ,tates of America

'osta Rica

'"ina


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%nvironmental %valuation 'e1uirements for Tourism &olicies, &lans or &rogrammes

.#.#& T"e following descri!es t"e environmental evaluation re7uirements of t"e elevencountries )i.e. Austria 4enmark Finland 8et"erlands 8orway ;nited KingdomAustralia 'anada ;nited ,tates of America '"ina and ,out" Korea* w"ic" "ave

environmental evaluation mec"anisms for tourism policies and C or tourism plans orprogrammes.


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Table .%u//ar0 of Environ/ental Evaluation Re3uire/ents for Touris/ olicies lans and rogra//es

Countries Screening an% Scoping Assess!ent /etho% Environ!ental eporting Consultation /onitoring

Austria Screening is not required.

Scoping is required.

ssess!ent !et"od is not speci#ied

Reporting on assess!ent results is

required and preli!inar$ re%ie& reporting is

not required.

'ontent require!ents #or reporting are

pro%ided.

'onsultation &it" rele%ant aut"orities is required.

Pu(lic consultation is required.

)onitoring is required.

4enmark Screening and scoping are required #or

policies (ut not required in plans and

progra!!es.

ssess!ent !et"od is not speci#ied.

*etails o# t"e reporting depend on t"e

purpose o# t"e polic$ and it s"ould (e part o#

t"e polic$ proposal.



not required #or plans and progra!!es.


pro%ided #or policies+ plans and progra!!es.


Pu(lic consultation is not required #or policies (ut

is required #or plans and progra!!es.

)onitoring is required #or policies+ plans

and progra!!es.

Finland Screening and Scoping are required.




not required.


pro%ided.




8et"erlands Screening and scoping are required.




not required.


pro%ided.




8orway Screening and scoping are required.




not required.


pro%ided.




;nited Kingdom Screening and scoping are not required.




not required.


pro%ided.




Australia Screening and scoping are required.

ssess!ent !et"od is speci#ied ($ t"e

Reporting on preli!inar$ re%ie& is

required in t"e process o# !a,ing re#erral





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25/38


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.0.& T"e ot"er countries in t"is review "ave environmental impact assessmentre7uirements for applica!le tourism proposals and t"e 3$A re7uirements are !asedon command and control !asis. Ooluntary and economic instruments were not foundfor assessing t"e environmental aspects of tourism proposals.

&olicy Tools for %nvironmental "ssessment of Tourism &roposals

.0.0 Apart from ,ingapore all countries in t"is review study "ave environmental impactassessment re7uirements for applica!le tourism proposals.

.0. Two organisations Asian 4evelopment @ank and >orld @ank "ave t"eir ownenvironmental evaluation re7uirements for tourism pro6ects. T"e ;nited 8ations3nvironment 2rogramme re7uires environmental impact assessment for pro6ects itundertakes !ut it does not contain its own re7uirements.

.0. Following will discuss t"e environmental assessment mec"anisms for tourism

proposals in t"e eig"teen countries of t"is study )i.e. include t"e discussion of 8ew9ealand* and two organisations )i.e. Asian 4evelopment @ank and >orld @ank*.

.0.D All countries in t"is review are adopting statutory framework for evaluating t"eenvironmental aspects of tourism proposals. 8evert"eless t"e frameworks aredifferent.

.0.E $n Austria Finland =ermany ,wit:erland 'anada 'osta Rica


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.0.10 $n Australia t"e environmental evaluation mec"anism for tourism proposals is sameas t"e policies plans and programmes. $t is different from t"e ot"er countries!ecause t"e environmental aut"ority )i.e. 4epartment of t"e 3nvironment andHeritage* deals wit" t"e policy proponent directly in t"e evaluation and approvalprocess.

.0.1 $n 8ew 9ealand t"e environmental evaluation process is incorporated into t"eprocess of applying permission for undertaking an activity.

.0.1 T"e environmental evaluation re7uirements are set out in t"e operational manual int"e Asian 4evelopment @ank and >orld @ank.

Screening and Scoping

.0.1D ,creening and scooping are re7uired in Austria 4enmark Finland 8et"erlands8orway ;nited Kingdom Australia 'anada and 'osta Rica

.0.1E ,creening and scoping are not re7uired in ,wit:erland 8ew 9ealand and ,out"Africa.

.0.1 $n =ermany t"e Asian 4evelopment @ank and t"e >orld @ank screening is re7uired!ut not for scoping )i.e. scoping can !e undertaken in =ermany !ut it is notmandated* and it is opposite in t"e ;nited ,tates of America '"ina


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.0.# Apart from ,wit:erland Australia and 'osta Rica re7uirement for preliminary reviewreporting is not specified in ot"er countries. $n ,wit:erland preliminary studyreporting is re7uired to set out t"e likely environmental impacts of t"e pro6ect. $nAustralia t"e referral prepared !y t"e pro6ect proponent can !e understood as apreliminary review reporting. $n 'osta Rica preliminary review reporting is divided

into two types for different categories of pro6ects and different compre"ensivereporting is followed.

.0.#D $n t"e ;nited ,tates of America preliminary review reporting is applica!le to somepro6ects w"ile ot"ers re7uire compre"ensive reporting. $n '"ina preliminaryreporting is re7uired for certain types of pro6ects and t"ere are t"ree types ofreporting on assessment results.

.0.#E T"e environmental reporting for descri!ing and analysing t"e assessment results isre7uired in ot"er countries not mentioned a!ove )i.e. Austria 4enmark Finland8et"erlands 8orway =ermany t"e ;nited Kingdom 8ew 9ealand 'anada orld @ank. T"ere are different reporting re7uirementsfor different categories of pro6ects in Asian 4evelopment @ank.

.0.&- 'ontent re7uirements are provided in t"e relevant statutory or administrativere7uirements except in


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..0 A summary of t"e 3nvironmental Assessment Re7uirement for ,ustaina!le Tourism2roposals is presented in Ta!le .0. T"e summary ta!le only covered t"e countriesand organisations wit" environmental assessment re7uirements for tourismproposals.



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Table .*u//ar0 of Certi4cation "ssess/ent and Enforce/ent Re3uire/ents for ustainable Touris/ ro5osals

Countr- . Organisation Certification Assess!ent Enforce!ent

Re7uirements ,tatutory 8on/,tatutory ,tatutory 8on/,tatutory ,tatutory 8on/,tatutory

Austria SSS

4enmark S SSS SSS

Finland SSS

=ermany SS SSS

8et"erlands SSS

8orway SSS

,wit:erland SSS

;nited Kingdom SSS

Australia S SSS

8ew 9ealand SS

'anada SSS

;nited ,tates of America S SSS

'osta Rica S SSS

'"ina SSS


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Table .u//ar0 of Environ/ental "ssess/ent Re3uire/ents for ustainable Touris/ ro5osals

'ountry ,creening and ,coping Assessment %et"od 3nvironmental Reporting 'onsultation %onitoring

Austria

Screening and Scoping are required.

"ere are co!pre"ensi%e assess!ent and

si!pli#ied assess!ent procedures (ut t"e

!et"ods are not speci#ied.

Reporting on assess!ent results is required and

preli!inar$ re%ie& reporting is not required.

'ontent require!ents #or reporting are pro%ided




4enmark








)onitoring require!ents &ere not

#ound.

Finland



ssess!ent progra!!e is required #or

appro%al prior to t"e underta,ing o# t"e

assess!ent.



'ontent require!ents #or reporting are pro%ided.




=ermany

Screening is required.

Scoping can (e underta,en.

ssess!ent !et"od is not speci#ied (ut can (e

deter!ined in t"e scoping process.







#ound.

8et"erlands









8orway









,wit:erland

Screening and scoping are not required.

Preli!inar$ stud$ is required and #urt"er

assess!ent is required i# signi#icant

en%iron!ental i!pacts are epected

Reporting on preli!inar$ stud$ is required

# #urt"er assess!ent is required+ reporting is




#ound.



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required.


;nited Kingdom

Screening and scoping are required.





'onsultation &it" consultation (odies is required.



#ound.

Australia

Screening and scoping are required

ssess!ent !et"od is speci#ied ($ t"e

-n%iron!ent )inister.

Reporting on preli!inar$ re%ie& is required in t"e

process o# !a,ing re#erral and assess!ent on

preli!inar$ in#or!ation.

Reporting on assess!ent results is required i# #urt"er

assess!ent is required.





8ew 9ealand

Screening and scoping are not required.








'anada

Screening and scoping are required

ssess!ent !et"od is stipulated in t"e

regulations or deter!ined ($ t"e )inister o#

t"e -n%iron!ent







;nited ,tates of

America

Screening is not required.



So!e proects require reporting on preli!inar$

re%ie& /en%iron!ental assess!ent docu!ent and

so!e proects require reporting on assess!ent

results /en%iron!ental i!pact state!ent

'ontent require!ent #or reporting are pro%ided




#ound.

'osta Rica

Screening and scooping are required.

ssess!ent !et"od is not speci#ied (ut

assess!ents %ar$ &it" di##erent categories

Preli!inar$ reporting and reporting on assess!ent

results are required+ and t"e reporting





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o# proects. require!ents %ar$ &it" di##erent categories o#

proects



'"ina

Screening is not required.


ssess!ent !et"od is not speci#ied (ut is

reco!!ended in t"e guidelines.

Preli!inar$ reporting is required #or certain

categories o# proects and t"ere are t"ree t$pes o#

en%iron!ental reporting.






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&ill depend on t"e assess!ent results.


>orld @ank

Screening is required.

Scoping is not required.

*i##erent assess!ent instru!ents are

suggested (ut no details are pro%ided.








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.6 "iscussion on the Sustainable +ouris! rojects

..1 As mentioned in section # sustaina!le tourism pro6ects are wide ranging. $n t"isreview examples of sustaina!le tourism pro6ects are presented for eac" country and

t"e types of t"em are wide ranging including nature !ased pro6ects regionaldevelopment pro6ects !iodiversity or ecotourism development national parksconservation country wide development or planning cultural tourism and etc.

.7 Co!parison of the Countries in this Stu%- to ong ong

.D.1 As discussed in section # considerations on environmental implications for new ma6orgovernment policies are re7uired in Hong Kong as an administrative re7uirement.T"ere are also statutory )i.e. 3$A?* re7uirements in Hong Kong to evaluateenvironmental impacts of designated pro6ects w"ic" include some specified tourismpro6ects. 'onsiderations of environmental implications are t"erefore re7uired duringt"e decision/making process of tourism policies as well as in ma6or tourism

development proposals.

.D.# T"e environmental protection scrutiny system in Hong Kong is considered compara!leto some ot"er countries covered in t"is study.

.D.& For example t"e re7uirements for environmental evaluation of tourism policies inAustria 4enmark and 'anada are also !ased on administrative framework. ,imilarto t"e practices of all countries in t"is study Hong Kong "as statutory re7uirementsto conduct 3$A on certain tourism proposals. T"e evaluation frameworknevert"eless are different suc" as evaluation process reporting re7uirementsconsultation and etc.

.D.0 T"is review was to identify t"e policy tools of t"e environmental evaluation of tourismpolicies plans and programmes and proposals adopted !y t"e countries andorganisations identified in t"is study. $t was found t"at t"e tools and processes oft"em are different !ecause of t"e differences in t"e institutional set/up of t"egovernment aut"orities. $n view of t"e differences it could not !e possi!le to reportt"e advantages and disadvantages of t"ose policy tools wit" reference to HongKongs situation.

.D. >it" regard to t"e certification assessment and enforcement for sustaina!le tourismproposals t"e practices of Hong Kong are compara!le to t"e countries in t"is study.

.D. ,imilar to t"e countries in t"is study Hong Kong "as no certification system forsustaina!le tourism proposals operated !y t"e government and t"ere are noassessment and enforcement re7uirements for sustaina!le tourism proposals.3nvironmental performance is t"e primary concern under t"e 3$A re7uirements andt"e 3$A? provides statutory re7uirements for assessing and enforcing certain tourismproposals in an environmentally accepta!le manner.

.D.D ,ince t"ere is no certification assessment and enforcement re7uirement forsustaina!le tourism proposals in most of t"e countries in t"is study as well as HongKong it is not possi!le to report t"e advantages and disadvantages of t"em wit"reference to Hong Kong situations.



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.8 i!itation

.E.1 Buestionnaires were sent to t"e countries and organisations identified for t"is study.,ix countries returned t"e 7uestionnaires and 1- countries and organisations "aveprovided information or we! pages.

.E.# %ost of t"e returned 7uestionnaires were not completed and a lot of informationpresented in t"is report was !ased on t"e information pu!lis"ed in t"e we!site.References are made in t"is report for t"e sources of information.

.E.& ,ome of t"e statutory or administrative re7uirements are known to exist !ut t"ey arenot availa!le in t"e pu!lic domain and could not !e o!tained from t"e relevantaut"orities during t"is review study.



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6. CONC(UION

6.1 Conclusion

.1.1 $n t"is study t"e environmental evaluation mec"anisms for tourism policies plans andprogrammes and t"e certification assessment and enforcement re7uirements forsustaina!le tourism proposals of nineteen countries and seven organisations werestudied.

.1.# 3nvironmental evaluation for tourism policies is availa!le in eig"t countries andenvironmental protection scrutiny re7uirements for tourism plans and programmesare adopted in twelve countries. $n t"e environmental evaluation processenvironmental implications are considered systematically during t"e decision/makingprocess. 'onsultation wit" relevant aut"orities and pu!lic participation are re7uiredin t"e assessment process to ensure t"eir opinions are incorporated into t"eproposed tourism policies plans and programmes.

.1.& Two organisations were found to "ave environmental evaluation re7uirements fortourism policies plans and programmes !ut t"e re7uirements are not specified.

.1.0 'ertification system operated !y t"e government for sustaina!le tourism proposalswas not found in most of t"e countries except 'osta Rica. 'ertification programmesoperated !y t"e industry or non/profit organisations for destinations attractions andtourism operators were found in 4enmark Australia and t"e ;nited ,tates ofAmerica. 3nvironmental la!eling sc"eme was found in =ermany and anenvironmental accreditation programme is under development in 8ew 9ealand.=reen =lo!e is t"e only organisation operates certification system and it can!enc"mark and certify tourism company community eco/tourism and precinctplanning and design.

.1. Assessment and enforcement re7uirements for sustaina!le tourism proposals werefound in 8ew 9ealand and t"e ot"er countries adopt environmental impactassessment approac" for tourism proposals.

.1. ?nly two organisations "ave t"eir own environmental assessment re7uirements ontourism proposals. ?t"er organisations promote environmental evaluation in t"edecision/making process !ut do not "ave t"eir own environmental evaluationre7uirements.



38/38


eferences

=lo!al 4evelopment Researc" 'entre

"ttp+CCwww.gdrc.orgC

=reen =lo!e

"ttp+CCwww.greenglo!e.orgC

Hong Kong Tourist @oard

"ttp+CCwww.discover"ongkong.comC

%inistry for t"e 3nvironment 8ew 9ealand

"ttp+CCwww.mfe.govt.n:C

Tourism 'ommission

"ttp+CCwww.tourism.gov."kC

;nited 8ations 3ducational ,cientific and 'ultural ?rganisation );83,'?*

"ttp+CCw"c.unesco.orgC

>orld Tourism ?rganisation );8>T?*

www.world/tourism.orgC

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No 5 English Version