Making Killarney’s Tourism More Sustainable

Making Killarney’s Making Killarney’s Tourism More Tourism More SustainableSustainable


Making Killarney’s Tourism More SustainableProject Launch 20 March 2009

1) Introductions1) Introductions



2) Overview of Project2) Overview of Project

Conferences

Canada

Turkey

UK

Ireland

ChaptersPhD

PG Dip

Level of ‘Sustainability’ ExpertiseLevel of ‘Sustainability’ Expertise


Original ‘Indicator’ ProjectOriginal ‘Indicator’ Project

Sustainable Tourism Development:

Toward the Mitigation of Tourism

Destination Impacts

Challenge‘The development

of an environmentally

integrated tourism destination

management model’

FundingIrish Environmental Protection Agency

under national scheme - €317,000

funding


How to Conceptualise How to Conceptualise Sustainability ?Sustainability ?


OR

Dimensions of SustainabilityTheme / Issue Indicative subject Material

Triple Bottom LineCombined economic / environmental / socio-cultural impacts // Philosophical analysis / examination of

sustainability

Environmental Sustainability

Physical integrity (biodiversity / condition of wildlife) // Environmental Purity (water / air quality) // Status of protected habitats / protected buildings // Noise / visual impacts / landscapes // Global warming / CO 2 footprint

Socio-Cultural Sustainability

Local folklore and historic sites // Importance and state of local culture (richness) // Tourism impact on local customs/communities

Economic SustainabilityEconomic impact // Economic competitiveness / viability (leakages / sustainability) // Cost of living //

Appropriate level of investment // Tourist spend // Quality / vibrancy of employment

Resource Management Issues

Carrying capacity / controlling intensity of usage // Resource (water) availability / supply / treatment // Landuse // Transport management / access transport / road congestion & pressure/transport policies // Efficiency of resource usage (water / energy / waste / recycling) // Management of ancillary visitor amenities and services // Maintenance of local distinctiveness / variety of experience

Sustainable PracticesEnvironmental management policies and use of best practices at tourism businesses // Adoption of sustainable

practices // Sustainability awards and schemes // Eco-labelling

Social ResponsibilitySocial equity (gender equity) // Disability access // Workers rights/immigration // Sex Tourism /

exploitation of young people

Community/Resident Impacts

Local prosperity // Population trends // Community / resident attitudes / satisfaction // Local Access to/use of assets // Community benefits / wellbeing

Tourism Businesses/ Destination

Tourism partnerships – networks, marketing, cooperation // Appropriate scale of enterprise // Maintaining image / identity // Participation of business in service quality / excellence schemes

Visitor Characteristics and Perceptions

Visitor profile / visitor payback // Visitor satisfaction / fulfilment // Tourist motivation to visit // Tourist expectation re-crowding // Level of repeat business // Tourist perception of local management // Tourist perception of local population // Tourist satisfaction with transport

Sustainable Management Community involvement / awareness / control // Integrating tourism into local / regional planning //

Assessment of administrative goals // Performance measurement // Clear and capable management of tourism / tourists // Monitoring and maintenance of regulations / performance / policies // Legislation

Health & Safety Health // Diseases / epidemics etc // Tourist security // Local / public safety

Three Strand ApproachThree Strand Approach(evolved from Carrying Capacity model)(evolved from Carrying Capacity model)

Strand 1: Quantifiable Dimensions

Strand 2: Qualitative Perspectives

Strand 3: Integration and refinement of data

Quantifiable DimensionsPhysical

DimensionsEcological

DimensionsEconomic Dimensions

Water supply*Land supply*Energy supplyTransport* Parking facilitiesVisitor amenities*Accommodation

Flora*Fauna*Water*Air*LandscapeGeologyArchaeology & HistoryCulture

Cost of Living*Seasonality of tourismEmployment patterns/Labour* Participation rates by genderLanduse patternsTourist spend* Swings in local economic prosperityInvestment*Technology*

* = Key dimensions of Carrying Capacity Web

Strand 1Dimensions

Data Acquired for Inventory

Potential use as

Carrying Capacity Indicator

Possible Additional Information to be

Acquired (identified data gaps)

PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS

Transport

Description of availability and access (road, rail, air and water)

Study of amenity routes e.g. cycle paths, walkways

Counts of parking allocations

Access to foreshore of lake

Basic study conducted assessing public transport

Planning restrictions applicable to local road

Preliminary studies conducted in traffic congestion

Preliminary investigation of car parking facilities and signage

Candidate IndicatorsCandidate Indicators

Strand 1Dimensions

Data Acquired for Inventory

Potential use as

Carrying Capacity Indicator

Possible Additional

Information to be Acquired

(identified data gaps)

ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Flora and Fauna(incl. Habitats)

Qualitative descriptions of protected habitats and associated flora and fauna species (Site Synopses for Conservation Areas - NHAs, SACs & SPAs)

√ Length of degraded lake shoreline habitat

Counts for summer bird species

Number of endangered species

Counts for sensitive mammal and flora species

Number, extent and status of protected habitats in the study area.

√

Annual counts for wetland bird species (IWeBs Summary Data 1999-2004)

?

Fisheries status of key rivers in study area.

√

Electrofishing (fish count) data for key rivers (2004)

√

Census of returning adult salmon to Shannon Fishery (1960 -2000)

?

GraphicGraphicDataData

Qualitative PerspectivesCommunity Tolerance

Visitor Satisfaction

Political Administration

Access

Involvement

Quality of Life

Beneficiaries

Tourist Behaviour

VolumeBehaviourService LevelsHospitality

GoalsCapabilitiesPriorityJurisdictionsPolicies

Qualitative Data CollectionQualitative Data Collection

Community Tolerance

Visitor Satisfaction

Political Administration

481 postal surveys collected in 2005

423 face to face surveys conducted from March to November 2005

20 Strategic Conversations with key tourism stakeholders

Focus groups with local tourism groups

Candidate IndicatorsCandidate IndicatorsCommunity Tolerance Visitor Satisfaction Political

AdministrationResident attitudes to issuesResident awareness and attitudes regarding tourismResident attitude to quality of tourism and how it affects themTourism impact on local customs

Visitor profileMotivations to visitExpectations regarding crowdingLevel of repeat businessPerceptions of local managementSatisfaction with managementTourist spend

Assessment of administrative goals (Environmental, economic, social and administrative)Clear and capable management of tourismMonitoring and maintenance of regulations

Heritage

Air QualityParticipation in energy saving / use of renewable fuels // Overall air quality data for the

study area // Specific Pollution / Emissions i.e. CO2 - airlines / accommodation – important

Archaeology and History

Local folklore Local monuments & places of interests // Local History // Record of History and Archaeology

CultureLocal (Irish) language // Local festivals // Local culture // Local customs // Local

sports // Local placename

Flora & Fauna

Annual counts for wetland bird species (IWeBs Summary Data 1999-2004) // Electrofishing (fish count) data for key rivers (2004) // Counts for summer bird species // Lakeshore habitat survey // Census of returning adult salmon to the Shannon Fishery (1960 -2000) // Qualitative descriptions of protected habitats and record of significant flora and fauna species. // Number, extent and status of protected habitats in the study area. // Fisheries status of key rivers in study area. // Length of damaged or degraded lake shoreline habitat // Number of endangered species occurring in study area // Counts for sensitive mammal and flora species

Landscape

Status and existence of protected habitats // Photographic record of key landscapes and protected views // General, qualitative appraisal of landscape character in the study area // List of protected views // Climate Change – global issue, but local initiatives / actions could be important

Noise Environment

Assessment of ambient noise environment and noise pollution // Assessment of visitor / resident / agency perception of noise pollution

Water Quality

Trophic Status of Lough Derg (1998 - 2005) // Biological pollution status (Quality Rating) of key rivers in the study area (1971) // Physical and chemical water quality parameters of lakes and rivers in the study area (2001) // Hydrocarbon contamination from pleasure boats // Number of recorded algal blooms // Groundwater quality parameters at official monitoring boreholes in the study area (2001) // Lake Shoreline Inspection Record (litter, appearance of water quality etc)

211 Indicators in

211 Indicators in

TotalTotal


What to do with these What to do with these ‘Candidate Indicators’ ?‘Candidate Indicators’ ?


Development of Indicator Model Development of Indicator Model

An integrated management approach towards the mitigation of tourism impacts

Sustainable TourismSustainable Tourism

Key Fields of Interest (6)Key Fields of Interest (6)

A

H C

I V

E

DIT-ACHIEV Model

Dimensions (26)Dimensions (26)

DIT-ACHIEV Model of DIT-ACHIEV Model of Sustainable Tourism IndicatorsSustainable Tourism Indicators

Indicators (33)Indicators (33)

Assessable ParametersAssessable Parameters

Example of DataExample of Data[10] Road Congestion

& Pressure

Assessable Parameter(s)

(i)Congestion – indication of

pressure

(ii)Number of vehicles on various types of roads

(iii)Parking - Number/

distribution of parking spaces available / Cost of

parking

(iv)Accident Data

Availability

Example - ‘Shannon Bridge Crossing Feasibility Study and Preliminary Report’

(RPS MCOS)

Some ‘counts’ but generally unavailable

Preliminary investigation conducted

Unknown

Responsibility /SourceNorth Tipperary County

Council Development Plan, 2004- 2010

County Council –Roads Dept, North

Tipperary Co. Co. – Newport Office

Gardai - (privacy issue) – need to

relate to tourism / smooth over

time.

Comments / Justification

Good measures of seasonality and congestion –

need data to be seasonal / diff days seasons etc.

Both a tourist and a local issues


All this led to:All this led to:New Project – 2009-2011New Project – 2009-2011

Putting the DIT-ACHIEV Model into Practice

GoalsGoals

Operationalise the DIT-ACHIEV Model of Sustainable Tourism Indicators,

Testing model in a real situation Establishing model as national benchmark tool for

the management of tourism in a sustainable manner.

Develop toolkit for use of model

The Model will examine:The Model will examine:

The existing stresses on the area (e.g. traffic congestion, water shortages, visitor attitudes)

The environmental impact of tourism on the area (e.g. water quality, rate of habitat damage, local community employment quality)

Steps being taken to manage the effects of tourism in the area (e.g. funding of pollution clean-ups)

The economic security of tourism businesses (e.g. seasonality, rate of return visits)

Benefits for KillarneyBenefits for Killarney

Self evaluationBenchmarking versus competitionFramework for future developmentIdentification of risks (potential)Leadership nationally / internationallyParticipation

What is Benefit for KillarneyWhat is Benefit for Killarney Will inform on current situation in Killarney re-sustainable tourism

(Self Evaluation) Will play a leading role in influencing the development of a

sustainable tourism strategy for Killarney. Stakeholder participation particularly important for gathering

information. Stakeholders instrumental in identifying sustainability concerns Identification of sustainable issues & indicators - assist in risk

avoidance. Enormous contribution in establishing benchmark tool for the

identification, and monitoring of tourism impacts leading to management of more sustainable levels of tourism

Tourism may have an impact on other aspects of life in Killarney e.g. policy development, water treatment etc…

Tourism is everyone’s business - Fabric of YOUR society.

Examples of Best Practice in Examples of Best Practice in KillarneyKillarney

Killeen House Hotel / Loch Lein Country House - Tripadvisor

Killarney Park Hotel – Green Hosp Award – Silver (Ecotourism Growing)

National Park (UNESCO Biosphere)

Why Participating in this should Why Participating in this should Help Killarney - ExamplesHelp Killarney - Examples

Venice / NZ / Inca Trails - management of walks to maintain ecology – book in advance – controls numbers

Galapagos / Taj Mahal / Spanish Coastline – all over-developed

Greenbox – capturing audience through ‘eco-flower’ cluster

Westport – planning as driver for tourism development

Dublin – Dublin Visitor Survey – litter monitoring

Denman’s Methodology for the Formulation of a Sustainable Tourism Strategy

1. Create a multi-interest working group

2. Agree on initial issues to investigate

3. Undertake wide consultation

4. Prepare a situation analysis, including destination performance, needs and opportunities

5. Consult and agree on key issues and priorities

6. Determine strategic objectives

7. Develop an action programme

8. Establish or strengthen instruments to facilitate implementation

9. Implement actions

10. Monitor results

Criteria for DataCriteria for Data Relevance: indicator will cover themes and issues which have

significant impact on development of sustainable tourism; Availability: Actual existence, i.e. - quantified at regular intervals &

cost of collecting doesn’t outweigh usefulness; Meaning: Clearly defined and understood without ambiguity by

everyone who uses it; Freshness: Reasonably regularly available - at the time required; Sensitivity: reflect the performance being measured, and changes in

quantity should be attributable to the activity in question; Reliability: Same measure undertaken by different people should

produce same results; Comparability: Allow for comparison across a range of different

areas; Normativity: Any value given to an indicator should be comparable

to a norm, i.e. benchmarkable & to be compared.

TaskProject Steering

Project Mgmt

Academic Quality

Intnl. Best Practice

Local Liaison & Research

GroupSteering

Committee

Tourism Research

Centre

School of Hosp. Mgmt. & Tourism,

DIT

International

PanelTeam

Killarney

Members

DIT

Killarney

Failte Ireland

EPA

D. Owen

L. Kennedy

Co-Ordinator

S. Flanagan

K. Griffin

(Others as required)

R. Butler

J. Swarbrooke

F. Dimanche

R. Hawkins

J. Tribe

A. Climpson

Chamber

Council

Nat’l Park

Muckross

b) b) Identification of DataIdentification of Data

Identify ‘keyholders’ re-dataWhat is available ?What is unavailable ?

c) Set-up data collection system c) Set-up data collection system

WhoHow oftenValidity etc…

DeadlinesDeadlines

Fri 29 May – Steering Group MeetingEarly July meeting of International Review

Panel



Sustainability ConcernsSustainability Concerns

NATIONAL PARK Background: KNP is designated as a

UNESCO Biosphere, SAC, SPA (Birds).

Absence of reliable “Tourism Industry Intelligence”.

Trails Surface Erosion – Mountains & Woodlands – Walking & Biking.

Damage to important Flora Disturbance of important Fauna &

Habitats Lake & River Water Quality Issues –

Lough Lein specific. Invasive Species Litter & Waste Management Non-Pedestrian/Non Motorised Traffic

Issues (Bikes / Horses) Loss of Tranquillity.

MUCKROSS HOUSE TRUSTEES Background: “Estimated” – 1m p.a. visit

House, Crafts, Restaurant, Research Library, Traditional Farms and Gardens.

Absence of reliable “Tourism Industry Intelligence”

Preparing for and Managing Visitor numbers. Delivering the appropriate visitor experience –

not a conveyor belt. Ensuring that the appropriate heritage, stories &

experiences are revived and told. Preserving & Enhancing Traditional Farms

Experience. Enable optimum use of Archive/Research

Library. Preserving structural integrity of house. Preserving condition of house interior and

furnishings.

Sustainability ConcernsSustainability Concerns

TOURISM INDUSTRY Absence of reliable “Tourism Industry

Intelligence” Perception of being a “Beautiful but

Touristic” destination. Should we be a “Select or Volume”

destination? Balancing the “Peaks & Troughs” –

Shoulder season. Sustainable Scope & Nature of future

Development - (what's appropriate for Visitor & Resident)

Preservation & Enhancement of Natural Environment –

Preservation & Enhancement of Built Heritage.

Retention of “Vibrant Heart” of Killarney Town.

TOWN COUNCIL Background: KITE, LUTS, Urban

Masterplan, Town Development Plan.

Absence of reliable “Tourism Industry Intelligence” .

100% resident population increase for many months.

Additional Day Visitors equal to resident population.

Water Services Capacity Public Areas Cleansing Traffic Management Issues –

(access and internal flow & parking).

Coach Management (flow & parking).

Overall ProjectOverall Project

Making Killarney’s Tourism More Sustainable

Documents

management of tourism

effects of tourism

totalmaking killarneys

sustainable tourism

sustainableproject launch

monitoring of tourism

sustainable manner

testing model