Unit 1: Principles Of Responsible Tourism

UNIT 1. PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Unit outline

ObjectivesBy the end of the unit participants will be able to:• Explain the current global and local tourism market• List and describe types of tourism and tourists• List and describe positive and negative social,

economic and environmental impacts of tourism• Explain the principles of Responsible Tourism and the

triple bottom line objectives of sustainable development

• List and describe the benefits of Responsible Tourism for business, tourists and local residents

• Explain the importance of the Cape Town Declaration and its principles on Responsible Tourism

Topics1. Tourism today2. Impacts of tourism3. Principles of

responsible tourism4. Benefits of

responsible tourism5. Practices in

responsible tourism: The Cape Town Declaration

TOPIC 1. TOURISM TODAYUNIT 1. PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Tourism…

…entails movement of people to countries or places outside their

usual environment…

…for at least one night…

…for personal or business / professional purposes.

The UNWTO definition of tourism

“Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement

of people to countries or places outside their usual

environment for personal or business / professional

purposes. These people are called visitors and tourism has

to do with their activities, some of which imply tourism

expenditure”

Tourism involves many goods and services

Food & drink

Tour operators & travel agentsTransport

Accommodation

Natural attractions

Cultural attractions

Types of tourists

Leisure

Visiting friends and relatives

Holiday

Business

Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Events

General

Common types of leisure tourism

Adventure tourism Mainstream package tourism Ecotourism

Cultural tourism

Other types of tourism

Medical tourism

Educational tourism

Volun-tourism Spiritual tourism

Culinary tourism

Information and

reservationTravel to and getting there

Unpack and orientate

Eat and drink

Rest and sleep

Activity and sport

Play and fun

Entertainment and culture

Sightseeing and shopping

Pack and leave

The tourism cycle

The global tourism market

• Export income from inbound tourism = US$ 3 billion / day

• Almost 1/3 of the world’s exports of commercial services are from tourism

• Tourism is the 4th largest industry in the world

International tourist arrivals (UNWTO)

YEAR TOURIST ARRIVALS

1950 25 million

1980 277 million

1990 435 million

2000 675 million

Today 940 million

Tomorrow …?!

Global international tourism arrivals: past, present, and future

World Tourism Council forecasts for tourism

2011 2020Global GDP 9%; US$ 6 trillion 10%; US$ 10 trillionEmployment 255 million jobs 328 million jobs; 1 in 10

Tourism in Vietnam

• International visitor arrivals: 2.1m in 2000 to 6.8m in 2012

• Domestic tourism: 11.7m in 2000 to 23m in 2009

• International arrivals growth rate: 8.9% over past decade

• By 2023, travel and tourism will:– Directly support 2.3m jobs in

Vietnam– Directly and indirectly

support 4.6m jobs in Vietnam

Top tourism source markets to VietnamRANK COUNTRY ARRIVALS

1. China 1,428,693

2. South Korea 700,917

3. Japan 576,386

4. USA 443,826

5. Taiwan 409,385

6. Cambodia 331,939

7. Malaysia 299,041

8. Australia 289,844

9. Thailand 225,866

10. France 219,721

Vietnam General Statistics Office, in 2013

Vietnam Government’s Strategy for Tourism Development (Vision to 2020)

• Tourism revenue will increase to US$18-19 bn

• Tourism contribution to GDP will increase by 6.5-7.0%

• Tourism will attract an additional US$42.5billion in investment

TOPIC 2. IMPACTS OF TOURISMUNIT 1. PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Potential positive social impacts of tourism

Demand for local products

Employment of women and youth

Revival of local customs and traditions

Historical preservation Improvement in education & lifestyles Others?

Potential negative social impacts of tourism

Social tension resulting from shifts in domestic arrangements

and gender roles

Commodification of cultures and traditions

Exacerbation of existing social inequalities and creation of new

ones

Cultural conflict Loss of traditional values & skills Others?

Potential positive environmental impacts of tourism

Improved management of sensitive habitats

Increased awareness of natural values and

importance

Strengthening of natural heritage

Stimulation of funding for natural heritage

conservationOthers?

Potential negative environmental impacts of tourism

Over development Destruction of environment

Disturbance to wildlife

Overconsumption of natural resources Pollution Others?

Potential positive economic impacts of tourism

Strengthens local economy

Employment and income Entrepreneurialism

Stimulates local business growth

Generates investment in infrastructure Others?

Potential negative economic impacts of tourism

Inadequate sharing of tourism benefits

Tension from wage and income disparities

Increased economic dependency on one sector

Inflated land and housing prices, and living costs Economic leakage Others?

What should we do?

• Tourism has many benefits…• …but also many significant

challenges. • Do we give up or find a way

forward – and if so, what?• What would be the long term

consequences of inaction?

Negative impacts

of tourism

Positive impacts

of tourism

TOPIC 3. PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM


What is responsible tourism?

• An approach to the managing and doing of tourism that minimises negative impacts and enhances positive impacts

• A continual process• Outcome is better places for

people to live in, and for people to visit

• Measure of success is higher incomes, more satisfying jobs, and improved social, cultural and natural facilities.

The core of responsible tourism: sustainable tourism development

• Make optimal use of environmental resources - a key element in tourism development

• Maintain essential ecological processes and help conserve natural heritage and biodiversity

Environmental

• Respect and conserve socio-cultural authenticity and heritage

• Respect traditional values• Contribute to inter-cultural

understanding and tolerance

Social

• Ensure viable, long term economic benefits to all

• Ensure fair distribution of economic benefits including social services

• Contribute to poverty alleviation

Economic

Progress in tourism that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their needs

Whose responsibility is it?

Tourists

Managers

Staff

GovernmentBusinesses

Communities

Some measures of responsible tourism

Host communities

• Access• Involvement /

beneficiaries• Quality of life• Heritage management

Visitors

• Volume• Activities• Attitudes• Spend

Businesses

• Sustainable practices / management

• Interaction with local community / destination

• Labour

Government

• Goals / targets• Policies• Jurisdiction• Infrastructure• Amenities• Heritage management

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Dublin Institute of Technology, 2014http://dit.ie/dit-achiev/dit-achievmodel/dit-achievmodeldiagram/

The DIT-ACHIEV model for sustainable tourism management

The key to responsible tourism

• Understand and accept responsibility: every decision and action has an impact

Be accountable

• Acquire the knowledge, skills and resources to take action based upon sound ethics, morals and the laws of our society

Have capacity

• Make decisions that will have the most positive benefit on the people, environment and economy around us

Respond to make positive

change

TOPIC 4. BENEFITS OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISMUNIT 1. PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Benefits of responsible tourism for business

Meets consumer demand

Adds value to the product

Generates community support

Creates positive media attention

Saves money

Retains staff

Benefits of responsible tourism for visitors

Responsible tourism meets growing lifestyle trends of travellers such as:

• Increasing environmental and social consciousness

• Increasing demand to get back to nature

• Increasing demand for authentic experiences

• Increasing demand for green experiences

• Increasing demand for deeper meaning in travel

Benefits of responsible tourism for host communities

• Stimulates business• Creates economic

opportunities• Supports

community based tourism

• Increases value of cultural & environmental heritage

• Generates revenue for heritage protection

• Promotes enhancement of infrastructure

• Promotes gender empowerment

TOPIC 5. PRACTICES IN RESPONSIBLE TOURISM: THE CAPE TOWN DECLARATION


The Cape Town Declaration

• Tourism sector representatives from 20 countries, plus the UNWTO and UNEP

• 1st International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations, Cape Town, South Africa, 2002

• Participants agreed on a number of guiding principles for the implementation of responsible tourism

• Guidelines have became the founding principles of responsible tourism today

Responsible tourism…

1. …minimises negative economic, environmental, and social impacts;2. …generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the

well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry;

3. …involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances;

4. …makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world's diversity;

5. …provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;

6. …provides access for physically challenged people; and7. …is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts,

and builds local pride and confidence

Sustainable development “triple bottom line”: The core areas of action in responsible tourism

• Make optimal use of environmental resources

• Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities

• Ensure viable, long term economic benefits to all stakeholders

Economic

EnvironmentalSocial

Environmental guiding principles

• Assess environmental impacts• Use local resources sustainably,

avoid waste & over-consumption• Maintain and encourage natural

diversity• Promote education and awareness

for sustainable development• Raise the capacity of all

stakeholders

Economic guiding principles

• Assess economic impacts before developing tourism

• Maximise local economic benefits by increasing linkages and reducing leakages

• Ensure communities are involved in and benefit from tourism

• Assist with marketing and product development

• Promote equitable business practices

Social guiding principles

• Involve the local community in planning and decision-making

• Assess social impacts of tourism activities

• Maintain and encourage social and cultural diversity

• Be sensitive to the host culture

Tourism for all

FOCUS AREA PROVISIONS

Tourism information and publicity

Clear indication of accessible services and facilities…

Preparation of staff Training in communicating with and providing assistance to customers with disabilities and services and facilities available…

Tourism facilities and sites Provision of goods and services that cater for visitors with disabilities…

Accommodation facilities Allocation of specially designed rooms for people in a wheelchair or mobility impaired…

Catering facilities Ease of internal and external access to restaurants, cafes and bars…

Museums and other buildings of tourist interest

Ease of internal and external access, staff training, interpretation for vision and hearing impaired…

Excursions Tour buses accommodate tourists with physical disabilities, interpretation for vision and hearing impaired, one or more staff trained in sign language…

The outcome of responsible tourism

“Better places for people to live in and better places

to visit”

Better places to live in

Better places to visit

Virtuous cycle

Being a responsible traveller: environment

•Don’t litter•Carry your own bag•Avoid excessive waste•Leave nature as it is•Don’t disturb wildlife•Put out cigarettes properly•Reduce, re-use and recycle•Carbon offset•Save energy•Do not purchase or eat endangered species•Others?

Being a responsible traveller: economy

•Use accredited operators•Buy locally made souvenirs•Eat at local restaurants•Stay in locally-owned places•Purchase fair trade products•Support responsible tourism organisations•Others?

Being a responsible traveller: social

•Be considerate of the communities you visit•Donate via reputable institutions•Don’t give money to children and beggars•Respect cultural difference•Don’t support the illegal drug or sex trade•Use responsible travel providers•Use operators with responsible tourism policies•Others?

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