Responsible tourism aims to minimize negative environmental impacts and ensure local communities benefit from tourism. A case study of the Maldives highlights major challenges, including waste management, coastal development, and climate change impacts. Travelers can practice responsible tourism by reducing their carbon footprint, engaging with sustainable operators, and taking small steps like cleaning beaches or choosing eco-friendly resorts. Larger actions include changing lifestyles and participating in environmental projects during travel.

1. Responsible Tourism:
A Maldives Experience
Harry Masefield
harry.masefield@opwall.com
Green Drinks Shanghai, 14th Feb 2014

2. What is responsible tourism?
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Travel in a way that minimises negative
impact on the environment
Making sure the local community benefits
rather than being pushed aside by big
companies making a quick profit
Planning development of local resources in
a way that will be sustainable long term

3. Case Study:
The Maldives
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An island nation
with a population of
300,000
About 1 million
tourists per year,
staying an average
of 7 nights
China is already the
biggest source,
with 200,000
visitors per year
Annual revenue of
US$2 billion+

4. What are the major challenges?
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Waste Management
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Coastal Development
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Climate Change Impact

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6. Out of sight, out of mind?
Thilafushi disposal island

7. Untreated sewage disposal
Sewer outfalls
around Male

8. Coastal development - dredging

9. !
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10. How can you travel responsibly?
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http://www.responsibletravel.com
Reduce your carbon emissions, don't just
offset them
Actively engage in finding out more about
how operators claiming to care for the
environment and local sustainability take
action

11. Small steps
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Don’t throw garbage or cigarette filters into
the sea or on the beach
Don’t collect corals or shells from the beach
or sea
Don't don’t buy items like corals, sea shells,
shark or turtle products
Take batteries away with you when you
leave

12. Medium Steps
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Be more proactive – for example, ask to
participate in beach clean-ups, underwater
clean ups, etc.
Chose resorts that take social and
environmental sustainability seriously:
e.g. www.sixsenses.com

13. Bigger steps
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Change your lifestyle at home to be more
environmentally friendly
Travel closer to home, and take the train
instead of flying if possible
Try alternative holidays where you actively
participate in environmental or community
related projects:

14. Thank You
www.opwall.com
http://earthwatch.org/
http://www.biosphere-expeditions.org/