Download as PDF, PPTX
Uploaded bySabbagh Anas
WOMENA_Sustainable_tourism_29052024_LK_RA.pdf
The document provides an overview of the sustainability journey for tour operators, detailing various aspects of sustainable tourism, including its definition, social and environmental impacts, and economic benefits. It emphasizes the need for sustainable practices across all types of tourism and presents data on traveler preferences for sustainable travel options. Additionally, the document outlines the role of certifications and guidelines in fostering transparency and combating greenwashing in the tourism industry.
WOMENA_Sustainable_tourism_29052024_LK_RA.pdf
- 1. SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY An Introduction toTour Operator’s Sustainability Journey May 2024 By: Lina Al-Khaled & Rawan Atallah
- 2. Lina Al-Khaled Travelife forTour Operators - Coach and Auditor Jordanian, multilingual tourism professional Tourism Strategy, Development & Marketing Expert GSTC Trainer Masters in Internal Tourism Management 25 years of experience in tourism in Jordan with private and public sectors and NGOs Researcher, Trainer, Director, Project Leader, Grants Manager, Competitions Judge, Technical Expert, Strategy Advisor, Business planning, Presenter, Facilitator, Member of the Jordan Economic Modernization Vision 2033 – tourism group, Environmental Activist & Volunteer
- 3. Tourism Product DevelopmentExpert (over 18 Years) Certified Travelife auditor and coach for tour operators Tourism researcher, trainer and consultant for different donors and development agencies (USAID, EU, WB, GIZ, FAO and CBI) Community-based Tourism development advisor for local SMEs and CBOs Approved Trainer for the GSTC Criteria Rawan Atallah
- 4. • Background intourism, sustainability • Present position/activities
- 5.
- 6. What is SustainableTourism? “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” (UNEP & UNWTO, 2005: 11-12. Making Tourism More Sustainable – A Guide for Policy Makers) “Sustainable Tourism refers to sustainable practices in and by the tourism industry. It is an aspiration to acknowledge all impacts of tourism, both positive and negative. It aims to minimize the negative impacts and maximize the positive ones.“ The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
- 7. Is it atype of tourism ? Not a type of tourism It an exercise that is practiced in all types of tourism types to make them better tourism experiences. All tourism types and products can and should become sustainable!
- 8. It’s not aboutonly offering community-based tourism or ecotourism. It’s not about giving up market segments and only aiming for the niche market. It’s not just about the environment. It's not charity What sustainable tourism is NOT?
- 9. People (social sustainability) Ensurethe social well-being of the destination. Conserve the culture Engage stakeholders and local communities in the planning and promotional process of the destination. Society Culture Add Contents Title Community Considerations to: • Labor conditions • Vulnerable groups in society • Human rights, no discrimination, no child labour or sexual abuse, etc
- 10. Social Impacts (negative) COMMODIFICATION Cultures/ traditions become commodities SOCIAL STRESSES Traffic Jam, noise, queues JOB LEVEL FRICTIONS Top-level / top-paid jobs go to foreigners and not locals. CULTURE CLASHES Frictions between tourists & local communities LABOUR CONDITIONS Long hours, unstable unemployment, low pay, little training conditions CHILD LABOUR Hotels and restaurants, the entertainment sector, or the souvenir trade CHILD PROSTITUTION AND SEX TOURISM Easy access through tourism
- 11. Planet (environmental sustainability) The management and promotionalpractices that aim to minimize the industry's negative effects on the environment and increase positive impacts on the destination’s conservation and natural resources. 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions Air pollution Disturbing the host community and distressing wildlife Noise pollution 1) 1 kg and above per guest daily 2) Estimated to increase by 251% by 2050 Land Pollution: waste 1) Stress on Sewage Systems 2) Inappropriate disposal of sewage water Water pollution 1. Pollution 2. Depletion of Natural Resources a. Overuse of water. b. Pressure on food, energy, and other raw materials (Hotels in UK produce 79K metric tons of food waste per year c. Stress on local / Improper land use d. Soil erosion. 3. Biodiversity a. Loss of natural habitat b. Pressure on endangered species c. Introduction of non- native species Environmental Impact (negative)
- 12. Increase long-term economicbenefits for the destination, its stakeholders, and local communities. Profit (economic sustainability) MARGINALIZATION LOCAL BENEFITS Enclave tourism and all- inclusive packages The amount of tourism spend that leaves the host destination Estimated at 70% LEAKAGE ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE AND INSTABILITY Seasonal jobs Impact(negative)
- 13. Increase local employmentand economic opportunities. Increase community engagement Preserve local culture (strengthening the sense of local identity) Increase local conservation and environmental conditions (like a reduction in pollution and litter) Increase access through infrastructure development. Positive Impact: People
- 14. Protect local habitatand wildlife. Increase funding opportunities for conservation and preservation initiatives Promote conservation Reduce water pollution and carbon emissions. Reduce exploitation of natural habitat and resources. Positive Impact: Planet
- 15. Support local business developmentand entrepreneurship. Increase revenue generation and fairer distribution across communities Positive Impact: Profit Increase job creation and reduce seasonal unemployment. Increase foreign exchange gains Create investment opportunities in local infrastructure Promote regional development
- 16. The Business Casefor Sustainability
- 17. Why work towardssustainability? • Reduces Costs • Increases Profit • Access to financial capital • Human Capital (Employee satisfaction) • Corporate and brand image • Conservation of destinations • Risk Management and Licence to operate • Government Legislation • Because it is a good thing to do
- 18. Trends 69% of travelerswere actively seeking sustainable travel options for 2023 ) World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Trip.com) 75% of travelers plan to travel more sustainably in the future. About 75% of high-end travelers are ready to pay extra to make their trips more sustainable. Nearly 60% have chosen more sustainable travel options in the 2021 & 2022. 50% saying that recent news about climate change has influenced them to make more sustainable travel choices
- 19. Sustainability Outlook -Demand 33,000 travelers across 35 countries and territories
- 20.
- 21.
- 22.
- 23. Attitude Towards Seasonalityand Overcrowding 2023 2022
- 24.
- 25. Attitude towards connectionto culture and local communities
- 26. Attitude to sustainableTransportation 2022 2023
- 27. Shopping & Dining •83% shop at small businesses when they travel to a new location. • 69% would spend more during a vacation if they knew it supported the local community • 88% agreed that dining and shopping at local small businesses bring a more authentic experience. Local culture and community support • 85% want to visit a place where they can truly experience the local culture • 78% of respondents are “very” or “somewhat” interested in going on a vacation in 2023 that supports local communities • 58% of respondents said that they value learning about different cultures while on vacation 2023 Global Travel Trends Report Tourists’ Attitude Towards Shopping
- 28. So What doWe Do?....
- 29. Why Certifications • Toprovide confidence to the market • To add value for visitors • To justify (potential) difference in price • To recognize leadership and social responsibility • To avoid green washing This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
- 30. What is Greenwashing? "Greenwashing isthe process of conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about how a company's products are more environmentally sound. Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly." (investopedia.com)
- 31. How to Avoid Greenwashing? •Avoid using vague terms that don't really mean anything. • Avoid purchasing eco products produced by unethical companies. • Avoid misleading imagery. • Avoid disproportionate representation of your sustainability efforts. • Avoid comparing yourself to the worst to look better. • Avoid trying to improve the unimprovable. • Avoid jargon. • Avoid dubious certifications and labels – check their credentials. • Avoid making any claim that you cannot prove to be true. EU Green Claims Directive Find more how the EU new regulations are going to address greenwashing;
- 32. Benefits for Companies •Provides guidelines and direction for businesses • Certification procedures are educational • Reduction of operating costs (water, electricity, waste) • Market and image advantages • Support the implementation of CSR policy • Provides an independent guarantee/credibility • Staff motivation (clear objectives, being better than competitors)
- 33. Benefits for Customers Courtesy ofMEDUSA Project • Provides an ethical choice • Shows Best Practices • Learning, inspiring, awareness raising • Better Experiences
- 34.
- 35. Four Pillars ofSustainability Sustainability Management Social & Economic Cultural Environmental GSTC Criteria
- 36.
- 37. GSTC Destination Criteria 38Criteria and 174 Indicators Sustainability Management Social & Economic Cultural Environmental 11 Criteria 51 indicators 8 Criteria 32 Indicators 7 Criteria 26 Indicators 12 Criteria 65 Indicators
- 38. GSTC Industry Criteria Sustainability Management Social& Economic Cultural Environmental 13 Criteria Hotels: 48 Indicators TO: 50 indicators 9 Criteria H/TO: 32 Indicators 4 Criteria H: 14 Indicators TO: 17 Indicators 16 Criteria H: 73 Indicators TO: 83 Indicators
- 39. GSTC MICE Criteria EventOrganizers (EO), Venue (V) & Events and Exhibitions (EE) 33 Criteria Sustainability Management Social & Economic Cultural Environmental 9 Criteria EO: 51 indicators V: 37 Indicators EE: 40 Indicators 9 Criteria EO:43 Indicators V:42 Indicators EE: 42 Indicators 3 Criteria EO: 12 Indicators V: 21 Indicators EE:11 Indicators 12 Criteria EO: 58 Indicators V: 59 Indicators EE: 53 Indicators
- 40.
- 41. Many labels...Using GSTCCriteria
- 42. GSTC Programs 1. Recognitionof Standards – compliance with the GSTC Criteria 2. Accreditation of Certification Bodies – certification programs meeting requirements for independence, transparency, and competency (Not just the standard, but the process in which the standard is used)
- 43.