TOURISM GROWTH

AND ENVIRONMENT
Planning the Best Environmental Resorts
(Maldives case and global applicastions)
• 10
specific
areas for
greening
– part of
review
process
1)Understanding of Baseline Environmental
Conditions and Assets of the Site
• Survey/state of the
environment.
• Sensitivity analysis done on
key biophysical features, rare
or fragile species, physical
processes, identifying
potential impact of these on
the design, siting,
management and mitigation;
• Identifies impact on water
production, waste disposal,
need for tourist behaviour
management.
• Reference to current and/or
past human use(s) and
potential factors to consider in
development, including local
sensitivities and level of
participation.
 2)Energy Generation Methods
• Excellent plan with
innovative elements.
• Full exploration of
alternatives.
• Commitment to test
alternative sources.
• Full fuel management plan
with spill containment,
pipe testing, vacuum
systems etc.
• Generator management
with high efficiency, heat
Male Maldives recuperation from other
operations, real-time
energy use monitoring,
contingency plans, backup
systems.
4)Water Drawdown/Production

• Design of system to respond to

ecological conditions and
sensitivities.
• Clear consideration of impacts of
siting, disposal of salt from
desalinization, capture of
rainwater, ongoing monitoring of
infiltration and impact on
freshwater aquifers, real time
monitoring of demand and water
budget, contingency plans.
• Clear grey water management
Soneva Fushi Maldives system with grey water budget,
methods to monitor grey water
quality and to control quality
before use/release.
 3)Energy • Full cradle to grave energy
management plan beginning
Conservation with construction phase.
• Real time monitoring of use,
efficiency.
• Regular energy audit.
• Design of structures to reduce
energy demand (insulation,
lighting, shade, heat
retention).
• Energy efficient appliances,
cogeneration/heat extraction,
• Employee training program for
energy savings, information
program for guests,
• Reduction of energy hungry
attractions (e.g., powerboats)
• Integration of energy
management into overall
management process.
 5)Water Conservation

• Comprehensive water management and monitoring plan

which includes real time monitoring of use(s)
• Design strategy for low consumption in all parts of resort;
• Education for staff; sensitization for guests; attention to
specific conservation strategies for major water users
such as laundry, restaurants, irrigation systems, guest
facilities in all areas.
• Integrated plan for water generation/conservation/
sewage (often as water budget) with specific capture,
cleaning and use plans for grey water
6) Sewage/Waste Water Management:

• Full cradle-to grave management of waste water,

integrated with water production and conservation.
• Efficient monitored system with quality control at all
stages. Best plans included detailed procedures for grey
water separation, quality monitoring and use, and
methods to control and monitor impacts of grey water
use (for e.g. Irrigation) on aquifer.
• Indicators defined re water quality for effluents to be
recycled.
• Clear contingency plans for water spills, excess release;
zero discharge of untreated effluents into either sea or
land.
• Specific technologies cited which will ensure suitable
quality of wastewater. Clear plan to clean/reuse sludge.
 7)Solid Waste
Garbage

• Complete plan for waste management, from procurement, design

for reduction, specific plans for waste monitoring,
• Program to integrate waste management into each part of the
resort (e.g., kitchen, housekeeping, recreation, grounds keeping,
office).
• Means to handle all waste with zero discharge (with some
recycling exceptions which are sent to suitable depots).
• Integration with wastewater/incineration/heat recapture as part
of comprehensive EMS or equivalent.
8)Conservation of Flora and Fauna

• Complete conservation
strategy for site and
surrounding ecosystem(s),
ongoing
conservation/enhancement
of key species and
ecosystems.
• Comprehensive ongoing
monitoring program involving
scientific experts, on-site full
time environmental managers
and protection officers,
specific scientific and
educational programs for
guests, staff, other local
community members,
• Links to national and
international conservation
organizations, certification
under international ecological
programs.
9) Mitigation of Impacts of Development Process

• Full cradle to grave impact

management plan beginning at
design/construction phase.
• Best proposals provided complete
tables of sensitivities, expected
impacts and effects of
construction, operation and
visitor activities, expected areas
of concern and mitigation/control
measures to be undertaken for
each.
• Co-management of the site
during the entire process.
10)Management of Tourists
• Clear identification of key
sensitivities and likely range and
impact of tourist activities (on site
and in visited areas).
• Full visitor management plan, with
sensitivity analysis and proposed
responses for each predicted tourist
activity, and also examined co-
management options.
• Range of built solutions to reduce
potential for impact, human
solutions – awareness, monitoring,
incentives, regular reporting system,
educational approaches for visitors,
staff, local communities likely to
interface with the tourists.
• Clear consideration of a range of
visitor management techniques,
suitability of such techniques from
both local and visitor cultural
perspectives, monitoring and steps
towards implementation of e.g.
EMS, ISO14000, Green Globe or
similar as comprehensive ongoing
mitigation/management process.
Reducing the footprint of tourism globally

• Will be difficult because

travel does consume energy
• Can be used to lever
environmental improvement
and cultural understanding
• Can be used to transfer
resources to those who
need it.
• May be effective in
substituting experiences for
material consumption

Meeting “Juan Valdez”

Cartagena Colombia
 Reduce your personal footprint
• Home exchange
• Plan efficient
itineraries
• Travel in public
transportation
• Choose
environmentally
responsible agents
and hotels/resorts
• Buy locally
• Contribute to
conservation
• Learn about local
culture
• Live where practical
like the locals do
Local tourists Lahore Pakistan
 Cruise – it is the most efficient way to travel

Quebec City Canada

Tourism is now the world’s largest industry
• Tourism is the largest migration in
human history and it happens
every year
• Tourism is a significant source of
employment for nearly one person
in five globally
• People will travel, and always have
• Asia is the fastest growing source
of tourism – more than 20% per
year
• The only countries which have
managed to stop tourism by their
citizens are North Korea and for
outbound tourism, Cuba
• Tourism stresses particular places
– the popular destinations.
London Eye
Tourism is the top of the food chain of
consumption
Kimberley BC
• Tourism is the main source of foreign
exchange for half the world’s countries
and more than half the GNP of many small
island developing states
• Tourism is growing rapidly – particularly in
Asia
• Tourism is the only consumer of many
goods (toilet seat strips, tacky souvenirs,
glass covers, plastic hula dancers, t-shirts
with the name of the destination etc.)
• Tourists use about five times as much
water and energy per day per tourist as
locals in most places

Can we handle this

growing impact?
Costinesti Romania
Seven ship day
in Philipsburg
Sint Maartin
Nassau Bahamas
 The Challeng of Greening Tourism
• Greening how you get there
• Greener hotels and resorts
• Greening food services
• Getting the agents and organizers to create greener
tours and products
• Getting tourists to demand and value more
environmentally sound choices
• Greening the overall planning process for operators
and destinations
• Providing technical solutions which work
Green transport

Canada

Thailand
Bulgaria
Travel by bus

Meteora
Greece
Lahore Pakistan

Niagara Falls
 Tactics to green buses

• Low emission buses –electric,

propane, fuel cell
• No idling when parked (Eiffel
tower example)
• Air conditioning management
• Improved scheduling
• Integrated transport systems
(public transport options)
• Footprinting tours
• Marketing solutions
(bunching destinations)

Swiss Alps
Not just green on the outside – how to
make air travel more efficient
 Airline solutions:• Fuel efficient planes
• Pre-scheduling
landing slots for
flights (BA, Lufthansa)
• Walk-on buffet
(Lufthansa)
• Destination pick-up
for duty free
• Packaging reduction
for all on-flight
commodities
• Strong enforcement
of weight for carry-on
bags
• Offsets
Fast food? • Virtual vacations
 Greening Hotels

Evason Hua Hin

Thailand
Fairmont Chateau Whistler (award winning program)
Todos los Santos Mexico
Petra Jordan – local design and energy management program
 Restaurants
• Greener methods, not
greener food
• Smaller portions
• Local purchase
• Waste separation
• Doggie bags
• Recycling of grey water for
plants, lawns
• Re-use of waste – send to
local farmers for pig or
chicken feed
• Energy saving

Tianmu Hu China
 Changing food
culture

Tblisi Georgia Jiangsu

China
 Attractions
The worst are water slides

Aya Napa
Cyprus
Lianyungang
China
 Golf courses

• New initiatives for

“green” golf:
– Native vegetation
– Organic fertilizer
– Maintain tree belts and
habitat corridors
– Use grey water
– Collect runoff and treat
effluent
– Fertilizer management
plans
– Zero toxic herbicides
– Wetland water hazards
Muskoka Ontario Canada
 • Avoid motorized craft
Water Sports
• Trained guides
• Separated areas for
different uses

Aruba Phang Nga Thailand

Conservation Plans for Sites

Lanark Highlands Ontario Canada

 Sports events
• New initiative to “green the
games”
• Started with Atlanta games –
Sydney was greener, China used
Games as catalyst to clean
Beijing, London pledges to top
that
• Energy saving, water, recycling,
public transport, green
procurement
• Plan to recycle and reuse
facilities
• New low-impact transport
systems
• Crowd management
• EMS

Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Green Travel Agencies and Tours

• Ecotourism society
• Green Globe 21
• Conservation
international
• Partnerships between
Agencies and NGOs
• Local links and expertise

Phang Nga
Thailand
 Cruise Ship Initiative
(reducing physical impact)
• Water and energy
conservation
• Control of emissions
• Recycling of water
• Garbage separation for
recycling
• No dumping of bilge water
Cape Verde inshore
Islands
• New steps to control
impact onshore
 Bermuda
Nassau Bahamas

Tallinn Estonia Juneau Alaska

Sustainable Cruise Destinations
New initiatives
• Scheduling
• Shorter voyages from new
ports of origin -
repositioning
• Joint planning with ports
• Plug in the ship (Juneau)
• Contribution to
conservation in ports and
tours
• Visitor management

Inside Passage BC
Surprise: the world’s largest cruise ship is rated
the most energy efficient per passenger

Allure of the
Seas in Fort
Lauderdale
 New Global Initiatives – with local impact
• Green Globe
• Small Island
Developing
States green
economy
initiative
• Global
Sustainable
Tourism Council
criteria for
sustainable
properties and
(new) for
sustainable
destinations
 Greening Criteria: Planning

 Plans - Economic ecological and social

factors, participatory process
 Holistic approach – examining options,
selection of concept /project area
 Site selection Siting of structures and
activities should site sensitivities. (seek most
appropriate site to minimize negative
impacts)
 Project design Design standards for siting,
design compatibility, aesthetics, impact
reduction re ecological and cultural values
(design to minimize negative effects on site
and surrounding areas)
 Design for wastewater, water use reduction,
energy conservation,. Build in energy
conservation technology
 Impact assessment Formal environmental
and social impact review procedure
 Participatory processes Plans/programs
should involve local suppliers/guides etc -
Ongoing participation in facility and site
management/decision process for local
Jeddah Saudi Arabia community/stakeholders
Green Criteria: Construction Phase
• Construction standards for:
site disruption during
construction,
transportation, noise,
debris, site cleanup. (bonds
posted to cover cost of any
ecological damage,
restoration)
• Selection of local/suitable
materials re protection of
species, energy reduction,
local benefits, recycling
when replaced)

Red Sea coast

Saudi Arabia
 • Management -Facility should have EMS in
place
Operations • Grounds operator has ecological inventory
of grounds and sites, ongoing monitoring of
state of indicators species, trails, impacted
areas
• Clear management plan based on risk
management and visitor management
criteria. Specific plans for key fragile sites or
specific activities Staff training with specific
training modules for guides, interpreters,
groundskeepers, hotel staff

Burj Dubai
Mandina Lodge
The Gambia
Conservation(1) • Specific plans/actions to
promote conservation,
• Participates in and/or supports
protection of natural protected
areas..
• Complies with trade laws on
selling illegal products
• Site management –in place and
monitored
• Consumption -Must have water
management plan - to include
technical measures (low flow
toilets, showers) greywater
recycling, education and
awareness, laundry reduction
programs etc, (can have
separate systems for
Aruba drinking/cooking)
• Program /audit to minimize
fossil fuel use.
 • Liquid Waste management-100%
Conservation(2) treatment of wastewater
• Stormwater - separation,
controlled runoff, grey water re-
use, water consumption
reduction,)
• Solid Waste management
-Waste reduction and recycling
programs required with goals
monitored and recorded. for
separation, composting,
recycling emphasized for organic
and inorganic waste.
• Program to seek local products,
products which can be recycled
Diani Beach Kenya
or re-used. Regular monitoring
of consumption.
• Use of third party waste audits)
Tourist activity • Marketing and pre-visit materials
stress natural /sensitive tourism
management and appropriate tourist
behaviours
• Information program for tourists,
effort to direct tourists to trained
guides and eco-sensitive tours,
• Guests informed of conservation,
recycling and specific
environmental measures adopted
by property. Manual provided
with sustainability mission and
policies.
• Communication and involvement
of guests in conservation efforts.
Info on local plant species, natural
areas.
• Program to limit engine, tourist
noise in areas sensitive to natural
environment and wild animal
Otway Sound Chile behaviour.
• Opportunities provided for visitors
to contribute financially or
otherwise to habitat conservation.