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UNIT 2: TOURISM, HOSPITALITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT – IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS
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3) Legislation must be not only enacted but also enforced. Governments
must ensure that adequate controls and incentives are in place
to regulate and stimulate environmentally-sound infrastructure
development and management. Other necessities include procedures
and guidelines for the opening of ‘new’ natural areas for tourism,
conducting environment impact assessments, allowing for public
participation, and the licensing of tourism professionals.
Examples of Good Practice
In Bermuda, a country that benefits greatly from tourism, legislation restricts
residents to the ownership of one car, prohibits rental cars and neon signs,
provides for the protection of whales, dolphins, turtles and coral, imposes
heavy fines for reef damage, limits the number of ships that dock in the harbour,
compels visitors to stay on designated trails in national parks, and requires that
new developments follow traditional architectural designs and are no higher
than two floors.
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4) The tourism industry must take environmental responsibility and
integrate environment management into its daily operations and
business practices. All tourism and hospitality businesses, irrespective
of their size and location, must reduce resource intensity and waste
and emissions.
5) Environment management must be incorporated into the management
of tourist attractions –centres, museums and galleries, etc.
6) The savings in costs, and revenues earned through environment
management – be it at the state, corporate, small business or
individual level – should be injected back into continued environment
improvement.
7) New tourism facilities should be sited, designed and built with
environment improvement at the core
8) Both the government and the tourist industry must be active in raising
the industry’s environment awareness and expertise. Environment
training and information are especially important for small and
medium-sized businesses.
9) Incentives for environmentally-sound tourism are needed. These can
range from voluntary self-regulation initiatives such as environment
certification schemes and eco-labels, to tax rebates on environment
investments and low-interest financing schemes on clean and
resource-efficient technology.
10) Partnerships should be developed between national tourism
authorities, the tourist trade, non-government organisations and
citizens’ groups, to facilitate conflict resolution, to harmonise plans,
and to bring about action for environment improvement.
Examples of Good Practice
A national environment and tourism programme is being developed in Botswana
with the collaboration of Conservation International. Work is underway to
establish local tour operator partnerships and to develop an Okavango
Wilderness Fund supported by travel companies working in the region.