Sustainable Tourism: The Tour Operators' Contribution

Assessment: What it is and how to do it, UNEP IE, Paris, 1996). The methodology was then tailored to the
demands of the tourism sector by an external consultant, the UK Centre for Economic Development (UK
CEED).
The LCAs were performed by UK CEED, which
obtained the necessary information through research
channels, the World Bank, academic reference
material, regional organisations, on-island research
and local contacts. The assessments were made
with the support of the local tourist boards.
The results of the assessments, which included
an evaluation and recommendations for the tour
operator, the host government and tourists, were
published and presented to hoteliers and more than
34 St. Lucian organisations (see Box 1).
Benefits
The benefits of the LCAs have included environmental
improvements in St. Lucia and better quality
holidays for visitors. For example, as a result of the
recommendations of the LCA, the St. Lucian government
developed national policies on waste management using
funds from a tourism tax. New types of tourism such as nature and heritage tourism have also been
developed.
The LCA included a special report on the impacts of all-inclusive hotels on the economy, environment and
society (see Box 1). This report enabled BAH to join the debate on the benefits of all-inclusive holidays. In
the longer term, tourism in St. Lucia may benefit from better tourism planning and a greater awareness of
the impacts of tourism. A second LCA is planned for 2003 to provide a basis for comparison.
Comments
One of the challenges in implementing the LCA was convincing stakeholders that it really was needed, even
though it was not required by legislation. The study would not have succeeded without good leadership
and a long-term view. Press criticism of tourism in the island reinforced the need for the study, which had
the full support of the St. Lucia Tourist Board.
However, LCAs are not easy to conduct. The technique relies on quantitative data that enable comparisons
to be made of the environmental performance of different products, such as a comparison of energy and
water consumption for all-inclusive and conventional holiday products. These data are often hard to find or
unavailable for holiday products, and so new research may be needed. For example, a detailed transport
survey was required to determine whether transport demands are higher for all-inclusive or conventional
holidays. Similarly, a study was required to assess the demand for different types of excursions for the two
types of holiday.
Sustainable Tourism: The Tour Operators’ Contribution
oN the beach iN st. lucia
4. Product Management and Development