Retail presentation for Resposible Tourism
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This document discusses sustainable tourism and how it benefits customers, destinations, and businesses. It outlines projects conducted by the Travel Foundation to promote sustainable tourism, such as protecting coral reefs and turtle nesting habitats in the Caribbean, training farmers to grow produce in Gambia, and helping children grow herbs to sell to hotels in Tobago. Engaging in sustainable tourism practices benefits customers by preserving destinations and experiences, benefits destinations by supporting local communities and environments, and benefits businesses by reducing costs, innovating, and building their brand.
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Retail presentation for Resposible Tourism
- 1. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN YOUR BUSINESS A BUSINESS CASE
- 2. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM TODAY’S AIMS > Learn about sustainable tourism (environmental and social impacts) and how it can benefit customers, destinations and the company > Learn about the Travel Foundation and how its projects help sustainable tourism > Explore how to communicate this to customers > Find out how to improve the environment and society through how we do things at work > Agree what action to take > Have fun and win!
- 3. BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Great holidays that help people and the environment, so there will be great holidays in the future.
- 4. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM GOOD FOR… > Customers > Destinations > And our business
- 5. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM OUR CUSTOMERS > Protecting the product > unspoilt destinations (pollution, water scarcity, extreme weather) > unique character (unsympathetic development, imported goods and culture) > Experiences and adventure > different cultures, foods, ways of life > Being welcome
- 6. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM OUR DESTINATIONS > Staying desirable > as a place to visit > as a place to work > as a place to live and raise a family > …over the long term
- 7. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM OUR BUSINESSES > Good management – cost savings, future proofing > Getting passionate – innovation, excellence > Building a brand
- 8. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THE EFFECTS OF GETTING IT WRONG Beach erosion in Vietnam due to developing hotels too close to the beach
- 9. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THE EFFECTS OF GETTING IT WRONG > Seaside – beach PUTS CLIMATE CHANGEerosion, TOURISM AT RISK surges sea level rise, sea and storms, reduced fresh water supply. Where will the new destinations be? > Mountains – shorter winter sport seasons, demand for higher altitude resorts. Longer summer seasons? > Stormy weather, droughts, heatwaves – cancelled holidays, rescues, rebuilding
- 10. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THE EFFECTS OF GETTING IT WRONG WASTING RESOURCES IS A WASTE OF MONEY > Energy > Water > Raw materials and products > Taxes and fines
- 11. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THE EFFECTS OF GETTING IT WRONG SOCIAL EFFECTS Communities and staff who think they are not being treated fairly and with respect won’t welcome our customers. What might this cost us?
- 12. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THE EFFECTS OF GETTING IT WRONG LOST BUSINESS A significant proportion of holiday-makers are: - worried about the impact of their holidays (26%) - worried about climate change and holidays (23%) - seeking more ‘authentic’ experiences (54%) - would choose a hotel with a green award, if available (a 9% preference)
- 14. CHANGING LIVES WITH THE TRAVEL FOUNDATION
- 15. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? The Travel Foundation is a charity that cares for our favourite destinations
- 16. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THE TRAVEL FOUNDATION… …helping to protect the natural environment, traditions and culture
- 17. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THE TRAVEL FOUNDATION… …improving the lives of local people
- 18. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN THE CARIBBEAN… > Simple ‘fixes’ – protecting precious coral reef with buoys > Protecting endangered nesting turtles – so they can make their way from the sands to the sea!
- 19. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM > Helping hunters become guides…
- 20. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN GAMBIA… > Demonstration farm to train farmers to grow high quality fresh produce
- 21. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN TOBAGO… > Helping farmers sell fresh, local produce to the hotels > Helping children to grow organic herbs to sell to the hotels
- 22. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN SRI LANKA... > Regenerating Tsunami effected region > Keeping the Bobbin lace making craft alive
- 23. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN CYPRUS… > Bringing income to marginalised villages
- 24. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM HELPING THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY > Delivering guidelines and training > Taking effective action on sustainable tourism
- 25. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM EXTERNAL GRANTS… > Funding for projects > Replicating these ideas > Focus on Carbon Reduction > Guidelines on website
- 26. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM WHO BENEFITS? > Our customers > Our business > The people and the places our customers love to visit!
- 27. YOU ARE THE KEY… You can do your bit and help change lives. You only have to be confident to talk to customers about the benefits of sustainable tourism and check that customers are happy to make the small donation (if applicable). THANK YOU
Editor's Notes
- Our customers have high expectations, which are related to how sustainable our products and services are. - Protecting the product - quite simply, if we don’t look after the places we love to visit, they won’t be there for us in the future. - They can be degraded by air and water pollution, too much rubbish, sewage, wasteful use of water and extreme weather caused by climate change. - The unique character of destinations, which is the reason many people choose to visit, can be lost through unsympathetic development, and the replacement of local traditions and products with imported ones. - Experiences and adventure - customers increasingly want an experience, they want to see different cultures, try new foods and experience a different way of life. We can provide that, if we help to preserve it. - If the people who live and work in and around the resorts are treated badly and we do not respect their needs and concerns, they will no longer welcome our customers.
- Destinations should get lots of benefits from the tourism sector, and if their economy relies on tourism, it makes sense for them to protect what it is about their area that attracts tourists. That might be culture, traditions, architecture, clean safe beaches, beautiful surroundings and friendly people. It may be a warm sunny climate or plentiful snow. It may be good food based on thriving farming and fertile soil. All of these things are vulnerable to being damaged, directly or indirectly, by thoughtless tourism. People should find good jobs in hotels, bars, excursions, and so on. If those jobs are poorly paid, dangerous, uncertain or based on exploitation then people will try to find better jobs outside the sector. The best people will move on and the most vulnerable will be unable to do so. This isn’t good for our businesses. People will want to continue to live in and around destinations and raise their families there if they are safe, thriving communities with good access to basic services like water, housing, transport and waste disposal. If tourists swamp these services or make them so exclusive or expensive that local people can’t use them, then destinations will be populated by unhappy resentful people. They won’t want tourists around. And it won’t be fair on them. Keeping destinations protected against damage and exploitation is good for us all in the long term.
- If we’re better informed and keeping a watch on these issues, we’ll be in a position to: - manage our business and products much better, getting cost savings from smarter use of energy and resources, and making more canny investment choices which work out in the future. - harness the passion of our staff and suppliers to drive innovation and attain excellence. ensure that our existing and potential customers like our brand and what we stand for. organisation can add in other points which resonate with its values / strategy
- “climate change puts tourism at risk” (World Tourism Organization) The landmark report by the World Tourism Organization in 2003 set out many threats to tourism as a result of climate change. http://www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/climate/brochure.htm - Seaside areas will be more vulnerable to storms and sea surges which erode beaches and change the shoreline. Sea level rise will threaten many existing resorts. For example, 4/5 of the Maldives is less than one metre above sea level, and large areas could be underwater by 2030. - Areas like the Med are expected to get much hotter, and it’s thought that the Med package holiday will be history by 2030 - too hot, ravaged by forest fires, heat waves and water shortages. - Long-haul destinations like Florida could be hit by increasingly powerful hurricanes and loss of beaches. - 1/3 of Swiss ski resorts will not have enough snow, Austria and Italy will also be badly affected. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5288092.stm Saturday, 26 August 2006,
- If we pay a bit more attention to the way we use energy (electricity, fuel), water and raw materials and products, we could save a lot of money. Not to mention the increasing taxes and fines related to using resources and throwing them away.
- 67% of UK holiday makers say that they “don’t like the way mass tourism damages the environment and culture of the local resort”. They don’t necessarily link this to the impacts of their own holidays, as only 26% of UK overseas holiday takers say they are concerned about the impact tourism might have on the local environment of the destination they visit. ABTA’s surveys in 2002 showed that the impact on the environment is ‘very important’ to 45% of holiday takers. Very detailed research for the Travel Foundation has discovered that some aspects of sustainable tourism are very significant for UK holiday makers. For example, 54% of people are seeking an "authentic" holiday experience (local culture, people and food) and only 9% are seeking a "home from home" (mixing with other holidaymakers and eating British food). This shows itself in these ways: 82% "really enjoy experiencing the local culture and visiting places of local interest" 75% "like to go to restaurants that the locals go to" 68% "like to meet local people whilst on holiday" It’s a good idea to provide what customers want and to spot the trends.
- We don’t need to leave all this to chance. Sustainable tourism will come about through: - paying attention and getting better informed; - planning to make a difference; - integrating it with our everyday products, services and operations; - telling customers about it; - supporting the Travel Foundation and other bodies which are helping to bring it about;
- One of the key messages being delivered today is that sustainable tourism is no longer a thing of the future or a niche market; it is a necessity and all companies in the industry need to get involved. During this part of the presentation, emphasise the links between your company and the Travel Foundation. - how we are working together to make improvements; - how the company supports the Travel Foundation financially
- The Travel Foundation is a registered charity caring for the places we love to visit. It helps to protect the natural environment, traditions and culture – the things that make our holidays special. The Travel Foundation was set up at the request of the travel industry and government to ensure that tourism makes a greater contribution to people, environment and economy in destination countries.
- Our main aim is to help protect and conserve the environment, promote local culture and heritage and to ensure that local communities benefit economically from tourism. We are currently operating a number of projects in various destinations which address key issues in those particular places. The Travel Foundation works closely with industry partners to help educate and train their personnel and develop best practice in delivering their product to their customer, the holidaymaker. After all this is the product the tour operators are selling and we need to ensure that it is still around for future generations to enjoy and so ensure that there is still a product to sell in years to come.
- In many destinations there are limited opportunities for local people to benefit directly from visitors to their country. It is our aim to ensure that they are able to improve their lives through tourism. This can be seen in many of the projects where local farmers are now producing products and supplying the hotels or are producing crafts and souvenirs which are sold to tourists.
- Turtle meat is a delicacy in many parts of the world and can be a lucrative business. When turtles come ashore to nest they are easy targets. The Travel Foundation supports training for local people so they can earn their living as tour guides instead of hunters. Here is a success story. Frankie was a turtle hunter and is now a guide. Fiercely protective of the turtles he once hunted, they now mean more to him alive and he proudly shows them to visitors. As a result, the turtles have a much better chance of successful nesting and visitors can enjoy a magical experience!
- In the Gambia The Travel Foundation has set up a demonstration farm to train farmers to grow high quality fresh produce for the resort’s hotels and restaurants. Tourism businesses can now source fresh vegetables locally, at a price that benefits both the business and the farmers. Tourists can now visit the farm on an excursion and this is increasing the benefits to the local communities and enriching the visitors’ holiday experience.
- In Tobago we are also helping farmers make a steady income from tourism – and importantly helping to reduce imports to the island (which obviously has an environmental impact as well!). This also means that hotels are getting fresher produce and customers are able to sample the local cuisine and the produce is of better quality than imports. There is a Schools Organic Herbs project which is helping children develop their gardening skills for the future – as well as helping the school make an income through selling the herbs to the hotels, to pay for books and other essentials for learning. A real taste of Tobago for visitors!
- In Sri Lanka under the Trees for Life project we have established nurseries to grow native species of trees to help re-vegetate the Tsunami effected region. Also the plant a tree programme allows tourists to buy a tree which provides food or medicine for communities that have been resettled in new housing developments. There is also product development training for small producers, creating marketable products from easily available, natural materials. Construction is currently under way for the restoration and redevelopment of a lace-making shelter as a new craft centre and retail outlet. Local women will be able to go to the centre and make their crafts and then sell them.
- One of our longer established projects is in Cyprus. This started as an excursion taking tourists to abandoned and marginalised villages. This has now been developed into self-drive routes. The first one has been launched and the second will be available soon. There will be a series of 6 routes and will be distributed via tour operators, hotels and car hire companies. It will help regenerate the villages and boost the income of the villagers. It will also add to the overall holiday experience of the tourists as the villages are really traditional and interesting to see.
- Delivering guidelines and training tools to help the industry take effective action is another of our key objectives. We have helped the industry develop more sustainable excursions; we have developed tools to help the industry ensure best practice where attractions feature animals in captivity or interaction with animals. We have helped accommodations check and improve their practices and in many cases this has meant that they are able to save energy and money. The Foundation launched a training film for tour operator destination staff last year and this was shown in most resort inductions. It shows how resort staff and their customers can do their bit to help. An ‘Insider Guide’ has also been launched – pictured here – giving ideas of simple things customers can do to make a positive difference when they travel. The foundation are currently producing some 20 destination specific Insider Guides and there are also guides for Travel Agents and one aimed at the youth market.
- The Travel Foundation has these key programmes operating and obviously there are many more destinations that could benefit from such programmes. We therefore have an external grants scheme were organisations in the mass market destinations can apply for grants. They are invited to submit an Expression of Interest which is reviewed by a committee and any potentially viable projects are requested to submit a full proposal. We are currently funding a project in Kenya which is helping the Maasai people earn a higher percentage of the money earned through bringing tourists to the villages. This is adding to the cultural exchange and with the increase in income one village can earn enough money to have a bore hole and therefore clean drinking water in one month. In two months enough money can be earned to provide transport and fees for the 300 children currently unable to attend school. More information regarding the funding opportunities can be found on our web site at www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk
- Customers will get a better quality and enriched holiday experience, as well as the reassurance that their favourite destinations will be protected for generations to come. Research is showing that customers do care and they want to do their bit! Operators are offering a better quality, enriched holiday to customers, at the same time as protecting the resources on which their future business depends. As customers become more aware, they are expecting and will soon demand that the company they go on holiday with is caring for the places they visit. Many of the FTO and AITO tour operators have recognized this and, as was mentioned earlier, have developed responsible tourism policies. People who live and work in the destinations will receive greater benefit from tourism, with a boost to their local economy and conservation of the natural environment, wildlife, as well as local traditions and culture. Additional benefits will include a greater choice for holidaymakers. The travel industry will meet rising customer expectations and changing needs. Businesses will remain competitive, show leadership, save costs on imports, reduce health & safety risk and develop reliable local supply of products and services.
- Encourage your customers to make the donation to The Travel Foundation, this will allow them to continue with some of the great work they are doing and also to develop projects in other destinations where help is much needed. – you’ve had some practice doing this today, you will be doing your bit to change lives and take care of favourite destinations across the world. And ensure that there are great places left for us to enjoy – now and into the future. Without the funds that the tour operators raise, The Travel Foundation would not be able to do this important work – they need you to help. Familiarize yourselves with your company’s Responsible tourism policy so that you can advise customers what you are doing as a company. Familiarize yourselves with the Travel Foundation’s programmes so that you can advise customers what their donations will be supporting. You have been given you the information here today but you can find this on the Travel Foundation’s website as well. You should be able to advise customers on how they can get the most from their holiday and still put something back into the local communities. They should be encouraged to sample and enjoy the local culture so helping to keep it alive. Holidaymakers should be encouraged to spend their money on locally produced crafts and souvenirs. The Travel Foundation has produced a number of tools to help you do this including the Agent’s Insider Guide and also the destination specific Insider Guides. Some of these are on the website but more new destinations are in development and will be on the website soon.