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hotelier

practical solutions for responsible hospitality


issue 36 july 2005
ISSN: 1367-0379 price: GBP10.00 (US$20.00)

green

www.greenhotelier.org

2020 vision
tourism and the future

Turning vision into reality


how ITP is helping to take the agenda forward

1995-2005 how far has responsible tourism progressed?

CONTACTS
International Tourism Partnership (ITP) 15-16 Cornwall Terrace, Regents Park, London NW1 4QP, United Kingdom tel: + 44 (0) 20 7467 3620 email: itp@iblf.org

greenhotelier is for people who care about a more environmentally and socially responsible hotel industry and its contribution to sustainable travel and tourism. From small independent establishments to the boardrooms of major international companies, greenhotelier aims to inspire, educate and challenge everyone connected with the hospitality industry to achieve more sustainable operation.
PLATINUM PARTNERS

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CONTENTS

contents
turning vision the into reality
how the International Tourism Partnership is working across the industry for more responsible tourism

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tourism today how the agenda has evolved


A review of some of the more significant milestones along the path towards more sustainable tourism
Photo: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Reto Stckli

world brief

READEROFFER
How subscribers can obtain a free

copy of the first nine greenhotelier know-how supplements 5 PREFACE HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, well-known for his commitment to sustainable business practice, throws down some ambitious challenges for the tourism industry TOURISM TODAY HOW THE AGENDA HAS EVOLVED Sustainability and tourism 2020 VISION TOURISM AND THE FUTURE What do tourism leaders think about where we are heading? TURNING VISION INTO REALITY TAKING THE AGENDA FORWARD How ITP is responding to the challenge WORLDBRIEF news and trends in responsible tourism from around the world and deadlines for upcoming international environmental tourism awards LISTING whats on internationally

PUBLISHER
greenhotelier is published by the International Tourism Partnership (ITP), a programme of HRH The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF). IBLF is a registered charity no. 1024119 and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2552695. Editorial opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of ITP or IBLF. The publishers do not accept responsibility for the content of advertisements, for errors in articles or advertisements, nor for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Copyright 2005 HRH The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum. All rights reserved.

2020 vision tourism and the future


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senior tourism industry executives

and leaders of organisations working for a more sustainable world express their views on what needs to happen over the next 15 years

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DESIGN AND PRINT


Designed by String tel: + 44 (0) 1323 647078 Printed by Garden House Press tel: + 44 (0) 870 777 3300 greenhotelier is printed on Black Label Satin paper made from elemental chlorine-free virgin pulp from timber produced on a fully sustainable basis. The paper is suitable for recycling.

cover: As travel and tourism ventures further into the world's remote and wilderness areas, the need for the industry to take an environmentally and socially responsible approach is more vital than ever before. Photo: Exodus

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july 2005 greenhotelier

FROM THE EDITOR

n this tenth anniversary edition, we both look back at how sustainable aspects became part of the tourism agenda, and forward another 15 years to where the industry should be heading. We are most grateful to all those who have shared with us their vision for tourism in 2020 and the course they believe the industry should set in order to get there. It makes for fascinating reading. I first became involved with greenhotelier when I edited issue number six in 1997. Thirty issues later, it says much about the way the hotel and tourism industry has embraced environmental and sustainable issues over the past decade that there is always so much to report on and so many angles from which to explore the issues. I would particularly like to thank our sponsors, the members of our editorial panel and all those who have contributed information and material over the years, since greenhotelier simply couldnt happen without your support. The format for this special issue meant that we have not been able to include a knowhow section this time. However, to avoid editor disappointing our subscribers who particularly value the practical advice that these regular articles contain, we have put the first nine topics together in a pdf file. To obtain your free copy, see the panel below. For readers who like to keep up with all the hotel and tourism industry news, you will find it all on the back pages. I hope you find this issue interesting and thought-provoking. In ten years time, will the measures being put in place now to make travel and tourism more sustainable prove to have been enough? Time will tell, but the time for action is now. Claire Baker, Editor

Lyndall de Marco, Executive Director, International Tourism Partnership (ITP)

Claire Baker tel/fax: + 44 (0) 1285 720009 email: cjb@atlas.co.uk

Special offer for greenhotelier subscribers!


To celebrate greenhoteliers 10th anniversary we are offering our readers a copy of the first nine know-how sections published with the magazine. These pull-out supplements have been specially collated together and will be supplied as a pdf document by email free of charge to current subscribers. The know-how sections in greenhotelier are a source of valuable information on how to run your business in a more environmentally responsible way. Topics covered to date are:

he scale and influence of the hotel, travel and tourism industry its physical presence in local communities, direct employment of local people and its interactions with local suppliers creates significant potential for companies to address some of the worlds most pressing issues such as poverty, cultural and environmental degradation and climate change. If the industry is to make a difference, it will be in the way that companies respond to these issues. Delivery of responsible business on a universal scale however is not something that any company can hope to achieve on its own, no matter how committed it is. That is where ITP comes in. Only by listening to local people, working through the issues with all stakeholders and finding meaningful and measurable ways to respond will the hotel, travel and tourism industry come close to becoming more sustainable. Our aim at ITP is to help make it happen.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL


British Airways Holidays, Jan Jackson Centre for Environmental Studies in the Hospitality Industry, Oxford Brookes, Rebecca Hawkins and Matt Todd Conservation International, Jamie Sweeting HCIMA Technical Advisory Group, John Forte Hilton International, Robert Kennedy IH&RA, Elizabeth Carroll Simon IMEX, Ray Bloom International Centre for Responsible Tourism, Harold Goodwin Leeds Metropolitan University, Xavier Font Marriott International, Barbara Powell Rezidor SAS Hospitality, Pia Heidenmark-Cook Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Even Frydenburg Tourism Concern, Tricia Barnett UNEP DTIE, Giulia Carbone World Tourism Organisation, Eugenio Yunis

a n h n t i 0 ver 1 s
1. Your environmental programme: getting started 2. Energy saving: lighting 3. Water saving: bathrooms/toilets 4. Chillers 5. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools 6. Better waste management 7. Cleaning chemicals 8. Saving energy in kitchens 9. Towel and linen programmes your environmental programme and for induction and regular environmental training purposes. Take advantage of this opportunity to obtain all these titles in one easily accessible, bookmarked pdf file. It can be used to help launch TO OBTAIN YOUR COPY of this specially produced reference file, please email ITP at itp@iblf.org quoting your name, hotel or organisation and address and it will be emailed to you.

LOOK OUT FOR the October 2005 issue (no 37) and the know-how section on ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND TRAINING.

sue y is ar

greenhotelier july 2005

FEATURE

HRH preface

july 2005 greenhotelier

EVOLUTION OF THE SUSTAINABLE AGENDA

E T BL T OR INA MEN A T OP IN D REP S SU EVEL ED AN D EFIN DTL 3 8 D BRUN 9 1

Take only memoriesleave only footprints


A decade ago, when greenhotelier was first published, the most forward-thinking hotel operators had begun to incorporate environmental management into their business operation. Today, the leaders within in the tourism industry are all in pursuit of sustainability. How has this shift occurred?

Tourism today
how the agenda has evolved

n the late 1980s and early 1990s, the world began to worry about the environment. Leading members of the hotel and tourism industry soon recognised that they had a major role to play in ensuring that the industry itself was not responsible for spoiling the destinations we all want to visit. Five years into the 21st century, environmental protection is still an essential goal for the tourism industry. However, it now recognises that it must also pursue social and economic development goals with a view to making a positive contribution to the world. In this article we chart the development of the sustainability agenda and how the travel and tourism industry has responded.

1. Background
To find out how the tourism industry became involved in the sustainability debate, we should go back to 1983 when the United Nations set up an international commission to propose strategies for sustainable development. It was chaired by the then Prime Minister of Norway, Gro Harlem Brundtland, and the commissions report, Our Common Future which was published in 1987, is known as The Brundtland Report1. The Brundtland Report defined sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is still the most common definition used today to inform thinking on sustainability. The report triggered many

The full implementation of Agenda 21 was reaffirmed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg, South Africa in August/September 2002

subsequent events, including the UN Earth Summits, the International Climate Change Convention and Agenda 21, which offered a global blueprint for the future of the planet. 1987 also saw the adoption of the Montreal Protocol2, under which countries throughout the world have worked systematically to eliminate ozone depleting substances (ODS) under the aegis of UNEP. The protocol is just one of over 200 Multilateral International Agreements (MEAs) existing today3. They cover key issues such as biodiversity and wildlife, protection of the atmosphere, the marine environment, the use of chemicals and waste. MEAs are a powerful tool when it comes to tackling global problems. In June 1992 the first Earth Summit was held in in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At the summit, 178 governments came together for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)4 which resulted in five major agreements on global environmental issues. There were two formal treaties, The Framework Convention on Climate Change and The Convention on Biological Diversity, and three non-binding agreements: Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the Statement on Forest Principles. The 27 principles of the Rio Declaration gave a framework for sustainable development, advocating a co-operative and peaceful approach to environmental protection, poverty eradication, addressing the needs of developing countries and recognising the

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Weavers and tailors in the Senegambia craft market in The Gambia have doubled their average earnings as a result of an International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) pro-poor tourism implementation project

importance of women, young people and indigenous communities. Later that year, the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)5 was created to ensure effective follow-up of UNCED and to monitor and report on implementation of the agreements at local, national, regional and international levels a process that continues today. A five-year review was held by the United Nations General Assembly meeting in special session at Earth Summit +5 in June 1997. In December the same year, another high profile event was convened which saw more than 160 nations meet in Kyoto, Japan, to
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negotiate binding limitations on greenhouse gases for developed nations, in order to meet their obligations under the Climate Change Convention of 19926. This resulted in the Kyoto Protocol, in which developed nations agreed to limit their greenhouse gas emissions relative to the levels emitted in 1990. In September 2000, United Nations member states adopted the Millennium Declaration7. Following consultations among international agencies including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and specialist UN agencies, the General Assembly recognised the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as part of the road map for implementing the Millennium Declaration. These goals commit the international community to an expanded vision of development, one that vigorously promotes human development as the key to sustaining social and economic progress in all countries, and recognises the importance of creating a global partnership for development. The goals have been commonly accepted as a framework for measuring development progress and the first comprehensive review is planned for September 2005. The full implementation of Agenda 21 and the programme for its further implementation together with commitments to the Rio principles were strongly reaffirmed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)8 held in Johannesburg, South Africa in August/September 2002.

Part of the Wilderness Safaris group of lodges in Southern Africa, Damaraland Camp was among the first in Namibia to successfully link tourism, community partnership and economic development and conservation. The 300,000-hectare protected area was set up and is managed by the local communities who directly benefit economically as partners in Damaraland Camp. In the ten years of the project, wildlife populations in the nature conservancy area have doubled. This model of private sector/community partnership has been replicated in other areas of Namibia and southern Africa. moreinformation: tel: + 26 4 61 274 500 web: www.wilderness-safaris.com

2. Tourism and sustainability


The global attention attracted by the Rio Summit and subsequent developments was not lost on the travel and tourism industry, and the hotel industry in particular. For hotel owners and operators, the extent to which the longterm success of the hotel industry depends upon the health of the global and local environment was clear. Anticipating a growing public expectation that businesses should become more environmentally responsible, senior hotel industry leaders from around the world came together and launched the International Hotels Environment Initiative (IHEI) in 1992. Now absorbed into the International Tourism Partnership (ITP), the initiative led the way by enabling members of the hotel industry to work together towards more environmentally sensitive hotel operation on a non-competitive platform. In the mid-1990s, efforts both within and outside the tourism industry concentrated on environmental issues, especially energy reduction to help combat global warming

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caused by greenhouse gas emissions, using water more wisely, reducing the use of ozone depleting substances and using the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to minimise waste. As the decade progressed, the importance of local economic development and the social aspects of tourism became more apparent and the agenda broadened. From the late 1990s onwards, activity has focused increasingly around issues such as employment, training and the eradication of sexual exploitation. In April 1995 the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) co-hosted the World Conference on Sustainable Tourism in the Canary Islands, the outcome of which was the Charter for Sustainable Tourism9. This was a precursor to Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism Industry: Towards Environmentally Sustainable Development10, produced in 1995 by the WTO, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Earth Council. Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism Industry provided the framework for a systematic approach to achieving more sustainable travel and tourism. In New York in 1999, at the seventh session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-7)11, the attending governments asserted the contribution of tourism towards local economic development. The British delegation pushed for the inclusion of poverty and local and indigenous community benefits to be addressed according to the Rio framework, which had emphasised the importance of addressing both the environment and development in committing

to sustainable development. The CSD-7 declaration urged governments to maximize the potential of tourism for eradicating poverty by developing appropriate strategies in cooperation with all major groups, and indigenous and local communities. The Johannesburg Summit in 2002 gave a special recognition to the role of tourism in sustainable development. The WSSD Plan of Implementation includes an explicit paragraph (number 43) concerning tourism, and further references to tourism can be found in the sections relating to energy and biodiversity conservation, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and African issues12. During WSSD, and with a view to the Millennium Development Goals, WTO launched the Sustainable Tourism Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) Initiative13. Under its framework for action, ST-EP has so far produced a series of technical publications on tourism and poverty reduction and generated funds to conduct pilot projects in poor communities.

3. A partnership approach
One element that Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism Industry, the CSD-7 Declaration and other voluntary agreements share is an insistence on the value of working in partnership to achieve sustainable goals this means governments, states, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the public and private sector and local communities and entrepreneurs. 1997 saw the launch by the Caribbean Hotel Association of the Caribbean Action

For Sustainable Tourism (CAST) programme established with assistance from IHEI and WTTC14. Later renamed the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism to reflect the collaborative nature of its activities, CAST continues to promote the effective management of natural resources within the hotel and tourism sector and assist operators in the Caribbean region in achieving the goals of Agenda 21. Giulia Carbone, Programme Officer for Sustainable Tourism at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Division of Technology, Industry and Economics explains UNEPs approach to partnerships. The last 10 years have seen incredible changes in the way environmental matters have been addressed. During this period, UNEP has tried to respond effectively to the needs of the tourism industry. We have partly done this by developing technical knowledge and making it available through our network as well as creating solid partnerships with industry leaders that could create a replication effect. In particular, one of the main achievements has been the conception and launch of the Tour Operators Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development (TOI) in 2000. The TOI was, right from the start, a joint partnership between UNEP and tour operators committed to sustainable development. One of the key roles of the United Nations is to provide a neutral platform where business can discuss and agree

CASE STUDY

Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance


In December 2003, Conservation Internationals Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB) partnered with the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) to launch the Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance (OCTA), a joint initiative to protect biodiversity in top cruise destinations and promote industry practices that minimise the cruise industry's environmental impact. The OCTA is concentrating its efforts on four initial priority areas: Best practices for wastewater management including accelerating and adopting improved shipboard technology more information such as Advanced Wastewater Purification (AWP) systems Establishing destination partnerships working with local governments and communities to maintain high-quality travel experiences by protecting the natural and cultural assets of cruise destinations Promoting environmental education raising guest and crew awareness of and support for critical conservation issues Promoting vendor environmental education lessening the environmental impacts of suppliers.

Jamie Sweeting tel: + 1 202 912 1219 email: j.sweeting@conservation.org

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on the sustainability agenda for their sector in a non-competitive environment. Five years on, the TOI represents in the tour operator sector a leading example of the practices and approaches that could make tourism a sustainable alternative to many communities. The TOIs method of engaging stakeholders and working together aims to create a better tourism experience, safeguard a destination's culture, economy and environment and increase benefits for the local community. This is an important part of destination stewardship15 whereby local authorities, hotel and resort operators, tour operators, NGOs, local residents and businesses should all be involved in preserving and enhancing those destinations that we travel the world to see. The aim is to enable them to benefit from the tourism industry whilst retaining what is special (such as their traditions and local cultures, landscape, wildlife and biodiversity) for future generations of visitors to enjoy. A good example is the Whistler. Its Our Nature community programme to promote sustainable initiatives in Whistler, Canada. Based on the principles of The Natural Step16, the programme encourages businesses, households and other organisations to practice sustainability. Immediately before the WSSD in South Africa in 2002, the Responsible Tourism Partnership together with Western Cape Tourism held the Cape Town Conference on

CASE STUDY

A Think Tank meeting room at the Scandic Edderkoppen, Oslo, Norway. Everything in the room apart from the paper roll on the wall is eco-labelled

Hilton International
Hilton International operates more than 400 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties in nearly 70 countries worldwide, including Scandic. The group helped to set up IHEI in 1992 and continues to be an active member of ITP. It has an established track record for environmental management with strong emphasis being placed on measuring and monitoring resource use so that improvements can be targeted. The methodology of the international NGO The Natural Step system underpins thinking with regard to environmental and sustainability issues and the group actively works with its suppliers to help raise standards. Hilton International is responsible for a number of firsts within the industry. In 1995, Scandic introduced the concept of the eco-room whereby 97% of its components are recyclable. These rooms are designed and built with their ultimate disassembly in mind using environmentally-sustainable components wherever possible. Materials include wooden furniture and floors, pure cotton and wool textiles and minimal use of chrome, metal and plastic fittings. The rooms, of which there are now more than 10,000. also employ energy and water efficient technologies. Eco-rooms are popular with guests because of their simple, natural aesthetics and the better indoor air quality they provide for allergy sufferers. All room renovations (around 2,000 each year) are carried out according to the Scandic Environmental Refurbishment Equipment and Construction Standard which was introduced in 2001 based on six years experience of building eco-rooms and has more information

Divided waste bins to facilitate recycling

reduced the amount of metal and plastic disposed of annually by 15 and 90 tonnes respectively. The standard has informed the development by ITP of its generic Sustainable Siting, Design and Construction Guiding Principles for hotels and resorts which will be launched later this year. In 2004, Hilton International introduced the Hilton Environmental Reporting System (HER), an advanced internet reporting system that enables each hotel in the group to report on and compare data. This was followed by the launch of their global selfeducating ecoLearning tool on Hilton University, an award winning online learning facility available to all Hilton team members worldwide. This programme is now being launched in Arabic. The company has also embarked on an ambitious training programme to provide environmental training to all its 15,000 UK and Ireland team members. The Hilton UK & Ireland Environmental Sustainability Training Programme received a 'Highly Commended' Award in the 2004 Responsible Tourism Awards.

Jan Peter Bergkvist tel: + 46 709 73 59 63 email: janpeter.bergkvist@hilton.com

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Responsible Tourism in Destinations17. Involving 280 delegates from 20 countries, it was a natural progression from work on responsible tourism guidelines for South Africa (created through a national consultative process so that they reflect the priorities and aspirations of the people). Out of the international conference came the Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations, which set down guiding principles for economic, social and environmental responsibility. It recognised that although considerable progress had been made in addressing the environmental impacts of tourism, there was still a long way to go to achieve sustainability. More limited progress had been made in harnessing tourism for local economic development, for the benefit of communities and indigenous peoples, and in managing the social impacts of tourism. In order to shape sustainable spaces into better

places, it stated that tourism can only be managed for sustainability at destination level. Delegates committed to working towards a more balanced relationship between hosts and guests in destinations, and to create better places for local communities and indigenous peoples; and recognising that this can only be achieved by government, local communities and business cooperating on practical initiatives in destinations.

4. Trends and developments


Voluntary codes of conduct
Since there was no legislation driving sustainable initiatives within the travel and tourism industry, we began to see the emergence of voluntary codes of conduct. Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism Industry was one of the first, and itself encourages business and industry to adopt and report on the implementation of codes of conduct promoting best environmental practice.

CASE STUDY

Rezidor SAS Hospitality


Rezidor SAS Hospitality operates 196 hotels within the Radisson SAS, Park Inn, Country Inn and Regent brands in 42 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Now in its fifth year, The Rezidor SAS Responsible Business (RB) programme applies to all its brands and enables environmental and social responsibilities to be integrated throughout the groups corporate strategies, objectives and operational plans. Responsibility for the programme lies with the General Manager and the Responsible Business co-ordinator at each hotel. They report through a regional network to the Corporate Director for Responsible Business. At the beginning of 2005, 92% of the companys hotels had RB action plans in place. Since 2002, more than 8,000 employees have received RB training so that they understand how a hotel can impact both the natural environment and the local community. A new RB training programme, adapted for all the groups brands, was launched in 2004. The group has been particularly successful in monitoring, managing and benchmarking its environmental impacts. Since 2001, more information energy consumption per guest night has fallen from 292 kwh/m2 to 281 kwh/m2 and unsorted waste from 2.09 kg/guest night to 1.85 kg/guest night. During the same period, the reported water consumption per guest night has increased, due to improved monitoring routines for water consumption as well as the opening of resort hotels with large swimming pool areas. The group made a significant contribution to ITPs development of the international benchmarking tool, benchmarkhotel.com by providing data and testing the tool within its hotels. Since 2004, the groups Director of Responsible Business, Pia HeidenmarkCook has chaired ITPs Executive Committee. Rezidor SAS is an active champion of ITP programmes such as Hotels Environment Action Month (HEAM). So far, 11 hotels have obtained third party environmental labels. In Norway, they work with the Nordic Swan and the Norwegian Miljfyrtrnet, in Denmark with Green Key, in Finland with the Green Hotel label and in Scotland the Scottish Green Tourism Business Scheme. In 2004, the group received the Worldwide Hospitality Award for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development in recognition for its achievements.

In Istanbul in 1997, a WTO General Assembly called for the development of a code of ethics which could guide stakeholders in tourism development (central and local governments, local communities, the tourism industry and its professionals, as well as visitors, both international and domestic). It was drafted over the next two years by special committee, and the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET)18 was endorsed at CSD-7 in 1999. Following further input from member states and other entities, the 10-point code was approved by the WTO later that year. It was officially recognised by the UN in December 2001 and the WTO was encouraged to promote effective follow-up. Co-ordination of the implementation process is carried out by the World Committee on Tourism Ethics, set up by the WTO in 2003.

Pia Heidenmark Cook tel: + 45 32 34 40 47 email: Pia.Heidenmark-Cook@RezidorSAS.com


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Chumbe Island Coral Park, Zanzibar, Tanzania operates almost exclusively with local management. Developed by former German GTZ staff member Sibylle Riedmiller, it is a part of an overall environmental, social and developmental project built around the eco-lodge of Chumbe Island. The island and its surrounding coral reefs are a protected maritime biodiversity reserve. Although tourism to the island remains limited, it generates enough money to finance environmental protection measures and pay the staff of 41 local employees and the environmental training programme for school children. moreinformation: Sibylle Riedmiller tel: + 255 24 2231040 web: www.chumbeisland.com

In 1999, WWF published Ten Principles for Mediterranean Tourism19, which also included specific measures for tourists and for industry (tour operators, hotels and airlines). In 2001, with help from the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) produced a set of Responsible Tourism Guidelines20 for its members. They cover general good practice from office, through sales, marketing and pre-departure information to overseas destinations, and signing up to them is now a pre-condition of membership. The following year AITO introduced a 3-star Responsible Tourism (RT) policy, under which companies are able to progress voluntarily and at their own pace to two higher stages. By undertaking an environmental review and establishing a comprehensive policy they can qualify for a second star, and by engaging in specific RT initiatives or projects they can gain a third. 2002 also saw the launch of the AITO Responsible Tourism Awards designed to enable all member companies, irrespective of the types of holiday which they operate, to strive towards more responsible tourism. AITOs lead was followed by the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) which, in 2003, formed a Responsible Tourism Committee and is working with The Travel Foundation to develop a series of initiatives to assist tour operators to integrate responsible tourism practices into their core business. The same year, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) published Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development. These international guidelines
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cover activities related to sustainable tourism development in vulnerable terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats of major importance for biological diversity and protected areas, including fragile riparian and mountain ecosystems. To respond to the need for guidance to inform larger scale tourism developments, ITP has collaborated with the Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB) to develop international Sustainable Siting, Design and Construction of Hotels Guiding Principles. This programme will be launched later this year. In October 2003, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) issued a new vision and strategy for the successful and sustainable development of the industry. Its Blueprint for New Tourism21 set out guiding principles and calls for greater public private synergy, towards delivering consistent results that match the needs of economies, local and regional authorities and local communities with those of business. Hand-in-hand with the development of codes of practice for members of the industry to follow came advice in the form of codes and guidelines for travellers and customers to follow (such as not purchasing souvenirs made from endangered wildlife species and respect for local cultures and religion). Examples include The Travellers Code produced by Friends of Conservation in 2002 and Your Travel Choice Makes a Difference, a consumer-awareness campaign run by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) launched in 2000. Today, many tour operators display codes on their websites and provide guidance to their customers.

sustainability issues. Some schemes, however, are more notable than others for their rigorous examination of achievements against set criteria before certification is awarded, and offer different levels of attainment to allow for improvement. Certification schemes tend to be either process-led such as ISO 14001 and EMAS, where certification recognises the setting up of an environmental management system (EMS), or performance-based, where certification is only awarded on the meeting of set performance criteria. Most operate on a voluntary, local and/or national basis. One of the first and best known certification programmes is the Blue Flag for European beaches which came into effect in 1985. In 2001 the programme was extended to South Africa and the Caribbean and it now also operates in Costa Rica. More recently, Namibia became the latest country to introduce an environmental grading system22 for hotels, lodges and guest farms (see page xx). The rapid development and proliferation of standards, labels and certification schemes for the travel and tourism industry coincided with the emergence of voluntary codes of conduct. However, only one certification scheme, Green Globe 21, first launched as Green Globe in 1994, has universal application to the travel and tourism industry worldwide. Despite initial criticism of its logo system, Green Globe has evolved into a more credible programme through its links with the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) in Australia and the launch of Green Globe Asia Pacific, and its association with CAST. Major improvements were made to the scheme in 2001. In 2000, participants from 20 countries representing most of the leading global, regional and national sustainable tourism and ecotourism certification programs, meeting in New York, agreed on general principles and
The Blue Flag for European beaches was introduced in 1985

Photo: Guido Cozzi

Tourism standards, ecolabelling and certification


Tourism standards, ecolabels and green certification schemes can be valuable for the responsible traveller in that they confirm that the tourism entity is actually doing what it says it is with regard to environmental and

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CASE STUDY

Aurinkomatkat-Suntours is a member of the Tour Operators Initiative (TOI) for Sustainable Tourism Development which has collaborated with the Center for Environmental Leadership in Business to launch a series of Practical Guides to Good Practice. The aim is to help tour operators identify the best available practices in different sectors and convince suppliers to take action. They have so far been published for the accommodation and marine sectors. The next guides will be on landbased and desert-based excursions

establishing national certification systems for sustainable tourism. These emphasise the role of governments in establishing and coordinating multi-stakeholder processes for certification systems and advice for developing certification criteria26.

Tourism campaigns
The tide of change towards more responsible tourism practices was given further momentum through campaigns by charitable organisations such as Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Tourism Concern and the Christian organisation Tearfund. These have been variously aimed at both the industry itself and at consumers. In 1998 VSO launched a campaign called Travelling to a Fairer World, which drew attention to the need for fairer trade practices and more ethically-minded tourism. Subsequently they linked up with Tourism Concern to prepare in-flight videos highlighting ethical tourism issues for passengers bound for The Gambia, Thailand, Kenya and other countries. Over the years, Tourism Concern has campaigned on a number of issues, notably, human rights, fair trade, porters rights and labour conditions in tourist resorts. It also established an international Fair Trade in Tourism Network in 1999, a three-year project with funding from the European Commission and the UKs Department for International Development (DFID). The following year, Tearfund published a guide for the industry called A Tearfund Guide to Tourism Dont Forget Your Ethics27. More recently Tearfund joined a coalition of over 450 organisations in the Make Poverty History campaign for 2005 to try to change the lives of the 2.8 billion people living in poverty in our world today. Notable tourism industry orchestrated
Destination stewardship: Fairmont Chateau Whistler in Canada is a key participant in Whistlers sustainability programme

Aurinkomatkat-Suntours
Aurinkomatkat (now AurinkomatkatSuntours), a Finnish outbound tour operator, began integrating sustainability measures into its supply chain system in 2000. The company developed sustainability criteria for its partner hotels with priority given to water management and energy saving. Minimum criteria were established and by 2003 the company had completed the initial phase of monitoring all its existing partners and introducing environmental criteria into its partner hotel contracts. After December 2005 contracts will not be renewed without evidence of improvement in practices that do not fulfill the criteria. Aurinkomatkat has also integrated indicators for social, cultural and economic sustainability into the programme which take into account the different scales of impact for hotels of different sizes and their ability to invest in environmental technology. Its sustainability classification system is based on a 100-point scale. Facilities that achieve at least 30 points can be included in the sustainability programme. This information is made available to customers who wish to select more sustainable accommodation. All staff have also been trained in sustainable tourism. more information Tom Selnniemi tel: + 358 10 446 4035 email: tom.selanniemi@aurinkomatkat.fi
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recommendations that should be part of any sound ecotourism and sustainable tourism certification program. This is known as the Mohonk Agreement23. A study undertaken by the WTO in 200124 identified and analysed 104 separate voluntary eco-labels and certification schemes, prizes and awards, environmental management systems, codes of conduct, self-commitments and selfdeclarations within the tourism sector around the world. This proliferation led to a move towards consolidation amid concerns that customers would only be confused rather than helped. In 2003, recognising the need for regional and international certification and accreditation schemes with internationallyagreed standards that can be applied meaningfully to local conditions, the Rainforest Alliance proposed the formation of the Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC), a global accreditation body for sustainable tourism and ecotourism certification programs. This led to the launch of the Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas, an international partnership effort led by the Rainforest Alliance, WTO, TIES, and UNEP to promote integration of sustainability into tourism policies and higher environmental and social standards for tourism in the region. This includes providing training for small and medium sized enterprises and opening up marketing opportunities. The network now comprises 40 organisations from 19 countries in the Americas and in October 2004, agreement was reached on a set of common baseline standards for certification. In Europe, the Voluntary Initiatives for Sustainability in Tourism (VISIT) Standards for Tourism has brought together 10 ecolabels25 (including Blue Flag, the Nordic Swan, Green Tourism Business Scheme and the Austrian ecolabels). In effect it is a standard for standards and ensures that only those ecolabels that specify certain standards and procedures are promoted to consumers. WTO has also published recommendations to governments for supporting and/or

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Exodus Travels Ltd offers over 300 tours in 90 countries and runs all its trips in as responsible manner as possible, socially, culturally, economically and environmentally. It asks its clients to 'police' this and to abide by its responsible tourism policy. In 2004 Exodus was awarded the Best Tour Operator award in the Responsible Tourism Awards and was joint overall winner with Calabash Trust and Tours in all categories. Among various responsible tourism initiaitives, the company has teamed up with Friends of Conservation to support projects at Ranthambore in India, Nava Kiran Orphanage in Nepal and on the edge of the Masai Mara in Kenya

campaigns include ITPs Hotels Environmental Action Month (HEAM) whereby hotels around the world raise awareness about their activities during the month of September and, in the UK, Hospitable Climates28. Hospitable Climates is a partnership programme between the Hotel and Catering International Management Association and the Carbon Trust set up in 2000 to promote energy efficiency within the hospitality industry. Since its launch the campaign has seen combined cumulative CO2 emissions savings by its more than 4,000 members of 131,000 tonnes, with annual cost savings of over GBP13 million (US$23.6 million)

Supply chain management


Many hotels and resorts around the world have started to use their significant purchasing power as a tool for change to help green their overall practice or
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encourage greater opportunities for local enterprises. For tour operators, whose impacts are created almost entirely by their suppliers of transport, accommodation, activities, food and entertainment, supply chain management can be a particularly effective tool in helping them work towards greater sustainability. Supply chain management involves the implementation of sustainable purchasing policies and requiring suppliers work to integrate sustainability into their own business operation. One of the first examples of this was carried out by IHEI for British Airways Holidays (BAH) which conducted a survey of around 100 hotels and resorts in the Caribbean in 1997 in order to identify and promote those with good environmental practices in its brochures. Twelve hotels were identified as having the best programmes and were allowed to use a special logo. Since its establishment in 2000, the TOI has focused on the development of a supply chain management framework to facilitate the integration of sustainability standards in the selection and contracting procedures of tour operators service providers. This effort has been supported from the outset by Conservation Internationals Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB) and resulted in the publication of a guide in 200329. The methodology developed by the TOI is aimed at tour operators seeking to integrate economic,

environmental and social sustainability criteria in their providers service agreements. Developed with the involvement of those TOI members already working on sustainability with their suppliers, the guide proposes a three-step approach to the integration of sustainability criteria in the selection of suppliers, and is supported by examples and practical tips. The TOI has also launched a series of Practical Guides to Good Practice to help tour operators identify the best available practices in different sectors and convince suppliers to take action. Two have already been published for the accommodation and marine recreation sectors with two more forthcoming covering landbased and desert-based excursions. Leeds Metropolitan University is currently working on a EU-funded project to introduce supply chain management standards for UK and Dutch tour operators. Called Tourlink30, and with involvement from the Federation of Tour Operators and Algemeen Nederlands Verbond van Reisondernemingen (ANVR), the Dutch association of travel agencies, it aims to develop an internationally accepted methodology for supply chain management of tour operators, and to introduce standards and criteria for key supplier groups. These standards will then be tested against existing ecolabels in Catalonia and Austria.

Awards
National and international award schemes play a valuable role in showcasing the best sustainable tourism projects to the rest of the world as examples for others to follow. The popularity of awards for environmentally and socially responsible tourism projects is demonstrated by the sheer number around the world today. The Tourism for Tomorrow awards were originally set up by the FTO in 1989 to encourage action from all sectors of the tourism industry to protect the environment. To help reinforce their global nature, British Airways took over their sponsorship from 1992-2003, during which time the awards developed to encompass all aspects of sustainable tourism. They are now under the umbrella of the WTTC and recognise the vision set out in its Blueprint for New Tourism. 2003 saw the launch of the Responsible Tourism Awards organised by online travel agent responsibletravel.com, in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine. The awards

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recognise companies and organisations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to 'responsible' tourism i.e. that make a positive contribution to conservation and the economies of local communities, while minimising the negative impacts that tourism can have. Other notable awards include Conservation International and National Geographic Travelers World Legacy Awards, the TO!DO International Contest on Socially Responsible Tourism, the International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH&RA) awards, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) travel awards which include environment and heritage categories, the Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) awards, the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) Environmental Awards and the Caribbean Hotel Association/American Express Green Hotel of the Year awards, to name a few.

First among the hotel industry to publish environmental reports were InterContinental Hotels and Resorts and Grecotel in 1996 and the Swedish company Snga Sby Kurs and Konferens in 1997 (in the previous year the Swedish Hotels and Restaurants Association had developed software-based environmental performance indicators for the hotel industry in Sweden). Environmental reporting evolved into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting and many companies now publish stand alone CSR reports (some of them independently assured by external auditors or devote space within their annual reports to it. CSR reporting has been facilitated by the launch in 2002 of globally applicable sustainability reporting guidelines and performance indicators by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The GRI Guidelines enable organisations to report on the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of their activities, products, and

The challenge over the next 15 years will be to consolidate that good practice throughout the industry and ensure that tourism gives more to the planet than it takes away
Indicators, CSR reporting and benchmarking
New pressures on business to be accountable and transparent emerged in the late 1980s and a number of companies began to make reference to the environment and their approach to it in their corporate annual reports. The more environmentally-aware companies began to publish stand-alone environmental reports. Initially this tended to be those companies with more substantial environmental impacts to manage, such as the energy and chemical industries. As far back as 1993, WTO assembled a task force of international experts to devise a set of sustainability indicators specifically for tourism. Following tests in Canada, Mexico, The Netherlands, Argentina and the USA the results were published in 199631. Following a series of application workshops throughout the world WTO published a Guidebook on Indicators of Sustainable Development for Tourism Destinations in 200432. It covers applications for indicators for a broad range of sustainability issues illustrated with case studies.
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services. Working in co-operation with the GRI, the TOI has developed a sector supplement containing 47 performance indicators specifically for tour operators33. In 2000 the Tourism, Hospitality & Events School at Leeds Metropolitan University undertook a project to benchmark the socioeconomic and environmental performance of hotels. Managed by IHEI, the aim was to design a tool to help measure environmental and socio-economic performance of hotels against a range of indicators and provide a foundation for improvement. After further development and input from hoteliers around the world benchmarkhotel.com was launched in 2001. Following recent improvements the tool is due to be relaunched in summer 2005.

2002 was officially designated by the UN as International Year of Ecotourism (IYE), a move that set off a debate as to whether the term had been exploited for marketing purposes34. In May 2002, Canada hosted The World Summit of Ecotourism, convened by UNEP and the WTO, at which delegates approved the Quebec Declaration of Ecotourism35. According to the Quebec Declaration, ecotourism both embraces sustainable tourism and is distinguished from it because it specifically includes conservation and interpretation of the natural and cultural heritage and includes local and indigenous communities in ecotourism planning, development and operation, as well as contributing to their well-being. Ecotourism also lends itself better to independent travellers and smaller groups. Other niche tourism markets have emerged in recent years such as: nature tourism36, cultural heritage tourism37, geotourism38, pro-poor tourism39 and peace through tourism40. Whether they concern people, places or wildlife, as antidotes to mass tourism, these areas of tourism share common values those of promoting understanding, showing respect and taking responsibility. There is therefore an expectation that operators providing these holidays, and the customers who purchase them, should understand and wish to follow the principles of more responsible tourism.

5. Conclusion
The world knows much more about what sustainability means and involves than it did 20 years ago. Over the past 15 years some important mechanisms have been enacted to help us help work towards a more sustainable way of life. The travel and tourism industry has embraced the concept of more sustainable operation. Being a people-oriented industry, it has taken note of increasing customer awareness and expectation41. World-wide, many examples can be cited where hotels, B&Bs, tour operators and their suppliers have adopted a more responsible approach. The challenge over the next 15 years will be to consolidate that good practice throughout the industry and ensure that tourism gives more to the planet than it takes away for individuals and communities, for their culture and heritage, and for wildlife and biodiversity. Crucial to this process will be how the

Ecotourism and other concepts


By the turn of the 21st Century, ecotourism was in our vocabulary. Founded in 1990, The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) was the first and is still the largest organisation in the world dedicated to generating and disseminating information about ecotourism.

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MORE INFORMATION
Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) web: www.aito.co.uk Blue Flag web: www.blueflag.org Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) web: www.cha-cast.com Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB) web: www.celb.org Conservation International web: www.conservation.org Earth Council web: www.earthcouncil.com Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) web: www.fto.co.uk Friends of Conservation web: www.foc-uk.com Green Globe 21 web: www.greenglobe21.com Hotel and Catering International Management Association web: www.hcima.org.uk International Centre for Responsible Tourism web: www.icrtourism.org International Ecotourism Society (TIES) web: www.ecotourism.org International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) web: www.iipt.org International Tourism Partnership (ITP) web: www.internationaltourismpartnership.org Make Poverty History web: www.makepovertyhistory.org National Geographic Traveler web: www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) web: www.pata.org Pro Poor Tourism (PPT) web: www.propoortourism.org.uk Rainforest Alliance web: www.rainforest-alliance.org responsibletravel.com web: www.responsibletravel.com Responsible Tourism Partnership web: www.responsibletourismpartnership.org Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC) web: www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/ tourism/ initiatives/stewardship-council.html Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas web: www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/ tourism/certification/network-of-americas.html Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) web: www.crctourism.com.au Tearfund web: www.tearfund.org The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) web: www.ecotourism.org The Travel Foundation web: www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk Tour Operators Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development (TOI) web: www.toinitiative.org Tourism Concern web: www.tourismconcern.org.uk United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Division of Technology, Industry and Economics web: www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism VISIT Standards for Tourism Ecolabels web: www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/ conf/cert-malaysia/pres/visit-info.pdf Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) web: www.vso.org.uk Western Cape Tourism web: www.tourismcapetown.co.za World Bank web: www.worldbank.org World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) web: www.wttc.org World Tourism Organisation (WTO) web: www.world-tourism.org

CASE STUDY

Spier, StellenboschWinelands, South Africa


At the hotel, conference centre and winery on the Spier Estate in the Stellenbosch-Winelands, South Africa, more than 150 sustainability indicators have been established to measure everything from compliance with basic employment regulations, energy and water use to the impact of Spiers HIV/AIDs prevention and treatment initiatives. In 2003, targets were set to purchase 50% of goods and services from local businesses, 30% from black-owned and operated businesses, and 50% from small, medium and micro-enterprises. The following year, questionnaires were sent out to 357 of Spier Leisures suppliers so that a clearer baseline could be established from which to set future targets to help advance job creation and equity. Nine key areas were identified that offered the best opportunity of transforming Spiers procurement practices. Since then, for example, a craft market has been set up enabling eight individuals to sell their work on the estate and 50% of all the laundry is now contracted out to a local, black-owned business, creating six new jobs. more information Tanner Methvin tel: + 27 21 881 3661 email: tannerm@intekom.co.za web: www.spier.co.za industry engages on a world scale with technology developments to address global issues, such as cleaner and more efficient energy provision and greater access to fresh water and proper sanitation, and adopts mechanisms for assessing how successful it is at overcoming challenges such as poverty reduction through social and economic development. This must be combined with carefully thought-through initiatives at local level to improve the quality of the destinations we visit and the lives of the people who inhabit them.

RESOURCES
Changing the Nature of Tourism: Developing an Agenda for Action ISBN 1 86192 023 7 Published by DfID web: www.dfid.gov.uk Global Code of Ethics for Tourism web: www.world-tourism.org/code_ ethics/eng/principles.htm Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) web: www.globalreporting.org/ Sustainability standards in the global economy By Xavier Font. Published 2005 in Global Tourism, 3rd Ed, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 213-229. Reflections on standard setting: a comparison between Europe and global experiences By Xavier Font, Tourism Hospitality and Events School, Leeds Metropolitan University

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Where do senior travel and tourism individuals and leading sustainability practitioners believe the industry should be in 2020 with regard to responsible tourism? What do they see as being the key issues for the future and their role in helping to bring it about?
Photo: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Reto Stckli

2020 vision
tourism and the future
he travel and tourism industry has had to contend with many serious setbacks over recent years, including economic downturn, the terrorism events of 9/11, the war in Iraq and SARS. Now back on the road to recovery1, the predictions for growth are more optimistic. Globally, the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) forecasts that international tourism arrivals are expected to reach over 1.56 billion by the year 20202 compared with 694 million in 20033. The implications of growth on this scale are enormous. But what does it mean for the hotels, travel and tourism industry and for the world as a whole? Can this expansion in travel be sustained? There can be no doubt that the industry is of immense importance both on a global and local scale, with a huge capacity for furthering understanding between people and cultures, stimulating local economies and protecting the environment if we can get it right. That is the crucial issue, because if we dont, the industry has no sustainable future, and future generations will not be able to experience the wonders that we have been privileged to discover. With this in mind, we asked well-known environmentalists, senior executives from the travel and tourism industry and leading organisations working to promote sustainability to look forward 15 years and convey their message to the travel industry. Here are their views on what needs to be done.

NAME: Monique Barbut ORGANISATION: Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) The future calls for more commitment, stronger partnerships and increased transparency. In the last 20 years, a wealth of knowledge has been generated on good environmental practices in tourism, including effective environmentally sound technologies, good house-keeping practices and credible CSR tools. We need now to support the mainstreaming of these practices in all tourism sectors and at all levels, from the multi national to the microenterprise. Most of all, a co-ordinated effort is needed to mobilise medium and small entrepreneurs and raise their awareness and build their capacity to respond to the environmental challenges in tourism. The public and private sectors (in particular industry associations) need to work together in finding effective mechanisms to transfer knowledge and create incentives. Financial institutions also should be actively involved if we want to make a real shift in the sustainability of the tourism industry. Their support to environmental and social lending criteria will help push the integration of sustainability in the business operations up in the private sectors agenda. Furthermore, the links between the tourism industry and other sectors such as agriculture,
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transport and manufacturing, need to be strengthened. Only by working in an integrated fashion will we be able to make the tourism industry truly sustainable. Finally, we need also to focus more on the untapped potential of this industry to bring prosperity in rural and less favoured communities. Tourism, developed in a sustainable fashion, can offer opportunities to communities in and near to protected areas, in rural areas, or where no other form of industrialisation is possible to generate employment, income and pride in the indigenous culture and environment.

NAME: Eugenio Yunis ORGANISATION: Chief, Sustainable Development of Tourism, World Tourism Organisation Hotels and other accommodation establishments are at the heart of the tourism industry. Therefore, any effort to make tourism more sustainable and in accordance with prevailing social and economic wisdom must be addressed to hotel companies and their properties in the first place.

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The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecast a ten-year annualized growth (2005-2014) of 4.1% per annum in 2004. See www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4018700.html Tourism 2020 Vision, World Tourism Organisation. See www.world-tourism.org/isroot/wto/pdf/1183-1.pdf 3 WTO Tourism Barometer Volume 2 No 2, June 2004. See World Tourism Organisation www.world-tourism.org
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THE FUTURE

Since environmental sustainability awareness began to emerge in the international scene some 30 years ago, numerous technological and managerial solutions to lessen the negative effects upon the environment have been developed and made available to the hotel sector. In its ten years of existence, greenhotelier has played an important role in disseminating these techniques. More recently, the socio-cultural dimensions of sustainability as they apply to the tourism industry have also been made explicit, by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) and other institutions. WTO has made substantive efforts in developing know-how on sustainability issues over the last ten years. At the same time, it has advised governments and the tourism industry on the ethical need and commercial common sense of introducing such techniques and know-how into the dayto-day management practices of tourism destinations and individual companies. Much faster progress needs to be made in the next few years to render the mainstream tourism sector more responsive to the sustainability challenges of our time, including the contribution it can certainly make to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, especially to poverty alleviation. We are confident that greenhoteliers continuous efforts in this respect, in parallel to those of WTO and other actors, will bear fruits before too long. NAME: Dr. Russ Mittermeier ORGANISATION: President, Conservation International NAME: Jamie Sweeting ORGANISATION: Senior Director, Travel and Leisure, The Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB), Conservation International Since Conservation Internationals early days we have sought to embrace tourism as a vehicle to achieve our mission to conserve the Earths living natural heritage, our global biodiversity, and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature. We recognize that in order to protect the worlds diversity of plant and animal species we must also work to support the economic well-being of the people who live in the places where biodiversity is most concentrated the biodiversity hotspots.

NAME: Jonathon Porritt ORGANISATION: Founder and Programme Director of Forum for the Future and Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission The travel and tourism industry is considerably more aware of its responsibilities today than it was ten years ago, and many individual companies are now seriously engaged in providing environmentally and socially responsible travel experiences. But the industry cannot begin to claim that its even remotely sustainable. Indeed, there is still widespread denial about the kind of transformation that is now required to become sustainable. Just look at the ten year growth projections the industry loves to regale itself with! But once oil hits $75 a barrel, and carbon is trading through the EUs Emissions Trading Scheme at e50 a tonne, and climate change has really put the wind up Tourism offers an important economic engine for creating jobs and supporting the livelihoods of the local populations that live in these areas. Our vision is that by 2020 tourism will have become a vital force for biodiversity conservation. By helping to secure new and better managed protected areas and demonstrating economic value for protecting the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg, the tourism industry will be a key ally in securing the future of the Worlds most precious places.

politicians and their electorates, why would any sensible person pay the remotest attention to such forecasts, let alone go on investing billions of dollars in tourism infrastructure much of which is doomed to redundancy once todays phenomenon of cheap air flights grinds to a halt? Sorry to be gloomy, but our collective efforts to date (on both the environmental and the socio-economic aspects of sustainability) are hopelessly inadequate and I can say that as someone who was closely involved in setting up the International Hotels Environment Initiative all those years ago! The livelihoods of so many people now depend on travel and tourism getting its act together sustainably, particularly in the developing world. That demands a new quality of leadership in the industry, aligned with the reality of the world as it is, not as we might like it to be. environment and wildlife that draws the visitors there in the first place. Part of our commitment is the preferential use of locally owned hotels and services. By-and-large, locally owned hotels tend to be smaller and thus provide a more intimate, authentic customer experience. They also tend to be more energy and water consumption conscious, employing solar panelling and alternative forms of energy production. They will more often than not source produce for their restaurants directly from local suppliers and farmers. The off-the-beaten-track nature of our holidays also tends to provide vital employment and can help avert population migration drains. Increasingly, consumers are choosing to differentiate our products from our competitors based on the way we run and source our holidays. Although a minority trend at the moment, we foresee a time when the way a holiday is operated becomes as important to consumers buying decisions as the overall price. In 2004 we were honoured to receive recognition for our continuing commitment and efforts in the field of Responsible Tourism, collecting the best Tour Operator and joint Overall Winner categories in the Responsible Travel Awards. Despite this success we continue to work hard on our practices and are always looking to improve and review our responsible tourism efforts."

NAME: Stephen Nattrass ORGANISATION: Responsible Tourism Manager, Exodus Travels Ltd Exodus was founded over thirty years ago with a simple idea: provide good value off-the-beaten-track holidays, whilst benefiting the communities we visit. As a company we have changed beyond all recognition, however our commitment to this simple philosophy has not diverted. We fervently believe that tourism has a very positive role to play in host communities and their economies, whilst helping to protect the

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NAME: Tedd Saunders ORGANISATION: Co-Owner & EVP, The Saunders Hotel Group and President, EcoLogical Solutions Inc. With tourism being the worlds largest industry it is hard to imagine a more important goal to achieve in the coming 15 years than sustainability. Judging by the enormous progress made over the past 15 years (when I began greening my familys hotel business), I believe anything is possible. The specter of global climate disruption is all around us however. As scientists and visionary business leaders will tell you, without urgent action climate disruption will inevitably wreak havoc on every aspect of business and humanity at large. More frequent and violent storms, coupled with deadly heat waves and rising sea levels will spoil countless destinations and disrupt travel as we know it. Healthy coral reefs, snowcovered ski trails, and peaceful seaside resorts will be among the many victims of our denial of the facts. To help avoid this disturbing outcome, hotels will have to dramatically lower energy consumption and invest substantially in nonpolluting renewable energy sources by the centurys second decade. The task before us is indeed daunting but the good news is that we have the technology at hand to achieve it. For the sake of our industry and our childrens

quality of life, we must invest in a healthy future before climate disruption is a bitter and irrevocable reality. It is important to remember that every other animal on the planet instinctively knows not to foul its own nest, and yet we the animals who prize their unique ability to reason have missed, until now, this vital fact. With a new perspective, that can all change.

NAME: Dr. Tom Selnniemi, ORGANISATION: Director, Research and Sustainable Development, Aurinkomatkat-Suntours Ltd, Chairman of the Tour Operators Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development The tour operating industry, together with the whole tourism industry, faces a tough challenge if it is to survive beyond 2020. It is not a question of choice as sustainability is the only option for the industry. Im not referring to the development of smallscale alternative forms of tourism, ecoresorts or other similar things. The question for the economic, socio-cultural and, ultimately, the ecological survival of the tourism world is how we keep existing destination areas alive areas which are entirely dependent on tourism as we know it today. Many parts of the world rely on tourism to bring income, development and the means for a sustainable future. The tourism industry depends on the state of the environment and local culture in those destinations we cannot force anyone to spend their holidays in places where the environment is destroyed or where there are increasing social problems. The tourist experience does not stop at the resort boundary or the entrance to the hotel. The quality of the environment and the well-being of local residents are integral to the overall quality of the holiday product. That is precisely why there is no option. The members of the Tour Operators Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development see a clear business incentive in working for a more sustainable future for tourism. By 2020 sustainability will be key to successful business and beyond 2020 it will be the only way to stay in business.

NAME: Ed Fuller ORGANISATION: President and Managing Director International Lodging, Marriott International Inc and Chair of the ITP Governing Council Sustainable tourism is about preserving popular destinations, the environment and its resources. We have to get it right for this generation and beyond. People travel to immerse themselves in other cultures and to learn about art, taste new foods and drinks, absorb history and marvel at nature. As todays travellers set out on new adventures, what assurances do we have that the treasures we love now will be there in the future? Todays eloquent travel journals can not replace a personal voyage of tomorrow. We have the influence to protect the environment and address social and community issues. As an industry, we represent a large percentage of the GDP of

NAME: Kurt Ritter ORGANISATION: President and CEO, Rezidor SAS Hospitality The demands on the travel industry are everchanging. Ten years ago, waste recycling was seen as good enough, today we face a reality of much more complex demands. The issues that our industry faces, along with the rest of society, range from smoking, obesity, HIV, exploitation of children, to constructing and operating our hotels in a sustainable manner. Moreover, we are expected to be fully transparent and provide information on our sustainability performance through external reporting to a wide range of stakeholders. At Rezidor SAS, our commitment to responsible tourism has developed

considerably over the past 10 years. Today, Rezidor SAS has placed environmental and social responsibility as a cornerstone of how we conduct business around the world, by developing an industry-leading programme referred to as Responsible Business. I am proud to say that our Responsible Business programme and the reporting thereof, have resulted in significant achievements, both by contributing to the quality of life in the communities where we operate, and by reducing our impact on the environment. I have no doubt that our achievements in this area will continue to play an important role in shaping the success of our company and pave the way for us to continue to contribute to sustainable development.

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THE FUTURE

many countries. With this comes an obligation to the communities in which we operate. We must help improve the lives of local people and create an infrastructure that sustains tourism for years to come. Together we can be stewards of a global initiative and harness even greater power. If we get it right, the world will be a great place to explore in the year 2020. NAME: Louis DAmore ORGANISATION: Founder and President, International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) The dawning of the new Millennium demonstrated clearly Marshall McLuhans concept of a Global Village as we viewed on television, people, cities and nations around the world, time zone by time zone, celebrating in ways that mirrored their unique cultures. Travel as well provides us with the realisation that we are One Earth One Family. In our journey together to the year 2020, we will increasingly recognise that travel and tourism is one of the most powerful social, cultural and economic phenomenon of our era. Through travel, people are finding friends in every corner of the Earth, finding common bonds with other members of the global family, and spreading hope for a peaceful world. Through travel, people are discovering one another and the beauty of all Gods creation, and in the process, discovering themselves. The challenge and opportunity before us is to harness the enormous capacity of our industry as a vital force for international understanding and co-operation; in a marriage with culture and sport to help heal wounds of conflict; with environmental groups to restore health to the environment and preserve biodiversity; and in partnership with governments and donor agencies, to create the infrastructure, jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities that contribute to poverty reduction. My message therefore to the tourism industry and to its clients are from the words of the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveller4, to: journey with an open mind and gentle heart accept with grace and gratitude the diversity you encounter revere and protect the natural environment which sustains all life appreciate all cultures you discover respect and thank your hosts for your welcome
4

NAME: Mark Eckstein ORGANISATION: Senior Environment Specialist, Environment & Social Development Department, International Finance Corporation The travel industry has come a long way in the past twenty years. Responsible operators now manage their direct environmental impacts and are increasingly looking at ways in which the social and labour impacts of their business can be enhanced through innovative employment practices and broader engagement with communities and other stakeholders. While these are encouraging signs (with important localised benefits), we must also recognise that these efforts arent universal and that the industry as a whole can do much more to promote and underpin human development and environmental sustainability between now and 2020. This is especially so given: the role that developing countries will play as holiday destinations to growing numbers of people

the responsibilities that the sector plays in addressing global environmental issues such as biodiversity and climate change (primarily via travel and high level air emissions) the need to ensure that responsible practices are tested and proven so that they become the norm across the industry and not the preserve of industry leaders. hotelier and its So my message to greenh readers is to endorse the challenge of leadership and actively work to encourage adoption of better environmental, social and labour practices throughout the tourism industry. This will require: new working relationships (for example, mentoring, seconding, the development of industry standards and working with and through supply chains) a more assertive industry position on poor performers whose activities can damage the wider industry reputation and brand leveraging better performance through these new working relationships which need to extend, among other areas, through the value chain, customers and investors.

The industry as a whole can do much more to promote and underpin human development and environmental sustainability between now and 2020. Mark Eckstein
offer your hand in friendship to all you meet support travel services that share these views and act upon them by your spirit, words and actions, encourage others to travel the world in peace. Please join us at the 3rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism October 2-5, 2005, Pattaya, Thailand, in Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism. differentiated product, able to provide unique and attractive experiences for specific groups of travellers and holidaymakers are those most likely to be successful. The most vulnerable destinations are those with undifferentiated product sun, sand and sea for example where too often prices are reduced below the level at which the destination is sustainable. Destinations that are rich in local colour and experiences are able to exercise more control through marketing and promotion of the visitors they attract. Destinations rich in natural and cultural heritage enter the 21st Century with real advantages; advantages which can be sustained through responsible product development, regulation and marketing initiatives designed to attract appropriate visitors. It is at the local level that communities, planning authorities and the industry can and must work together to achieve more sustainable tourism, and to create better places for people to live in and for people to visit.

NAME: Dr Harold Goodwin ORGANISATION: Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT), Universityof Greenwich The travel and tourism industry depends upon the cultural and biological diversity of the earth for its product people travel to experience someone elses place, whether the motivation is to sunbathe or ski, to experience the exotic or to discover another culture. Destinations with

See www.iipt.org/credo.html

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Together we can be stewards of a global initiative and harness even greater power. If we get it right, the world will be a great place to explore in the year 2020. Ed Fuller

NAME: Roeland Vos ORGANISATION: Starwood Hotels & Resorts To come

NAME: John Cotton ORGANISATION: Singapore Airlines NAME: Ray Anderson ORGANISATION: Founder & Chairman, interface Industrialism societys production system upon which we are each dependent developed in a different world from the one we live in today: fewer people, more plentiful natural resources, simpler lifestyles. The resultant linear, take-makewaste system, so pervasive and seemingly indispensable today, simply cannot go on and on and on in a finite world, with increasing population, rising life style aspirations, and diminishing resources. A livable future depends on our ability to harness abundant, renewable, energy sources sunlight, wind, biomass, hydrogen and use them to power cyclical industrial processes where waste and used-up products are feedstock for the next generation of products, and emissions are harmless to the biosphere. Global warming the most threatening environmental crisis of our time can be averted only by transformative enterprise that is restorative, not just sustainable; that is cyclical, renewable, waste-free, benign, and focused on resource productivity the productivity of all resources, not just labour productivity. That is our vision for Interface, and for the entire industrial world. Poss to come NAME: David McMillan ORGANISATION: IH&RA To come friday 17 June NAME: David Michels ORGANISATION: Hilton To come

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greenhotelier july 2005

FEATURE

NAME: Justin Francis, ORGANISATION: co-founder of on-line travel agency responsibletravel.com My vision for 2020 is that by then we should all be proud of the contribution our industry makes to local economies, and to sustaining our worlds wonderful natural and cultural heritage. Hoteliers will be world leaders in training and developing local people into managers, and in local sourcing. Our industry will benefit from motivated local workforces, and from a diversity of local suppliers. Tourists will experience the difference as they enjoy more authentic

holiday experiences infused with local culture and people, and feel good about helping put a little bit back. Hoteliers will help nurture and mentor local suppliers so that they can develop services and products for clients. Hoteliers will support local conservation and social projects financially and through staff volunteering, and an invitation will be offered to clients to visit these projects and to lend their support. Finally, by working closely with local governments and communities we will collectively derive immense satisfaction and commercial advantage by improving destinations for the benefit of local people and tourists.

www.interfaceeurope.com

NOW WE CAN ALL BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER


Cool Carpet from Interface, the industrys first climate neutral carpet.

We, at Interface Europe, are concerned about global climate change and in response to this now offer 'Cool Carpet', a scheme which makes it possible for hoteliers to buy products that are 'climate neutral'. Essentially, we calculate the total CO2 emissions created during the lifecycle of our carpet tile products. This figure is then offset through investment in a number of projects which reduce or reverse the impact of those emissions, such as the re-establishment of rainforest in Uganda.

For further information on Interface Cool Carpet and other sustainable issues visit

www.interfaceeurope.com
or email hotelcontact-france@eu.interfaceinc.com

The International Tourism Partnership is responding to the need for a more responsible hotel, travel and tourism industry by creating strategic partnerships for targeted and practical solutions.

Helping to turn vision into reality

isionary business leaders throughout the world recognise that through their people, technologies and infrastructure, they have the capacity to help promote economic and social development and to protect the environment. This approach ensures the sustainability of natural resources, an educated workforce, development that enhances their surroundings and responsible supply chain management. The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), through its tourism programme the International Tourism Partnership (ITP), works with business leaders across the travel and tourism industry to develop practical solutions for more responsible business. ITPs aim is to provide global leadership for responsible business by championing a holistic approach and providing the hotel, travel and tourism industry with the knowledge and ability to make the greatest possible impact. Launched in 2004, ITP incorporates and builds on the successes of the International Hotels Environment Initiative (IHEI) which was set up in 1992 and the Youth Career Initiative (YCI), a youth education programme launched in Asia in 1995.

Strategy
Through ITP, members of the tourism industry including airlines, car hire companies and tour operators, individual hotels and international chains can work together with non-government organisations (NGOs) to promote responsible, practical actions in order to develop more sustainable business practices. Acting both as a catalyst and a facilitator, ITP provides a neutral platform for debate so that competitors can stay at the forefront of the issues that concern them. In this way they can collectively identify the areas where the industry needs to raise the bar and provide appropriate frameworks for action.

academia and the hotel, travel and tourism industry. This combination of leadership thinking within the academic field and the practical hands-on experience of ITPs members, enables practical and relevant business solutions to be developed, shared, documented and communicated to the future leaders of the industry.
1 Resources and information

Partnerships and programmes


Depending on the project, ITP draws together partners from the private sector, industry associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to work on specific responsible tourism initiatives with a view to raising awareness and helping to drive the responsible tourism agenda forward. Among the ways in which ITP assists hotel, travel and tourism companies in taking a leadership role is by contributing to policy dialogues and pioneering new approaches to changing business and development agendas. Through its Academic Advisory Panel (AAP) ITP is strengthening the relationship between

ITP offers a suite of tools designed to help hotels initiate environmental programmes and to monitor and manage their effects. These have been developed with the help of its members in collaboration with organisations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Hotels and Restaurants Association (IH&RA). Now in its 10th year, greenhotelier is a highly respected source of practical information on environmentally and socially responsible hotel operation. In the past two years its editorial focus has widened and it has begun to cover the broader travel and tourism industry. A unique resource, the magazine aims to inspire, educate and challenge, and its readership includes small, medium and large hotels, hotel associations and schools, government ministries, tourism boards, industry suppliers, academics,

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ITP

HRH The Prince of Wales speaking to tourism industry leaders following a round table discussion on responsible tourism in 2004

Shadows to add here

micro-economy around them. The YCI programme makes use of existing hotel resources to support the career development of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, primarily in developing countries. Providing the opportunity for disadvantaged school leavers to participate in a life skills education programme within an internationally-recognised, branded hotel chain addresses issues of poverty and engages the private sector industry in sustainable practices within the local community. The initiative provides a six-month education programme, combining theory and practical instruction, which is conducted by the hotel management team. From its beginnings in Thailand in 1995 through partnership with UNICEF, the YCI has grown to become a unique education development programme, operating throughout the world. Its global partnership of hotels, government and non-governmental organisations provides a focus for the development of business social responsibility and a partnership model within the hospitality sector. YCI is currently being implemented in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Spain Romania and Poland.
3 Sustainable hotel siting, design

architects, engineers, consultants and sustainable tourism organisations throughout the world. It currently reaches around 25,000 readers in 100 countries. Launched in 2001, benchmarkhotel.com is a unique tool developed by the industry for the industry. It enables hotels to measure their environmental performance against a range of indicators and thereby establish a solid baseline from which to improve. Following a substantial upgrade over the past year, the tool will be relaunched in summer 2005.

Designed for use both by individual hotels and by chains, it will now be possible for hotels to compare their environment benchmarks both within their company and across the industry. A new feature will be the ability to generate company level corporate reports for hotel chains. The tool will be accessible via an easily navigable website with comprehensive user guidelines and sources of further information. A new resource is under development that will help identify the social and economic impacts of hotels. A natural progression from Environmental Management for Hotels, The Industry Guide to Best Practice, this publication will have an international application, helping to guide hotels on how they can manage the social and economic issues associated with hotel operation.
2 Youth Career Initiative (YCI)

and construction
ITP has collaborated with Conservation Internatonals Centre for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB) on the development of Sustainable Siting, Design and Construction Guiding Principles for hotel development. Although much is known about sustainable building techniques, there has until now been no single point of reference to guide the thinking of planners, investors, hotel owners, developers and their advisors. However, following a two-year development programme which has drawn on the knowledge of international experts from within the hotel industry and specialists in sustainable building, this information can be accessed from one source. The Sustainable Siting, Design and Construction Guiding Principles address key issues such as building efficiency, future flexibility and environmental and societal impact, and provide a compendium of good practice principles that can be applied anywhere in the world. Currently undergoing pilot applications within ITP member hotel groups, the programme is due to be launched in September 2005.

One of the major challenges facing the world today is youth unemployment1. Hotels, particularly those that operate at the higher end of the market, are often the only business in a rural area, and are thus responsible for the

1 The number of unemployed youth increased steadily between 1993 and 2003, to reach a current high (though continuing to increase) of 88 million unemployed youth according to Global Employment Trends For Youth, International Labour Office, 2004. See: www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/strat/download/getyen.pdf or general page: www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/yett/index.htm

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Hotels Environmental Action Month (HEAM) is a worldwide programme to build awareness of environmental issues. Pictured here are staff at the Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi in Brazil taking part

Marriott International is championing YCI and the programme now forms a major part of the companys 'Spirit to Serve' campaign. Marriott recently completed a pilot in Romania and will be working with other hotels in Bucharest to take the programme forward over the next year. In Brazil, Marriott is running pilots in three cities, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Costa du Sauipe

4 Hotels Environment Action Month

(HEAM)
Set up by the International Hotels Environment Initiative (IHEI) in 2003, the primary objective of HEAM is to build awareness of environmental issues that face each region. To achieve this, the month of activities aims to inspire hotels to get their staff, guests and local communities involved in various initiatives during September each year. This not only communicates the need for responsible tourism but also demonstrates the practical and innovative action already being taken by hotels around the world.
5 Indicators for responsible hotel

Radisson Airport pic

operation
Currently under development is a project to establish indicators for the hotel industry on how to improve the overall sustainability of its operations. This will take the form of a self-help guide, enabling hotel general managers anywhere in the world to identify and focus in on the key environmental and community issues relevant to their activities. The tool will provide them with a series of practical suggestions and steps to take for more environmentally and socially responsible operation.
6 Poverty alleviation

It is a sobering fact that more than one billion people currently live on less than US$1 a day2. Through the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs), the Millennium Declaration of 2000 made a strong commitment to peoples rights to development, peace and security, to gender equality, to the eradication of the many dimensions of poverty and to sustainable human development. With regard to poverty, it set a target to halve the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day and those go hungry by 2015. Five years into the process, parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and in parts of Europe and Central Asia are falling well short of the target. ITP is working with the German agency Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, one of the worlds largest consultancy organisations for development co-operation, to help

The Radisson SAS Airport Hotel in Oslo, Norway, received the Nordic Swan Eco-label in October 2003. To help guests understand the importance of environmental issues, the hotel has set up two ecological rooms where guests can read and measure their own energy consumption during their stay. The tool covers electricity, hot and cold water, heating and air-conditioning. The monitoring tool can be reset at departure and shows guests how their lifestyle patterns influence their consumption. The rooms have wood flooring (recommended for allergy sufferers) and low emitting paints and varnishes. Low energy lights and water-saving showers and toilets are fitted as standard, as are soap dispensers. Environmental magazines are available for guests to read.

implement the MDGs. The aim of this collaboration is to enhance the linkages between tourism businesses and poor people, in order to increase the contribution that can be played by tourism towards poverty reduction. This involves consideration of the needs of staff, neighbouring communities, land-holders, producers of food, fuel and other suppliers, those who operate micro2 Source: Millennium Development Goals, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). See United www.undp.org/mdg/abcs.htmlde

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ITP

CASE STUDY
tourism businesses, craft-makers, consumers of water and energy resources and users of tourism infrastructure, such as roads. Propoor tourism strategies can take many forms, ranging from increasing local employment to building mechanisms for consultation. The issue is to identify and to demonstrate the specific roles that small lodges, larger hotels, tour operators and infrastructure developers can play locally in order to increase in the net benefits to poor people. ITP is focusing in on employability, supply chains and local economic development and using the positive leadership that hotels have demonstrated to further awareness and help build capacity. This will be done by taking existing good practice and building transferable models for international use.
7 Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL)

Healthy Eating Active Living


Starwood Hotels and Resorts is the hotel industry champion for HEAL and has launched a series of initiatives to integrate HEAL into its existing programmes. These include the re-alignment of childrens menus to include healthier food and drinks in all hotels as well as in the Westin Kids Clubs and linking HEAL into Westin WorkOut and Sheraton Fitness, the Starwood Spa Collection and Travelite, which provides 24-hour gym access in Sheraton hotels. Other initiatives under development include the concept of ergonomic meetings, HEAL-branded dishes for signature menus and providing a healthy option in all associate dining rooms. more information Even Frydenberg tel: + 32 22 24 3501 email: even.frydenberg@starwoodhotels.com effects of their business on communities and destinations, but also if they are doing all in their power to make a positive impact. This will involve moving beyond simple philanthropy to embrace a range of social and economic problems at grass-roots level, such as governance, labour rights and employment creation all of which have serious implications for their continued business success. Responsible companies will need to interact more proactively with local communities, making use of local knowledge, culture and skills. Tour operators should send their customers to local restaurants and encourage them to respect and appreciate local cultures and heritage. Hotel buildings will need to be resource-efficient and designed to respect local and traditional architectural styles. Produce and services should be sourced locally wherever possible, and where they are not available, the industry must look for ways to enable local employment through capacity-building and skills transfer programmes. Industry members will also need to find ways to work collaboratively with destinations in developing countries to help educate rural communities, improve infrastructures and provide basic health and education programmes. By building understanding and a rapport with communities, companies can help to secure local buy-in and facilitation. Through education, campaign and training initiatives, travel and tourism businesses can educate staff, members of the local community and customers about local development challenges, raise awareness of local business initiatives, and communicate to young people the value of the travel and tourism industry as an employer and contributor to sustainable development. By engaging with governments, the industry can help to create an environment within which the industry can maximise its positive impact. Only through collective, industry-wide action at local, destination and country levels can real progress be made towards a more sustainable hotel, travel and tourism industry. ITP is positioned at the forefront of this process, able to assemble the key players around the table to anticipate and debate the issues, forge strategic alliances between partners that can add the most value, and help to create practical solutions to some of the environmental, social and economic challenges with which the world today is presented.

The Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) Global Partnership aims to tackle the growing epidemic of early death in rich countries and in emerging markets from obesity-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, cancers and childhood diabetes. The solution is to get people on to healthy diets and on the move through increased physical activity. Crucial to this is enabling individuals and families to take responsibility for their personal health and wellness by exercising healthy choices to achieve balanced diets. HEAL is a multi-sector international initiative of the IBLF designed to motivate business as a responsible partner for health and wellness in the marketplace, workplace and community. It provides opportunities for companies to profile good corporate health and wellness practices and to access strategic advice. Starwood Hotels and Resorts has taken a lead within the hotel industry by championing HEAL. Other ITP members are sharing their experience and involvement with community programmes involving sport as part of the development by IBLF of a policy paper.

The way forward


For the sustainable agenda to be driven forward within the hotel, travel and tourism industry, businesses will need to develop a responsible business culture as a core value and to ask themselves not only whether they are doing all they can to reduce the negative

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IMEX, of which ITP is a partner, increasingly incorporates social and environmental responsibility issues

IMEX 2005
IMEX 2005, the worldwide exhibition for incentive travel meetings and events, took place in April at Messe Frankfurt in Germany attended by over 7,000 visitors and with 3,000 exhibiting companies representing 140 countries. As part of IMEXs New Vision programme for 2005 initiatives included wild card 'free' entries for previously undiscovered destinations and a Corporate Responsibility Centre where expert advice, tool kits and case studies were available to help raise awareness and knowledge of

corporate social and environmental responsibility. This years Environmentally Responsible Meetings Award went to the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions (CERC) for its work in ensuring that environmental best practices were deployed at the 2004 US Democratic and Republican national conventions. Approximately 85,000 people attended the two conventions which involved more than 1,000 associated meetings each week. CERC offset greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing renewable energy certificates and greenhouse gas credits. Emissions were reduced by the use of hybrid fuel-efficient buses and the media pavilion in Boston was powered by a 250 kilowatt fuel cell. A variety of waste reduction initiatives were put in place, and 88% of the 116 tons of materials used to prepare the Fleet Center for the Democratic Convention were either reused or recycled. As a partner of IMEX, ITP was involved in the judging process of the award. The Programmes of Purpose Award which highlights corporate social responsibility

programmes within the MICE industry was won by San Diego-based Los Ninos in recognition of the ongoing success of its Beehive Assembly Scheme. The initiative was launched in 1999 when Los Ninos, a non-profit making organisation, was approached by a Mexican women's co-operative to find new ways of contributing to the health and proper nutrition of children whilst creating income for the local community. The growing worldwide interest in more environmentally-friendly meetings and events will become a key focus for IMEX in 2006 which will include a new green award for the most environmentally-friendly exhibitor. This will acknowledge the exhibitor that has made the best measurable effort to green their stand and their programme of activities during the show. Application forms for the IMEX 2006 awards are now on the website. moreinformation: Dale Hudson tel: + 44 (0) 1273 773002 email: dale@imex-frankfurt.com web: www.imex-frankfurt.com existing buildings subject to major renovation energy certification of all buildings (with frequently visited buildings providing public services being required to prominently display the energy certificate) regular mandatory inspection of boilers and air-conditioning systems in buildings. moreinformation: European Commission web: http://europa.eu.int/comm/energydemand/ legislation/doc/leaflet_better_buildings_en.pdf

REGIONAL ROUND-UP: EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

Legislation watch
UK

UK

DDA training
Small businesses have until November 2005 to apply for free training to help them meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The RNID is offering the training for small and medium enterprises and not-for-profit organisations with less than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than GBP11.2 million thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund. moreinformation: Sherylin Thompson tel: + 44 (0) 7296 8138 email: sherylin.thompson@rnid.org.uk web: www.rnid.org.uk

Hazardous waste
Under new regulations, any business in England and Wales that creates waste falling into one of a range of categories designated as 'hazardous' may need to register with the Environment Agency. From 16 July the new rules mean that items such as fluorescent tubes, computer monitors and TVs are deemed to be hazardous. This means that many more businesses will now be subject to the regulations, and will need to change their practices and comply with the rules in order to dispose of their waste legally or risk prosecution. Businesses that only produce small amounts of hazardous waste however may qualify for an exemption from the need to register. 'A Guide to the Hazardous Waste Regulations what is hazardous waste?' and 'A guide to the Hazardous Waste Regulations site premises notification' can be found on the Environment agency website. moreinformation: Environment Agency tel: + 44 (0) 20 7863 8710 helpline: 08708 502858 (UK only) web: www.environmentagency.gov.uk/newrulesonwaste

UK AND SWEDEN

Sustainable Construction Initiative


A new UK-Swedish partnership to promote more sustainable building and construction was launched by Climate Change and Environment Minister Elliot Morley in June. The Sustainable Construction Initiative is designed to highlight the use of environment-friendly technology and practices by bringing together current examples of joint UK-Sweden work on building and refurbishment and stimulating new projects. It aims to help policy makers, regulators, investors, architects and builders to share skills, knowledge and best practice. moreinformation: DEFRA, UK tel: + 44 (0) 20 7238 6054 Ministry of Sustainable Development Sweden tel: + 46 8 405 10 00 web: www.ukswedensustainability.org

EUROPE

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive


The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) published in January 2003 has far-reaching implications for the owners, operators and developers of all buildings in Europe (both domestic and non-domestic) and will play a vital role in delivering energyefficiency. Legislation must be in place in all 25 EU Member States by January 2006. Key provisions of the Directive are: minimum requirements for the energy performance of all new buildings and of large

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greenhotelier july 2005

WORLD BRIEF

Water prize
Hilton and Scandic has become a founder of the Stockholm Water Prize. The prize is a prestigious global award presented annually by the Stockholm Water Foundation to an individual, organisation or institution for outstanding water-related activities which can be within the fields of education and awareness-raising, human and international relations, research, water management and water related aid. moreinformation: Martina Tengvall tel: +46 8 517 350 70 email: martina.tengvall@scandic-hotels.com web: www.swi.org

Winners of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards with India's Minister for Tourism. Left to right: Dave van Smeerjit and Clemens Arawab, Damaraland Camp Namibia; Reunuka Chowdhury, Minister of Tourism, India; Loreto Duffy-Mayers, Casuarina Beach Club, Barbados; Sally King, Jurassic Coast, UK; Marilu Hernandez, Haciendas del Mundo Maya, Mexico

NEW DELHI

5th Global Travel and Tourism Summit


More than 600 leaders from the travel and tourism industry, governments and the international media gathered in New Delhi in April for the World Travel & Tourism Councils (WTTC) 5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit. At the event, leading government, industry and media players from around the world focused on the need for the travel and tourism sector to realise its full potential for social and economic good. During the summit, the winners of the 2005 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards were announced. They are: Destination Award Jurassic Coast, UK Conservation Award Damaraland Camp, Namibia Investor in People Award Haciendas del Mundo Maya, Mexico Global Tourism Business Award Casuarina Beach Club, Barbados Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President of WTTC said: "Travel and tourism has a huge economic and social potential. More and more, there are examples from all over the world of where this potential is being realised and the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards highlight the very best of these." moreinformation: Olivia Ruggles-Brise tel: + 44 (0) 20 7481 8007 email: olivia@wttc.org web: www.tourismfortomorrow.com

Turtle pic requested

REGIONAL ROUND-UP: CARIBBEAN AND THE AMERICAS JAMAICA MEXICO

Runaway success
The Runaway Bay HEART Hotel and Training Institute in Jamaica which provides technical and vocational education to nationals of working age won the Caribbean Tourism Organisations (CTO) 2005 Sustainable Tourism Award at the Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development in Tobago. The institute operates 56 hotel rooms and a training facility that prepares people for work in the hospitality industry. The hotel enjoys an annual average occupancy of 65 per cent and the training institute trains around 315 students each year. The management team introduced a property-wide Environmental Management System in 2001 to minimise the impact of its operations on the physical and social environment and to improve environmental conditions in the surrounding area. moreinformation: Paula Rowe tel: + 1 876 973 6671 4 email: runaway.heart@cwjamaica.com web: www.runawayheart.com.jm

Tackling tourism problems


The Travel Foundation has launched an initiative to tackle damage sustained by the countrys beaches, reefs and freshwater pools as a result of unsustainable tourism practices. The programme will see trade associations, government representatives, NGOs, local tour operators and tourism businesses working together to solve issues such as water pollution and waste and litter on beaches. According to a recent TravelMole US report, international visitor numbers last year reached 20.5 million, up from 18.6 million in 2003. This was around half a million more than targeted for 2004, and numbers are set to increase by a further million in 2005. In addition to practical action, the Travel Foundations committee intends to produce resources for visitors about how to holiday responsibly and information on where to purchase locally produced crafts. moreinformation: Sue Hurdle tel: + 44 (0) 117 9273049 email: sue.hurdle@thetravelfoundation.org.uk web: www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk

NEVIS

Adopt a sea turtle


As part of the new Kids for All Seasons Sea Turtle Education Programme, the Four Seasons Resort Nevis will adopt a sea turtle for all families checking into the resort throughout September 2005. The programme directly supports the Caribbean Conservation Corporation's (CCC) worldwide efforts to protect endangered sea turtles and their habitats. Families will be able to track the migration of their satellite tagged turtles online via CCCs website. moreinformation: tel: + 1 352 373 6441 email: ccc@cccturtle.org web: www.cccturtle.org

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WORLD BRIEF

Have requested photo for Finca Sonador 15.6

TO DO! awards
The winners of the 2005 TO DO! Awards for Socially Responsible Tourism were announced earlier this year at ITB Berlin. Two of the three winning projects are in Central America and the other is in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Organised by the Studienkreis fr Tourismus und Entwicklung (Institute for Tourism and Development), the awards involve strict judging criteria and site visits. They recognise the involvement of the local population in the planning and performance of tourism projects, the economic benefits such projects bring, and measures for preserving and strengthening local culture. The 2005 winners were: Projekt Tourism Finca Sonador in San Isidro, Costa Rica Finca Esperanza Verde project in San Ramn, Nicaragua Chumbe Island Coral Park, Zanzibar, Tanzania (see page XX) moreinformation: tel: tel: + 49 8177 1783 web: www.studienkreis.org

Projekt Tourism Finca Sonador in San Isidro, Costa Rica is a village community that arose from a former refugee project founded in 1979 for Nicaraguan families who fled the regime of the former dictator Somoza. Since then, Finca Sonador has grown into a village with 400 inhabitants who earn a living from their farm products and long-stay visitors (often young people). Visitors are accommodated with 30 host families, and part of the income is paid as a visitors tax to the local village tourism committee, the administrative body which ensures that as many families as possible have a chance to benefit from tourism income. The committee also guides tourism development, organises the training of guides and sets quality standards for tourist accommodation. moreinformation: tel: + 506 771 4239 email: rolspendling@gmx.net web: www.sonador.org

INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS UPCOMING DEADLINES


Award BCE Awards Submission Winners deadline announced 15 July 2005 February/ March 2006 Contact Sandie Richardson tel: + 44 (0) 870 190 6560 web: www.bceawards.org/ Comments UK/Europe. Recognise businesses whose activities enhance or protect the environment. Results fed to biennial European Environmental Awards India. Environment Champion of the Year awards for Large Hotels, Small Hotels and Restaurants and Most Improved Environment Hotel of the Year

Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) Environmental Awards Responsible Tourism Awards 2005

31 July 2005

August 2005

Sanjeev Sethi tel: + 91 11 23318781 emaill: fhrai@vsnl.com web: www.fhrai.com

1 August 2005

16 November 2005 at World Travel Market (WTM)

email: awards@ responsibletravel.com web: www.responsible travel/awards

International. Run by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, WTM and Geographical Magazine. Celebrate tourism ventures that contribute to improving destinations for the benefit of local people and tourists, and which support local environmental and social projects Worldwide. Recognises tourism projects where the needs and interests of the local population are taken into account

REGIONAL ROUND-UP: ASIA AND THE PACIFIC CHINA

Green award
The China Hotel by Marriott in Guangzhou Province, China has been awarded the Asia Pacific (International) Tourist Green Hotel Award, presented by the Asia Pacific Environmental Protection Association. The China Hotel is the only 5-star hotel in China to receive the award. Rauf Malik, General Manager, said: We have been putting a lot of efforts according to the corporate and regional environmental requirements and will keep it up all along. moreinformation: Rauf Malik tel: + 86 020 8666 6888 email: rauf.malik@chinahotelgz.com

31 August TO!DO 2005 International Contest on Socially Responsible Tourism Imvelo Responsible 30 Tourism Awards September 2005

March 2006 tel: + 49 8177 1783 at the Interweb: www.studienkreis.org national Tourism Exchange, Berlin, Germany At awards ceremony in Johannesburg in November FEDHASA tel: + 27 11 799 7669 web: www.fedhasa.co.za

South Africa. For established and emerging tourism businesses. Categories include social involvement, economic impact, environmental management, responsible tourism (overall), and awareness-raising UK only. Categories include Sustainable Development

2006 Queens Awards for Enterprise

31 October 2005

April 2006

The Queens Awards Office tel: + 44 (0) 870513 4486 web: www.queensawards.org.uk

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greenhotelier july 2005

hi-res requested

WORLD BRIEF

Lastovo, an island in the Mediterranean in urrgent need of protection

REGIONAL ROUND-UP: EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

In brief
The East of England Tourist Board, with support from Tastes of Anglia has developed a web-based online food and drink tourism toolkit with information on using seasonal local produce, including how to support the local economy and reduce food miles and how to inform guests. Case studies feature a range of tourism and hospitality businesses. moreinformation: web: www.foodanddrinktoolkit.co.uk The Radisson SAS Liverpool, UK has received silver accreditation from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) for its environmental practices. It scored highly on providing environmental training for all new staff members and its energyefficiency measures. moreinformation: GTBS tel: + 44 (0) 1738 632162 web: www.green-business.co.uk The Macdonald Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa near Blackburn, UK raised over 10,000 for Accrington charity, Maundy Relief in April as part of its relaunch event. Maundy Relief provides food and means to people in need in the local community. moreinformation: tel: + 44 (0) 1254 398021 email: dunkenhalgh@macdonaldhotels.co.uk web: www.dunkenhalgh.com Ross and Janet Anderson, Proprietors of the award-winning East Lochhead Country House and Cottages, Lochwinnoch, near Glasgow, Scotland are the Hospitable Climates Champions of the Year 2004-2005. moreinformation: Julian Demetriadi tel: + 44 (0) 1725 552 835 email: apostrophe@communicationspoint.net In May the Sheraton Miramar Resort at El-Gouna, Red Sea received the platinum Mena Travel Award as Best Environmental 5-Star hotel for the second consecutive year. It has also achieved Green Globe benchmarked status. moreinformation: Marta Andreeva tel: + 973 17 524543 email: marta.andreeva@sheraton.com

CROATIA

Joining forces for sustainable tourism


In May WWF and the Tour Operators' Initiative (TOI) for Sustainable Development announced a partnership to develop sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean. It will be tested on the Croatian island of Lastovo, one of the last jewels in the Mediterranean that is still almost untouched by tourism development. WWF and its Croatian partner Sunce identified Lastovo as an area of high natural importance in the Mediterranean in need of urgent protection. The priorities are to assist national authorities and the local community in establishing Lastovo as a nature park and to provide inputs for its sustainable management plan. The two organisations will also explore opportunities for economic development through sustainable tourism. Both WWF and TOI share concerns over the environmental effects of tourism in the Mediterranean and will focus their efforts and

activities on supporting governments and authorities to improve conservation and the sustainable use of marine and coastal habitats. They will also work together to raise tourists awareness on marine issues. By 2020, some 350 million tourists are expected to visit the Mediterranean, representing about 22 per cent of the international tourism market. moreinformation: WWF, Anne Rmy tel: + 39 6 844 97 424 email: aremy@wwfmedpo.org TOI, Giulia Carbone tel: + 33 1 443 71 468 email: unep.tie@unep.fr

UK

Scratch-card initiative
Tour operator Thompson is to use in-flight scratch cards to raise funds for the tourism industry charity The Travel Foundation. The operator expects to raise around GBP60,000 a year through the initiative which will be spent on sustainable tourism initiatives which the foundation has already set up in Tobago, Mexico, Sri Lanka and the Dominican Republic as well as programmes in the future. Sue Hurdle, Director of The Travel Foundation said: Were thrilled that Thomson is helping us to raise money to protect the places holidaymakers love to visit. This initiative really shows other operators that there are all sorts of ways to engage customers in helping to safeguard the future resources of the travel industry. Were seeing more and more evidence that holidaymakers want to feel they are giving something back and the travel industry is now starting to take sustainable tourism very seriously. Between us we can really make a world of difference. Thomson will be promoting the partnership in its in-flight magazine and is looking at

other possibilities for promoting the charity, and responsible tourism in general, to customers. TTF is also working with ECPAT to address the issue of child sex tourism through tour operators. Together they are training resort staff on guidelines directing what to do if they become aware of an incident and how to report this. This work is currently being piloted in Dominican Republic. moreinformation: Sue Hurdle tel: +44 (0) 117 9273049 email: sue.hurdle@thetravelfoundation.org.uk web: www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk

july 2005 greenhotelier

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Managers and executives from Marriott International rebuilding north of Phuket with Habitat for Humanity International

BANGKOK

Wildlife crime
The illegal trade in protected wildlife was on the agenda of the UN Crime Congress for the first time in April, according to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), a campaigning organisation committed to investigating and exposing environmental crime. EIA investigations have uncovered evidence that the international illegal trade in wildlife, which is second in value only to the illegal drugs trade, is driven by powerful, sophisticated international criminal networks1. The international community has now recognised the need to treat it as serious organised crime. Debbie Banks, EIA Senior Campaigner, said: "In India, the tiger and leopard skin trade is dominated by organised networks of poachers, tanners, couriers and dealers operating across the country and internationally. Breaking these networks will require real commitment from the professional enforcement community." She added: "Placing wildlife crime on the agenda of the Crime Congress is a step in the right direction. However, following the meeting, it will require bold leadership to turn words into action. EIA hopes that the leaders of today will rise to the challenge, and that hard core enforcement, stricter laws and improved co-operation between countries will ensue." moreinformation: Debbie Banks tel: + 44 (0) 207 354 7973 email: debbiebanks@eia-international.org web: www.eia-international.org
1

REGIONAL ROUND-UP: ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Tsunami recovery
THAILAND
More than 80 senior managers and executives from the Asia Pacific region, including Australia and Hawaii, met at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa in May for Marriott Internationals 2005 Asia Pacific Area Operations Meeting. On the final day, the group joined Habitat for Humanity International to help rebuild several areas in tsunami-devastated Khao Lak in Phang Na region, north of Phuket. The group prepared cement for building, dug foundations for houses, painted roof tiles and cleaned up the construction site. Habitat for Humanity was set up in 1976 and is a non-profit housing project which aims to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness throughout the world. It also helps in areas hit by natural disasters. Marriott International works closely with Habitat for Humanity on a global basis and this year launched the 100 houses Campaign through which the company has contributed $US50,000 to Habitats rebuilding efforts in Thailand and Indonesia, with a goal of building 100 homes. The resort will also be helping Habitat to rebuild houses in Thachatchai village which is close to the resort. moreinformation: Lee Sutton tel: + 65 6333 8415 email: lee.sutton@marriott.com

THE MALDIVES
Banyan Tree Group is partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on a joint recovery effort in The Maldives. The unique private sector/NGO co-operation enables work to commence on the reconstruction of homes and buildings in Naalaafushi, an inhabited island in the Southern Atolls of the Maldives. This is the first time that the UN has partnered with a private company in the Maldives to conduct relief work. All buildings on Naalaafushi Island were damaged by the tsunami waves that hit the Maldives on 26 December 2004. The islands 291 residents were made homeless and were housed in makeshift facilities set up by the UNDP. The project began with the arrival of a large ship at the jetty of Naalaafushi Island, bringing construction materials provided by the UNDP. A second boat brought 15 skilled workers, including carpenters, masons and electricians from Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru and Angsana Maldives Ihuru. The groups volunteers will live on the island until the rebuilding of 68 households has been completed. moreinformation: Hannah Montgomery tel: + 44 (0) 207 233 2300 email: hmontgomery@bgb.co.uk

See EIA reports The Tiger Skin Trail and The Last Frontier.

Video frame grab of a leopard skin being illegally sold in Lhasa, Tibet

30

greenhotelier july 2005

WORLD BRIEF

REGIONAL ROUND-UP: EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA NAMIBIA

Wilderness Damaraland Camp, Namibia

Green grading scheme


Namibia has introduced an eco award scheme for tourism businesses as part of the Namibian Tourism Development Programme (NTDP). Following an initial workshop held in 2003, Project Administrator Tim Parkhouse and environmental expert Peter Tarr were tasked with drawing-up the programme. Working with the Vice Chairman of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) Mannfred Goldbeck, they studied various similar schemes including, Kenya, Scotland and Australia and selected the best criteria and applied them to the Namibian environment. They also took into consideration the recommendations of the World Tourism Organisation and the Mohonk Agreement presented to the industry in November last year and launched during December. Tim reports that the reception has been generally positive, but slow. We have so far made awards to five establishments and there are a few in the pipeline. We have found that the criteria need a lot of polishing and we are currently working on that. Although we are concentrating on the hospitality sector we hope in the not too distant future to expand the programme to include tour operators and safari operators etc. The programme makes sense not only environmentally, but economically, as in a country with a very sensitive eco-system and limited rainfall, we can so easily ruin in a few years what is currently creating employment for thousands of people. Enterprises qualifying for the eco award are rewarded with between one and five yellow desert flowers. In May this year the first certificates were awarded as follows:

One flower: Sossusvlei Lodge Two flowers: Dsternbrook Guest Farm Three flowers: Eningu Clayhouse Lodge and Huab Lodge Four flowers: Wilderness Damaraland Camp moreinformation: Tim Parkhouse tel: + 61 233 602 email: timarie@iway.na web: www.eco-awards-namibia.com

july 2005 greenhotelier

31

2005

International Year of Microcredit

LISTING 2005
OCTOBER
2-5 3rd Global Summit On Peace Through Tourism Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya, Thailand web: www.iipt.org 3rd World Environmental Education Congress Torino, Italy web: www.3weec.org World Habitat Day Green Meetings Industry Council conference Greening the Hospitality Industry Metro Washington DC, USA web: greenmeetings.info International Platform On Sustainable Urban Development Geneva, Switzerland web: www.s-dev.org International Sustainability Conference 2005: Strategies for a Sustainable Society Basel, Switzerland web: www.isc2005.ch International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

JULY
14-18 CFP Tourism Performance Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change (CTCC), Sheffield Hallam University, UK web: www.tourism-culture.com Children's World Summit for the Environment Aichi, Japan web: www.children-summit.jp

SEPTEMBER
14-16 High-Level Plenary Meeting of the 60th Session of the UN General Assembly on the Follow-up to the Outcome of the Millennium Summit New York, USA web: www.un.org/events Building Energy 05 Boston, USA web: www.be05.org Clean Up the World Weekend web: www.cleanuptheworld.org World Tourism Day 2005 World Sustainable Building Conference (SB05) Tokyo, Japan web: www.sb05.com 2005 PATA Travel Mart Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia web: www.pata.org

26-29

2-6

15-17

AUGUST
6-12 Solar World Congress 2005 Orlando, Florida, USA web: www.swc2005.org International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People International Conference on Built Environment Issues in Small Islands States Kingston, Jamaica web: www.utechjamaica.edu.jm/BEISIS World Water Week and 15th Stockholm Water Symposium Stockholm, Sweden web: www.worldwaterweek.org 16-18

3 5-7

27 27-29

11-13

14-19

27-30

13-14

21-27

30 Sept International Conference for Cultural -1 Oct Tourism and Local Communities Yogyakarta, Indonesia email: nwgia@budpar.go.id

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