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Global perspectives on ecotourism in Europe
Richard Denman
What I will be covering
What is ecotourism – a reminder Global and European policy context Key challenges and opportunities
Ecotourism
“Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the wellbeing of local people”TIES, 1990
Relationship with Sustainable Tourism
Uns
usta
inab
le fo
rms
of to
uris
m
Sust
aina
ble
tour
ism
Ecot
ouris
m
Business tourism
Beach tourism
Rural tourism
Cultural tourism
Nature tourism
ECOTOURISM
IUCN Parks for Life 1992
The Ecotourism Society + National Ecotourism bodies –developing principles, codes
International Year of Ecotourism and Quebec Summit 2002 (UNWTO and UNEP)
WSSD Johannesburg 2002
CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism 2004
Global Ecotourism Conference, Olso 2007 (TIES+UNEP)
International Year of Biodiversity
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Lanzarote Conference on Sustainable Tourism 1995
UNWTO Code of Ethics 1999 C
Emphasis on MDGs and poverty
UNWTO work on poverty alleviation; destination management; indicators
UNWTO+UNEP Making Tourism More Sustainable 2005
Mainstreaming sustainability
UN Task Force on Sustainable Tourism
Tourism Sustainability Council
1992
2002
2010
The sustainable tourism agenda
1. Economic viability2. Local prosperity3. Employment quality4. Social equity5. Visitor fulfilment6. Local control
UNWTO/UNEP 2005
1. Community wellbeing2. Cultural richness3. Physical integrity4. Biological diversity5. Resource efficiency6. Environmental purity
Current global sustainability priorities
Economic viability Climate change – mitigation and adaptation Poverty alleviation Resource use Biodiversity loss
Specific requirements of Ecotourism
In NATURAL AREAS
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM principles/aims + Contributes actively to the conservation of natural and
cultural heritage, Includes local and indigenous communities in its
planning, development and operation, and contributes to their well-being,
Interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitors,
Lends itself better to independent travelers, as well as to organized tours for small size groups.
Quebec Declaration, 2002
Ecotourism in Europe – history and position ‘Ecotourism’ – less used as a term Long established concept and practice of
rural tourism Links with agrotourism – Eco-Agro Tourism Stronger take up in Central/Eastern Europe Some focus on areas of wilderness and
indigenous communities – e.g. Arctic Ongoing interest in tourism in Protected
Areas
European policy position
European Commission – Tourism Sustainability Group: Action for More Sustainable European Tourism 2007
Key challenges: Seasonality; transport; job quality; local communities; resource use; conserving cultural and natural heritage; holidays for all; global responsibility
European Commission – New Political Framework for Tourism in Europe 2010 Sustainable + Competitive Tourism
Key challenges: product diversification/ innovation; skills; seasonality; sustainable destinations; European market profile/image; coordinated funding.
Moving forward
Future strategic approach for Ecotourism Continue to champion, embrace and lead the
sustainability agenda Maximise benefits from nature based tourism,
to deliver: Positive contribution to nature conservation Improved rural economy/ local livelihoods Support for local rural heritage A fulfilling visitor experience, providing
understanding of nature and associated cultures
Some key issues, opportunities and approaches
Addressing climate change and transport Understanding markets Working with protected areas Using standards and certification positively Positively supporting the conservation of nature Delivering benefits to rural communities Pursuing innovative products Sharing knowledge
GLOBAL EUROPE
EUROPE GLOBAL
SUSTAINABILITY ECOTOURISM
ECOTOURISM SUSTAINABILITY
Addressing climate change and transport A major challenge for
(eco) tourism Transport a key issue Reduce total carbon and
also offset Change travel modes Inform and facilitate
travellers Change travel patterns
Addressing climate change and transport A major challenge for
(eco) tourism Transport a key issue Reduce total carbon and
also offset Change travel modes Inform and facilitate
travellers Change travel patterns
Addressing climate change and transport A major challenge for
(eco) tourism Transport a key issue Reduce total carbon and
also offset Change travel modes Inform and facilitate
travellers Change travel patterns
Understanding markets
Desire for experiences Activity + adventure +
nature Growing wildlife interest Small niche markets Far bigger general
markets responding to nature
Understanding markets
Desire for experiences Activity + adventure +
nature Growing wildlife interest Small niche markets Far bigger general
markets responding to nature
Understanding markets
Desire for experiences Activity + adventure +
nature Growing wildlife interest Small niche markets Far bigger general
markets responding to nature
Understanding markets
Desire for experiences Activity + adventure +
nature Growing wildlife interest Small niche markets Far bigger general
markets responding to nature
Using standards and certification positively Debate on certification Provides good guide for
operators Travel trade take up Needs more promotion Tourism Sustainability
Council and Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria
European Ecotourism Standards
Using standards and certification positively Debate on certification Provides good guide for
operators Travel trade take up Needs more promotion Tourism Sustainability
Council and Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria
European Ecotourism Standards
Using standards and certification positively Debate on certification Provides good guide for
operators Travel trade take up Needs more promotion Tourism Sustainability
Council and Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria
European Ecotourism Standards
Working with Protected Areas
Key destinations for ecotourism
Provide brand awareness
Need partnership structures
PANPARKS and EUROPARC
Working with Protected Areas
Key destinations for ecotourism
Provide brand awareness
Need partnership structures
PANPARKS and EUROPARC
Working with Protected Areas
Key destinations for ecotourism
Provide brand awareness
Need partnership structures
PANPARKS and EUROPARC
Positively supporting the conservation of nature Active support - an
ecotourism requirement Encouraging nature to be
valued Revenue raising -
operator sponsorship; concessions; entrance fees; ‘visitor payback’
‘Volunteering’ tourism Managing visitor pressure
and impact on wildlife
Positively supporting the conservation of nature Active support - an
ecotourism requirement Encouraging nature to be
valued Revenue raising -
operator sponsorship; concessions; entrance fees; ‘visitor payback’
‘Volunteering’ tourism Managing visitor pressure
and impact on wildlife
Positively supporting the conservation of nature Active support - an
ecotourism requirement Encouraging nature to be
valued Revenue raising -
operator sponsorship; concessions; entrance fees; ‘visitor payback’
‘Volunteering’ tourism Managing visitor pressure
and impact on wildlife
Positively supporting the conservation of nature Active support - an
ecotourism requirement Encouraging nature to be
valued Revenue raising -
operator sponsorship; concessions; entrance fees; ‘visitor payback’
‘Volunteering’ tourism Managing visitor pressure
and impact on wildlife
Positively supporting the conservation of nature Active support - an
ecotourism requirement Encouraging nature to be
valued Revenue raising -
operator sponsorship; concessions; entrance fees; ‘visitor payback’
‘Volunteering’ tourism Managing visitor pressure
and impact on wildlife
Delivering benefits to rural communities Developing countries but
also in Europe Poverty alleviation models -
Value Chain Analysis Developing local supply
chains Community Based
Ecotourism Private sector investment
and engagement with communities
Delivering benefits to rural communities Developing countries but
also in Europe Poverty alleviation models -
Value Chain Analysis Developing local supply
chains Community Based
Ecotourism Private sector investment
and engagement with communities
Delivering benefits to rural communities Developing countries but
also in Europe Poverty alleviation models -
Value Chain Analysis Developing local supply
chains Community Based
Ecotourism Private sector investment
and engagement with communities
Delivering benefits to rural communities Developing countries but
also in Europe Poverty alleviation models -
Value Chain Analysis Developing local supply
chains Community Based
Ecotourism Private sector investment
and engagement with communities
Pursuing innovative products
European product lags behind?
Accommodation – Ecolodges and small scale units
Visitor attractions offering access to nature
Promoting packages and local guiding
Pursuing innovative products
European product lags behind?
Accommodation – Ecolodges and small scale units
Visitor attractions offering access to nature
Promoting packages and local guiding
Pursuing innovative products
European product lags behind?
Accommodation – Ecolodges and small scale units
Visitor attractions offering access to nature
Promoting packages and local guiding
Pursuing innovative products
European product lags behind?
Accommodation – Ecolodges and small scale units
Visitor attractions offering access to nature
Promoting packages and local guiding
Pursuing innovative products
European product lags behind?
Accommodation – Ecolodges and small scale units
Visitor attractions offering access to nature
Promoting packages and local guiding
Sharing knowledge
Indicators, monitoring and informal feedback
Linking research knowledge to industry
Global and European knowledge networks, portals and websites
Consolidating and expanding the European Ecotourism Conference
Sharing knowledge
Indicators, monitoring and informal feedback
Linking research knowledge to industry
Global and European knowledge networks, portals and websites
Consolidating and expanding the European Ecotourism Conference