Harold Goodwin - Sustainable Tourism

Responsible Tourism and Inbound Tourism to China

Professor Harold Goodwin,

Leeds Metropolitan University

Director, International Centre for Responsible TourismResponsible Tourism Partnership• Pro-Poor Tourism Partnership

[email protected]

www.haroldgoodwin.info 2

Our holidays their homes

Tourism in unusual in that consumers travel to the point of production (the factory) to consume the product.

Opportunities for additional sales of goods and services: added value

Additional sales and complementary products


Sustainable Development of Tourism (1)

Applicable to all forms of tourism

1. Make optimal use of environmental resources

2. Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities

3. Provide socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders

– WTO Conceptual Definition 2004

WTO


Whose responsibility is it?

• Hotels and accommodation owners• Airlines & car hire companies• Tourists• Communities • Overseas Tour Operators/Organisers• Ground Handlers/local agents • Guide Book Writers and Guides• National and Local Government • Police & Judiciary etc

Everybody’s and Nobody’s


Responsible Tourism takes a variety of forms, it is characterised by travel and tourism which

1. minimises negative environmental, social and cultural impacts;

2. generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the wellbeing of host communities, by improving working conditions and access to the industry;

3. involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances.

Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism In Destination 2002


4. makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and to the maintenance of the world’s diversity;

5. provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural and environmental issues;

6. provides access for physically challenged people; and

7. is culturally sensitive and engenders respect between tourists and hosts.


T our O perator I nbound O perator H otelier/

A ccommodation

Local/

N at ional

Government

A ttr act ion

M anagers

N at ional Parks/

H eritage

Local

Community

T our ists

T ravellers

H olidaymakers

T aking and Exercising Responsibility

Economic, S ocial & Environmental

Pr inciple of S ustainablity

W T O Global Code of E thics

Taking responsibility

You cannot outsource responsibility ..

Take responsibility for what you can.


Most us want - better & guilt free holidays


Change is taking place in holidaymaker aspirations

• Companies are making explicit responsible tourism commitments.

• When asked whether or not they would be more likely to book a holiday with a company if they had a written code to guarantee good working conditions, protect the environment and support charities in the tourist destination

• 1999 45% said yes • 2001 52% said yes.

+ 7%+ 7%


RT becoming Mainstream

• Mintel: by 2010 outbound UK ethical market forecast to be 2.5m trips per year.

• Jane Ashton head of CSR at First Choice: “We’re not experiencing a huge demand

from the average consumer, but we do believe that awareness is increasing, and in a few years time we will have needed to have integrated these principles into our supply chain.”


A market opportunity 1. Trend towards experiential holidays and baby boomers

looking for community and engagement – significant market segments are looking to get more out of shorter holidays

2. Market is changing to reflect socially, environmental and culturally aware holidaymakers - Guilt free indulgence

3. These market trends require a richer experience, generally beyond the confines of the hotel or resort.

4. Offer richer more meaningful experiences –5. Non-price competition 6. PR benefits: build reputation, particularly for those

companies that establish a leadership role and capture additional business


Further information

• www.haroldgoodwin.info

• www.icrtourism.org

• www.responsibletourismpartnership.org

• www.icrtourism.org/capetown.html

• www.responsibletravel.com

• [email protected]

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Harold Goodwin - Sustainable Tourism