PRE-SESSIONAL CONSULTATIONS ON TAR-IPCC

27–28 November 2003, Milan, Italy

Gabor Vereczi Programme OfficerSustainable Development of TourismWorld Tourism Organization

Climate Change and Tourism

World Tourism Organization

Leading international organization in the field of tourism• UN Specialized Agency• Headquarters in Madrid, Spain• Intergovernmental organization with 150 Member

States and Territories• 350 Affiliate Members: private sector (tourism trade

associations, major airlines, hotels, tour operators), local authorities, education and research institutions, NGOs

World Tourism Organization Regional Representation Sections:

•Africa

•Europe

•Americas

•Middle East

•Asia-Pacific

Program Activity Departments:

•Tourism Statistics

•Market Intelligence and Promotion

•Human Resources Development

•Sustainable Development of Tourism

•Quality of Tourism Development

•Press and Communication, Documentation, Publications

Affiliate Members:Business CouncilEducation CouncilDestination Management Programme

WTO-Sustainable Development of TourismMain fields of activity

• United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, 7th Session (CSD-7), 1999

• Tourism at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002)• Poverty Reduction through Sustainable Tourism• Global Code of Ethics for Tourism• Policy and planning for the sustainable development of tourism • Indicators of sustainability for tourism • Voluntary initiatives and certification systems for sustainable tourism• Compilations of good practices in sustainable development of tourism • Sustainable development of tourism in coastal areas and islands (International Network for Coastal Destinations)• Ecotourism, tourism in protected areas, International Year of Ecotourism 2002• Urban tourism and tourism at cultural heritage sites • Congestion management at cultural and natural sites• The Tour Operators Initiative• Climate Change and Tourism

WTO activities related toClimate Change and Tourism

• Handbook on Natural Disaster Reduction in Tourist Areas (WMO-WTO, 1998)

• First International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism, April 2003, Djerba, Tunisia

140 delegates from 45 countries:- scientific community- national tourism and environment administrations - local governments. - tourism industry- NGOs - UN Agencies

IPCC

WMO UNCCD IOC

Main outcomes of the Djerba conference:

First international encounter of climate change experts and tourism professionals

WTO Background Paper on Climate Change and TourismPapers by relevant international agencies

25 technical presentations and case studies on:•Tourism and water resources•Tourism in small islands and coastal zones•Tourism in mountainous regions•Policy issues and mitigation of the effects of climate change

Djerba Declaration on Climate Change and Tourism – a basic reference, call upon the major stakeholder groups

Recommendations for future actions

Tourism and climate change:a two-ways relationship

1. Tourism is impacted by climate change in many ways:• Changing and more erratic weather patterns

difficult tourism planning and operations• Natural disasters harms in infrastructure, natural and

cultural heritage and host communities.• Climate-induced changes in general health conditions

visitor safety and insurance practices.• Raising sea levels and temperatures

threat to coastal and island destinations and marine sites.• Diminishing snow conditions

mountain and winter-sport tourism.• Altered hydrological cycle destinations in arid and drought-

prone areas (water availability), flood-prone areas, (shallow) lakes

Environmental impacts (beach erosion, harm in infrastructure, lack of snow, changing weather patterns, bad health conditions, etc.)

Changes in demand patterns (tourism flow: global warming-northern territories become more attractive, changing seasons, alternative destinations)

Socioeconomic impacts at destinations (e.g. employment and labour demand in tourism, social infrastructure)

Knock off effects on other sectors (e.g. agriculture, handicrafts)Need for adaptation measures

Effects of climate change impacts

Hazard type Examples of best practices in adaptation

Drought 

         Rain water capture         Soil conservation measures – no tillage agriculture 

Flooding         Dikes and civil defense infrastructure         Flood plain management and zoning

Extreme temperatures

         Improved ventilation in housing          Improved emergency health services

Coastal storm surges

         Mangrove restoration         Planned retreat and zoning regulation         Desalinization plants         Regulated tourism industry         Municipal planning

TAR-IPCC Impacts and mitigation

Submissions from Parties

ANNEX IV: Review of existing knowledge. Lessons from on-going practice.

Climate Change 2001:Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability6.5. Socioeconomic Impacts of Climate Change6.5.1. Socioeconomic Impacts as Part of Vulnerability AssessmentThere will be negative impacts on several sectors, including tourism, freshwater quality and supply, fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture, human settlements, financial services, and human health.17. Small Island States17.2.7 TourismTourism is a major economic sector in many small island statesEffects of climate change on tourism will be both direct and indirect.

Tourism and climate change:a two-ways relationship

2. Tourism is a contributor to the causes of climate change“The polluter pays” – more effort to environmentally sustainable tourismPolluting effects: all aspects of tourism activity, primary from transportation services (road and air) – GHG emissionsOther sustainability issues: intensive use of energy and water, effects on flora and fauna

Need for policies and mitigation measures

Follow up to Djerba WTO’s plan for programme of action

• Clearing house on climate change and tourism• Regional conferences and seminars• Research on the tourism sector’s (both public and private) and the

tourists’ perception of climate change impacts• Case studies, comparative studies.• Studies on extreme climate events and their implications to tourism.• Based on the above actions: development and dissemination of policy,

planning and management tools for adaptation and mitigation• Possible joint actions with partner UN agencies:

– IOC: coastal zones and island– UNCCD: destinations in arid and desert areas– UNEP: consumption patterns, mitigation – UNDP: Adaptation Policy Framework

Central recommendations for UNFCCC-SBSTA and IPCC:

• Include a resolution on tourism among the decisions of COP

• Encourage countries to investigate impacts on tourism in the framework of the next National Communications

• Treat tourism specifically in the 4th Assessment Report

• Count on WTO as a partner to coordinate the above and related activities.

Thank you!

www.world-tourism.org/sustainable