tourism as a vehicle for green growth

Tourism as a Vehicle for Green Growth under the Current Economic Crisis

Dr Paul RogersUNWTO Special SessionKorea Tourism Conference, Changwon, 2009

Presentation OverviewClimate Change

Economic Crisis

Tourism as Green Business

Moving Forward in the Tourism Sector– what will you do ?

Climate Change

Climate Change๏ IPCC & UNFCCC carrying agenda forward

- Dec 2008 Poznan; Dec 2009 Copenhagen

๏ Stern Report (UK Government 2006) - Serious impacts on growth & development

- Costs to stabilise climate – or greater costs later….

- Strong deliberate policy action required: emissions trading; technology cooperation; reduce deforestation; adaptation

- March 2009: “underestimated risks”; COP 15 “most important meeting since WWII”

๏ Climate change sceptics – largest gathering in NY March 2009

Climate Change

Business as usual is dead -green growth is the answer to both our climate and economic problems

We have to save the planet from environmentalists

Anders Fogh Rasmussen Danish Prime MinisterMarch 2009

Vaclav KlausCzech PresidentMarch 2009

Economic Crisis

Current Economic Crisis

How big is the problem…..

…….wait and see……..

Business & Climate Change ๏2007 study by Accenture of 500 major global firms revealed:

- 1 in 10 companies regard global warming as a priority

- 8 out of 10 companies want government to take climate change lead

-"Businesses … are reluctant to make big investments in climate change-related initiatives until the scope of future regulation becomes clearer”

- “… carbon pricing mechanisms are not yet strong enough for businesses to incorporate climate change risks and opportunities…”

- As the economy deteriorates big business will concentrate less on climate change

2008: significant slowdown

0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

20.0

6.9

5.2

10.5

4.9

8.5

15.3

1.8

0.11.6

3.64.6

11.3

2007 20082007 2008

2007 20082007 2008

2007 20082007 2008

WorldEurope

Asia and the Pacific Americas

AfricaMiddle East

2007 2008

International Tourist Arrivals

varia

tion

over

pre

viou

s ye

ar (%

)

Source: World Tourism Organization

2008: sharp reversal of trendInternational Tourist Arrivals

varia

tion

over

pre

viou

s ye

ar (%

)

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

5.4

3.4

6.3 6.8

5.4

17.8

-1.3-2.5

-2.8 1.1

4.0 5.2

WorldEurope

Asia and the Pacific

Americas

Africa

Middle East

Jan-JuneJuly-Dec.


Asia and the Pacific Performance 2008

% c

hang

e ov

er s

ame

mon

th p

revi

ous

year

-7.50

-3.75

0

3.75

7.50

11.25

15.00

2005 2006 2007 2008*

Monthly evolution of international tourist arrivals

+2% Jan-June +6%July-Dec. -3%


Impact on Air Transport

% c

hang

e ov

er s

ame

mon

th p

revi

ous

year

-10.0

-7.5

-5.0

-2.5

0

2.5

5.0

7.5

10.0

20062007

2008*

2009

Air Traffic (RPK)

IATA - Global InternationalAAPA - International Asia Airlines

Source: IATA; AAPA

Why go Green in Tourism?

๏Being environmentally friendly is step towards sustainable tourism: consistent with national and international policy

๏A growing tide of tourists favour green products

๏It makes good business sense to “go green”


๏Adopting sustainability as a core individual and organizational philosophy and approach

๏Promoting carbon neutral flights and air-travel

๏Reducing energy consumption (and making energy consumption carbon neutral)

๏Reducing water consumption

๏Recycling and reducing waste

๏Sourcing goods and services from local suppliers

Airlines Challenges๏What actions can individual airlines take away from the session?

- Make any voluntary offsetting programme part of the normal booking process to encourage easy adoption by consumers (e.g. Jetstar/Virgin Blue)

- Provide consumers with the ability to redeem points/miles for offsetting programmes

- Consider offsetting corporate travel and ground transport costs

- Development of 3rd generation biofuel technology is achievable

๏What were the key collaborative actions to emerge from the session?- Airlines and airports can partner to improve efficiency of aircraft movements (e.g. fuel-saving

descent strategies, one-engine taxiing, etc.)

- Biofuel research involves partnership with airlines, manufacturers and fuel suppliers

๏What support would organisations need to facilitate these actions?- Trade associations can engage stakeholders and facilitate collaboration

Aviation has Made Steady, Significant Progress

BUT - Improvements in carbon efficiency offset by growth in air-traffic

Carbon Neutral Air-Travel ๏Aviation sector committed to, & signed declaration on, CC –

Aviation and Environment Summit March / April 2009

๏Improvements in carbon efficiency offset by growth in air-traffic

๏Will airlines act decisively to off-set carbon emissions?

๏Governments and UN (with ICAO/ATB) must urgently legislate for compulsory carbon off-setting across all airlines

๏Is there another realistic alternative?

Green Tourism: tackling energy, water & waste๏Engage board, management team (green team!)

๏Engage & encourage employees to generate ideas

๏Create ownership within the company

๏Create a compelling vision

๏Conduct an environmental audit

๏Focus on small initiatives with large collective impact (e.g. air conditioners linked to key cards)

Green Tourism Examples

www.sixsenses.com

Accommodation sector


http://www.sixsenses.com

http://www.sixsenses.com


Accommodation sector

www.intrepidtravel.com

Tour Operator


http://www.intrepidtravel.com

http://www.intrepidtravel.com


Tour Operator

www.earthlung.org


http://www.earthlung.org

http://www.earthlung.org

Moving Forward in the Tourism Sector– what will you do ?

Green Certification & Accreditation

๏Hotels๏Tour companies๏Transport providers๏Attractions ๏Destinations

Certification Confusion?

Certification / Accreditation Issues

๏Too many certifiers

๏Tourists confused?

๏Certifiers unable to deliver market expectations

๏Companies learn how to be green – and leave !

Negatives

๏Good learning process

๏Improved management

๏Product development

๏Communicate green information to tourists

๏Provides marketing advantage

Positives

Good Example: www.green-business.co.uk

http://www.green-business.co.uk

http://www.green-business.co.uk

To increase our green credentials…

✓ What should I do today?

✓ What is stopping my organization from doing more?

✓ What information do I need to take more decisive action?

✓ Who should I be working with to achieve greater results?

✓ Where should governments, businesses, the media and tourists be taking a stronger lead?

THANK YOU감사합니다

Paul Rogers (PhD) Consulting

[email protected]@pacificasiatourism.org

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]