Global Tourism Achieving Sustainable Goals
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GlobalGSTA Sustainable Tourism Alliance GLOBAL TOURISM ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE GOALS Sustainable Tourism: International Cooperation for Development ONLINE TOOL KIT AND RESOURCE SERIES 1 Sustainable Tourism: International Cooperation for Development ONLINE TOOL KIT AND RESOURCE SERIES http://lms.rmportal.net/course/category.php?id=49 1. Global Tourism Achieving Sustainable Goals 2. Project Development for Sustainable Tourism A Step by Step Approach 3. Tourism Destination Management Achieving Sustainable and Competitive Results 4. Sustainable Tourism Enterprise Development A Business Planning Approach 5. Tourism Investment and Finance Accessing Sustainable Funding and Social Impact Capital 6. Tourism Workforce Development A Guide to Assessing and Designing Programs 7. Scientific, Academic, Volunteer, and Educational Travel Connecting Responsible Travelers with Sustainable Destinations 8. Tourism and Conservation Sustainable Models and Strategies 9. Powering Tourism Electrification and Efficiency Options for Rural Tourism Facilities GlobalGSTA Sustainable Tourism Alliance GLOBAL TOURISM ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE GOALS Sustainable Tourism: International Cooperation for Development ONLINE TOOL KIT AND RESOURCE SERIES Primary Authors Brian T. Mullis Frances Figart Sustainable Travel International Contributors Roberta Hilbruner, USAID Donald E. Hawkins, George Washington University This publication is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development to the Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance cooperative agreement #EPP-A-00-06-00002-00. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface ....................................................................................................................................................2 Acronyms ...............................................................................................................................................4 Unit 1 — Introduction to Sustainable Tourism ...................................................................................6 Unit 2 — Tourism Policies, Practice, and International Cooperation...............................................22 Unit 3 — Sustainable Tourism Tools and Strategies.........................................................................44 Unit 4 — The Green Economy and Tourism .....................................................................................55 Unit 5 — Tourism, Trade, and Development ....................................................................................62 Unit 6 — Biodiversity Conservation and Protected Areas................................................................81 Unit 7 — Collaborative Mechanisms and Social Networks...............................................................95 Unit 8 — Sustainable Tourism Standards and Quality Assurance Systems.....................................115 Glossary…………………………………………………………………………………………. 105 References..........................................................................................................................................131 In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. If you wish to use copyrighted materials from this publication for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. International Institute for Tourism Studies The George Washington University 2201 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20052 Preface The target audience for this manual includes professionals working on tourism-related projects in developing countries, including staff from donor and government agencies, non-governmental organizations, consulting firms, universities, businesses, and other entities. Some specific examples of audiences that would benefit include: • Residents or expatriate professionals engaged in development assistance activities • Local authorities such as a destination management organization, tourism office, promotion agency, or organization exercising governance power over tourist activities • Public, semi-public, or civil society administrators or professionals responsible for the development, promotion, or organization of tourism activities • Destination management companies responsible for managing commercial activities for city, theme park, or resort destinations • Local, public, or private tourism operators offering activities, transportation, lodging, food, attractions, events, or others concerned with enhancing the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of tourism destinations • Private, local entrepreneurs • Non-governmental organizations seeking to fulfill their missions through sustainable initiatives • Consultants involved in tourism planning and development • University professors teaching tourism or planning courses We would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to a number of individuals who shared their knowledge and experience in the production of this publication, particularly Donald E. Hawkins, Annessa Kaufman, and Kristin Lamoureux of George Washington University. The Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance Management Partners — FHI 3601, The George Washington University, Solimar International, and the Nature Conservancy — provided helpful guidance. Roberta Hilbruner of USAID offered numerous reviews, suggestions, and outreach with those working in the field. We also express our appreciation to the World Tourism Organization and the WTO Themis Foundation for permission to utilize information from their publications and to pilot test this publication. We would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to a number of individuals who shared their knowledge and experience in the production of this publication, particularly to our editor, Jon Kohl and to Annessa Kaufman and Kristin Lamoureux of George Washington University. Brian T. Mullis and Frances Figart 1 FHI has acquired the programs, expertise and assets of the Academy for Educational Development (AED). GLOBAL TOURISM: ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE GOALS 2 Acronyms BINGOs — Big International NGOs BITC — Business in the Community CAP — Conservation Action Plan CBD — Convention on Biological Diversity CER — Certified Emission Reductions CSR — Corporate Social Responsibility DANTEI — Development Assistance Network for Tourism Enhancement and Investment DMO — Destination Marketing Organization or Destination Management Organization FDI — Foreign Direct Investment EMG — Environmental Management Group GATS — General Agreement on Trade in Services GCET — UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism GEF — Global Environment Facility GDP — Gross Domestic Product GRI — Global Reporting Initiative GSTC — Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria HRM — Human Resource Management IADB — Inter-American Development Bank IFC — International Finance Corporation ILO — International Labor Organization LDCs — Least Developed Countries LOHAS — Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability MDGs — Millennium Development Goals NGOs — Non-Government Organizations NTOs — National Tourism Organizations PPP — Public-Private Partnership RTAs — Regional Trade Agreements SCALE — System-wide Collaborative Action for Livelihoods and the Environment SIDS — Small Island Developing States SME — Small and Medium Enterprises STEP — STI’s Sustainable Tourism Certification Program™ STSC — Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council TFD — Tourism for Development TIA — Travel Industry Association TTSA — Travel and Tourism Satellite Account UNCED — United Nations Convention on the Environment and Development UNDP — United Nations Development Program UNWTO — United Nations World Tourism Organization USAID — United States Agency for International Development WHC — World Heritage Centre WTO — World Tourism Organization GLOBAL TOURISM: ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE GOALS 3 Unit 1 — Introduction to Sustainable Tourism Many words and phrases have lost meaning and become cliché due to overuse, the word “sustainability” among them. It is important for this course, then, that such words avoid misinterpretation. But before we define terms, let us consider the origins of sustainable tourism. This will provide perspective for commonly used green tourism-related terminology. A HISTORY OF THE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MOVEMENT In 1992 a hundred governments came together in Rio de Janeiro to attend the United Nations Convention on the Environment and Development (UNCED, also known as the “Earth Summit”). They discussed the state of the world’s environment and measures necessary to decrease impacts of development on the natural world in pursuit of a sustainable future. Although they made many important decisions, tourism, as a tool for economic development, was not discussed. Nor did the summit address tourism’s impacts, positive or negative. Ten years later, world government leaders came together again, and this time they included tourism in their discussions. The World Summit on Sustainable Development, hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002, focused on assessing progress made since the 1992 Earth Summit, as well as addressing concerns for the future. By this time, the international travel and tourism industry had earned recognition as a powerful force in economic and sustainable development. The UN General Assembly also declared 2002 as The International