Sustainable Tourism Management
Global Warming, Ecotourism and Sustainable Transportation
Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 1
Sustainable Tourism Management
Why focus on transportation? ¾ Domestic tourism: 63% (DE) or 78% (NZ) of tourism‘s GH effect is transportation-related ¾ Long-haul tourism: > 90% transport-related (DE); Seychelles: 97% ¾ Modal shift from rail/buses to cars to airplanes ¾ Air travel one of the fastest growing GHG sources (now 1.6% to 9%) and growing ¾ Individual energy balances: frequent flying is part of an extremely unsustainable lifestyle Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 2
Sustainable Tourism Management
Options to achieve sustainable transport 1. Technological improvements (energy efficiency, renewable energies) 2. Operational optimization (aerial traffic management, occupancy rates, fleet maintenance, logistics) 3. Modal shift (to railway, buses) 4. Change of travel patterns (time-distance ratio, single destination) ĂŽ reduce energy intensity per day of travel 5. Regulatory instruments (energy tax, fees, cap-andtrade scheme, personal energy accounts) 6. Voluntary GHG emissions compensation (carbon offsetting) Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 3
Sustainable Tourism Management
Whose responsibility ? ¾
Aircraft manufacturers, automobile industry: technology, fuel efficiency, renewable fuels
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Airlines, airports & other transport companies: operational optimization, sustainable suppliers
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Destination managers (tourism as export product): domestic markets, increase length of stay, carbon offset
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Hotels & other local service providers: buildings and operations, local transport Î rel. small share
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Tour operators (outbound > inbound > local) design trips and market them
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The traveling consumer: buys trips or travels individually Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 4
Sustainable Tourism Management
Taking stock: Outbound tour operators Reduction of GHG emissions priority field; focus on carbon-offsetting and energy efficiency
quantitative criteria on travel to/from destination, carbon-offsetting, but: European context and increasing compliance problems promote carbon-offsetting; supply chain management (Sustainable Aviation); customer education, internal management focus on carbon-offset; internal management Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 5
Sustainable Tourism Management
Taking stock: Sustainable local transportation some excellent criteria for local transport (incl. adapted product design), some criteria promoting public transit to destination and environmentally friendly airlines some excellent criteria for local transport, mostly relating to technology and operations, but also non-motorized activities (advanced), less emphasis on travel to destination good criteria for boat traffic; adherence to existing regulations (!) typical for developing countries Hotels: pick-up service of and rewards to facilitate public transit to destination; Destinations: public transit system adapted to tourists‘ needs Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 6
Sustainable Tourism Management
Ecotourism Survey results ¾ Website analysis: 15% mention sustainable transport activities ¾ High awareness of climate change among respondents, but often lack of specific knowledge ¾ Outbound TOs: carbon-offsetting (no modal shift, no modified travel patterns)
ATTA
¾ Inbound TOs focus on local transportation: technological improvements; minimization of travel ¾ Barriers: lack of knowledge, higher costs, customer acceptance questionnable, supply constraints Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 7
Sustainable Tourism Management
Sustainable Transportation Guidelines I - Passenger transport -
Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 8
Sustainable Tourism Management
Sustainable Transportation Guidelines II - Local produce -
Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 9
Sustainable Tourism Management
Sustainable Transportation Guidelines - Framework Supply Chain Management
Customer relations
Int‘l transport
FAR
TF
FAR
Intrepid
National transport
EUR
EUR
Studiosus
Local transport
NB EA
NB EA
TF STI
EA NB
Cooperation with destination
Internal management
Product development
The following criteria may be “basic“ or “advanced“ Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 10
Sustainable Tourism Management
Sustainable Transportation Guidelines - Key criteria Product development ¾
Offer a minimum number of long-haul trips with extended length of stay at destination (to be defined)
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Offer a minimum number of multiple-destination trips spending more quality time at a reduced number of sites (to be defined)
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Exclude short trips by plane (to be defined) Shift to rail or bus transport (incl. to airport) where feasible and convenient
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Minimize local transport, make non-motorized mobility part of the experience
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Exclude energy-intensive leisure activities (except for transfer)
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Offset GHG emissions through high-quality compensation Integrate carbon-offset costs into trip price Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 11
Sustainable Tourism Management
Sustainable Transportation Guidelines - Key criteria Supply Chain Management ¾
Preferably work with airlines striving for fuel-efficiency, having an environmental management system and/or offsetting GHG emissions (“Sustainable Aviation“)
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Use airlines offering direct flights to a destination
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Preferably work with transport companies and local operators striving for fuel efficiency, using renewable energies, having an envi-ronmental management system
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Work with local providers offering non-motorized forms of traditional transport (pack animals, canoes, rickshaws, porters)
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Preferably work with hotels/attractions offering courtesy shuttles and/or mass transit systems and buy locally Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 12
Sustainable Tourism Management
Sustainable Transportation Guidelines - Key criteria Customer relations ¾
Inform/educate customers about climate change, how they contribute to it by traveling and how they can mitigate their impact
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Calculate climate footprint of trips & include it in trip information
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Specially promote climate-friendly travel products (time-distance ratio, in-depth quality-time experiences)
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Specially promote the use of public transportation and nonmotorized leisure activities
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Inform customers about carbon-offsetting and, if not included in trip price, integrate voluntary payment into booking and/or match customers‘ payments
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Offer price incentives to boost booking of climate-friendly trips Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 13
Sustainable Tourism Management
Quality Standards for Carbon-offsets 1. A solid data base to calculate emissions
- Greenhouse effect of air travel emissions (RFI > 1.9) - Adequate aviation data (real distances, occupancy rates) 2. Adequate compensation projects - The principle of additionality
- Effective, permanent emission compensation Î mixed portfolio or renewables preferable 3. External, independent verification/certification Î CDM, Gold Standard preferable 4. Customer education Î energy reduction before offsetting ! Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 14
Sustainable Tourism Management
Conclusions for voluntary compensation 1. 2.
3. 4. 5.
Voluntary carbon offsetting is the prime climate protection measure for aviation and long-haul tourism creating a significant market for offset providers in the near future. However, the current focus on carbon-offsetting in the travel industry is too narrow. Compensation must be complemented by other measures, such as adapted trip design and energy efficiency wherever possible. While most carbon-offset providers comply with basic sustainability criteria, there is a lack of transparency which may hamper the credibility of the voluntary offset market. There is strong competition among providers (prices, corporate clients) possibly entailing decreased sustainability (no RFI, simplified verification procedures, inappropriate marketing). The development of sustainability standards is a priority for voluntary carbon-offsetting (currently pursued by Center for Resource Solutions in the US, and the UK government). Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 15
Sustainable Tourism Management
Things can be turned around Thank you for your attention ! Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 16