20100621 prospect of sustainable tourism in bangladesh

8/2/2019 20100621 Prospect of Sustainable Tourism in Bangladesh

1/38

Prospect of Sustainable Tourismin Bangladesh

A Views On Tourism Project presentationUIU / JCI seminar

21th June 2010


2/38

Personal profileMajbritt Thomsen MA Tourism

Marketing, policy, organisation

Danish expat since late 2007 BD travel experience Royal Danish Embassy, DANIDA

report on BD tourism potential Business studies BD tourism Interaction tourism sector

Huge number of visionarypeople, resources, organizationsand initiatives in Bangladesh

Views On Tourism Project

Photo: Up-comming Panigram Eco-resort, Jessore


3/38

The Views On Tourism ProjectVoluntary initative since 2008 Vision

Encourage an active sustainabletourism movement in Bangladesh

All players can make an impact!

Online blog

Tourism knowledge and inspiration National, regional and internationalresources

This presentation is availablewww. views on tourism .info

Online group

Tourism network and discussionforum for people interested in asustainable tourism development inBangaldesh

LinkedIn an internationalprofessional networkwww. views on tourism .info/about/


4/38

AgendaWorld best practice and theory

Understanding tourismchallenges

Sustainable tourism Practices and lessons

Bangladesh Status and sustainable tourism

potential How to develop national

tourism through knowledgeand network

Summing up


5/38

Understanding tourism demandWithout tourists no tourism!


6/38

World tourism demand since 1950Push-factor why leave home? Economic factors

More wealth

Social factors More time

Demographic changes Family size, population

increase, urbanisation,increased life expectancy

Technological factors Transportation

Political factors Freedom of mobility

Regional outbound anno 2008

Western Europe DominatesTourism Flow Outbound

Strong Outbound Flow fromAsia-Pacific

Economic Stability inEastern Europe FavorsOutbound Flows

Wealthy North Americans:Passionate Travelers

Source: Euromonitor International'sTourism Flows Outbound World(2008)


7/38

World tourism destinationsPull-factor where to go?

Accessibility to markets Affordability Availability of attractions

Availability of services Cultural links Geographical proximity to

markets Peace and stability Positive market image Pro-tourism policies

International arivals 2008

France 79.3 milion USA 58.0 Spain 57.3

China 53.0 Italy 42.7 United Kingdom 30.1 Ukraine 25.4 Turkey 25.0 Germany 24.9 Mexico 22.6

Source: UNWTO


8/38

Understanding travel motivation

Physical motivators Refreshment of body and mind;health, sport and pleasure.

Cultural motivators Desire to see and know more about

other cultures

Interpersonal motivators Meet new people, visit friends or

relatives

Status and prestige motivators Personal development or education

Theory: McIntosh, Goeldner and Ritchie (1995)


9/38

A new world viewDominant western

environmental paradigmGreen paradigm

Humans areseparate from naturesuperior to nature

Humansare part of natureand nature are equal

Realityis objectivecan be compartmentalised

Reality issubjectiveintegrated and holistic

The future is predictable The future is unpredictable

The universe has order The universe is chaotic

The importance of rationality and reason The importance of intuition

Hierarchical structures Consensus-based structures

Competitive structures Cooperative structuresEmphasis on the individua l Emphasis on the communal

Facilitation through capitalism Facilitation through socialism

Linear progress and growth Maintenance of a steady state

Use hard tecnology Use soft tecnologyPatriarchal and male Matriarchal and female

Source: Weaver & Lawton (2002)


10/38

The new traveler stereotype Green consumer Knowledgeable about

environmental issues Conscious of social justice

concerns

Motivated by a desire for self-fulfilment and learning More independent-minded and

quality conscious Carefully assesses tourism

products in advance Preferes flexible and spontaneous

itineraries Sensitive to local cultures

Searches for authentic andmeaningful experiences Searches for physical and

mentally challenging experiences Wishes to have a positive impact

on the destinationSource: Weaver & Lawton (2002)


11/38

Changed world demand for natureHistorical tourism development 1980s increased tourism

demand for more nature-based travel adventures

1994: 40-60 % internationaltourists (528.4 million) werenature tourists

Now: Nature-based tourism

is one of the fastest growingsectors of the world'slargest industry


12/38

Eco-tourism demand

Environmentally mindedtravelers

Hard core eco -tourism Nature - the reson to go! Nature professionals or people

with serious interests

Soft eco - tourism Nature important, but not main

holiday motivation or activity

More than a niche market!


13/38

Understanding tourism sectorMost important supporters of tourism demand and supply

Attractions Often motivation for visit

Accommodation

Most visible sub-sector Transportation

Most important element indestination development

Public sector and policy Crucial management

organisations

Tour operators/planers Almost exclusively product

packaging and distribution High influence on tourism

demand and hence sectorsucces and failure

Multiple SMEs and tourismrelated stakeholders Different agendas, resources

and focus on tourism


14/38

Tourism development is complex! Tourism often praised as an

effective development tool,especially in rural areas andthe developing world

Positive and negativedestination impact on: Environment Society and culture Economy

Tribal people in Bandarban


15/38

Economy Direct / indirect revenue for

country, community and privatesector

Nature Protect environment and preserve

nature

Positive tourism impact

Society / Culture Preserving local culture and

heritage Social wellbeing and stability Promotion of cross-cultural

understanding

Source: Why Tourism Matters campaign Washington State, USA


16/38

Negative tourism impact

Economy Increased local living cost External money flow

Nature High pressure on

environment ressources Disturb fauna and flora

Society / Culture Lost of cultural values and

traditions Prostitution and crime


17/38

Destination impact from tourism Most vulnerable destinations

less developed areas rapid tourism development

Tourism in developing world Industry focus often inbound

tourism (expect high income) Inbound tourism

Few in numbers Potential negative social

implications when hugecultural gab

New discussion: Long-termsocial and economic benefitbest from national tourism?


18/38

Sustainable tourism is the solution! One definition: Tourism

that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protectingand enhancing opportunity

for the future Source: UNWTO A tourism value

Development: Balancing theneeds of tourists anddestination

New tourism management:cooperation government,tourism sector and allstakeholders


19/38

Sustainabletourism valuesand principles Economic goals

Economically viable industryEconomically viable businesses

Economic benefits to locals and otherstakeholders

Social goals

Participation

Planning

Education

Health

Employment

Community benefits

Visitor satisfaction

Environment and

ressource goals

Maintain or expand biodiversity

Minimal resource degradation

Resource benefits

Acceptance of resource values

Matching of supply and demand

Intergenerational equity

Adaptive design

ConservationWith

Equity

Environment

economyintegration

Community

basedeconomics

Source: Hall (1998)


20/38


21/38

Eco-tourism - a sub-category

One definition Ecotourism is a responsibletravel to natural areas thatcovers the environment andsustains the well being of

local people (Epler Wood, 1996)

Goal

Ecotourism can become animportant tool to preserveand develop remote areas


22/38

7 characteristics of eco-tourism

Involves travel to natural destinations Minimizes impact Supports human rights and

democratic movements

Respects local culture Provides financial benefits and

empowerment for local people Builds environmental awareness

Provides direct financial benefits forconservation

Source: The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)


23/38


24/38

Best case: Ecotourism in ChinaMeilixueshan Conservation Area

Principle tourist attractions Mountain, glaciers and

waterfalls along a Tibetanpilgrimage route

Tibetan cultural and religiousheritage

Activities Trekking through forest and

traditional Tibetan villages Tibetan-run guesthouses or

homestays Local Tibetan guides

Development partners Deqin County Government The Nature Conservancy,

world conservationorganization


25/38

South Asian tourism cooperation!Regional tourism status in 2007 Inbound tourism India, Nepal and Bangladesh

Total arrival: 5,7 million Total income 12,3 billion UD$

Already a multicountry activity

1/3 Indian tourists, visit primerly Nepal 46 % Bhutan tourists also visit Nepaland/or Indian

The South Asia Travel & Tourism economy 2010 is: Number 10 in absolute size worldwide Number 1 in long-term (10-year) growth

Source: ADB (2009)

Source WTTC (2010)


26/38

Best case: Regional cooperationAsian Development Bank project

Subregional tourismcooperation 2009-2014

India, Nepal & Bangladesh Governments co-investment Sustainable heritage tourism

development (UNESCO)

Bangladesh: Heritage Highway

Site access and condition Protect, manage and

promote heritage

Target markets Thailand, Korea, China, UK,

France, Germany, Italy,USA, Canada and Australia


27/38

Bangladesh - tourism demand Forecast WTTC Travel & Tourism

economic Impact Bangladesh 2010 3,9 to 4,1 % GDP from 2010 to 2020 2010: 265,9 billion Taka 2020: 788,4 billion Taka

Who are the present tourists?

National / international tourists Demographic and geographic profile Travel motivation and satisfaction Product consumption

Who are welcome?

National, regional or internationaltourists Mass tourists, high spenders, long time

travelers Leisure or business tourism? Who supports positive development?

Photo: a group of tourists in Sundarbans


28/38

International tourism image? Destination image: Sum of beliefs, ideasand impressions that a person has of a

destination Kotler et al. (1994)

Different image sources News/NGO:

Only focus on the negative stories? International tourism focus: New7Wonders Lonely Planet: 2009 top ten interesting

travel destination 2 new travel guide books

The personal experience: Hear stories from people who lived inBangladesh

Travel Bangladesh: visit, business, expat,work, tourist


29/38

Best tourist attractions Sustainable products

Eco tourism Cultural tourism Nature tourism Heritage tourism Religious tourism Adventure tourism Volunteer / study tourism Pro-poor tourism The everyday life

Sustainable world icons? Coxs Bazar - not likely Sundarbans potential Other possibilities


30/38

The tourism industry

National status:Bangladesh is still one of the countries in the South Asian region with the

fewest arrivals and the lowest revenue earned

from the tourism industry.

Never the less, tourism has since the 1990s been a small but rapidly growing sector of the Bangladeshi economy. Royal Danish Embassy (2008)


31/38

New sustainable tourism visions ADB: Heritage Highway

USAID/IPAC: Teknaf Peninsula Community-Based Ecotourism Strategy

Katalyst: Tourism capacity

development Government

National tourism policy National Tourism Board

Succes depend on long-term sustainable tourismstrategies, knowledge andcooperation!


32/38

Present tourism organisation Bangladeshi tourism is a

scattered industry Huge competion for the existing

markets Lack of cooperation on all levels

Goal fast economic groth Focus existing problems Blame between government and

tourism industry

Many isolated sustainabletourism resources, visions andinitiatives

United forces will make asustainable tourism movement


33/38

Cooperation in tourism!Advise The stakeholders must truly

want sustainable tourismdevelopment and beprepared to cooperate andcommunicate

When setting up partnershipsstructures share income andrisk

Invite an expert on tourism toparticipate at the earliestposible date

Source: GTZ Sustainable Tourism as a Development Option


34/38

Cooperation in tourism- an overview of the stakeholders

Private sector:Tour operatorsTravel agenciesIncoming agenciesEmployees in tourismBusiness associationsSuply industry, souvenirsAdvertising and marketingHotels, B&BTransportation compagniesRestaurentsAgricultureGuides

Public sector:Tourism officialsCommunity and regional

administrationsMinistries of Economic and

Foreign AffairsMinistry for Environmental

Affairs and Nature

Conservation Agriculture

Organisations of themultilateral andbilateral co-operation

NGO/SHO (Non-governmental and self-help organisations):International nature conservation organisationsNational NGOsOrganisations of indigenous peoplesLocal NGOsLocal SHOs/co -operatives

Tourism experts

Tourists

Source:

GTZ Sustainable Tourismas a Development Option


35/38

New tourism managementIndustry should:

Adapt strategic thinking todevelop tourism withbenefits for everyone

Extend and diversify

product offerings toimprove return oninvestments and socialvalue

Lead innovativemanagement and helpspread best practicethrough corporate socialresponsibility

Potential Bangladeshi players:

International SKAL, WTTC, IATA

National Associations: TOAB, ATAB,

TGAB, Bangladesh TourismFoundation

Best practice players:Panigram, Guide Tours

World brands in BD: Radisson,Emirates, Intrepid Travel

Individual tourism players

Source: WTTC (2003)


36/38

New tourism managementGovernment should:

Show leadership definingmanagement structures

Elevate travel and tourismto strategic national level

Add sustainable travel andtourism into all policies anddecision-making

High involvement:Attractions, regulation,research, planning,promotion etc.


International UNWTO, UNESCO, OECD,

PATA

Regional cooperation

Bhutah, Nepal, India,Myanmar

National Government All relevant ministries

Municipalites Bangladesh missions abroad National tourism board ParjatanSource: WTTC (2003)


37/38

New tourism managementAll stakeholders should help:

Cooperate in identifyingopportunities for growth

Focus on building travel and

tourism that open upprospects for people Work together to remove

obstacles to growth


International Bimtec, SNV, USAID

National Development: Grameen,

Katalyst, JCIB Conservation: Urban StudyGroup, Nishorgo, Contic

Media: tourism and general Private sector: Chambers of

commerce and industry,

investors and banks Higher education: service

schools and universities

Source: WTTC (2003)


38/38

Summing up Status

General sector obstaceles National tourism obstacles

Tourism development goals Sustainable tourism values National and regional cooperation

Active sustainable movement Long-term sustainable values Knowledge sharing and

cooperation on all levels

Goal: new tourism management The Views On Tourism Project

Communication platform forsustainable tourism movement

20100621 prospect of sustainable tourism in bangladesh

Documents