1 responsible tourism 3. planning for responsible tourism enterprises © anna spenceley, 2007tibet...

Responsible Tourism

3. Planning for responsible tourism enterprises

Contents

A. Business planning, market research, and the importance of commercial viability.

B. Location and accessibility, including Namtso case study

C. Impact assessmentD. Infrastructure and architectural designE. Sustainable resource use, waste management

and resource-saving technologiesF. Local consultation and partnershipsG. Discussion questionsH. AssignmentI. Sources of information

A. Business planning, market research and the importance of commercial viability

Important to remember that tourism is a business

Successful businesses need a wide variety of things including:

•Strategic plans

•Business plans – with goals and plan of action

•Good human resources

•Links to the market

•Promotion & competitive edge

•Sales and reservations systems

•Safe and healthy working conditions

•Licenses and registration

•Cash flow management

•Hospitality and customer service

•Negotiation skills

•Market research & a viable market

Who are tourists and what do they want? 1.Long distance visitors

Seek something unique – the “best” Invest significant time and money in getting there Target destinations Many have pre-planned packages or set itineraries Will not be attracted directly from their original

location by “lesser” attractions unless part of a package

Some can be diverted to other nearby sites while visiting the primary sites

May have already visited the key regional attractions Most have their own vehicle, and can plan their own

itinerary Can be attracted by mix of experiences, or by linked

stops and routes Some have habitual itineraries May time their visits to events Seek variety

Who are tourists and what do they want? 2. Regional tourists

Who are the tourists and what do they want? 3. Weekenders

Generally from nearby urban communities Seek contrast to what is found in their community Will overnight only if there is reason to do so Will target events, recreational opportunities Often focused on same places, attractions or

services as niche tourists Create weekend peaks,

traffic problems May stress particular utilities

or services (e.g all buses, cars arrive for lunch)

Who are the tourists and what do they want? 4. Day visitors

Limit to distance – approx two hours maximum, with majority within one hour travel of home.

Focus on specific experiences Shopping (crafts, cheese, wine, outlets etc) Recreation (boating, skiing, birdwatching) Dining (scenic luncheon, picnic, inn) Event (auction, fair, competition, show)

Often season or weather specific – peak concentrations on single day/week

Who are the tourists and what do they want? 5. Passers-by

En route from one place to another. Stop for services, interest Limited distance from main route for most stops

(must be very special to drag them off the main route)

Seek food, lodging, basic services Can be enticed to spend for other goods or services if

these are “special” – e.g., pottery, cheeses, local preserves.

Most are very time limited

Plans - Economic ecological and social factors, participatory process

Holistic approach – examining options, selection of concept /project area

Site selection - Siting of structures and activities should site sensitivities. (seek most appropriate site to minimize negative impacts)

Location location location Access by air, road, sea:

infrastructure requirements

B. Location and accessibility (1)

10© Anna Spenceley, 2007

Case study: Namtso Lake

At the site: Crowd control Mitigation of

development Protection of key

assets – both natural and cultural

Managing tourist behavior

Cleaning up after them

Many of the most important sites are fragile, difficult to reach, and hard to protect.

B. Location and accessibility (2)

Sera Monastery, Tibet

1. Environmental Impact Assessment

2. Social Impact Assessment3. Economic Impact

Assessment4. Strategic Environmental

Assessment

C. Impact assessment

1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool used to assess proposed development initiatives and the environment in which it is to be located. When applied effectively, it can minimise the depletion of natural resources and social disruption. It allows the withdrawal of unsound projects, legitmation of sound projects, selection of improved project locations, reformulation of plans and redefinition of goals.

2. Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a process of assessing or estimating in advance the social consequences that are likely to occur as a result of as specific policy, action or development in the context of relevant legislation. Social impacts include all cultural and social consequences of actions in the way people live, work, play, interact, meet their needs, and cope as members of society. Cultural impacts involve changes to the norms, values and beliefs of individuals that guide their understanding of themselves and society

3. Economic Impact Assessment (EcIA) tools can be used to determine economic inputs of local, regional or national economies, and predict regional accounts for specific regional areas. Direct, indirect and changes in gross output and final demands; employment and import requirements; income and earnings are incorporated.

4. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the formalised, systematic and comprehensive process of evaluating the environmental effects of a policy, plan or programme and its alternatives, including the preparation of a written report on the findings of that evaluation, and using the findings in publicly accountable decision-making.

D. Infrastructure and architectural design

Project design Design standards for siting, design

compatibility, aesthetics, impact reduction re ecological and cultural values (design to minimize negative effects on site and surrounding areas)

Design for wastewater, water use reduction, energy conservation. Build in energy conservation technology

Design

Makasutu Cultural Forest, The Gambia

Singita Lebombo, South Africa

Design

These lodges at Makasutu in The Gambia are floating on tidal water, that goes up and down 1-2 metres

each day.

Local fishermen use the river to access fishing zones.

The lodges are designed to take advantage of natural winds, and the

floating structures are unique.

Design

This lodge in Kruger National Park has stunning views over the river,

but was not designed to account for the heat generated. Therefore air conditioning systems had to be

included, which use a lot of energy to run.

Construction

Makalali, South Africa© Anna Spenceley, 2007

During the construction of Makalali, the architect trained local carpenters and thatchers in new techniques, which used the skills they already had to develop a traditional, but high quality lodge in a private game reserve. These skills could then be used afterwards for people to set up new businesses.

E. Sustainable resource use, waste management, new technologies

Environmental management systems: Water

Spier, South Africa

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Spier, South Africa

Water conservation is important everywhere.

These are wetland systemstreat sewage

waste naturally using reed beds. Water that comes out at the end is

perfectly clean, and can re-enter

natural streams.

Spier, South Africa

At Spier the water sprinkers are on timers, so that they only

spray water for a short time. By spraying early in the morning,

and later in the day, evaporation is reduced

Spier, South Africa

By installing showers, instead of baths, hotels can save water. Water-efficient

faucets create finer sprays of water,

which also reduce the volume used.

Environmental management systems: Waste

Bushmans Kloof, South Africa

Spier, South Africa

Malelela, Lesotho

Spier, South Africa

Malelela, Lesotho

ReduceRe-useRecycle

Spier, South Africa

Malelela, Lesotho

Sorting waste for recycling (e.g. glass, plastic, paper,

metal, food)

Spier, South Africa

Malelela, Lesotho

Colourful waste plastic bags can even be re-used to make attractive craft, like these

chickens!

Spier, South Africa

Malelela, Lesotho

At Malelela, waste drink cans are used to make furniture for a local primary school

Environmental management systems: Energy

De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa

Spier, South Africa

Energy saving light bulbs, with daylight-sensors for

use outdoors – save energy

Environmental management systems: Energy

De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa

Spier, South Africa

Solar panels can be used to heat water and power lights – a renewable source of energy. Wind power is

also possible in some places

Participatory processes Plans/programs should involve local suppliers/guides etc

Ongoing participation in facility and site management/decision process for local community/stakeholders

F. Local consultation and partnerships

Planning

Nosy Be, Madagascar

Watamu, Kenya

Examples of participatory planning and stakeholder

discussion meetings in Africa, where local stakeholders are

actively involved in the planning process

Planning

Nosy Be, Madagascar

Watamu, Kenya

In Nosy Be, Madagascar, landscape architects, urban

planners, fishermen and artisan all sat and discussed

the best way to plan tourism on the island.

Planning

Nosy Be, Madagascar

Watamu, Kenya

Open discussion of issues and problems in Kenya were used to highlight

how planning and coordination of activities could improve local conflicts

Planning

Nosy Be, Madagascar

Watamu, Kenya

A participatory planning meeting, doing a SWOT analysis of skills, tourism

assets, and other important points. This helped to ensure local ownership over plans developed, and to ensure

that they were relevant to local people.

Establish cooperative structures

Canhane community Mozambique

•Canhane is the community that owns Covane Community Lodge. •A cooperative structure was set up, facilitated by the Swiss NGO Helvetas •The whole community became a general assembly, who would meet annually to discuss the running of the lodge. •The community are also the owners of the lodge, and could make decisions on its management (the photo is an AGM of the community, where dividends were distributed).•10 members of the community became elected representatives of the community – the Social committee. These people would be more actively involved in the running of the lodge, and would report back to the community with any issues.

G. Discussion questions

Discussion questions: Why is it important to do market research before planning a

tourism enterprise? What would happen to local rivers if waste water was to

pollute them? What could be the impacts on the health of local people, livestock and plants and animals in the rivers?

How could you find out what local skills, products and services would be available to supply a responsible tourism enterprise?

What is the difference between planning a responsible hotel, and an irresponsible hotel?

Group work Develop a list of questions you would ask tourists to find out if

tourists visiting Lhasa were interested in staying at responsible community-based hotel.

Also explain where you would find tourists to interview them, and how you would analyse the data.

H. Assignment

Option A: Using a 5-10 page business plan template from www.businesspartners.co.za write a business plan for a rural, family based guest house in Tibet.

The purpose of the business plan is to apply for a loan to finance the infrastructure development.

Be clear about the type of information you need to complete the plan if there are some unknowns (e.g. market research; cost estimates for building materials; time to promote the product.)

Or Option B: Make a list of all the architectural features, and

resource-saving technologies that could be used in a new environmentally friendly hotel.

Consider the use of natural lighting, heating and cooling through the design of the buildings; renewable energy resources such as solar and wind power; water conservation through rainwater collection, grey-water recycling; sewage and solid waste disposal; and energy saving appliances.

I. Sources of information

Denman, R. (2001) Guidelines for community-based ecotourism development, WWF International. Available at www.wwf.org.uk/filelibrary/pdf/community_based_ecotourism.pdf

Gunn, C. A. and Var, T. (2002) Tourism planning, 4th Edition, Routledge: Chapter 9 Site planning concepts pp329

Guitierrez, E., Lamoureux, K., Matus, S., and Sebunya, K. (2005) Linking communities, tourism and conservation : A Tourism assessment process, Conservation International and The George Washington University. Infrastructure and services (pp38), Involving local stakeholders (pp18). Available at web.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/downloads/TAPManual.pdf

Lindberg, K. and D. E. Hawkins (1993), Ecotourism: A Guide for Planners and Managers Volume 1. The Ecotourism Society.

Lindberg, Epler Wood and Engeldrum (1998), Ecotourism: A Guide for Planners and Managers Volume 2. The Ecotourism Society.

World Tourism Organisation (2004) Indicators of sustainable development for tourism destinations: A guidebook. World Tourism Organisation, Madrid. Chapter 3.2 on Designing products and services (pp223), and Chapter 3.14 on Sustainability of tourism operations and services (pp241). Available from www.world-tourism.org.

1 responsible tourism 3. planning for responsible tourism enterprises © anna spenceley, 2007tibet...

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