challenges to sustainable tourism
DESCRIPTION
A presentation made at the Southern African Sustainable Tourism Alliance meeting, in Durban, South Africa in May 2014. The presentation summarised findings of a study undertaken for the Global Partnership on Sustainable Tourism, through UNEP and supported by GiZTRANSCRIPT
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Understanding challenges to sustainable tourism development
Dr Anna Spenceley Alliance 3rd Annual Conference, Garden Court Marine Parade, Durban, 8 May 2014
Spenceley, 2013: accessible from hFp://www.unep.org/resourceefficiency/tourism
Approach
Key ques(ons: § What is happening in sustainable
tourism (ST) in southern Africa? § What are the challenges to
mainstreaming sustainable tourism?
Methods: § Literature review § Online survey: Sent to 199 people
§ 50 respondents (29% parUcipaUon) § Stakeholder review & virtual meeUng
Approach
Key ques(ons: § What is happening in sustainable
tourism (ST) in southern Africa? § What are the challenges to
mainstreaming sustainable tourism?
Methods: § Literature review § Online survey: Sent to 199 people
§ 50 respondents (29% parUcipaUon) § Stakeholder review & virtual meeUng
Barriers to mainstreaming sustainable tourism
Barriers to mainstreaming sustainable tourism
There is a “ . . . percep(on that to operate sustainably is costly and that interven(ons that require retro-‐fi9ng are expensive.
Cer(fica(on schemes are too expensive for the average tourism operator who would rather spend their money becoming more sustainable than ge9ng recogni(on for it.”
Barriers to mainstreaming sustainable tourism
205 stakeholders interviewed (including 56 government, tourism authoriUes, trade associaUons, investment agencies) Demand mostly for courses on general tourism (e.g. business development, management etc) -‐ 9% -‐ opUons for local communiUes in tourism -‐ 7% -‐ responsible and sustainable tourism -‐ 3% -‐ tourism management protected areas
Spenceley and Rozga, 2007: accessible from www.anna.spenceley.co.uk
Tourism training needs in 9 African countries
Madagascar -‐‑ Mozambique -‐‑ South Africa – Tanzania -‐‑ Zambia
Public sector capacity building
needs
Spenceley, 2013
Public sector capacity building
needs
Spenceley, 2013
Have needs for sustainable
tourism training have increased over 5 years?
(or just an artifact of sampling?)
Barriers to mainstreaming sustainable tourism
Private sector needs in order to develop sustainable tourism
Source: h,p://www.actsa.org/page-‐‑1003-‐‑TheFacts.html
How do we overcome the barriers?
Approaches to overcoming barriers
Global stocktaking: Gaps and criUcal needs
!
Public sector: General awareness: poliUcians and policy makers – adequate frameworks / long term view Guidelines: mandatory (?) for tourism policies Communica(on: strengthen cross sector: tourism to other sectors Sta(s(cs & M&E: improved staUsUcs collecUon/analysis for public & private sector; M&E of sustainable tourism impacts, global sustainability index for desUnaUons Technical support/capacity building: sustainable tourism policies, PPPs, mulU-‐stakeholder dialogue; M&E
UNEP, 2014
POTENTIAL INTERVENTIONS FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA
1. Strategies and policies 2. Tourism products and services 3. Training and capacity building 4. Technical tools and guidance 5. Networks
Spenceley, 2013: accessible from hFp://www.unep.org/resourceefficiency/tourism
Needs: More consistent implementaUon of ST; stronger enabling environment; use of regional bodies
Recommenda(ons: § Develop regional framework on sustainable tourism: parUcipatory process, gap analysis
§ Integrate ST goals into naUonal tourism offices
§ IncenUves for tourism developments with ST criteria
§ ParUcipatory desUnaUon planning for ST; acUon plans with local parUcipaUon. Focus on yield not CC
RecommendaUon 1: Strategies and policies
RecommendaUon 2: Tourism products & services
Need: Greater supply of sustainable tourism products: § reach ‘Upping point’ -‐ sustainable pracUces are the norm (i.e. under 250 enterprises cerUfied in southern Africa)
Recommenda(ons: § Regional markeUng plan/brand for ST southern Africa
§ Mobilise private sector: encourage innovaUon
§ M&E management plans for ST operaUons § Match supply and demand for ST § Promote local community involvement: value chains, employment, ownership and equity
Namibia
TorraTorra Conservancy & Conservancy &DamaralandDamaraland Camp Camp
Author: Anna Spenceley.
Photographs: Dana Alan, Wilderness Safaris
RecommendaUon 2: Tourism products & services
Need: Greater supply of sustainable tourism products: § reach ‘Upping point’ -‐ sustainable pracUces are the norm (i.e. under 250 enterprises cerUfied in southern Africa)
Recommenda(ons: § Regional markeUng plan/brand for ST southern Africa
§ Mobilise private sector: encourage innovaUon
§ M&E management plans for ST operaUons § Match supply and demand for ST § Promote local community involvement: value chains, employment, ownership and equity
Namibia
TorraTorra Conservancy & Conservancy &DamaralandDamaraland Camp Camp
Author: Anna Spenceley.
Photographs: Dana Alan, Wilderness Safaris
Linking with the ‘green’ corporates
(remember – business people tale leisure trips
too!)
Using channels like Trip Advisor’s
greenleaders
Enouraging sustainable
destinations (e.g. GSTC)
RecommendaUon 3: Training & Capacity building Need: Enhanced understanding by government agencies, tourism boards, protected areas: § IntegraUon of sustainable tourism in their work
Recommenda(ons: § Develop capacity at universiUes on ST training & knowledge
§ Train and build capacity key stakeholders in ST – public and private sector
§ DisseminaUon of informaUon and awareness raising
RecommendaUon 4: Technical Tools & Guidance
Need: Balanced tools and guidance on sustainable tourism related to country prioriUes.
Recommenda(ons: § Research on the business case for ST:
§ cost savings, market access, best pracUces
§ Balanced tools to encourage uptake of ST: environmental, social, economic
§ Share informaUon on best pracUces: Scaling up
RecommendaUon 5: Networks Need: Encourage relaUonship and linkage building between professionals and insUtuUons
Recommenda(ons: § Support networking and sharing best pracUces
§ Annual conference on sustainable tourism § Network of technical advisors on ST § Develop partnerships to promote sustainability
Thank you!
Dr Anna Spenceley Email: [email protected]
PresentaUons: www.slideshare.net/AnnaSpenceley Website: www.anna.spenceley.co.uk