TOURISM STATISTICS
Ron Mader -- One of the problems in writing about the
connections between tourism and the environment is the lack
of reliable data. Focusing in on tourism stats -- or the lack
thereof, what I've found is that the information that does exist
is rarely available for free or in a timely manner. Questions
that ought to be answered easily include how many tourists visit
a country or park. Less easily answered would be comparisons
of the ecotourism-adventure tourism market or reviews of ecotourism
potential in various countries -- a particularly difficult task
since few governments have the same definition of what constitutes
"ecotourism."
What I don't understand about World
Tourism Organization is how it keeps its reports and statistics
fairly inaccessible beyond a brochure-level quality. Individual
government tourism offices are not much better. There are some
exceptions. Australia has an easy-to-use Bookshop.
It's good to see a mix of documents which are have a price and
documents which are free to the public. I am impressed by the
fact that the most basic info, such as the Directory of Tourism
Statistics 2000 is available free of charge.
Les Beletsky -- As others have written here, not very.
Stats from gov't/professional agencies in the US, Canada, Australia,
etc, might sometimes be fairly correct and consistent, but those
from many other places, especially developing countries, are,
I find, very fluid. Check three sources for the numbers of international
tourists to Botswana in 1997 and you're likely to find three
different numbers. The inconsistencies likely arise from multiple
factors, such as: the primary source was not accurate in the
first place; secondary sources quoted the primary source incorrectly;
definitions of "international tourists" differ among various
sources. Sometimes when I need a specific tourism statistic
and I find multiple values for that number, I utilize an age-old
statistical method: I take the average of all the reported values.
Brad Wieners -- Reliable numbers. i really don't think
this is too much to ask, given that these drive so many decisions--including
whether to assign coverage of a destination, much less assess
impact of tourism. too often, i have sensed that tourism officials
try to figure out what you want to hear and then tell you that.
if they sense you'll assign a writer because a place is "hot",
they'll exaggerate the numbers. if you strike them a green activist,
they'll emphasize the numbers are appropriate. the disparity
in numbers is, at times, mind-boggling. for ex, when i tried
to get a figure for "adventure travel" as an industry last year,
according to various sources, adventure travel represented an
'industry' worth two or three billion dollars annually, or $28.5
billion!
REVIEWING THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ECOTOURISM (IYE)
POLL QUESTION: Are you now or will you be writing about the
"International Year of Ecotourism" in 2002?
CHOICES AND RESULTS
- Yes, 8 votes, 72.73%
- No, 3 votes, 27.27%
Ron Mader -- Planeta.com publishes a Resource
Guide to the "International Year of Ecotourism" (IYE) as
well as hosting the IYE 2002 Forum to promote a dialogue among
interested parties.
We encourage a frank discussion of what does and does not
work. The IYE 2002 Forum is limited to messages specific to
the IYE, and so far the forum has attracted about 200 participants.
There is no cost to participate. In addition, we have our own
modest Initiative in which we promise to focus on a select group
of communities -- ecotourism hotspots.
These are not areas where everything is perfect, but they
are regions which have great potential in developing authentic
ecotourism. The challenge lies in sharing information and supporting
networks that foster positive change.
Bill Hinchberger -- I've got an article on IYE2002
forthcoming in EcoAmericas, the newsletter edited and published
by conference participant George Hatch. My guess is that there
will be very little demand for news stories about IYE2002. And
I doubt whether editors will consider IYE2002 a sufficient excuse
to run more ecotourism features. (Or am I wrong? Any editors
out there want to contradict me?)
Hitesh Meta -- I would like to offer information, both
visual and textual to any of you who plan to write any articles/books
especially on the accommodation facilities and tours in ecotourism.
I have a large collection of slides and case studies and would
be happy to share with any of you who will be writing articles
on the subject during IYE.
DOES CERTIFICATION WORK?
Bruce Conord -- Although as travel writers for consumer
magazines and newspapers, many of us can and do promote environmentally
friendly properties which theoretically brings them recognition
and hopefully more business, but we rarely if ever trash a property
that is an ecological nightmare. Where would it be printed anyway?
If it is of interest to a media, it's more "news" than travel.
Promoting green labeled hotels over ones with no label is not
the job of travel writers, in the sense that promotion and marketing
is a job for a PR agency, an association, or a government tourism
board. Otherwise it could be part of a "movement" like the union
label on grapes and lettuce back in the 1960s and 70s. I wrote
a bio of Cesar Chavez, whom I consider an American hero, but
who looks for one these days? If there's a head of lettuce less
than $1.29, I buy it without thinking about the poor sod who
had to pick it. Would this apply to vacation bound tourists
as well?
Diane Jukofsky -- I'm wondering....do editors want
articles to include info about the environmental issues in a
particular destination or the environmental impacts of a hotel
or development? If a lodge has been "certified" or has some
sort of green label, reporters would likely mention this. (Wouldn't
they?) In describing a resort's facilities, should reporters
describe what happens to organic and inorganic waste? What would
editors say?
Ron Mader -- In the past few years the evaluation and
certification of ecotourism and sustainable tourism operations
have become popular topics among consultants and policy-makers,
but does the public care? To find answers, Planeta.com initiated
a public Workshop [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ecotourism_certification]
which brought together nearly three hundred people from more
than a dozen countries. The innovative Ecotourism Certification
Workshop debuted in January 2001 and reconvened in June as an
ongoing forum. We hosted the Workshop as part of our mission
to engage professionals in a lively discussion which of the
topics which make "ecotourism" so complex. The Workshop brought
together a diverse group of proponents and critics from around
the globe. Consultants and program backers have demonstrated
the merits of various programs and activists have chimed in
on why certification focuses so much on technology and not local
communities nor indigenous peoples.
Bill Hinchberger -- I discuss the issue a bit in the
EcoAmericas
article: apparently there are over 100 different schemes out
there right now.
George Leposky -- The article from the July/August
2000 issue of Vacation Industry Review, is relevant to the
discussion on certification. It deals with La Cabana, a timeshare
resort on the island of Aruba that won a Green Globe award.
The article describes the Green Globe program and details what
the resort did to win the award.
TOURISM AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Julie Fanselow -- I'm surprised by the lack of Native
American (First Nations in Canada) tourism initiatives. When
I find them, I do publicize them, even if they are fledgling.
Examples: Calvin Grinnell, a tribal historian for the Fort Berthold
Reservation in North Dakota (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara), does guided
tours of the res, as well as offering camping land. With advance
notice, he'll arrange for tribal dancers and/or a sweat ceremony.
He didn't even have a brochure when I spoke with him in 1999
while updating Traveling the Lewis & Clark Trail, but I was
so excited to hear *someone* was doing something along these
lines that I included the info in my book. Harry, is that what
you mean?
But then there are many areas where *no* such businesses exist.
One notable area is the Lolo Trail in North Idaho, where L&C
almost starved during their crossing in 1805. It's also generally
one of the least-changed areas along the L&C route, but the
Nez Perce have had some problems with vandalism of sacred spots
along the trail. I've repeatedly asked tribal members whether
any Nez Perce people plan to do tours on the Lolo to share their
story, but none are. Is it because they don't want more people
on the trail? That's a lost cause; people are coming, though
the Forest Service plans a permitting system (akin to the systems
used on some rivers) during 2002-2007, the anticipated years
of high traffic on the trail. Since people *will* come, wouldn't
it behoove the Nez Perce to get a piece of the action? I'd think
so ... but perhaps there are factors that I, as a non-native,
can't begin to understand. I'd welcome comment from others on
this idea.
In private conversations with New Perce tribal members, suggested
they'd do very well with tours of the Lolo Trail and the Clearwater
River area where they provided life-saving hospitality to Lewis
and Clark. But of course I'd be way out of bounds telling them
what to do. I guess it's a thin line, though. I hope to get
my website
up to speed over the next few months so I can provide frequent
updates and some live reporting on the rapid changes that will
be happening along the trail over these next few years.
GROUND FLOOR AT LONDON'S WORLD TRAVEL MARKET
Tim Burford -- A few thoughts on the World
Travel Market where the Cancun stand was bigger than those
of many countries. Amusingly, given theme of this e-conference,
there were references to the 'Sol Media' [sic] project! In fact
the World Tourism Award was awarded to Mexico (jointly to the
Ministry of Tourism and the Mexican Tourist Board) - due to
boosting tourism 6% in the first 5 months of 2001. The debate
on 'Responsible Tourism: whose job is it anyway?' was really
about nudging people along the continuum, as Peter Hutchison
put it - the details of what's said don't much matter, as long
as it's seen that the issue is being taken seriously.
It featured all the usual suspects - Keith Richards of the
Association of British Travel Agents, Roger Heap, formerly of
British Airways Holidays, Jeffrey Lipmann of Green Globe, Tricia
Barnett (& Sue Wheat, Angela Kalisch & Adama Bah) of Tourism
Concern, Harold Goodwin of CERT, people from Thomsons, the WTO,
WTTC, UNEP, the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, Friends
of Conservation, Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society, responsibletravel.com,
Climate Care, the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Anita
Roddick (on video) et al - there were also quite a few people
from WWF, who were sponsoring the debate. Green Globe made the
point that they had a certification programme ready, which they
were willing to give away to all who need it - others complained
that certification can cost £1-3000 (say $1500-5000), far too
much for a Southern community.
Peter Hutchison -- A postscript back to Tim Burford's
comment on the Environment Discussion at the WTM if I may. The
discussion was well attended by the good, bad, evil and the
moderately interested. The format was similar to those found
on (daytime UK) TV with a question for debate followed by discussion
stimulated by the chair and several suitably informed attendees
lurking in the audience.
The subject to discuss. Responsible Tourism: Whose job is
it anyway?
At the end the voting options were:
A: The industry
B: The destinations
C: The punters
No great surprise that the show of hands at the end was inconclusive.
In my opinion the answer is all of them. If forced, and I mean
forced, to choose one it has to be the punters - it is, after
all, their money. After thinking through several conspiracy
theories relating to the media my mind is spinning but I'll
leave that aside.
Everyone likes a debate, but a discussion is more fruitful.
The world is not black and white, it is grey - and if an article
takes the stance that ecotourism exists for those on a higher
plane, the vast majority of people will turn the page or switch
off because while concerned about the environment the elusive
vast majority see environmentalism as equating to camomile tea
and early nights. Personally I believe the very word "eco -
tourism" is partially responsible for creating this separation.
Presumably the goal of promoting the environment in our journalism
is to encourage more people to be more environmentally considerate.
As Jean McNeil said it's not about "preaching to the converted",
but getting some of the masses who currently don't care to come
and listen to something new. To point out that the experience
of walking in nature, as Ron put it, is not changed by being
environmentally considerate - it is the preparation, planning
and follow-through that goes in to the event that makes it environmentally
sensitive.
It is not just to get everyone to stay at lodge X which has
achieved certification Y. Surely, as Tim paraphrased me after
the WTM conference it is "about nudging people along the continuum"
to stop the pig-ignorant and filthy to be a little more considerate,
to get the concerned to take another step further, and so on.
Not the big leap, but the small step that makes the journey.
The mood of the debate was such that lots of people wanted
to do something, there was acknowledgment that people would
choose a more "responsible" option if they could and knew how
to. Following on from that it would be fair to assume that on
the surge wave of this slowly rising tide there should be a
greater interest from Commissioning Editors to get some copy
that covers this issue.
Continuing this line of Utopian fantasy for just a little
longer. Next year is the International Year of Ecotourism, there
is also a World Environment Summit in Johannesburg (Rio Part
III - like films probably based on the original idea but not
as funny and with a very weak plot). As far as hooks go, there
are a couple of biggies worth hanging any article you like on.
Getting any commission is that mix of making the phone call
on the right day - arrange for a rubbish truck to empty it's
load on the Editor's driveway and then see if s/he says the
environment is not relevant.
At the end of the debate with well-intentioned words floating
around from ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents), British
Airways Holidays, Green Globe, the WWG, Tourism Concern and
so on. Tom Morton of Climate Care took the mike. He politely
pointed out that the majority of the discussion had been missing
the point - the most irresponsible part of the average holiday
is the airline flight and in particular the fuel. Fantastically
pollutant and ridiculously priced with no tax at all. Forgive
me, I don't have the figures to hand, but apparently for every
passenger travelling on the London-South Africa flight for the
environment conference next year two tonnes of fuel will be
burnt.
On the Climate Care website
there is a pollutant calculator (I haven't seen it) which allows
people to calculate the amount and of fuel being burnt for their
ticket. A figure is suggested as to the appropriate amount of
carbon tax that should be paid and they can make a contribution
to Climate Care (or any other organisation) that works to reduce
global warming. In the noise after the event the head of Thomson
Holidays - the largest UK tour operator by a long shot - bee-lined
for Tom and took his card in a way that we all like to see when
we're on the receiving end, the way that says "we can do business."
I very much hope that Tom's action encourage Thomson to do
something. I will be extremely cynical of the piece meal gesture
that will probably be the outcome but getting such large numbers
to shift awareness has to be the role of environmentally concerned
journalists wherever they sit on the green fence. Double checking
previous postings the Media, Environment, Tourism conference
has drifted towards an interesting discussion on ecotourism,
our role is surely to push people towards being more environmentally
concerned to all tourism not just to the ecotourist.
ps: Somewhat amusing to note that the default dictionary in
Microsoft does not recognise "ecotourism".
ADVENTURE TRAVEL SHOW
Bruce Conord -- For those of you who have never had
the experience of attending a tourism or trade show, they [Adventure
& Eco-tourism Show in Chicago]
feature rows and rows of booths that promote whatever project/service
they offer. Not only in this case is adventure touring and tourism
featured -- rafting, ballooning, hiking, mountain biking --
but also hotels and attractions that lay a claim to being ecological.
Included in exhibits may be the latest technology in black water
treatment, recycling, or even crash helmets. It depends solely
on the exhibitors perception of whether paying the bucks for
the space will generate sales leads. My publisher, Hunter Publishing,
or example, is considering getting a booth to promote their
Adventure Guide series of travel guidebooks (including ours
on the Yucatan and an upcoming Costa Rica guide). In addition
to all the good gadgets and ideas that come from these kinds
of shows are all the goofy hype that goes with eco-tourism marketing.
Perhaps more than one not-so-very-ecological property or attraction
will market themselves as eco-friendly because they built their
buildings in the middle of an environmentally sensitive rainforest.
Although we can't say anything about this specific show, if
you have a chance to attend you may very well come away with
new ideas, impressions, contacts, plans, and lots and lots of
printed material. Not to mention all the cool free goodies given
out by the exhibitors as advertising gimmicks.
Joe Franke -- I would agree with Ron about the value
of most, if not all, tourism conferences that have taken place
in recent years. I stopped going to them in the late 1980s for
the reasons he outlined. Although I admit that my disenchantment
industry-led discussions about eco-sustainable-responsible tourism
may have pulled me out of the loop, I have yet to hear about
the existence of a well organized conference that fully seeks
out and incorporates the views of people trying to design and
implement tourism programs on the community level. In order
to do this properly, a well heeled organization would have to
pay the way of most of the participants. USAID pissed away millions
during the '80s and '90s on "ecotourism" projects (a couple
of exceptionally corruption-ridden boondoggles in Costa Rica
come to mind) and it is too bad that they and similar organizations
didn't see fit to do something like this before the bloom came
off the rose and money became less available.
Writing about this reminds me of an ad-hoc workshop that I
organized in the context of a meeting of the International Network
of Engaged Buddhists meeting in Thailand some years back. Most
of the participants were people living in small villages all
over Thailand and Cambodia who were interested in the expansion
of INEBs reality
tours (one of which turned out to be nearly lethal to several
participants - me included - a long story) to include their
communities. These people were truly interested in new ideas,
and as they were starting with literally nothing, where in a
perfect position to build their programs small and sustainable,
rather than having an idea about a five story hotel and having
to scale down to meet the interests of sustainable tourism advocates.
My point here (sorry to be so long winded) is that most of
these conferences are little more than glorified trade shows,
and are not the right place to discuss new ideas that don't
make a lot of money for the big tour companies. It is no wonder
that they become tiresome. |
