Island Tourism – Sustainable Perspectives

Islands are the most vulnerable and fragile of tourism destinations and will experience even more pressure as the combined impacts of economic, social and environmental change accelerate in the future. In order to understand the process of island tourism development, response to change and challenges and their journey to sustainability, the 2011 CABI book “Island Tourism – Sustainable Perspectives” (Edited by J Carlsen, Professor of Sustainable Tourism, Curtin University of Technology, Australia, R W Butler, Professor of International Tourism, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK) provides insights and instruction on topics including social, cultural, environmental and economic aspects of island tourism. It contains essential information for policymakers, planners, researchers, managers and operators within the tourism industry. Learn more & order this book from CABI.

*Through TIES partnership with CABI, special discounts (20~% off) are available to TIES members on all online purchases of CABI publications. Please go to Member Center to access the discount codes, or contact membership@ecotourism.org for information on this and other TIES member benefits.

Interview with Professor Butler

TIES: What makes island destinations particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, as compared to other types of tourism destinations?

Prof. Butler: In one sense, they are no more vulnerable than any other area, but often because their physical environment is relatively or absolutely small, they may have little margin for absorbing significant impacts – environmental as well as social and economic (because of small populations and economies). Additionally, some isolated destinations such as the Galapagos may have developed unique ecosystems which would be highly vulnerable to insertions of exotic species, or which may have populations not used to human contact (actions, diseases etc). There is also the issue that while many tourists and others anticipate islands – particularly remote ones – to be “untouched,” any changes are perceived as problematic. As with any ecosystem that has a limited range of species present (high arctic, for example), a loss or significant change in any single element can have a drastic effect on all other elements in the ecosystem. Some islands fall into such a category, even those not in extreme latitudes.

TIES: How can visitors and local operators act to mitigate the impacts of economic, social and environmental changes on island destinations?

Prof. Butler: Some management actions are fairly obvious, such as those practiced in the Galapagos and some national parks elsewhere. For example, no food allowed with visitors, no fires or smoking, no litter left behind, restrictions on access (normally restricted to designated trails only), no physical contact with animals or plants, no collecting, no removal of items. Numbers are generally the major issue but almost no place is willing to limit capacities when it comes down to the crunch; instead, so called “capacity levels” are raised regularly in order to allow more visitors. Limits on numbers and the size of cruise boats at any one time (as Bermuda has done) is one step. Limits on accommodation development, airport capacity, and harbor capacity are somewhat easy options to make polices for.

However, the real question is whether policy will be implemented. Islands have great possibilities of limiting numbers, and controlling actions and movement if they wish to do so. Most seem to wish to do so but never do because of alternative viewpoints relating to more senior levels of government and the private sector. Bear in mind, however, that many small islands also seem to want as many tourists as they can get, so local control is not necessarily the answer. In the case of national parks, it is quite often a senior “absent” government that might institute such arrangements, sometimes in the face of local opposition to restrictions on tourist numbers.

TIES: What advice do you have for tourism stakeholders (planners, researchers, operators etc.) in island destinations for areas to focus on in regards to education and program development (ie: critical issues)?

Prof. Butler: Decide what is really important, both for local people and for outsiders. If priorities can be established, then these can be focused on, people can be informed of what is important and why (key species, key habitats, etc.) and how they may be safeguarded. People need to be informed of potential or actual threats and what results could be, as well as how threats might be neutralized. Information is key – both to local people and from them, and to and from all other stakeholders. Trust is important. Without it, evidence is likely to be disregarded in favor of traditional biases and beliefs. Some of these traditional beliefs might be true, but some of which could be terribly wrong and inappropriate.

For example, overfishing or overuse of resources which might have been acceptable in the context of a much reduced population with less frequent use technology half a century ago, but which are not longer suitable although there may be longstanding support for such actions. Care needs to be taken in putting forward new approaches so that they can gain local support. This requires a clear understanding of what is being proposed, why it is being proposed, and how it will work. All of this is education after a fashion.

Above all, stakeholders must sort out the really key issues, problems, and processes and concentrate on these without getting sidetracked by almost irrelevant but highly publicized media issues. For example, it is easy to get worked up about a hotel keeping its lights on on a beach at night where turtles are hatching and might get confused, although a more serious issue might be a harbor extension for local fishermen which could result in changed erosion patterns and total disappearance of the beach at issue.

TIES: Please share case studies and examples that you find particularly interesting and are reflective of the changes occurring in island tourism today.

Prof. Butler: Probably cruise tourism, as this is bringing large numbers of tourists to islands that had not previously experience such numbers ever before. In some cases this seems an easy option; few infrastructure facilities need to be provided, and boats can anchor off shore and transport visitors to the location. Pressures can be very high for very short periods of time with limited returns in terms of employment, expenditure, and lasting benefits, and every port of call is vulnerable because they have little or no role in decision making about whether the cruise ship should return another year or another voyage. This is not to say that cruise tourism is a bad thing, but I think it is symptomatic of a number of issues including vulnerability, lack of control, concentration of pressure and impacts, intensity of effects, minimal per capita expenditure, and a false impression of visitor numbers being maintained.

Although not specifically a tourist issue, increasing numbers of islands are becoming the focus of development (oil and gas, defense etc.). This has implications for tourism by increasing the visibility of islands through reference in the media, and by provision of infrastructure. For example, the Falkland Islands are much easier to visit now, following the post 1980 increased defense presence there. Similarly, the Shetland Islands have benefited enormously from oil infrastructure developments in terms of access and communication improvements, which have had a positive impact on tourism development.

Interview conducted by Lindsay Milich, July 2011

About Prof. Richard Butler

Professor Richard Butler was educated at Nottingham University and the University of Glasgow (PhD Geography 1973), and spent thirty years at the University of Western Ontario in Canada as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Geography, and then the University of Surrey, where he was Professor of Tourism from 1997 to 2005. He is currently Emeritus Professor of International Tourism in the Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. He has published a large number of journal articles, fourteen books on tourism and many chapters in other books. His fields of interest are the development process of tourist destinations the impacts of tourism, carrying capacity and sustainability, and tourism in remote areas and islands.

Related Articles

Conservation Tourism: Interview with Ralf Buckley
Conservation Tourism, written by Professor Ralf Buckley and his colleagues at the International Centre for Ecotourism Research in Griffith University, Australia, features 100 international case studies from private marine reserves to bird watching lodges, and covers key topics including sources of capital and operational funding, corporate and organizational structure, marketing strategies, primary conservation outcomes and spin-off effects, links to public protected areas, future plans and global trends.

Volunteer Tourism: Interview with Dr. Stephen Wearing
Volunteer Tourism: Seeking Experiences that Make a Difference by Dr. Wearing, Senior Lecturer, University of Technology, and Dr Lyons, University of Newcastle, will be published by CABI in 2012. Concentrating on the experience of the volunteer tourist and the host community, this new edition builds on the view of volunteer tourism as a positive and sustainable form of tourism to examine a broader spectrum of behaviors and experiences.

Coastal Tourism: Interview with Dr. Andrew Jones
The symbiotic relationship between coastal tourism and amenable climates has become a paradox with climate change now threatening the very nature of tourism that it has so successfully encouraged in the past. The U.S. coastline along the Gulf of Mexico (i.e. Louisiana and Florida) represents a good example of this ongoing dynamic relationship. Similarly, many of the island archipelagos of South and South East Asia demonstrate vulnerabilities in this context.

The 2010 CABI publication, Disappearing Destinations: Climate Change and Future Challenges for Coastal Tourism (Edited by Dr Andrew Jones, University of Wales and Professor Michael Phillips, Swansea Metropolitan University), discusses how popular and fragile destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef could become severely damaged by the climate change threats and forced to close to tourists if current tourism trends continue. The book explores tourism in the context of climate change and vulnerable environments, exploring the situation at local level and in a wider perspective using international case studies throughout and providing future recommendations. Learn more & order this book from CABI.

*Through TIES partnership with CABI, special discounts (20~% off) are available to TIES members on all online purchases of CABI publications. Please go to Member Center to access the discount codes, or contact membership@ecotourism.org for information on this and other TIES member benefits.

Interview with Dr. Andrew Jones

TIES: What is the single most significant threat that tourism imposes upon an environment? How can this threat be mitigated or eliminated?

Dr. Jones: Key threats include uncontrolled development thorough ineffective or poor zonal planning, sometimes together with corporate or local corruption that encourages exploitation and land speculation within natural areas. This in turn may lead to unnecessary exposure to severe climate occurrences and other threats. It is very difficult to mitigate such threats, given the local and national political diversity between countries. For example, all countries operate with different planning processes and controls. However, those countries that operate transparent planning controls with effective policy implementation, along with effective measures that combat non compliance, certainly stand a better chance of maintaining balanced natural areas against tourism exploitation.

TIES: Please briefly discuss the case of the Great Barrier Reef – how has tourism impacted this fragile ecosystem, what can be done to catalyze change, and what does the future hold?

Dr. Jones: The Great Barrier Reef has been a victim of its own success. Ultimately too many tourists are damaging the very nature of the reef that they seek to find. This happens in many ways, although largely the impacts are physical in nature through direct ecological damage, pollution, and erosion. There has been some success in controlling access to key vulnerable areas by prioritizing zones of access, and by promoting ‘closed access zones.’ However, these zones are now threatened by wider implications of climate change and the ecological impact that occurs as a result.

TIES: How does climate change pertain to coastal tourism destinations?

Dr. Jones: ‘Sun, sea, and sand’ notions form a major part of our understanding of the concepts regarding the growth and definitions of modern-day tourism. The relationship between climate and tourism growth has thus been one of the driving forces in the phenomena of emerging global tourism markets. However, the symbiotic relationship between coastal tourism destinations and amenable climates has in some respects become a paradox, with climate change now threatening to destroy the very nature of tourism that, in the past, it has so successfully encouraged. The U.S. coastline along the Gulf of Mexico (i.e. Louisiana and Florida) represents a good example of this ongoing dynamic relationship. Similarly, many of the island archipelagos of South Asia and South East Asia demonstrate vulnerabilities in this context.

TIES: What can be done at a local level to mitigate the threats of climate change and overtaxing tourism activities on vulnerable coastal destinations?

Dr. Jones: Some key questions that should be considered when addressing this issue include:

• How to balance protection and management of coastal resources with growing pressures for recreation and tourism developments?
• How to safeguard crucial socio-economic tourism interests?
• How to take effective ameliorative actions such as hard and soft engineering responses?
• How to advocate strategies for the effective and sustainable management of tourism infrastructure along coastal fringes?
• Who takes responsibility for enacting such measures?
• Who pays?

Ameliorative options in light of these questions include making ‘hard’ versus ‘soft’ choices. For example, ‘hard’ engineering structures such as seawalls, groynes, piers embankments, breakwaters can be built, although this option is not without its challenges. Issues from such a choice relate to environmental impact, financial cost, and over-all effectiveness of the strategy. Taking the alternate, ‘soft’ approach would mean employing soft engineering techniques that work in conjunction with natural coastal processes. For example, through the construction of submerged breakwaters, groyne field systems which promote sediment deposition, and the evolution (growth) of beach and shoreline areas or managed retreat and inland hinterland development. Issues from such ‘soft’ choices may include, again, environmental impact, as well as financial cost and overall effectiveness.

Ultimately, success in combating negative scenarios in coastal destinations will depend on recognizing critical issues, meeting expectations, and delivering solutions. In order to recognize critical issues, local operators and stakeholders must carefully address issues such as understanding reliable climate change predictions, meeting government short-comings, recognizing a lack of appropriate human resource management training on the subject of climate and environment, considering long-term options for adaptive strategies, and facing a public that is sometimes skeptical toward green-labeling, carbon offsets, and emission trading schemes.

In order to meet expectations, there must be strong planning and early implementation strategies, strong regulatory powers for zoning and land use as well as for carbon emissions, strong directives from local governments, technical assistance regarding best ways to respond to climate issues (capacity building), and collaborative integrated relationships. Finally, in order to deliver solutions, there must be well-integrated and coordinated government action, improved research-based information along with a clearly defined agenda, capacity building and local empowerment, assurance of accurate and responsible media reporting, security and coordination of public/private funding, definition of legal responsibilities and adequate risk assessments, and a proper assessment of impact strategies.

About Dr. Andrew Jones

Dr. Andrew Jones is a Senior Lecturer in Business at University of Wales. He was formerly a Senior Lecturer at Swansea Business School, Swansea Metropolitan University, and Co-Director of the Centre for Leisure and Tourism Research (CELTaS) at Swansea. He has professional experience in planning at both international, regional and local levels, and has been an active member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Dr. Jones has been an active practitioner, researcher and teacher in planning, conservation, regeneration and tourism planning since 1981. He completed his PhD on research investigating the relationship and tensions between regeneration, the environment and sustainable tourism. His current research activities have consolidated this broad approach with a specific interest in research areas such as waterfronts and coastal zone management, tourism and regeneration, and the development of tourism micro markets, focusing on rural community regeneration.

More about CABI

CABI is a not-for-profit science-based development and information organization that applies scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment, to address the challenges of food security, and to improve access to agricultural and environmental scientific knowledge. CABI’s mission and direction is influenced by member countries who help guide activities undertaken. These include scientific publishing, development projects and research, and microbial services. CABI has published numerous books on the subject of tourism and ecotourism. For a complete list of these publications, visit the CABI bookstore here.

Related Articles

Conservation Tourism: Interview with Ralf Buckley
Conservation Tourism, written by Professor Ralf Buckley and his colleagues at the International Centre for Ecotourism Research in Griffith University, Australia, features 100 international case studies from private marine reserves to bird watching lodges, and covers key topics including sources of capital and operational funding, corporate and organizational structure, marketing strategies, primary conservation outcomes and spin-off effects, links to public protected areas, future plans and global trends.

Volunteer Tourism: Interview with Dr. Stephen Wearing
Volunteer Tourism: Seeking Experiences that Make a Difference by Dr. Wearing, Senior Lecturer, University of Technology, and Dr Lyons, University of Newcastle, will be published by CABI in 2012. Concentrating on the experience of the volunteer tourist and the host community, this new edition builds on the view of volunteer tourism as a positive and sustainable form of tourism to examine a broader spectrum of behaviors and experiences.

Island Tourism: Interview with Richard Butler
Islands are the most vulnerable and fragile of tourism destinations and will experience even more pressure as the combined impacts of economic, social and environmental change accelerate in the future. In order to understand the process of island tourism development, response to change and challenges and their journey to sustainability, this book provides insights and instruction on topics including social, cultural, environmental and economic aspects of island tourism.

By Alex Narracott

Creative Solutions to Carbon Offsetting Challenges

UK charity The Converging World (TCW) and ethical travel resource Much Better Adventures have partnered to deliver an alternative way to reduce the carbon footprint of travel, without resorting to carbon offsetting. The effectiveness of carbon offsetting is widely debated, but donating to TCW brings carbon savings and social benefits above and beyond the traditional offsetting schemes available.

While TCW and Much Better Adventures believe there is a place for good and transparent carbon offset schemes, carbon offsetting generally has its critics. They often cite the offset schemes of profit-making companies, where carbon reductions can be difficult to verify, as proof of a flawed concept for emissions reductions. So, is carbon offsetting simply a distraction from the real issues of climate change, as the Friends of the Earth claimed in April 2009, or does it have a part to play in current efforts to tackle climate change? This hotly debated question can often seem to have no resolution.

A Much Better Carbon Calculator?

TCW and Much Better Adventures have united in their efforts to provide a simple tool to facilitate an alternative to offsetting which still brings about carbon savings in excess of a simple carbon offset. TCW have developed an innovative Carbon Calculator, which allows travellers to calculate the levels of CO2 emissions associated with their journeys by flight, bus, train, car and ferry.

Much Better Adventures are encouraging their users to donate directly to TCW in acknowledgement of these emissions, rather than offset their trips – a mechanism already employed by Guardian News and Media Group in partnership with TCW. The calculator is being deployed on the Much Better Adventures’ website and will provide travellers with a suggested donation amount to give in recognition of their emissions.

>> View the calculator on the Much Better Adventures site here.

TCW wind turbine in India

Give Back More Than You Take

TCW invests donations in renewable energy projects in the developing world. What sets TCW’s model apart from other schemes is the fact that all surplus revenues generated from their renewable energy projects are used for sustainable development work in the developing world, carbon reduction initiatives in the UK, and further renewable energy projects for the future. Donations to TCW therefore work much harder than simply spending them once – they not only generate clean energy today and in the future, they also help communities across the globe reduce their emissions in a sustainable and equitable way.

About TCW

The Converging World (TCW) is a UK based charity that aims to address issues arising from social inequality and climate change, creating mechanisms which link communities in the developed and developing world. They raise donations to invest in renewable energy. The surplus revenue from the sale of electricity is used by the charity for supporting social and environmental development in UK and Indian communities. Travel companies interested in developing a similar partnership should contact Tim Barker (Email: timbarker@theconvergingworld.org, Tel: 0117 9277089).

*TCW are looking to build more partnerships with travel organizations interested in offering a stronger solution than carbon offsetting. You can contact Tim Barker to discuss this.

About Much Better Adventures

Much Better Adventures puts adventure seekers in direct contact with small local businesses – friendly places to stay, guides and instructors who share your passion for adventure, live locally, and know the best spots. Driven to uncover the hidden gems, their community of users suggest new places, write destination guides and leave reviews. The team then independently verify the most ethical businesses in each destination, and offer a simple sustainability consultancy to help others go green and cut costs. Contact Alex Narracott (Email: alex@muchbetteradventures.com, Tel: 0117 2302414).

The word of mouth is encouraging: More and more travelers are being responsible. Ever greater numbers are taking seriously the importance of hitting the road with more than just pure business or pleasure in mind. They may not think of themselves as fitting cleanly into some of the niche tourism categories – ecotourism, sustainable travel, responsible travel, local travel, voluntourism – but the mindful choices they’re making are meaningful.

Fittingly, the industry has been slow to respond. While some noteworthy players have certainly already been squirreling away at championing best practices for a while, others are only now finally feeling the strength of the new winds and belatedly taking action.

Some sectors have, however, been even slower than others. One of them – in which there appears to be a need for a global steward – is airport and intercity transfers. You know, ground transportation. What you need when you land at an airport and want to get to town – often your very first introduction to a place – or what you may desire when you’re ready to travel between destinations and don’t wish to rely on public transport.

Into this breach has stepped Green Path Transfers (GPT), which launched today as a global provider of eco-friendly airport and intercity transfers. The newest subsidiary of the WHL Group, GPT answers the needs of leisure and business travelers seeking cost-effective ways to reduce their carbon footprints. Through GPT’s straightforward online booking system, travelers and businesses can now hit the road confident that, for rates equal to those of other global providers, their transfers are in good hands and that they’ve made a beneficial earth-conscious choice.

Powering a Green Engine

In keeping with a vision to help build a sustainable and responsible travel industry, GPT is on a mission to go green. In contrast to other global transfer-service providers, some with green leanings, GPT has taken a novel approach to building its network of quality local operators.

Converted to run on biofuel, this 12-seater Mercedes van is part of the Whatever Shuttle fleet in San Diego, California. (Photo courtesy of Wherever Shuttle)

“This involves placing significant emphasis and focus on partnering with transfer companies that are already using low-carbon-emission vehicles, wherever possible, to operate our transfers,” reads the GPT website.

GPT has therefore only recruited established, service-minded transfer operators with a demonstrated commitment to a greener future, either through their pioneering use of zero- or low-emission vehicles or their movement toward adoption of sustainable practices and clean technology.

The green technology currently in use by Green Path Transfers partners includes:

• vehicles powered by recycled vegetable oil by Portland, Oregon’s ecoShuttle and San Diego, California’s Wherever Shuttle;
• engines running on renewable, non-toxic and all-natural fuels like biodiesel and ethanol in Colorado’s Vail Valley by Green Limousine, and Il Viaggio Travel in Costa Rica;
• Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicles (ULEVs) and alternative-fuel cars using compressed natural gas (CNG) by Los Angeles-based Naturalimo;
• hybrids on the streets of Toronto under the Eco Taxi label.

GPT is currently operational in over 30 destinations around the world, but service is expected to reach more than 100 by the end of 2011.

Offsetting Carbon Emissions

Blue Ventures Carbon Offset logo GPT further neutralises any presently unavoidable emissions by 100% carbon offsets through reputable organisations like atmosfair and Blue Ventures Carbon Offset.

Blue Ventures Carbon Offset (BVCO) is a charitable organization born in 2007 out of Blue Ventures Conservation as a means of reducing global carbon emissions and benefiting communities where Blue Ventures works. It primarily runs socially responsible projects through sponsorship of solar and fuel-efficient stoves.

“Like GPT, BVCO is committed to creating positive environmental change by reducing global carbon-dioxide emissions,” says Leda Smith Sommerville, BVCO Programme Manager. “BVCO has been working with GPT to develop methods of carbon-dioxide calculation that represent the most accurate and up-to-date conversion factors available. We are able to calculate emissions and then offset carbon quickly and permanently. The projects that offset funds support are verified and validated by the Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service, an industry-wide program to stimulate collective action by all travel and tourism businesses selling holidays, holiday services and air travel.”

atmosfair is an independent, non-profit organisation that works for climate protection. Climate fees donated as a function of greenhouse gases generated by travel finance CO2-offsetting projects in developing countries all across the globe.

“atmosfair and GPT share the mission that reducing emissions as far as possible and offsetting unavoidable emissions with high-quality projects is the best green solution,” comments Katharina Behrendt of atmosfair. “As green local transfer companies are not always available, atmosfair supports GPT by offsetting the unavoidable emissions through high-quality emission-saving projects. atmosfair is pleased to help advance GPTs sustainable mission.”

These partnerships with third-party carbon-offset organizations bring added peace of mind to travelers with the knowledge that their trips are helping to fund meaningful clean-energy projects worldwide. From solar energy programs in India to hydraulic irrigation systems for rural farmers in China, the initiatives Green Path Transfers supports through its carbon-offset partners extend far beyond tree planting.

Meeting Consumer Needs

“It’s crucial for us to embrace green and cleaner technologies and modes of transport for the long-term health of the planet,” says Adrian Cordiner, CEO of the GPT far-reaching network of transfer operators. “As transport is a main emitter of carbon, it’s a natural place to start in order to try to make a dent in global carbon emissions.”

GPT recognises, however, that its chosen green path is a long and challenging one. “We started this business because we want to change the way transport is done, whilst also making sure we offer unparalleled service and extremely competitive fares,” says the GPT website. “We are passionate about a greener future for the planet, and we love working with like-minded customers, operators and organisations to help shape that future!”

In Costa Rica, Il Viaggio Travel’s fleet uses fuel-efficient vehicles powered whenever possible by locally manufactured biodiesel. Il Viaggio Travel also participates in local tree planting and recycling programs, and supports local artisans. Local service providers and partners are chosen and vetted based on their ability to meet local and international green certification standards.

To that end, GPT has put in place a range of incentives and supports to move all local partners toward a greener future that includes upgrading their fleets to include any lower-carbon options available to them.

“Every little bit helps,” Cordiner adds. “We believe that, by being an industry leader in the use and support of cleaner technology, both in transfers and through offsets, we will inspire others to follow suit.”

Atlantic Rising Expedition

15 months ago Tim, Will and Lynn of the Atlantic Rising team set off on a voyage of discovery, to explore the Atlantic coastline and discover what will be lost if seas levels rise by one meter. Travelling, living and working in a Land Rover, they covered 32,000 miles and 21 countries, hopping on container ships for the Atlantic ocean crossings, and biking, sailing or walking in between. Travelling overland through West Africa, Latin America and the US, they had no end of adventures.

Not content with that, they created a network between schools all along the route, enabling children from all over the world to build friendships, share stories, understand how climate change impacts us all differently, and feel connected to distant places and people.

BBC School Report – Atlantic Rising from Atlantic Rising on Vimeo.

In February, and again last week, the Atlantic Rising team launched a giant “Message in a bottle,” containing thousands of letters from students around the Atlantic, describing their local environments. It contains a tracking device so we can all also learn about the movement of the ocean currents and their role in distributing the earth’s heat.

The team returned to Southampton on the 7th December. Below are excerpts from Much Better Adventures’ interview with Lynn Morris, one of the 3 crew members of the Atlantic Rising Expedition team, about the purpose of adventure and climate change.

Alex Narracott, Much Better Adventures (Alex): Adventure and exploration has been a common theme in raising awareness recently. Why do you think there is such a close connection?

Lynn Morris, Atlantic Rising (Lynn): I suppose adventure and exploration is something that catches peoples attention and imagination and so it is a good way to raise awareness. But for us it was merely a means to visit the places we wanted to go. The idea behind our journey was to find out how climate change is affecting people or could affect people around the edge of the Atlantic. To do this we needed to go to some pretty remote places so that was where the adventure came in. Getting stuck in the mud on a tidal estuary in Mauritania in the middle of the night was not something we set out to achieve!

Alex: Did you follow the Plastiki voyage too? What do you think might be next in this realm of adventurous climate change campaigns?

Lynn: Yes, I did follow the Plastiki and I loved what they were doing. Plastic in the ocean is a huge issue and I thought that was a very clever way of illustrating the problem. People have been asking us about Pacific Rising or Indian Ocean Rising but I think we might need a bit of a break before getting back on the road.

Alex: Did you find different levels of concern and different views on climate change wherever you went, or was there a lot of common ground?

Lynn: When we spoke to students in the UK before we left they told us that climate change is a problem for the future – it is something for their grandchildren to worry about rather than themselves. But when you have similar conversations with students in West Africa or South America they are under no illusions that climate change is affecting them today. They can give you examples of how things have changed.

We were pretty shocked when we reached America – a country responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions and one which could lead the world on climate change issues if it chose to. The US was the only country we travelled to where climate change was something people ‘believed in’ or not – elsewhere climate change is scientific fact. There was plenty more talk of adaptation to climate change in the US, rather than mitigation. That is all very well for countries that can afford to adapt, but climate change will affect the poorest first and worst and this is a terrible injustice because it is not these people who have significantly contributed to climate change.

Alex: Sea level rise estimates seem to keep spiralling upwards. Does that mean you might have to go again before long?! How hopeful are you that as a global society we can tackle this?

Lynn: Yes, it is true that sea level rise predictions seem to be going up which is only bad news. I expect as science progresses these are likely to become more accurate. It is important to remember that sea level rises are not uniform. In some places it will be higher and in others lower. Some US scientists are working on better ways to map this so we can project more accurately how different areas are at risk. I am hopeful that we will be able to tackle this. I just hope that we don’t leave it too long. I think that there is a growing movement of people who are interested in climate change issues but we need strong leadership from politicians too to ensure that we as a society make big changes.

More about Much Better Adventures

Much Better Adventures are searching for the world’s local, sustainable and harder to find travel choices for adventure seekers, collecting them in one place. This is a community you can’t buy your way into – those that meet the criteria are offered free membership, so travelers can get in direct contact. Their mission? A wide, fair and independent collection to quench your thirst for adventure, while supporting not-for-profit, community and innovative ecotourism projects who often cannot afford to appear on mainstream travel resources.

Climate and travel are inherently linked. Climate affects our decisions about where to travel, and lately we’ve learned that the emissions of our travel (and our human activity in general) are affecting the climate. Climate change will change travel, and new winners and losers will emerge. For the past five years, headlines have claimed that climate change is actually popularizing certain at-risk destinations.

Travelers want to get there before it’s too late. “Last chance tourism,” as academia has agreed to call it, is on the rise. A study published in the September 2010 edition of the journal Current Issues in Tourism, titled “Last chance tourism: the boom, doom, and gloom of visiting vanishing tourism destinations” explains how “last chance tourism” is employed as a marketing strategy for certain destinations, especially in the Arctic.

“Last chance tourism” cuts both ways. In the fragile environments that will be the most affected by climate change and degradation, can tourism be harnessed to raise awareness and fund conservation efforts? Or do the carbon emissions of the often long-haul flights required to reach these places ultimately outweigh any good that tourism might be able to do? The questions run deep, each with environmental, economic, and even ethical implications. Meanwhile, scientific research continues.

In the media coverage, certain places continually appear on a growing list of vanishing destinations. In some cases, the flora and mega-fauna of these places are in danger, and in other cases, such as glacial regions and small islands, the land itself and its features are changing.

Places that are most often discussed as “last chance tourism” destinations include: Churchill, Canada and polar bear viewing; Mount Kilimanjaro and its ice cap; the Maldives Islands; the Arctic and Antarctica by cruise ship; Uganda and gorilla viewing; the Great Barrier Reef; the Everglades; the Amazon rain forest; the Galapagos Islands.

Here are some examples of recent headlines on this topic:

The Independent, September 2006 – Mass tourism and climate change could lead to destruction of world’s wonders by Martin Hickman
“In the summers of the 2080s, tourists in the UK and Germany will be able to find much better climatic conditions in their own country than in the Mediterranean.”

The New York Times, December 2007 – ‘Tourism of doom’ on rise by Allen Salkin
“It’s about the world being spoiled, and the impulse of the tourist industry to sell us on getting there before it is too late.”

Forbes, September 2008 – Endangered Natural Wonders Worth Seeing by Rebecca Ruiz
“The concept is simple: Travelers seek out imperiled destinations and try to experience their grandeur before they vanish.”

MSNBC, April 2009 – Travel’s most endangered destinations by Peter J. Frank
“Climate change and human encroachment are without doubt the double karate chop to many of the world’s most special wonders, threatening to KO them for everyone.”

Ecotourism or Ego-tourism? Environmentalists are skeptical of “last chance” tour operators, even the ones who claim to be environmentally sensitive and carbon neutral. Even ecotourism, they say, is ego-tourism: another form of carbon-heavy consumerism fueled by the desire to be “one of few.” Are the tourists in it for the awareness or the bragging rights?

Editor’s Notes

If you are interested in learning more about the world’s travel destinations and natural and cultural jewels that are being affected, damaged, endangered by climate change and other human-made causes, “Disappearing Destinations: 37 Places in Peril and What Can Be Done to Help Save Them” by Kimberly Lisagor and Heather Hansen (Vintage, 2008) is among the most comprehensive, compelling, constructive and positively inspiring publications on this topic. The authors “hope their book will draw attention to some of the more destructive changes” and “will inspire travelers to take a closer look at the cultural and environmental wealth of their favorite destinations.”

Bartolomé Island, Galápagos (Photo by Heather Hansen)

“Galápagos remains, in many ways, as pure and dramatic as it was when Charles Darwin saw the place in the mid nineteenth century and scribbles excitedly in his journal about how unique and powerful he found the islands… But the Galápagos are islands in reluctant transition.” (from Disappearing Destinations, Galápagos, Ecuador)

Bluewater Adventures

In April 2008, Bluewater Adventures took part in an intensive 3-day carbon workshop put on by the Pembina Institute, in partnership with Ecotrust Canada. The Pembina Institute is one of Canada’s most prominent organizations working on climate change policy and sustainable energy solutions. After calculating the carbon footprint of the company’s office and tour operations as part of Ecotrust Canada’s Climate Smart program, Bluewater Adventures is now offering carbon neutral trips. >> Read more: Eco-Auctions by Bluewater Adventures

Cabin Fever Adventures

Cabin Fever Adventures purchases carbon offsets quarterly from the Canadian offset provider Less, based on the fuel consumption for company vehicles and air charters. Information on the cost involved in offsetting the emissions of each trip is available on trip details pages, listing the “Carbon Offset Fee” associated with each itinerary. The fee includes emissions directly related to transportation of guests, and transportation emissions created by employees during trip preparation. In addition, Cabin Fever Adventures encourages guests to offset their own flights by providing a discount for travelers who purchase carbon offset through Less. >> Read more: What is Cabin Fever Adventures Doing?

Ecoventura

Carbon emissions from the company’s four yachts, office operations and staff business travel are first reduced and then offset by a portfolio of projects through US-based company Native Energy Travel Offsets, investing corporate travel industry dollars directly to the development of new wind turbines on native lands and other renewable energy sources to help lower global carbon emissions. Rather than waiting for passengers to “opt-in” to an offset program, Ecoventura pays the full amount for offsets upfront to ensure the company is carbon neutral. Passengers are also encouraged to offset other portions of their trip. >> Read more: Ecoventura’s Galapagos Commitment

Spirit of Japan Travel

Spirit of Japan Travel was designed to be a carbon-neutral company from day one. All the carbon emissions associated with accommodations, office energy use, and transportation provided for travelers and guides are calculated and offset by investing a portion of company profit into environmental non-profit organizations and renewable energy devices. Spirit of Japan Travel helps address local environmental challenges by incorporating conservation projects, such as community tree planting and sea turtle protection, into tour itineraries. >> Read more: Spirit of Japan Travel Corporate Social Investments Projects

World Expeditions

World Expeditions has worked with the not-for-profit carbon neutral service Planetair to determine the carbon footprint of each holiday including internal flights, road transport, accommodation and food. Once the carbon emission levels are determined, the equivalent offset amount is included in the cost of the trip. In addition, World Expeditions offer air travel calculator on its website and encourages travelers to offset their air travel, either by paying the full amount (round trip) or half the amount (a one-way airfare). >> Read more: Becoming a Carbon Neutral Company

Everyone has heard of the Annapurna trail, Mount Everest and other Himalayan hotspots, which draw thousands of trekkers and mountaineers to Nepal every year. Now there is a new trail in development which is likely to go straight to the top of many adventurers’ To-Do list, and the people behind it hope it will, to spread the benefits of trekking tourism to little visited regions of the Himalayas.

The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), a feature of Nepal Tourism Year 2011, is set to be the longest and highest alpine walking tracks in the world. Winding its way through 4,500kms of the world’s highest peaks and most remote communities, the trail links five Asian countries: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

Flickr photo collection by The Great Himalayan Trail:
“Faces from The Great Himalaya Trail“

Robin Boustead on Reaching the Great Himalaya Trail

Robin Boustead is widely recognized as the man behind the trail. The concept had been banded about for a while, but the idea really came alive in 2008/9 when, over 152 days, he walked the length of the Nepal section. Robin has just finished the Bhutan GHT network, and plans to spend 8 months next year researching the Indian section. His guidebook “Nepal Trekking and the Great Himalayan Trail” is being released in November 2010, and he will be leading the inaugural commercial trek on the GHT in February 2011 – a 157-day trek run by World Expeditions.

“In 2002, I … received a fax from the Home Ministry. There had just been an agreement with the Chinese over where the mutual border was between the two countries. This demilitarised the Nepal side of the border, opening them up to trekking for the first time in over 50 years. There were nine areas that had never been opened to tourism before and apart from a few anthropologists, they were completely unvisited… I went off and researched them. As I was doing that I researched the areas between the main trekking routes and I slung them together and an idea of the GHT came about. The Nepal version took me 152 days. There was some time spent researching where the trail could go. No one has ever attempted to walk the length of Nepal in one season along the high route. It took me two seasons to do it because I needed the extra time to research trails. You need 5-6 months to do it and to do it post-monsoon.”

Dawa Steven Sherpa on the Importance of the GHT

Dawa Steven Sherpa is WWF Climate Change Ambassador and was voted one of the Top 5 young conservationists of the world in 2008. He believes tourism is an important tool to help rural communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, by reducing their reliance on subsistence farming for survival. He runs family trekking company Asian Trekking and has gained a reputation for his environmental campaigning in Nepal, including the Everest Eco Clean Ups. Dawa Steven plans to take a team to walk the lower trail, or “Cultural Route,” from West to East over 135 days. Leaving in January 2011, they will visit many rarely seen communities, and hope to encourage awareness of the importance of tourism in rural areas.

“A household statistic in Nepal is that every tourist gives 11 Nepalis jobs, directly or indirectly. Tourism has great potential to bring sustainable development. Tourism brings new jobs and energizes the local economy, lifting people out of poverty. Apa Sherpa, Leader of the Expedition, 20 time Everest Summiter, Nepali hero and legend, is a living example of this. In 1985, when the Dig Tsho Glacial Lake burst due to increased Global warming, he lost his livestock, farms and his house. Working first as a porter, then later as a mountain guide, tourism gave Apa the chance to rebuild his life. Today he is a world record holding Everest Summiter, due to the opportunities tourism brought to his door step.”

“Nepal is one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the World, and tourism has a major part to play in the preservation of wild life and forests. For example, the Everest region is much more forested than it was in the 1960s. The local people in the villages in Chitwan form voluntary patrolling groups to counter poaching activities. They realise that having a vibrant natural environment is directly related to the appeal for visitors. Tourism also brings opportunities to local people who would otherwise be involved in illegal logging or poaching.”

Sean Burch: Raising Awareness

Sean Burch, one of the world’s greatest extreme endurance athletes, has just finished his world record breaking run across the Great Himalaya Trail. In 55 days he completed 500,000 feet of climbing, descending and running for 1,100 miles at altitudes over 20,000ft. He hopes to use the expedition to promote tourism in alternative regions of Nepal, as well as raising the profile of the Nepal Trust, a non-profit working on various social and ecological programs in remote regions of the Himalayas. The Nepal Trust, which has implemented the GHT Development project with the UNWTO, has facilitated Shaun’s expedition, as they did the 69 day run by Rosie Swale-Pope in 2003.

Shaun Burch running in the Himalayas

Learn More & Share

• Flickr group “The Great Himalaya Trail“
• GHT Code of Conduct
• GHT Project and Sustainable Tourism

More About Much Better Adventures

Much Better Adventures are searching for the world’s local, sustainable and harder to find travel choices for adventure seekers, collecting them in one place. This is a community you can’t buy your way into – those that meet the criteria are offered free membership, so travelers can get in direct contact. Their mission? A wide, fair and independent collection to quench your thirst for adventure, while supporting not-for-profit, community and innovative ecotourism projects who often cannot afford to appear on mainstream travel resources.

Related Articles

Great Himalaya Trail Nepal: Sharing the benefits of tourism beyond the well-traveled path
The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), a network of existing trails which connect popular trekking areas with areas that are less explored, is the highest and one of the longest walking trails in the world. Winding beneath the world’s highest peaks and visiting some of the most remote communities on earth, the Great Himalaya Trail, roughly 4,500 km in length, passes through lush green valleys, arid high plateaus and incredible landscapes.

Community Based Adventures in the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas Part 1
Spiti Ecosphere is an endeavour to promote community-based ecotourism in the Spiti valley, a stunning high altitude desert region tucked away in the Trans-Himalayan belt of Himachal Pradesh. A passion for conservation, mountain travel and adventure brought together a collaboration of local community members and professionals from diverse backgrounds to offer a range of trekking, mountaineering, biking, rafting, cultural and spiritual adventures.

Community Based Adventures in the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas Part 2
Help Tourism have been at the vanguard of sustainable tourism initiatives in North East India for well over a decade. They have developed a wide variety of adventure and activity programs, including trekking in the Himalayas, tiger, rhino and bird spotting in the National Parks and Reserves networks, elephant safaris, jungle lodges, heritage and cultural tours in this fascinating and diverse region of India.

Community Based Adventures in the Indian and Nepalese Himalayas Part 3
Nepal is regarded as one of the adventure capitals of the world, and Social Tours are local trekking and adventure specialists who are leading by example. They are fast gaining a reputation as an expert group absolutely dedicated to their principles of respect, honesty, social inclusion and environmental protection. Social Tours also played an instrumental role in developing the green circuit responsible tourism initiative.

Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism (CAMAT), in partnership with Destination Management Organization (DMO) of Chitral, celebrated the International Day of Climate Change Action (October 10, 2010 – 10/10/10), which was initiated by 350.org, was celebrated in Booni, Chitral (Northern Pakistan), through the facilitation of and 350.org. The theme of the day was “Breaking of Booni Glacier, Its Relation to Climate Change.”

Local participants showing solidarity on the global day of climate actions

As many as 500 people from different walks of life participated in this event. The day has had significance for the people of Booni as they have recently witnessed a flood destroying their valuable property and causing them major health problems, psychological trauma and infrastructure disruption.

500+ participants gathered for the climate change event

The objective of the October 10th even was to join the worldwide community of supporters and activists in highlighting problems related to climate change – breaking of glacier, untimely melting of snow, frequent floods and unpredictable climate conditions – in the Hindu Kush Mountain regions.

Mr. Sadruddin, the principal of Orion School of Learning (OSL) called for greater efforts to save the Booni village by protecting its natural environment, encouraging families to offer environmental education at home so that their children, once they are admitted to schools, will have more interest in relevant subjects. Mr. Sadruddin also said that public and private school curriculum should incorporate subjects related to ecological conservation and natural biodiversity, as well as emphasizing that better teacher training is critical for sound development of environmental education in the region.

“The natural beauty of Chitral,” said Mr Shams Uddin of CAMAT and DMO Chitral, “is an asset that this destination has, which we can market to attract visitors. However, climate change is going to erode the base natural resources and environment – a valuable tourism product.”

Mr Shams Uddin, Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism (CMAT) and DMO Chitral

Mr. Amir Akber Khan, an environmental advocate and social worker, said that “we should not lose any more time waiting for another catastrophe to happen.” We have to stand united to tackle the future floods through proper canalization of the stream bed; effectively coordinated fund raising campaigns in Booni to help save the village from further destruction; restricting grazing on the Booni Gol rangeland; and helping local people to increase their own capacity to support their livelihoods. Mr. Khan noted that the breaking of the Booni glacier, was an eye-opener for the local communities, and that it should be an opportunity to raise awareness of these issues and challenges.

A group of local students arranged a theatre performance centering on the Booni flood and its aftermath. The play they enacted depicted social, political and cultural complexities in times of crisis and highlighted the helpfulness of modern technology. For instance, mobile phone was used as an instrument of Early Warning System (EWS) by volunteers high up in the Booni stream. Similarly, the play depicted individuals who remained oblivious to natural hazards as they basically lacked basic knowledge to assess the enormity of a natural disaster.

A play on Booni flood experiences presented by local students

The students also presented songs of nature and the serene beauty of the Chitral valley, its lakes, snow-capped peaks, forest, alpine meadows, flowers, medicinal herbs, fruits and crops, all of which are sustained by a fine balance of the natural environment. The singers mourned the missing of the valuable bird species from the ecological chain that most of the participants grew up with when they were young people.

Student volunteers who helped organize the 10/10/10 event – the future of Chitral

Mayor Toomas Kivimägi

The roles of transportation in tourism – as well as sustainability challenges related to transportation – were brought to the forefront of the discussions on the first day of the conference, with many participants raising questions about climate change and tourism, and our expert presenters addressing the issue from several perspectives.

Wolfgang Strasdas, Professor of Sustainable Tourism Management, at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development in Germany, presented on the critical questions surrounding ecotourism and climate change – emphasizing that “climate change is NOT going away” and that more proactive approaches by the tourism industry is required in order to properly address the challenges we are facing.

Wolfgang Strasdas “Ecotourism and Climate Change”

Dependency on natural resources and the lack of preparedness are key two factors positioning tourism as a global economic segment very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – such as water stress, heat stress, weather-related disasters and changes in landscapes due to climate change adaptation measures. According to Dr. Strasdas, there have been several unique examples of “climate-neutral hotels” in Europe, which are accommodation providers that take the following steps for mitigating and managing carbon footprint – measure, eliminate/replace, reduce, substitute, offset, and communicate – and operate in a way that is sustainable and self-sustaining.

Looking at the who, the how and the why of issues related to green travel, Richard Hammond of Greentraveller.co.uk discussed the access and transportation challenges facing ecotourism, and responsible and alternative options for getting to destinations within Europe that are not – as some may think – difficult or boring. Greentraveller combines responsible transportation options with local responsible travel options, featuring trips that can be conveniently reached by train from the UK, as well as a range of green accommodations around Europe.

Richard Hammond “Marketing Green Travel”

Revisiting the principles and benefits of ecotourism, Richard Hammond noted that ecotourism should be about minimizing AND maximizing impact – reducing negative footprint while at the same time offering opportunities for travelers to leave positive footprint in terms of benefits for local communities. As slow travel is increasingly gaining ground across Europe and elsewhere, will more travelers embrace the idea of green travel that is not just about where you stay, but also how you get there? The key, when considering the future of green travel, is promoting slow, green and responsible travel journeys where “getting there” is part of the unique, educational and memorable travel experiences.

Experience was the main – and only – focus of the presentation by Pål K. Medhus of Høve Støtt and Ecotourism Norway. Mr. Medhus is a Certified Pine & Gilmore Experience Economy Expert and a passionate believer that ecotourism is all about experiences, and that the most important question that any ecotourism provider should be asking is “what do our guests really want?”

Pål K. Medhus “Experience economy and ecotourism in practice”

One international example of partnership efforts to promote experience-oriented travel is the Local Travel Movement, which was presented by Luke Ford of WHL Group – a global network of companies that help travellers find unique ways to experience a destination through local tourism professionals.

Luke Ford, WHL Group “Local Travel Movement” (Photo by Flickr.com/planeta)

The idea of local travel addresses travelers’ needs by focusing on unique local experiences and by connecting travelers to new ideas and learning opportunities. Local Travel Movement, supported by over 50 partners around the world, works together to promote the type of travel that connects independent and mindful travelers with local people, and by doing so, enriching travel experiences both for the visitors and the hosts. Launched in early 2010, Local Travel Movement is gaining significant momentum and offers opportunities for ecotourism businesses and organizations to engage their travelers and members in a creative way.

“How can ecotourism businesses get more involved and encourage more travelers to support local travel?” asked Mr. Ford. The roles of ecotourism businesses in promoting this type of travel experience will be among the many questions that the conference participants will be discussing during the conference sessions – utilizing the World Café and Open Space meeting and discussion methods.

Setting the stage for the remainder of the conference program, which focuses on knowledge sharing, dialogue and open conversations, the opening addresses by  Ms Kristiina Jors of the Estonian Tourist Board and Dr. Richard Denman of The Tourism Company offered thought-proviking ideas and questions.

“Are we ready,” asked Dr. Denman, “to fulfill one of the critical requirements of ecotourism, which is to positively contribute to environmental and cultural conservation?”

Dr. Richard Denman “Global Perspective on Ecotourism in Europe”

Unique opportunities are available now to European ecotourism businesses and destinations to both learn from the experiences of other regions of the world, and to share the lessons learned from the European experiences to help promote ecotourism globally.

In the areas of poverty alleviation, for instance, the various models that have been proven successful in developing countries around the world – community-based tourism, local supply chain support, private sector investment and engagement with communities – can and should be utilized to address poverty, which does exist in many parts of Europe, particularly in rural areas. On the other hand, tourism in Europe – and the unique brand of ecotourism in Europe – offers valuable lessons in terms of rural tourism experiences, farm and agri-tourism development, and public-private partnership opportunities.

With these in mind, the first European Ecotourism Conference, bringing together a diverse group of delegates from across the region – as well as many virtual participants following the conversations online – will be tackling critical issues, current challenges and future opportunities.

“How can we find balance between human interest and untouched nature?”

“How can we make profit but at the same time make people understand that there’s no future without conserving the nature?”

“Will ecotourism be available to all people interested in local experiences, tourism and conservation – or will it be only for those with money?”

(Questions by Ms Kristiina Jors of the Estonian Tourist Board)

>> Learn more about the European Ecotourism Conference
>> Post your comments and questions on Facebook, Twitter (#EuroEco), and LinkedIn!