Degrowth in Tourism PDF

Lucerne School of Business Welcome Economics Professor Gour Saraff Degrowth 30 May 2023 Page 1 In Defense of Degrowth What is ‘degrowth Kenneth Boulding coined the term Spaceship. this metaphor by Earth in 1966, justifying comparing planet Earth wit...

Lucerne School of Business Welcome Economics Professor Gour Saraff Degrowth 30 May 2023 Page 1 In Defense of Degrowth What is ‘degrowth Kenneth Boulding coined the term Spaceship. this metaphor by Earth in 1966, justifying comparing planet Earth with a spaceship due to its finite resources and the space limited by its spherical shape: “We travel together, passengers on a little spaceship, dependent on its vulnerable reserves of air and soil; all committed for our safety to its security and peace; preserved from annihilation only by the care, the work, and, I will say, the love we give our fragile craft.”  What is ‘degrowth’?. Paris Declaration(2008): “Degrowth is a voluntary transition towards a just, participatory, and ecologically sustainable society. It calls for a paradigm shift from the general and unlimited pursuit of economic growth to a concept of “rightsizing” the global and national economies.” What is degrowth “A way of life where economic expansion is deprioritized, resulting in stronger social bonds between people and within communities, greater economic equality and far less environmental degradation.” (Scheer & Moss, 2019) What is degrowth In 2010, Serge Latouche’s book “Farewell to Growth” was published. Latouche is one of the pioneers of modern Degrowth movement. Admits the utopian nature of this idea, describing it as a “source of hope and dreams”. Addresses the unequal distribution of food, water and other basic needs in the Global North and South and devotes his texts to the inevitable effects of production and consumption, arguing that the addiction to growth are the main drivers of the climate change. Points “Degrowth is not the same as negative growth.” Let's apply it to tourism: Degrowth in tourism is an approach that seeks to reduce the scale and impact of tourism in a way that aligns with environmental sustainability, social equity, and the well-being of local communities. This concept challenges the traditional focus on continuous growth and expansion in the tourism industry, instead advocating for a model where less is more. A movement that advocates for reducing economic growth in favour of sustainability and well-being. Focuses on: environmental sustainability social equity reducing over-consumption The Need for Degrowth in Tourism Environmental Impact Carbon emissions from air travel and transport. Pollution and degradation of natural resources. Social and Cultural Impact Over-tourism leading to crowding and loss of local culture. Economic inequality between local communities and large corporations. Environmental Sustainability: Degrowth in tourism promotes reducing environmental degradation caused by tourism, such as carbon emissions from travel, pollution, and the overuse of natural resources. This involves encouraging slower travel, shorter distances, and the use of environmentally friendly transportation. Social Equity: Degrowth emphasizes fair distribution of tourism benefits among local communities, ensuring that tourism doesn’t exacerbate social inequalities. It seeks to empower local communities to have control over tourism activities in their regions, and to benefit economically without being exploited by large, external companies. Cultural Preservation: Tourism can often lead to the commodification of local cultures, where traditions are altered to suit tourists' expectations. Degrowth advocates for preserving the authenticity of local cultures and preventing their exploitation for commercial purposes. Latouche 8 Rs Serge Latouche, a prominent advocate of the degrowth movement, introduced the concept of the 8Rs as a framework for sustainable living and local autonomy. These 8Rs are: 1. Re-evaluate: Question and reassess our values and priorities. 2. Re-conceptualise: Change the way we think about progress and development. 3. Restructure: Modify our economic and social structures to support sustainable practices. Latouche 8 Rs 4. Redistribute: Ensure a fair distribution of resources and wealth. 5.Re-localise: Focus on local production and consumption to reduce dependency on global supply chains. 6. Reduce: Minimize consumption and waste. 7. Reuse: Extend the life of products by reusing them. 8. Recycle: Process used materials to create new products. These principles aim to create a more sustainable and equitable society by promoting  Latouche 8 Rs 1 Re-evaluate Re-evaluate: Assess the impact of tourism on local communities and environments, prioritizing ethical and sustainable practices. According to Latouche (2010), the three biggest drivers of our growth are: (1) advertising because it creates the desire to consume, (2) credit to have the opportunity to buy, and (3) products with built-in obsolescence. Examples: Encourage slow travel, promote local tourism, and support eco-friendly Latouche 8 Rs 2 Reconceptualise/Rethink Shift the focus from mass tourism to more meaningful, culturally immersive, and eco- friendly travel experiences. Rethinking our values allows us to see the world and its resources in a new light. To protect nature, the creatures living in it, and to prevent the depletion of natural resources, the concept of sustainable tourism must be reconceptualised. Examples: Limit the use of single-use plastics, reduce energy consumption in hotels, and Latouche 8 Rs 3 Restructure/Reduce Restructure: Develop tourism infrastructure that supports sustainability, such as eco- lodges, green transportation, and waste management systems. According to Latouche, all systems designed for continuous growth must be restructured. Modify our economic and social structures to support sustainable practices. Examples: Limit the use of single-use plastics, reduce energy consumption in hotels, and minimize carbon footprints. Latouche 8 Rs 4 Redistribute/Reuse Redistribute: Ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are fairly distributed among local communities, rather than concentrated in large corporations. Examples: Promote the use of reusable water bottles, encourage the refurbishment of old buildings for tourism purposes. Latouche 8 Rs Re-localise/Recycle Promote local businesses, products, and services to enhance the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint associated with travel. Focus on local production and consumption to reduce dependency on global supply chains Believes that many of the products that a society needs to survive can be produced locally. This concept “rejects growth and the idea of development in any of its expressions”. The focus on small-scale production is “more likely to reflect and enhance local culture, to include local people and to protect the local environment” Examples: Set up recycling bins in tourist areas, educate tourists on recycling practices, create local short supply Latouche 8 Rs 6 Reduce Minimize resource consumption and waste generation in tourism activities, encouraging practices like water conservation and energy efficiency. A reduction would result in a decrease of greenhouse gas emission and waste. In addition to reducing the use of finite resources, health risks, working hours, mass tourism must also be brought to a healthy level Examples: Maintain and repair tourist infrastructure, support local artisans who can Latouche 8 Rs 7 Re-use Encourage the use of reusable items (e.g., water bottles, bags) and repurpose existing structures for tourism purposes instead of building new ones. Extend the life of products by reusing them. Maintain and repair tourist infrastructure, support local artisans who can repair goods. Latouche 8 Rs 8 Recycle Implement recycling programs in tourist destinations to manage waste effectively and reduce environmental impact. “80% of goods on the market are used only once, and then go straight into the dustbin”. The remaining 20% are developed by the manufacturing companies with a certain end of-life cycle, and thus must be replaced after a Lessons from Latouche By integrating these principles, tourism can become a force for positive change, supporting both environmental sustainability and local communities. These principles aim to create a more sustainable and equitable society by promoting environmental stewardship and social justice. This “post-development”, as he calls it, would enable mankind to build convivial societies that are autonomous and economical in both the North and the South. Otherwise, the exponential growth and the increased demand would exceed Earth’s capacity for regeneration without us noticing and feeling the irreparable damage in the coming decades Latouche in practice; Quality Over Quantity Promoting longer stays and deeper cultural engagement. Encouraging mindful and responsible tourism. Benefits Reduced environmental footprint. Enhanced visitor experience. Latouche in practice Supporting Local Economies Local Economic Development through local supply chains Encouraging spending on local products and services. Keeping economic benefits within the community. Examples Eco-lodges, local craft markets, and community- based tourism. Latouche in practice Combatting Over-Tourism Degradation of popular destinations. Strain on local infrastructure and resources. Degrowth Solutions Diversifying tourist destinations. Promoting off-season travel and alternative tourism forms. Shifting Tourism Patterns for degrowth Encouraging Alternative Tourism Ecotourism, agro-tourism, and cultural tourism. Sustainable practices and ethical travel. Benefits Reduced pressure on popular destinations. Increased awareness of environmental and social issues. Challenges and Criticisms of degrowth Challenges Resistance from industries reliant on tourism growth. Potential economic impacts on regions dependent on tourism. Criticisms Practicality and scalability of degrowth strategies. Balancing economic needs with sustainability goals.