TPC 315 Sustainable Tourism Module 3 PDF

**TPC 315- SUSTAINABLE TOURISM** **MODULE 3** **I. Sustainable Tourism Declarations to Environment** **WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION (WTO-OMT)** The World Tourism Organization (WTO/OMT), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the leading international organization in the field of tourism. I...

**TPC 315- SUSTAINABLE TOURISM** **MODULE 3** **I. Sustainable Tourism Declarations to Environment** **WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION (WTO-OMT)** The World Tourism Organization (WTO/OMT), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the leading international organization in the field of tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and practical source of tourism know-how. With its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, the WTO plays a central and decisive role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, with the aim of contributing to economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms. In pursuing this aim, the Organization pays particular attention to the interests of developing countries in the field of tourism. The WTO plays a catalytic role in promoting technology transfers and international cooperation, in stimulating and developing public-private sector partnerships and in encouraging the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, with a view to ensuring that member countries, tourist destinations and businesses maximize the positive economic, social and cultural effects of tourism and fully reap its benefits, while minimizing its negative social and environmental impacts. In 2005, the WTO\'s membership is comprised of 145 countries, seven territories and more than 300 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities. **Johannesburg Declaration** The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development was adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), sometimes referred to as Earth Summit 2002, at which the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development was also agreed upon. The Johannesburg Declaration builds on earlier declarations made at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment at Stockholm in 1972, and the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. While committing the nations of the world to sustainable development, it also includes substantial mention of multilateralism as the path forward. In terms of the political commitment of parties, the Declaration is a more general statement than the Rio Declaration. It is an agreement to focus particularly on \"the worldwide conditions that pose severe threats to the sustainable development of our people, which include: chronic hunger; malnutrition; foreign occupation; armed conflict; illicit drug problems; organized crime; corruption; natural disasters; illicit arms trafficking: trafficking in persons; terrorism; intolerance and incitement to racial, ethnic, religious and other hatreds; xenophobia; and endemic, communicable and chronic diseases, in particular HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. **Rio Declaration** The 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development defines the rights of the people to be involved in the development of their economies, and the responsibilities of human beings to safeguard the common environment. The declaration builds upon the basic ideas concerning the attitudes of individuals and nations towards the environment and development, first identified at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (1972). The Rio Declaration states that long term economic progress is only ensured if it is linked with the protection of the environment. If this is to be achieved, then nations must establish a new global partnership involving governments, their people and the key sectors of society. Together human society must assemble international agreements that protect the global environment with responsible development. **Principles of the Rio Declaration**. - People have a right to a balanced, prosperous life that is in tune with nature. - Today\'s development must not jeopardize the needs of future generations. - Nations have the right to exploit their own wealth as long as they do so without harming the world beyond their borders. - The conservation of the environment must be an important part of the construction process. - If we want to achieve sustainable development while addressing the needs of the majority of people, we must eliminate poverty and reduce inequalities in living conditions in different parts of the world. - Environmental issues are better addressed when all interested people are involved. Pollution costs should, in theory, be borne by the polluter.. **Global agenda 21** Agenda 21 is a global, national, and local action plan to be implemented by the United Nations System, governments, and major groups in any region where humans have an influence on the environment. Agenda 21 is a comprehensive programme of action adopted by 182 governments at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the Earth Summit, on 14 June 1992. The first document of its kind to achieve international consensus, Agenda 21 provides a blueprint for securing the sustainable future of the planet, from now into the 21st century. It identifies the environment and development issues which threaten to bring about economic and ecological catastrophe and presents a strategy for transition to more sustainable development practices. **Philippine Agenda 21** The Philippine Agenda 21 government\'s blueprint for long-term growth. It lays out a path for individuals, families, households, and communities, as well as an action plan for each ecosystem (coastal/marine, freshwater, upland, lowland, and urban), as well as through habitats, taking into account the interactions of the different life scapes and environments found therein. Philippine Agenda 21 advocates for a fundamental shift in development thinking and approach. It departs from traditional conceptual frameworks that emphasize sector specific and macro-level concerns. By emphasizing, the Philippine Agenda 21 promotes harmony and achieves sustainability. - A scale of intervention that is primarily focused on a specific geographic area. The policy environment at the national and global levels builds on and supports area-based initiatives. - Where appropriate, integrated island planning approaches. This acknowledges the Philippines\' archipelagic nature, which includes numerous small island provinces. PA 21 envisions a better quality of life for all Filipinos through the creation of a just, moral and creative, spiritual, economically vibrant, caring, diverse yet cohesive society marked by appropriate productivity, participatory and democratic processes, and living in harmony and within the limits of nature\'s carrying capacity and the integrity of creation. PA 21 was enacted on September 26, 1996, with the issuance of Memorandum Order No. 399 by then-President Fidel V. Ramos, which defined the roles of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and each sector in the PA 21 implementation. The action agenda is based on the current national situation and the emerging landscape for sustainable development. **GLOBAL CODE OF ETHICS FOR TOURISM** According to UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET) is a comprehensive set of principles designed to guide key-players in tourism development. Addressed to governments, the travel industry, communities and tourists alike, it aims to help maximize the sector\'s benefits while minimizing its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies across the globe. "Tourism is a genuine driver of solidarity and development. Let us all fully harness its to bring people and communities together, abiding by the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. This way tourism can keep delivering better opportunities and sustainable power development for millions across the globe.\" **The Code\'s 10 articles amply cover the economic, social, cultural and environmental components of travel and tourism:** 1\. Tourism\'s contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies. 2\. Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfilment 3\. Tourism, a factor of sustainable development. 4\. Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and contributor to its enhancement. 5\. Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities. 6\. Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development. 7\. Right to tourism 8\. Liberty of tourist movements 9\. Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry 10\. Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism **II. Tools in Sustainable Tourism** **What is Tourism Resources?** Tourism resources describe natural and man-made attractions, infrastructure, services, and the conditions that attract tourists to an area and may contribute to the formulation of a tourism destination. Tourism resources could be defined as those factors that make it possible to produce a tourism experience and include: \- Tangible resources (facilities, attractions, infrastructure, etc.) \- Intangible resources (image, reputation, culture, etc.) \- Human resources (skills, motivations, service levels, etc.) \- Financial resources **Tangible resources** - The key \"attractors\" in a destination. This includes tourist attractions, historic sites, beaches, national parks, events, cultural facilities, sporting activities etc. These attractions will be important initially in motivating a visitor to travel to the destination. - Accommodation stock in the destination. This includes accommodation which suits the potential visitor in terms of location, price, quality and type and must be found before the decision to visit is confirmed (some 50% of visitor expenditure is on accommodation). If suitable accommodation is not found the destination could well not be visited. - Transport main roads, rail, sea and air links. Even if the destination has quality attractions and accommodation, visitors will be deterred from visiting if good transport links do not exist - Other resources - conference facilities which will be important in attracting business visitors **Intangible Resources** - The reputation of the destination regarding value for money, service quality, business visitors hospitality, etc. - The image of the destination concerning safety and security, uniqueness of experiences on offer, readiness to receive tourists, etc. - The culture of the destination e.g. welcoming of tourists, hospitality, lifestyles, etc.. **Human resources** - Skills, qualifications and experience - Work ethic. - Training systems and schemes **Financial resources** - Investment capital - Public capital for services, infrastructure, etc. - Finances to develop and market tourism, etc. **Tourism Policies and Planning Tools** These two terms are largely interchangeable. Tourism policy can be defined as: A set of rules, regulations, guidelines, directives, and development/promotion objectives and strategies that provide framework within which the collective, as well as individual decisions directly affecting long-term tourism development and the daily activities within a destination are taken\'. Planning can be defined as; \"the process of making decisions for the future, and not simply the physical preparation of a \'plan\'. Planning involves implementing decisions and monitoring the outcomes,\" **Components of tourism** Tourism policy and planning typically involves a number of components, namely; 1. Tourism attractions and activities 2. Accommodation 3. Other tourist facilities and services 4. Transportation facilities and services 5. Other infrastructure 6. Institutional elements **Levels of tourism planning** International tourism planning typically entails: international transportation services; the movement and scheduling of tourist tours between countries, the development of major tourist attractions and facilities in neighboring countries; and the working strategies and promotional programs of many countries. National level of tourism planning is concerned with: tourism policy: infrastructure facilities and a physical structure plan which includes important tourist attractions, selected tourism development regions, international entry points, facilities, and services. Regional planning considers factors such as regional policy, regional entry points, transportation facilities and services, the types of tourist attractions and their locations, the amount, types, and location of tourist accommodation and other tourist facilities and services, and the location of tourist development areas such as resort areas. **Indicator for Sustainable Tourism** Indicators are gauges of the presence or seriousness of current issues, warning signs of impending circumstances or problems, danger and future need for intervention. and ways to recognize and quantify the outcomes of our decisions. Indicators are data sets that have been officially chosen to be used on a daily basis to track developments in the tourism industry. Certain metrics may be used to determine whether a condition has been met. Indicators are characteristics or statistics that show the current state of a criterion or how it is changing. Each criterion must include at least one, ideally many, metrics that can be calculated objectively and scientifically. Single indicators may be weighted to varying degrees to change the value of single indicators for one criterion in order to properly assess the condition or progress of a criterion. When defining indicators, not only the characteristic or figure should be defined, but also the method of calculation, so that it is clear how to collect data for tourism evaluation. Some of the benefits from good indicators include: 1. better decision-making- lowering risks or costs; 2. identification of emerging issues - allowing prevention; 3. identification of impacts allowing corrective action when needed 4. performance measurement of the implementation of plans and management; activities - evaluating progress in the sustainable development of tourism; 5. reduced risk of planning mistakes - identifying limits and opportunities; 6. greater accountability - credible information for the public and other stakeholders of tourism fosters accountability for its wise use in decision-making; 7. constant monitoring can lead to continuous improvement - building solutions into management.