Sustainable Tourism

There is no denying that tourism is a climate-dependent industry, and many destinations owe their popularity to their pleasant climates. Furthermore, clear evidence exists that climate change is impacting the tourism industry and that, simultaneously, the industry and tourists are contributing to climate change through fossil fuel consumption and consumptive behaviors. In an attempt to escape from the worry and stress of everyday life, tourists (on average) indulge in greater levels of consumerism. Research has revealed that tourists consume greater amounts of energy, water and materials while on vacation than they do at home.

If one takes into account the fact that about 1 billion people travelled internationally in 2009 and that this number is expected to rise to 1.6 billion by 2010, the severity and urgency of the problem becomes evident. Tourism is one of the world’s fasted growing industries (generating over 10.4% of global GDP) and so the issue of sustainability needs to be not only addressed, but resolved.

On a positive note, there is some evidence that shows the tourism industry is becoming more environmentally conscious. Consumers are beginning to comprehend the environmental implications of their own consumptive behaviors. The emergence of tourism-specific organizations such as Tourism Concern suggests a growing consumer awareness of the environmental consequences of tourism activity. With this new found knowledge, tourists are becoming more selective in their choice of destinations.

Meanwhile, a recent European Tourism Research Institute paper highlighted the business opportunity for operations that employ renewable energy and encourage reuse and recycling. And consequently, tourism operators are providing ecologically friendly alternatives for their clients. By incorporating more environmental and social sustainability principles into their business operations, these tourism operators are creating opportunities for product differentiation, enhanced brand image and stronger community stakeholder support that reduce business transaction costs.

Being green can translate into a tourist operator’s bottom line in several ways. When energy-saving measures are introduced, such as energy management systems, fluorescent bulbs, ceiling fans, motion sensors for public rest rooms and exercise rooms, energy bills are reduced. Also, when water-saving equipment and techniques are introduced, such as low-flow showerheads, 1.6 gpm dishwashing valves, and low-flow toilets, water bills are reduced dramatically. These measures can also have tremendous environmental implications as the average Canadian household uses 326 liters of water per day while a luxury hotel room guest uses 1800 liters of water per person per night! Lastly, waste hauling is a large expense for hotel operators which can be lowered drastically through recycling and avoiding wastefully-packaged products. The New Orleans Intercontinental started a recycling program and hired staff to separate their disposed materials. The hotel management was shocked to discover that employees were extracting $1,000 a month of hotel property (i.e. towels, spoons) out of the waste stream which had been discarded prior to the implementation of the program. In conclusion, such corporate sustainability actions eventually translate into a better competitive position that will bring guests back time and time again as well as a stronger ‘triple bottom line’.