Sustainable Coastal Tourism - An integrated planning and management approach

Sustainable Coastal Tourism - An integrated planning and management approach

	This handbook was conceived as a practical tool to be used by decision- makers and practitioners in both tourism sector and ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management). It provides a kind of "two-way" scheme allowing for the integration of tourism strategic planning into the wider process of ICZM on one hand and, on the other, for the application of the ICZM approach in tourism development. The handbook has two main parts. Its main body tackles all important issues related to coastal tourism and its positive and negative impacts on natural environment and society, as well as various planning and management schemes for tourism, with particular reference to ICZM. Individual steps of the proposed process of strategic planning for coastal tourism, based on the concept of Carrying Capacity Assessment (CCA), are presented in an Annex with all the details indicating when, how and by whom to undertake these steps.
	Year of Publication: 2009
	Author: UNEP
	ISBN No: -
	Price US $: 0.00
	Stock Number: DTI/1091/PA
	PDF Available at: Sustainable Coastal Tourism - An integrated planning and management approach
	Number of Pages: 155

International Symposium "Strategies for Adapting to Climate Change in the Regions of Europe

• Programme
• Plenary Session
• Workshop 1: Climate change and tourism
• Workshop 2: Climate change and forestry
• Workshop 3: Climate change and water management
• Workshop 4: Climate change and biodiversity
• Workshop 5: Climate change and urban management
• Presentation of the workshop results
• Impressions

http://www.regional-climate.eu

Go Philanthropic: Making Travel Matter

• http://www.ecotourism.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/eco_template.aspx?a=342

The Power of Giving Back

Traveling to exotic places around the world has now taken on new meaning - more and more travelers are doing good as they globetrot and are conscious of the footprint they leave behind. They are stopping in at local NGOs and grassroots projects to build wells, bring books for schools and orphanages, and meet face to face with children to sponsor for schooling.

Philanthropy is no longer just for the wealthy. Individuals, honeymooners, families and companies are joining forces to support local outreach projects in the destinations they visit. They are seeing for themselves the power of giving back.

Go Philanthropic, based out of Rochester, New York, embraces the concept of travel philanthropy, combining vacations to exotic places around the world with support for social and environmental projects in each region. Go Philanthropic is committed to helping preserve the past and enrich the future of each destination by minimizing the negative effect tourism can have on local communities.

The company currently offers tours to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Belize, Ecuador and India—all hot destinations in the travel market yet all developing countries with a multitude of needs in their respective communities.

Support abused Elephants in Northern Thailand

The company has been founded on the philosophy that travel broadens one’s perspective, providing a richer more profound understanding of the world. As the world becomes flatter and accessible through travel, people are seeing for themselves how others struggle for basic needs. They are searching for outlets to give back to the wonderful countries they have chosen to visit and need ready, legitimate and organized avenues to do so.

Do you need to be wealthy to be a travel philanthropist? Not in the least. You simply need to be willing. Some travelers bring school supplies; others buy ready-filled backpacks for school children in poor areas. In Siem Reap, Cambodia, for instance, $100 will launch a micro-business, $300 will build a fresh water well, $450 sends a child to school for 4 years, $1000 builds a library and $15,000 builds a school.

Schoolchildren in Vietnam receive a book box hand-delivered by Go Philanthropic clients with NGO partner Global Village Foundation

Donate a water well and bring clean water to a family (Cambodia)

Go Philanthropic believes that people are no longer satisfied with sending a check in the mail to support charities. “People want to personally learn about, connect with and support well-run projects worldwide and travel seems to be the perfect vehicle,” says Lydia Dean, co-founder of Go Philanthropic.

The marriage between travel and charity is not a new one - voluntourism is an increasingly popular way of giving back. Many travelers have a genuine desire to help out, and have increasing means to do so. Some, however, are concerned that travel experiences focusing on giving back to communities may mean roughing it in basic accommodations or having to commit to the 2-3 week stay some programs require.

“You can give to yourself and give to others…the two are not mutually exclusive," says Lydia. Philanthropic travelers are encouraged to seek fulfilling experiences for themselves, enjoy the comforts they desire, and demand quality in touring, spas and special interest activities.

School children from Kamadak (Kamarata Valley, Canaima National Park, Venezuela) in traditional clothing welcoming tourists to their school

An increasing number of hotels and travel suppliers are providing their services in a way that minimizes adverse affects to their local environments. Many high-end hotels are finding the necessary balance between luxury and social and environmental consciousness—even playing active roles in funding local outreach programs.

Go Philanthropic finds, promotes, and partners with such companies - those that are not only providing great services but also are ready to reach out and help. From the most simple to the most luxurious travel packages, the goal is to channel the tourist dollars to help the sustainable development of the host region.

Go Philanthropic goes beyond traditional tour programs by arranging visits with social and environmental programs devoted to educating and empowering local communities. These visits provide opportunities for guests to support local efforts in education, health, and business development.

"Give the gift in Person" – Go Philanthropic clients personally donating school supplies and books to a rural school in Vietnam

It’s a way for both sides to share—the guest sharing knowledge or resources, and local people offering meaningful insight into day-to-day life of the region; its authentic culture and the genuine challenges they face. It’s not a big commitment in time yet it will most likely be the highlight of the trip.

In Cambodia, for example, a guest might spend the morning on a guided tour of the famous temples of Angkor Wat, and in the afternoon meet with a micro-loan candidate wishing to start their own bicycle repair business. In Costa Rica, families can combine a day of white-water rafting with a stop to a local school to deliver much needed textbooks. In India guests have the unique opportunity to be guided on a city walk through the streets near the New Delhi railway station by former street children now fully trained as guides.

Support after-school programs in Costa Rica through the Sarapiqui Conservation & Learning Center

While Go Philanthropic's focus on this new trend in travel has been well received and has immense potential, the journey hasn't been without challenges. The act of giving can quickly become complicated. Hand-outs and charity can often hurt the self-sustainability of an area or program in need. While schools and orphanages can benefit from donations made by individuals, visits from foreigners can be viewed as intrusive to the daily life of the children.

It is for these reasons that the resources gathered through travel philanthropy must be managed carefully through innovative, transparent, pre-screened programs rooted in goals for self-sustainability. If handled properly, travel philanthropy could become a powerful tool in supporting social outreach initiatives worldwide.

“Tourism is such a massive industry. If we can simply shift how people go about it, great things can happen.”

For more information about Go Philanthropic, please contact:
Lydia Dean, President/Founder
Go Philanthropic - Changing the Way we See the World
Phone: +1-585-319-3890
Email: info "at" gophilanthropic.com

Download press release (PDF): GO Philanthropic…the latest trend in the Luxury Market: Travel Philanthropy and the Search for Meaningful Experiences

Photos by Go Philanthropic

Paradise found

Paradise Found - Upload a Document to Scribd

A future where tourism benefits local economies and respects the environment is not only possible, it makes good business sense. So what does a sustainable tourism resort look like? Our report Paradise Found gives the answer.

Download Paradise Found here (5 MB pdf file)

Investing in energy efficiency, implementing staff retention programmes and re-thinking waste are all ways in which resorts can become more profitable while benefitting local communities and the environment, according to Paradise Found.

It also demonstrates how leading businesses in the tourist industry are taking action on climate change, cutting greenhouse gas emissions in expectation of tough regulations and making plans to adapt to the consequences of changing weather systems.

“The collapse of several airlines and tour operators shows that the industry needs to take long-term sustainability factors into account in its strategic planning,” says Stephanie Draper, author of the report and Acting Director of the Forum’s business programme.

“The industry has been blindsided by roller coaster fuel prices and the economic downturn. Issues like climate change and water scarcity are already affecting tourism. To be sustainable financially, as well as environmentally and socially the industry needs a new approach.

“This report challenges the industry to see sustainability in tourism destinations as an opportunity, a chance to differentiate, innovate and save money. Paradise Found embodies our vision of a future where profitable tourist resorts benefit local people and exist in harmony with their environment.”

Paradise Found demonstrates how investment in five key areas - the environment, people, community, infrastructure and finance – can enhance profitability and highlights best practice. It serves as a guide for tour operators, developers, hoteliers and other tourism providers involved in building new resorts or refurbishing existing buildings.

Whilst the report finds that there is no one tourism development that is yet truly sustainable, there are resorts that are leading the way in certain aspects of sustainability.

Six Senses’ Soneva Fushi resort in the Maldives is one of a growing number of destinations which are already reaping the benefits of incorporating carbon management into their business. Since starting to manage its energy use in 2006 it has halved its carbon footprint. It plans to go carbon neutral by 2010, offsetting emissions from guest flights, resort travel and operations by building wind turbines in India which are expected to generate more than £1 million of carbon credits over 20 years.

“The core purpose of Six Senses is to create innovative and enriching experiences in a sustainable environment.” Says Louis Thompson, Six Senses Permaculturist. “In consequence we have invested heavily in a range of different renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures to reduce the carbon footprint of our resorts.”

“We live in an increasingly unpredictable world with massive fluctuations in the price of oil and other commodities. the measures we are currently adopting will help us weather these storms and reduce our costs by hundreds of thousands of dollars. These green characteristics also help to differentiate our group from competitors and provide our guests with truly enriching experiences.”

For further information on our work on Sustainable Tourism, click here or email Vicky Murray: v.murray@forumforthefuture.org

http://www.forumforthefuture.org/projects/paradise-found