global warming, ecotourism and sustainable transportation

Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas Global Ecotourism Conference, Oslo, May 15, 2007 / 1

Sustainable Tourism Management

Global Warming,Ecotourism and

Sustainable Transportation



Why focus on transportation?

Domestic tourism: 63% (DE) or 78% (NZ) of tourism‘s GH effect is transportation-related

Long-haul tourism: > 90% transport-related (DE); Seychelles: 97%

Modal shift from rail/busesto cars to airplanes

Air travel one of the fastestgrowing GHG sources (now1.6% to 9%) and growing

Individual energy balances: frequent flying is partof an extremely unsustainable lifestyle



Options to achieve sustainable transport

1. Technological improvements (energy efficiency, renewable energies)

2. Operational optimization (aerial traffic manage-ment, occupancy rates, fleet maintenance, logistics)

3. Modal shift (to railway, buses)4. Change of travel patterns (time-distance ratio,

single destination)reduce energy intensity per day of travel

5. Regulatory instruments (energy tax, fees, cap-and-trade scheme, personal energy accounts)

6. Voluntary GHG emissions compensation(carbon offsetting)



Whose responsibility ?

Aircraft manufacturers, auto-mobile industry: technology, fuelefficiency, renewable fuels

Airlines, airports & other transport companies:operational optimization, sustainable suppliers

Destination managers (tourism as export product): domesticmarkets, increase length of stay, carbon offset

Hotels & other local service providers: buildings and operations, local transport rel. small share

Tour operators (outbound > inbound > local) design trips and market them

The traveling consumer: buys trips or travels individually



Taking stock: Outbound tour operators

Reduction of GHG emissions priority field; focuson carbon-offsetting and energy efficiency

quantitative criteria on travel to/from destination, carbon-offsetting, but: European context and increasing compliance problems

promote carbon-offsetting; supply chainmanagement (Sustainable Aviation);customer education, internal management

focus on carbon-offset; internalmanagement



Taking stock: Sustainable local transportationsome excellent criteria for local transport (incl. adaptedproduct design), some criteria promoting public transitto destination and environmentally friendly airlines

some excellent criteria for local transport, mostly relatingto technology and operations, but also non-motorized acti-vities (advanced), less emphasis on travel to destination

good criteria for boat traffic; adherence to existingregulations (!) typical for developing countries

Hotels: pick-up service of and rewards to facili-tate public transit to destination; Destinations: public transit system adapted to tourists‘ needs

http://www.naturensbasta.com/



Ecotourism Survey results

Website analysis: 15% mentionsustainable transport activities

High awareness of climate changeamong respondents, but often lackof specific knowledgeOutbound TOs: carbon-offsetting(no modal shift, no modified travel patterns)

Inbound TOs focus on local transportation: technological improvements; minimization of travel

Barriers: lack of knowledge, higher costs, customeracceptance questionnable, supply constraints

ATTA



Sustainable Transportation Guidelines I - Passenger transport -



Sustainable Transportation Guidelines II- Local produce -



Sustainable Transportation Guidelines- Framework -

Productdevelop-

ment

SupplyChain Ma-nagement

Customerrelations

Coopera-tion with

destination

Internalmanage-

ment

Int‘ltransport FAR TF FAR Intrepid

National transport EUR EUR Studiosus

Localtransport

NBEA

EANB

NBEA

TFSTI

The following criteria may be “basic“ or “advanced“



Sustainable Transportation Guidelines- Key criteria -

Product developmentOffer a minimum number of long-haul trips with extendedlength of stay at destination (to be defined)Offer a minimum number of multiple-destination trips spendingmore quality time at a reduced number of sites (to be defined)Exclude short trips by plane (to be defined)Shift to rail or bus transport (incl. to airport) where feasible and convenientMinimize local transport, make non-motorized mobility part ofthe experienceExclude energy-intensive leisure activities (except for transfer)Offset GHG emissions through high-quality compensationIntegrate carbon-offset costs into trip price




Supply Chain ManagementPreferably work with airlines striving for fuel-efficiency, having an environmental management system and/or offsetting GHG emissions (“Sustainable Aviation“)

Use airlines offering direct flights to a destination

Preferably work with transport companies and local operatorsstriving for fuel efficiency, using renewable energies, having an envi-ronmental management system

Work with local providers offering non-motorized forms of traditional transport (pack animals, canoes, rickshaws, porters)

Preferably work with hotels/attractions offering courtesy shuttlesand/or mass transit systems and buy locally




Customer relationsInform/educate customers about climate change, how they con-tribute to it by traveling and how they can mitigate their impact

Calculate climate footprint of trips & include it in trip information

Specially promote climate-friendly travel products (time-distanceratio, in-depth quality-time experiences)

Specially promote the use of public transportation and non-motorized leisure activities

Inform customers about carbon-offsetting and, if not included in trip price, integrate voluntary payment into booking and/or matchcustomers‘ payments

Offer price incentives to boost booking of climate-friendly trips



Quality Standards for Carbon-offsets1. A solid data base to calculate emissions

- Greenhouse effect of air travel emissions (RFI > 1.9)

- Adequate aviation data (real distances, occupancy rates)

2. Adequate compensation projects- The principle of additionality- Effective, permanent emission compensation

mixed portfolio or renewables preferable3. External, independent verification/certification

CDM, Gold Standard preferable

4. Customer education energy reduction beforeoffsetting !



Conclusions for voluntary compensation

1. Voluntary carbon offsetting is the prime climate protectionmeasure for aviation and long-haul tourism creating a significant market for offset providers in the near future.

2. However, the current focus on carbon-offsetting in the travelindustry is too narrow. Compensation must be complemented byother measures, such as adapted trip design and energyefficiency wherever possible.

3. While most carbon-offset providers comply with basicsustainability criteria, there is a lack of transparency whichmay hamper the credibility of the voluntary offset market.

4. There is strong competition among providers (prices, corpo-rate clients) possibly entailing decreased sustainability (no RFI, simplified verification procedures, inappropriate marketing).

5. The development of sustainability standards is a priority forvoluntary carbon-offsetting (currently pursued by Center forResource Solutions in the US, and the UK government).



Things can be turned around -Thank you for your attention !

global warming, ecotourism and sustainable transportation

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