Tourism is a major activity supporting an economic sector that is responsible for 9
% of global GDP. In recent years it has seen significant growth which is forecast to continue, especially in developing countries which have seen a rate of increase in visitor arrivals that considerably exceeds the world average.
Tourism accounts for 29 % of exports in services worldwide and for many developing countries it provides a significant, and sometimes the primary, source of foreign exchange earnings. Academic studies have confirmed the contribution of the sector to economic growth and many international bodies, conventions and communications have formally recognised the importance of the sector as a driver of sustainable development.
The new Rio+20 outcome document “The Future we Want” includes sustainable tourism as contributing to green growth. Tourism has many characteristics that make it especially valuable as an agent for development. As a cross cutting sector, it stimulates productive capacities from trade and the provision of jobs linked to the tourism value chain. In particular, it thrives on assets, such as the natural environment, a warm climate, rich cultural heritage and plentiful human resources, in which developing countries have a comparative advantage. However, tourism can also be a source of environmental damage and pollution, a heavy user of scarce resources and a cause of negative change in society. For these reasons, it is imperative for it to be well planned and managed, embracing the pr inciples of sustainable tourism, defined as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities”/.
1. The European Union and other development assistance agencies are well placed to support developing countries in identifying and implementing interventions in sustainable tourism. The purpose of this document is to guide this process. It begins with a Guidance Note , describin g the meaning, requirements and contribution of sustainable tourism, considering how this relates to development priorities such as those of the EU, and providing guidance on the approach outlined. It then presents a Methodology for assessing the position of sustainable tourism, through asking a set of questions which identify needs to address and gaps to fill. The process is framed around five pillars which encapsulate the key dimensions and themes of sustainable tourism. This methodology for assessing priorities and challenges can be used equally by government and institutions. A final section provides background information on the relationship between tourism and development in a Situation Analysis. The first of the five pillars in the Methodology conce rns tourism policy and governance . To ensure that the sector is correctly positioned as a force for sustainable development it should be fully considered in development studies and frameworks for the country and be given due recognition across government. All countries should have agreed tourism policies, strategies or master plans that commit to sustainability principles and are effectively implemented. Adequate legislation and regulations should be in place that are sufficient to control and guide tourism development while being sensitive to the needs of the sector. The responsibility for tourism should be clearly vested in a specified ministry and supported by government agencies which are appropriately skilled and resourced. Finally, a fundamental requir ement of good governance in this multidimensional sector is for structures and processes to be in place that enable and encourage private sector interests and other stakeholders to work with government on tourism planning, development and management. This should not only apply at a national level but is equally important within local destinations, where many actions that affect the sector and its impact are taken. The second pillar covers economic performance, investment and competitiveness. It recognise s that the sector must be competitive if it is to succeed as a force for development.
The performance and impact of the sector need to be properly measured and monitored, with many developing countries requiring assistance in establishing a reliable system of national tourism statistics. Trade agreements and investment policy that lead to the opening of markets can be beneficial to tourism, provided this is carefully handled to meet national sustainable tourism objectives.
At the same time, actions should be pursued which provide an enabling environment for the development of small local enterprises, including improving linkages between tourism and other sectors, such as agriculture, handicraft and other creative industries, and between businesses. Above all , there is a need to ensure that tourism products and services are in line 9 with the requirements of growth markets, with actions in place to improve quality standards, fill product gaps and pursue effective marketing strategies, including the use of new media, which have transformed the promotion of travel and tourism. The need to underpin the resilience of the sector should also be addressed.
Tourism accounts for 29 % of exports in services worldwide and for many developing countries it provides a significant, and sometimes the primary, source of foreign exchange earnings. Academic studies have confirmed the contribution of the sector to economic growth and many international bodies, conventions and communications have formally recognised the importance of the sector as a driver of sustainable development.
The new Rio+20 outcome document “The Future we Want” includes sustainable tourism as contributing to green growth. Tourism has many characteristics that make it especially valuable as an agent for development. As a cross cutting sector, it stimulates productive capacities from trade and the provision of jobs linked to the tourism value chain. In particular, it thrives on assets, such as the natural environment, a warm climate, rich cultural heritage and plentiful human resources, in which developing countries have a comparative advantage. However, tourism can also be a source of environmental damage and pollution, a heavy user of scarce resources and a cause of negative change in society. For these reasons, it is imperative for it to be well planned and managed, embracing the pr inciples of sustainable tourism, defined as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities”/.
1. The European Union and other development assistance agencies are well placed to support developing countries in identifying and implementing interventions in sustainable tourism. The purpose of this document is to guide this process. It begins with a Guidance Note , describin g the meaning, requirements and contribution of sustainable tourism, considering how this relates to development priorities such as those of the EU, and providing guidance on the approach outlined. It then presents a Methodology for assessing the position of sustainable tourism, through asking a set of questions which identify needs to address and gaps to fill. The process is framed around five pillars which encapsulate the key dimensions and themes of sustainable tourism. This methodology for assessing priorities and challenges can be used equally by government and institutions. A final section provides background information on the relationship between tourism and development in a Situation Analysis. The first of the five pillars in the Methodology conce rns tourism policy and governance . To ensure that the sector is correctly positioned as a force for sustainable development it should be fully considered in development studies and frameworks for the country and be given due recognition across government. All countries should have agreed tourism policies, strategies or master plans that commit to sustainability principles and are effectively implemented. Adequate legislation and regulations should be in place that are sufficient to control and guide tourism development while being sensitive to the needs of the sector. The responsibility for tourism should be clearly vested in a specified ministry and supported by government agencies which are appropriately skilled and resourced. Finally, a fundamental requir ement of good governance in this multidimensional sector is for structures and processes to be in place that enable and encourage private sector interests and other stakeholders to work with government on tourism planning, development and management. This should not only apply at a national level but is equally important within local destinations, where many actions that affect the sector and its impact are taken. The second pillar covers economic performance, investment and competitiveness. It recognise s that the sector must be competitive if it is to succeed as a force for development.
The performance and impact of the sector need to be properly measured and monitored, with many developing countries requiring assistance in establishing a reliable system of national tourism statistics. Trade agreements and investment policy that lead to the opening of markets can be beneficial to tourism, provided this is carefully handled to meet national sustainable tourism objectives.
At the same time, actions should be pursued which provide an enabling environment for the development of small local enterprises, including improving linkages between tourism and other sectors, such as agriculture, handicraft and other creative industries, and between businesses. Above all , there is a need to ensure that tourism products and services are in line 9 with the requirements of growth markets, with actions in place to improve quality standards, fill product gaps and pursue effective marketing strategies, including the use of new media, which have transformed the promotion of travel and tourism. The need to underpin the resilience of the sector should also be addressed.
