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Contribution of the World Tourism Organization to the

World Summit on Sustainable Development


(Johannesburg, 2002)
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Page
The World Tourism Organization and
the World Summit on Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development of Tourism:


Report of the Secretary-General

Sustainable Development of Tourism:


Policy Report

11

Actions in Assisting Developing Countries to Implement Agenda 21


Undertaken by the World Tourism Organization Since 1992

21

Activities Undertaken by The World Tourism Organization


Promoting the Sustainable Development of Tourism in
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other Islands

49

WTO Secretary-General Speeches at the:


- Third UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries
(Brussels, Belgium, 17 May 2001)
Launching Ceremony of The International Year of Ecotourism 2002
(New York, 28 January 2002)

53
57

The World Tourism Organization and


the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August 4 September 2002
The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), convened by the United
Nations, will measure progress made by governments, private sector actors and civil
society as a whole since the First Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It will
also identify new challenges and solutions towards a more sustainable and equitable
social and economic development. The WSSD will certainly be the largest ever
gathering of all types of stakeholders from all over the world to address pressing issues
that affect the worlds nations in different degrees, such as extreme poverty,
globalization, environmental degradation, health, access to markets, etc.
such as
extreme poverty, globalization, environmental degradation, health, access to markets,
etc.

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Preparations for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development started in 2001 at
the national, regional and international levels. The World Tourism Organization, as
well as other international agencies, have been cooperating with the UN SecretaryGeneral and the Division of Sustainable Development in these preparations. Among
other activities, WTO has prepared a number of documents for the UN, some of which
have been widely distributed by the UN Secretariat while others have served as a basis
for consolidated documents that the UN Secretary-General is presenting to the WSSD.
Sustainable development refers to achieving the right balance between social, economic
and environmental goals. According to the results of the WSSD preparatory meetings,
the overarching goal in the social field is poverty eradication to strive for halving the
proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day. The overarching
goal in the economic field is changing unsustainable patterns of consumption and
production, while in the environmental field, the overarching goal is sustainable
management of natural resources for development.
In all these three areas tourism can make a substantive contribution, provided adequate
attention is given to it by governments, the private sector, local communities as main
actors, and the international system of development agencies. Similarly, all these social,
economic and environmental imperatives are taken care of in the WTO Global Code of
Ethics for Tourism, which received support from the United Nations General Assembly
at its last session (A/RES/56/212, November 2001), after being approved by consensus
by all WTO Member States.
The contribution that tourism can make to poverty alleviation, to conservation of the
natural and cultural heritage, and to overall sustainable development can be substantial.
This is especially so in developing countries, where natural resources and landscapes
are still relatively untouched and where few other economic activities have a sustainable
development potential, from an economic or environmental perspective. Furthermore,
tourism has proved to be in many countries a much more sustainable development
option than intensive agriculture, forestry, extractive mining or other primary activities.
The economic importance of tourism is now widely recognized, thanks to the possibility
of evaluating it by means of the Tourism Satellite Accounts developed by WTO. Its
WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Johannesburg, 2002

environmental implications, both positive and negative, are also evident and can be
better controlled if adequate planning and monitoring techniques are systematically
applied. The social impacts of tourism also need to be mastered, in order to avoid
destroying the social fabric and values of traditional societies. In the latter two areas,
WTO has prepared and disseminated numerous guidelines, planning techniques, codes
of practice and other tools over the last decade, but these need to be more intensively
and extensively applied.
Multistakeholder partnerships and initiatives to speed up the implementation of Agenda
21 are likely to become one of the major outcomes of WSSD, and tourism stakeholders
can find a good opportunity in the Summit to establish such partnerships. This is
specially relevant in tourism, which is an activity that involves a wide range of social,
environmental and economic stakeholders.

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This is why tourism should be strongly considered in the WSSD debates, both for its
potential positive and negative impacts, and for the need for concerted actions to
enhance the former and minimize the latter.
2002 is a special year for the sustainable development of tourism, and not only because
of WSSD, but also because it has been designated by the United Nations as the
International Year of Ecotourism. The World Tourism Organization has taken a
leading role in organizing, coordinating and/or supporting activities for this Year, at the
national, regional and international levels. The main event of this International Year will
be the World Ecotourism Summit (Quebec, Canada, 19 22 May 2002), serving as a
global forum for all stakeholders involved in or affected by ecotourism. The results of
the World Ecotourism Summit will be an important contribution to WSSD.
In this document, WTO is pleased to provide to the international community in general,
and not only to those directly involved in tourism activities, some of the documents it
has prepared in connection with the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable
Development, together with relevant recent speeches of the WTO Secretary General.
Further information on WTOs participation at the WSSD can be obtained by
consulting:
www.world-tourism.org or contacting WTO Section on Sustainable
Development of Tourism: env@world-tourism.org
General information about the Summit can be found in : www.johannesburgsummit.org

Madrid, March 2002

WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development


Johannesburg, 2002

Sustainable development of tourism1


Report of the Secretary-General
Commission on Sustainable Development
acting as the preparatory committee for the
World Summit on Sustainable Development
Organizational session

30 April-2 May 2001

Contents
Paragraphs

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I. Trends in tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26

II. Incorporation of sustainability in tourism development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

716

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III. Issues for further consideration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The present report was prepared by the World Tourism Organization as task manager for the
area of sustainable development of tourism, with contributions from other United Nations
agencies and international organizations. The report is a brief factual overview, which
intends to inform the Commission on Sustainable Development on key developments in
the subject area.
WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Johannesburg, 2002

1719

Introduction
1.
While tourism was not the subject of a chapter in Agenda 21,1 the Programme
for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21,2 adopted by the General Assembly at its
nineteenth special session in 1997, included sustainable tourism as one of its sectoral
themes. The Programme recognized that tourism was one of the largest industries in the
world and one of the fastest growing economic sectors.3 It noted that the expected
growth in the tourism sector and the increasing reliance of many developing countries,
including small island developing States, on that sector as a major employer and
contributor to the economy highlighted the need to pay special attention to the
relationship between environmental conservation and protection and sustainable
tourism. The present report examines trends and developments in sustainable tourism
and identifies issues for future consideration.

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I. Trends in tourism

2.
Tourism has been one of the major economic and social phenomena of the
twentieth century. From an activity enjoyed by only a small group of relatively well-off
people at the beginning of the century, it had become a mass phenomenon in the more
developed countries by the 1970s and has now reached wider groups of people in most
nations.
3.
In 1999, the number of international tourist arrivals reached 664 million, while
receipts from international tourism were $455 billion. During the 1990s, international
arrivals grew at an average annual rate of 4.2 per cent, while international tourism
receipts, at current prices and excluding international transport costs, had an average
annual growth rate of 7.3 per cent. Domestic tourist movements are much higher than
international tourist arrivals, though more difficult to quantify.
4.
Tourism, a sector that integrates a wide range of economic activities, is now
regarded as the worlds largest industry. In 1998, 7.9 per cent of the worldwide export
value of goods and services came from tourism, surpassing such leading industries as
automotive products and chemicals. Tourism is already the largest sector of
international trade in services. For many nations, in particular most small island
developing States, but also some bigger and more economically diversified countries,
tourism has become the main sector of economic activity, or at least the main source of
foreign exchange earnings, and in most countries it is an important source of
employment.
5.
In addition to strong overall expansion, the development of tourism is
characterized by continuing geographical spread and diversification of tourist
destinations. While in 1950 the top 15 tourist destinations, all in Western Europe and
North America, attracted 97 per cent of the worlds total arrivals, by 1999 this figure
had fallen to 62 per cent, with market shares increasing for developing countries and
economies in transition, particularly in South-East Asia, Central and Eastern Europe,
and Latin America. Africa, with the exception of a few countries in North Africa,
remains a less visited destination, with only 2.5 per cent of total international arrivals.
6.
Some key qualitative development trends in tourism include: increased market
segmentation; development of new forms of tourism, especially those related to nature,
wildlife, rural areas and culture; and introduction of new programmes in traditional
WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Johannesburg, 2002

package tours. Consumers motivations and behaviour are increasingly characterized by


a more selective choice of destination, greater attention to the tourism experience and its
quality, and a greater sensitivity to the environment, traditional culture and local people
at the destinations.

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II.Incorporation of sustainability in tourism development


7.
As a result of the rapid expansion of the tourism sector, traditional and emerging
tourism destinations are facing increasing pressure on their natural, cultural and socioeconomic environments. There is now a recognition that uncontrolled growth in tourism
aiming at short-term benefits often results in negative impacts, harming the environment
and societies, and destroying the very basis on which tourism is built and thrives.
8.
Even before the 1990s, some negative impacts of tourism were addressed by
some Governments and international organizations, including precarious conditions of
employment, child exploitation and prostitution, degeneration of traditions and cultural
values, and environmental damage to tourist sites and natural settings. Such adverse
environmental impacts are caused by over-consumption of resources, pollution and
waste generated by development of tourism infrastructure and facilities, transportation,
and tourist activities themselves. It was also recognized that tourism had the potential to
bring economic benefits to host communities and serve as a tool for poverty alleviation,
conservation of natural and cultural assets and other benefits, provided it was properly
planned and managed with a long-term vision.
9.
The principle of sustainable tourism was proposed as early as 1988 by the World
Tourism Organization, with sustainable tourism envisaged as leading to management
of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled
while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity
and life support systems.
10.
Host societies have become progressively aware of the problems of
unsustainable tourism, and sustainability concerns are increasingly being addressed in
national, regional and local tourism policies, strategies and plans. In addition, some
tourists are now demanding higher environmental standards from tourist services, as
well as a greater commitment to local communities and economies.
11.
Although tourism was not included in Agenda 21, the recognition of the
importance of sustainability in tourism by the key stakeholders, including Governments,
international organizations, non-governmental organizations and the international
tourism private sector, resulted in the formulation of Agenda 21 for the Travel and
Tourism Industry4 in 1995. Many tourism-based communities have formulated their
own Agenda 21s at the local level.
12.
A multi-stakeholder Working Group on Tourism was called for by the
Commission on Sustainable Development at its seventh session.5 The Working Group
was tasked with coordinating the implementation of the international work programme
on sustainable tourism development adopted by the seventh session of CSD. This
Working Group is an innovative mechanism for collaborative efforts by major groups,
Governments and international organizations to enable sustainable tourism
development. The first meeting of the Working Group was convened by the World
Tourism Organization in Costa Rica (January 2000), where members identified 11
priority issues covering a wide variety of aspects of sustainable tourism development.
Further progress has been slow owing to lack of funding.

WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development


Johannesburg, 2002

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13.
There has been gradual but increasingly widespread application of
environmental management techniques in tourism companies and establishments, in
particular hotels. There has also been increasing use and popularity of voluntary
approaches such as certification systems, eco-labels, environmental awards and codes of
conduct. The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism was introduced by the World Tourism
Organization in 1999 following over two years of consultation with the industry and
was approved by the member States of the World Tourism Organization. It has been
submitted to the Economic and Social Council for consideration at its substantive
session of 2001 (see E/2001/3).
14.
A set of sustainability indicators on tourism has been developed and tested in a
number of countries under the initiative of the World Tourism Organization.6 These
indicators are now beginning to be used at some destinations. Further work is required
to improve existing know-how and methodologies for the definition, adaptation and
application of indicators to monitor the social, economic and environmental impacts of
tourism. Further work is also required to apply indicators in a larger number of
countries.
15.
Many tourist destinations are in mountain and coastal regions in different
climate zones from those of tourists home countries. Tourists are therefore less familiar
with natural disasters in those areas, for example, avalanches in ski resorts, hurricanes in
the Caribbean islands and temperature extremes causing sunstroke or frostbite. It is
important that tourism development in such areas include public information,
monitoring and forecasting with respect to such emergencies.
16.
Ecotourism is a small but rapidly growing niche market. Ecotourism activities
have been expanding rapidly over the past two decades worldwide and further growth is
expected in the future. Ecotourism generally involves travel by small groups to natural
areas with the main motivation being the observation and appreciation of nature, and
includes educational information on local ecosystems, cultures and sustainability issues.
It also attempts to minimize negative impacts upon the nature and sociocultural
environment. As one of the tools to control and manage ecotourism activities, it often
involves fees for entry to protected natural areas, with at least part of the fees dedicated
to the conservation of the area. The International Year of Ecotourism in 2002 will offer
an opportunity to review ecotourism experiences worldwide, in order to consolidate
tools and institutional frameworks that ensure its sustainable development in the future.

III. Issues for further consideration

17.
Tourism is expected to continue to grow in the future owing to population
growth, improved living standards, improvement and expansion of transportation
systems, increasing free time and other factors. According to forecasts by the World
Tourism Organization, international tourist arrivals are likely to almost triple over the
next two decades, with nearly 1.6 billion tourists visiting foreign countries by the year
2020. This will further increase the pressure on the natural, cultural and socio-economic
environments of popular destinations. More intensified efforts to address sustainability
in tourism development are required.
18.
Along with tourism in general, ecotourism and other forms of environmentally
friendly tourism are expected to continue growing rapidly. This will also require
specific planning, management and infrastructure to protect the natural sites of interest,
WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Johannesburg, 2002

which are often ecologically fragile. Availability of finance and capacity-building may
hold a key to the sustainable development of this subsector.
19.
Small island developing States face particular challenges. Tourism is often seen
as a promising growth sector in countries with a natural environment appealing to
tourists, especially in view of the constraints that those countries may face in respect of
developing alternative sources of foreign exchange through exports. However, rapid
development of tourism can cause significant social disruptions and increase
environmental and ecological pressures. The fragile ecosystems of small island States,
and their generally more limited scope for pursuing alternative development strategies,
make concerns for the environmental and ecological impact of tourism particularly
acute. Integrated and environmentally and culturally conscious tourism planning should
be developed to make tourism compatible with the conservation of major ecosystems
and with the preservation of the historical-cultural heritage.

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Notes
1

Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de


Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations
publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution 1, annex II.

General Assembly resolution S-19/2, annex.

Ibid., para. 67.

Prepared jointly by the World Tourism Organization, the World Travel and Tourism
Council and the Earth Council.

See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1999, Supplement No. 9
(E/1999/29), chap. I, sect. C, decision 7/3, para. 10.

See A Practical Guide for the Development and Application of Indicators of Sustainable
Tourism (World Tourism Organization, 1996).

WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development


Johannesburg, 2002

11

Sustainable Development of Tourism


Policy Report
(Prepared by WTO for the UN Division of Sustainable Development, May 2001)

1. General assessment of the effectiveness of policies developed by governments,


international organizations and agencies, and major groups.
A. At national level
Since the Rio Earth Summit, sustainability has become the central issue in tourism
development policies throughout the world. Although the World Tourism Organization
had been promoting environmentally friendly and culturally sensitive tourism policies,
including methodological approaches for implementation since the mid-1980s, the Rio
Summit clearly meant a turning point in the level of awareness about sustainable
practices in tourism among governments and major groups.

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In general terms, the need for a systematic planning approach in tourism has become a
standard and widely accepted procedure. Tourism policies and strategies recommended
by international organizations, and formulated by national, regional and local
government authorities have been increasingly addressing environmental and
sustainability issues.
In a number of countries, policies for sustainable tourism have been integrated into a
wider national environmental and sustainability policy or strategy, while in most cases
where a national strategy and policy for sustainable tourism development exists, it is
defined specifically.
From a survey of nearly 50 nations reporting to the United Nations on their policies and
approaches towards promoting sustainable development, including in the tourism sector,
the following conclusions can be drawn:
1. The definition of a global environmental policy and associated strategy at the
national level seems, for most countries, to be a key, basic element for ensuring
a sustainable development of tourism.
2. However, the national tourism administrations of many countries regret the fact
that such environmental policies, laws and related regulations are often
formulated without taking into account the needs of, and potential offered by
the tourism sector.
3. Thus, only in a few cases tourism is integrated in the national development
planning process.
4. Sustainable tourism development policies, strategies and guidelines, and/or
long-term tourism master plans including sustainability principles have
become quite common in most developing and newly independent nations. In
some cases, such plans are being formulated at sub-national level (i.e. for
provinces, counties or even smaller territorial units).
5. Most countries report increased sustainability awareness among at least two
main actors in the tourism process: public authorities and the private sector.
WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Johannesburg, 2002

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12

Frequently, this new awareness has been the result of specific awareness-raising
programmes which have reached also other segments of the population, such as
students and local communities.
6. An accelerated decentralization process has taken place during the 1990s in the
public decision making, planning and regulating processes concerning tourism
and its sustainability concerns. In a few cases, a tourism-inspired Local Agenda
21 has been successfully formulated and implemented.
7. The above has, in many countries, facilitated the process of involving major
groups in all stages of tourism development and management, and in some
cases even in the monitoring of its impacts. If local communities are not directly
represented (i.e. via elected officials), NGOs assume the role of representing
community and environmental interests.
8. The tourism industry, which is almost entirely in private hands, is regularly
consulted by tourism public authorities on specific planning or regulatory
issues when such plans and regulations exist; serious efforts have been made by
some governments for the industry to get involved in, and committed to
sustainability issues.
9. Plans and sustainability guidelines appear to be more common in respect of the
ecotourism segment of the industry, and in some cases it is wrongly thought
that this is the only segment requiring such guidelines.
10. Coastal areas, islands and natural parks have received special attention in
some countries, given their vulnerability and the high concentration of tourism
infrastructure in these areas. Spatial or physical planning is mentioned as a tool
to facilitate the sustainability of tourism in very few cases only.
11. The hotel industry in particular has generally accepted the need for introducing
environmental management systems in their operations. In some cases, it has
not been necessary to set up regulations to this purpose, since it is the industry
itself which has introduced such systems voluntarily and by its own initiative
(e.g. the case of
large hotel chains, or independent hotels via a trade
association).
12. Only a few countries or regions within countries, mainly in the developed world,
have established valid and effective indicators to measure progress towards
sustainability in tourism.
13. Tourism certification systems and ecolabels, among other voluntary initiatives
have been officially adopted or supported by national or local governments in a
number of countries. The effectiveness of such systems, or the level to which
they are clearly recognised and respected by consumers have not been reported.
14. There is an incipient effort to introduce sustainability issues in tourism
education and training programmes in quite a number of countries.
15. Only a small number of nations and individual destinations recognise the links
between offering sustainable tourism products and market competitiveness.
16. The more developed nations have made substantive progress in advancing
knowledge in the field of sustainable development and management of
tourism. A survey conducted by the World Tourism Organization among its
Member States showed that, in recent years, over 100 research projects had been
undertaken in 47 countries on sustainable tourism development issues, mostly in
Europe and the Americas. Another bibliographical survey by WTO recorded
nearly 500 titles of books and journals written in the late 1990s on the specific
subjects of sustainable tourism development, carrying capacities in tourism,

WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development


Johannesburg, 2002

13

environmental and socio-cultural impacts of tourism, sustainable planning


guidelines for tourism, etc.
17. The appearance of regional and sometimes inter-regional cooperation networks,
either of a general nature or tourism-specific (e.g. in the Caribbean, Baltic Sea,
Mediterranean, European Union, etc.), has favoured the dissemination of
sustainable practices in tourism
The above facts refer to a wide range of developed and developing countries in all
continents. They clearly demonstrate the changing orientation in tourism development
and management, the recognition of sustainability principles by tourism stakeholders
and the increasing regulatory activities by governments. However, it is difficult to
assess globally the effectiveness of these policies in preserving the natural and cultural
environments, while ensuring a balanced economic growth with an appropriate
distribution of benefits; this is due to the great variety of environmental, social and
economic conditions found among regions and countries.

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It can be concluded that substantive progress has been made in terms of:
a) increased awareness on sustainability issues among all tourism
stakeholders, especially among public administrations; and
b) availability of hard and soft technological solutions to overcome the
negative environmental and socio-cultural impacts of tourism.
Notwithstanding the above, it is known that sustainable tourism approaches,
and plans are not always consistently followed and applied by all nations, at all
destinations and by all actors in the tourism process. There are many factors that
a more systematic application of declared policies and the implementation of
development plans, the most important of which seem to be:

policies
tourism
prevent
tourism

1. The generalised weakness of the national tourism administration in most


countries, in terms of both, institutional and financial capability;
2. The lack of integration of the tourism sector into global development plans;
3. The absence of specific sustainable tourism development strategies;
4. The horizontal nature of the tourism sector, depending on many inputs and
touching on many activities that are under the responsibility of many
government departments, and the associated lack of coordination;
5. The fragmentation of the tourism industry, and the overwhelming presence of
many micro, small- and medium-size companies;
6. The lack of technical know how, particularly in developing countries and
LDCs, or the insufficient transfer and application of existing technologies;
7. A continued lack of awareness among the local stakeholders , particularly
among the private operators, on the need to ensure sustainable practices in
tourism;
8. The shortage of finance for building the appropriate infrastructure needed
to prevent negative environmental impacts (e.g. Waste and water treatment
plants);
9. The shortage of finance for effectively monitoring the tourism industry
performance;
10. The shortage or a total lack of human resources to plan, implement and
manage the tourism industry and its monitoring by public authorities;

WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development


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14

11. Continued and sometimes growing pressure from hotel and estate developers
on coastal areas for building additional accommodation infrastructure;
12. The absence or insufficiency of data and data sources to allow a continuous
application of indicators of sustainability in tourism;
13. The proliferation of voluntary initiatives and ecolabels, and the lack of
stringent procedures and standards of many of them, creating confusion and
affecting their credibility among consumers;
14. The lack of adequate, ad-hoc legislation, regulatory norms and compliance
mechanisms and, as a consequence of it, a shortage of supervisory tools at the
disposal of tourism public authorities, local authorities and other public
administrations.
In conclusion, it can be stated that in spite of the two positive factors concluded
earlier in this report (increased awareness and availability of technological
solutions), the level of application of policies and of soft and hard technologies for
ensuring a sustainable development and management of tourism is still limited,
due to the factors indicated above.
B. At international level

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International organizations have played a major role in promoting sustainability in


tourism. The World Tourism Organization has produced a number of publications
containing methodological procedures, planning and management guidelines,
criteria for setting up standards and indicators, that are both of a general nature or
specific for some type of destinations or for different regions of the world.
These principles and techniques have been disseminated by different means,
including electronic media, conferences, ad-hoc country missions, training
seminars and others. Several thousand tourism authorities and officials, as well as
local authorities have been the immediate beneficiaries of these activities, while
the final beneficiaries are expected to be the local populations at the destinations
hosting tourists, and the tourists themselves.
It is, however, difficult for WTO or for any other international organization, to
really assess the level of application of the recommendations issued from its work.
This is particularly difficult in tourism due to the fact, mentioned earlier in this
report, that the responsibility of implementing plans, strategies and specific
guidelines in tourism falls within the field of competence of many actors, from
both the public and private sectors.
Some international tourism organizations at the regional level, which often
combine public and private sector members, (e.g. the Caribbean Tourism
Organization, the Baltic Tourism Commission, the Pacific Asia Travel
Association, etc.) have also adopted sustainability as one of their priority areas of
activity, and have undertaken technical work in favour of their members.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNESCO, the Secretariat
of the Convention of Biological Diversity, the World Bank, among others at the
global level, as well as UN-ESCAP, UN-ECLAC, the European Union, OECD, the
Association of Carib bean States, the Southern Africa Development Community,
WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development
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15

the Association of Baltic States, some regional financial institutions, and other
international agencies at the regional level have also embarked upon a variety of
programmes to promote a more sustainable tourism sector. UNEP in particular has
launched a number of initiatives to promote the use of environmental technologies
by tourism enterprises and, through their International Seas Programme, to
evaluate the impacts of tourism in coastal areas.
Joint action by WTO and UNEP in several fields such as tourism in small island
developing states, sustainable behaviour by tour operators (i.e. the Tour Operators
Initiative), tourism in natural parks and protected areas- has permitted to put
together public national and local administrators responsible for tourism and for
the environment, as well as private tourism operators, thus stimulating
cooperation and coordination amongst them. Similarly, joint actions and
publications by WTO and UNESCO have promoted higher sustainability levels in
the development and management of tourism at cultural heritage sites.

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The growing involvement in, and concern for the sustainability of tourism
demonstrated by many international agencies over the last decade, in addition of
course to those with a specific brief in tourism such as WTO, has certainly been
positive. In parallel, at the international, national and local levels there has been a
growing understanding of the fundamental need for multi-stakeholder dialogues
and decision-making processes.
The imperative of assuring a more sustainable tourism industry and, at the same
time, increasing the contribution of tourism to sustainable development, is now a
widely accepted
challenge and any action by international agencies in this
direction is positive. This has also served to involve a wider number of
stakeholders, including the private sector, the local authorities, and NGOs.
However, the risk of dispersed action and low effectiveness in the use of scarce
public international resources is also evident.
The need for a more concerted action by the entire international system of
agencies, and ideally including the bilateral aid agencies too, is pressing. It has
already been mentioned that tourism touches on many other sectors of activity; its
sustainability,
therefore,
has
economic,
environmental
and
socio -cultural
components that refer to a complex network of suppliers of public and private
goods and services. Independent action by one agency on only one of such aspects
is unlikely to yield significant results, in terms of making the whole tourism
industry more sustainable. Only coordinated international action, especially in the
case of assistance provided to developing countries, can ensure that all aspects of
tourism are being coherently addressed.
At the international level, the 7th session of the UN-CSD (1999) served as a
global forum for multi-stakeholder discussion on sustainability issues in tourism.
However, it did not succeed in effectively promoting a more concerted action by
the many intergovernmental agencies and major groups involved. The lack of
resources and the absence of a clear mandate have probably been the two main
reasons for such failure.

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2. Examples of policies that have made a tangible difference in the sustainable


development of tourism.
Several types of policies, programmes and projects in tourism can serve as examples of
how tourism can be made more sustainable and better contribute to sustainable
development in a particular location.
A first example relates to the involvement of local, usually indigenous communities in
conservation programmes by linking them to commercial tourism operations which
serve to generate income, thus addressing at the same time the environmental and socioeconomic dimensions of sustainable development. In some countries (e.g. Brazil,
Namibia, Uganda, Venezuela), specific tourism programmes have been established in
order to help indigenous communities. Ad-hoc legislation has been approved to enable
these communities to derive direct benefits from wildlife management and tourism
development.

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Governments assist community members in organising themselves into associations


with two linked objectives: nature conservation and tourism-related activities, the latter
allowing them to generate much needed income. In co-operation with NGOs,
governments provide training to conservation staff and they share experiences gained in
tourism initiatives in other regions or countries, sometimes with external technical or
financial assistance.
Local populations within or near National Parks are also encouraged to create networks
of tourist micro-enterprises, as well as other type of businesses supporting tourism, such
as the production and marketing of handicrafts, local food services, agricultural crops to
cater for the tourists demand, etc. For these populations, tourism represents a valuable
and sometimes unique alternative source of income to export-oriented or subsistence
agriculture, or an equally appreciated additional one.
Governments and NGOs provide support in different forms: with technical and
managerial assistance; with the publication of tourist maps and guides, indicating the
location of various services provided by the local tourist network; with international
promotion of the destination, etc. They also help in providing or improving some basic
infrastructure, such as electricity, sanitation, maintenance of roads and pathways used
by tourists, etc.
The valorisation of natural parks or protected areas, via a profitable activity for local
communities such as tourism, also serves to ensure a better co-operation between
farmers and the authorities. Environmental legislation is no longer considered as a
limitation to their freedom and economic development. And for authorities, eco-tourism
is used as a tool for nature conservation.
Although these programmes have been successfully implemented in several countries,
their global impact is still limited. In order to achieve greater significance for both,
enhancing the quality of life of indigenous communities and contributing to nature and
wildlife conservation, these programmes need to be replicated in a wider scale and
further supported by governments, NGOs and international and bilateral cooperation
agencies. Support is needed in various areas: for capacity building and enhancing
managerial abilities; for international marketing and promotion, ideally in a cooperative
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17

manner; for awareness-raising and education of local communities on conservation


matters and on the risks of overdeveloping tourism; investment finance for improving
the basic infrastructure required by tourists; finance for monitoring and control
programmes, etc.
A second example refers to the establishment of some kind of certification scheme or
eco-label by a public authority, either at the regional level (e.g. the Blue Flag in
Europe), the national level (e.g. Costa Rica, France) or at regional or local level (e.g.
Austria, Italy, Spain).
These schemes have served to stimulate companies or even municipal authorities to
introduce environmental and other sustainable-related improvements in their tourism
infrastructure and/or in their daily operations. By granting a certificate or a label
recognising the compliance with, or the achievement of higher sustainability standards
than those established by existing regulations, tourism destinations and tourism
companies place themselves in a better competitive position vis--vis the consumer.

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The consumers, on their part, get stronger guarantees, backed by public authorities, that
the tourism services they are receiving comply with sustainability principles and that
they are, directly or directly, contributing to make the destinations they are visiting
more sustainable. Finally, these schemes, when rigorously run, serve to generate further
awareness among all stakeholders on the need to raise the level of sustainability of
tourism development and operations.

3. Options and opportunities to accelerate the implementation of sustainable


development objectives in the tourism sector
The achievement of sustainable development objectives in the tourism sector in the
short and medium term does not seem to be an impossible challenge. A major step has
already been given, basically since the Rio Earth Summit, and this is the creation of a
now widespread awareness about the need for tourism to be more sustainable if it is to
survive for future generations, and if it is to effectively contribute to socio-economic
development in a sustainable manner.
This awareness is present at both ends of the market. Among consumers, who are now
requesting higher degrees of sustainability at the destinations they visit and in the
practices of the service providers that cater for their needs. And among suppliers, who
are now more aware of the fact that their long term success is dependent upon the
sustainable use of the tourism assets upon which they build their supply: pristine natural
sites, cultural sites and living traditional cultures.
There is a need for further awareness-raising action, nonetheless, to deepen and extend
the commitment to sustainability, especially among the so-called mass tourism segment.
Mass tourism operators are frequently tempted to discard sustainability concerns for the
sake of getting a bigger market share, based on price competitiveness. They are often
followed, or even encouraged by the corresponding local authorities, who see tourism as
a rapid solution to unemployment problems or as a simple way to give international
notoriety and some kind of prestige to their town.

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Similarly, mass tourists are often not made aware of the implications of their travel and
tourism purchasing patterns or of their behaviour at the destinations they visit.
Awareness-raising campaigns, through a variety of educational and information
mechanisms including internet, guiding, information leaflets, etc. have proved to be
quite effective to this purpose.
Such measures will contribute to ensure that all segments of the tourism industry and all
tourists and not only those related to ecotourism, cultural tourism and similar niche
markets- are concerned with the long term environmental sustainability of natural and
cultural areas, and the cultural and economic sustainability of the communities they use,
either as tourists or as providers of tourist services.
A second step already given on the way to higher sustainability standards in tourism is
the development of suitable hard and soft technologies, specific for the sector and the
type of companies operating within it. There is today a strong body of knowledge and
an impressive array of research institutions advancing knowledge and generating knowhow in respect of sustainable tourism practices. This work has to be continued and
supported by governments, the private sector and the international community. One way
to support it is by bridging the gap between the creation of knowledge and its practical
application to concrete, varying situations.

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The latter is perhaps the main challenge ahead: How to encourage the application of
the existing knowledge into the actual planning and development of tourism
destinations done by public administrators, and into the day-to-day operations of
tourism companies.
Several ways can be suggested to face this challenge.
Firstly, by making a greater effort in adapting existing methodological and
technological knowledge to the specific situations prevalent at every region, country and
province, down to the very local level. Each tourism destination has its own features,
assets, problems and risk areas; each can define its own tourism strategy, according to
the desires of its inhabitants. Solutions that have worked in one location may not
necessarily work elsewhere. A process of adaptation to local needs of existing planning,
management and monitoring techniques in tourism is needed, and this has to be done
with a prior condition: understanding the needs and desires of the local people.
International and bilateral assistance agencies can play a major role in transferring and
adapting tourism know-how from one country to another. In doing so they have to
possess a thorough understanding of the local culture and as wide as possible a
knowledge of sustainable tourism development experiences from around the world that
can provide partial examples of what can and cannot be done.
Secondly, by providing the public authorities, specially at the local level, with stronger
mechanisms to monitor the enforcement of existing legislation that has an effect on the
sustainability of tourism. Since legislation may refer to many aspects concerning
tourism development and management and under the responsibility of a diversity of
public bodies, it is important to provide the tourism administration with sufficient
authority and technical capabilities to be able to collect the relevant data and coordinate
this monitoring process. One example of such mechanisms is the use of sustainability
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indicators for tourism, which have already been put in place in some countries and
localities but still need to be further applied.
Strengthening the public tourism administration, either at the national or local level, is a
key element in the process towards a more sustainable tourism sector and a better
integration of tourism into national sustainable development policies.

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Thirdly, if no such comprehensive or detailed legislation exists, or if current economic


policies continue to promote deregulation of economic activities, then public
administrations should at least be equipped with instruments to monitor the compliance
with self-imposed standards, voluntary initiatives and other certificates or eco-labels
adopted voluntarily by private companies. Furthermore, there is a clear need for some
type of consolidation of existing voluntary schemes referring to sustainability in
tourism, in order to provide clarity to consumers and raise the level of credibility of
existing valid schemes. International organizations have an irreplaceable role to play in
this field, by setting up the minimum requirements that such schemes should contain to
make them acceptable to governments and consumers. The possibility of establishing a
global, independent accreditation body for certifiers, ecolabels and similar schemes
related to sustainability in tourism should also be considered.
In both cases, there is a strong need for capacity building at the local level, involving
municipal authorities, local businessmen and their trade associations, local NGOs and
also local communities, to allow them to participate in an informed manner in the
supervisory and monitoring processes of tourism. Capacity building should also
facilitate and make possible the participatory process needed for the formulation of
Local Agendas 21 in those localities where tourism is or can be the key economic
sector.
Fourthly, financial support to the myriad of micro, small- and medium-sized tourism
businesses that exist throughout the world is needed to encourage them to implement
sustainable management methods or to introduce into their infrastructure the latest and
most suitable environmentally friendly technologies. Making sustainable technologies
and management techniques more easily accessible to tourism SMEs will also result in a
higher degree of economic sustainability, since it is this type of locally-owned
companies who ensure a fairer distribution of economic benefits derived from tourism
and avoid international financial leakages.
Fifthly, a better coordination is needed in the work carried out by the international
system of agencies and bilateral sources of assistance. Not infrequently, several aid
agencies are working simultaneously in the same country or region, in parallel fields of
activity and without communication between them. Coordination of technical and
financial assistance in tourism is fundamental to ensure coherent results and a
sustainable development of tourism. Isolated actions in favour of sustainability are
normally short-lived or, even if they survive, do not have a significant impact on the
global level of sustainability at the destination.
Integrated and unified action by the United Nations system of agencies under a clear
leadership, but involving of course all the specialised agencies required to cover every
aspect of tourism and all the sustainability implications, would result in faster, more
efficient and more long-lasting effects.
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In conclusion, translating the sustainability awareness already developed among


tourism stakeholders into practical applications that generate visible and
substantive results, requires leading action by national and local governments and
by the tourism industry, with the assistance of international organizations and
bilateral agencies. These actions can be supported and stimulated by NGOs and
the academic world, but the ultimate responsibility will be with the two main
actors.

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Actions in Assisting Developing Countries to Implement Agenda 21


Undertaken by the World Tourism Organization since 1992

SUMMARY
The present document has been prepared by the World Tourism Organization for the
Preparatory Committee of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), at
the request of the Division for Sustainable Development of the United Nations. It
highlights the main actions undertaken by the World Tourism Organization in
promoting the implementation of Agenda 21 among all its Member States, but
especially in developing countries.

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During the past decade, the World Tourism Organization has undertaken numerous
initiatives -such as technical studies, research projects and subsequent edition of special
publications, cooperation for development missions and projects, seminars and technical
meetings-, to help promoting a more sustainable tourism development among all its
Member States. These efforts have also intended to increase the contribution of tourism
to sustainable development in general.
This report presents the main activities undertaken and provides a complete set of
information about main measures adopted by the World Tourism Organization to
promote an increasingly sustainable tourism sector worldwide.

December 2001

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CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Background
B. The Role of the World Tourism Organisation in Promoting Sustainable
Development of Tourism
II. ACTIONS BY THE WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION
A. Agenda 21 for the Travel & Tourism Industry
B. WTO Studies and Publications on Sustainable Development of Tourism

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C. Cooperation for Development


1. Africa
2. Americas
3. Asia
4. Europe
5. Middle East
D. Training Seminars and Technical Meetings (1994 2001)
1. Africa
2. Americas
3. East Asia and the Pacific
4. Europe
5. Middle East
6. South Asia
E. The International Year of Ecotourism
APPENDIX 1: GLOBAL CODE OF ETHICS FOR TOURISM
APPENDIX 2: CORE INDICATORS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

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I. INTRODUCTION

A. BACKGROUND
The Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development at its
first session invited the organisations of the United Nations system and other relevant
international organisations to provide for its consideration at the second session
information on actions they have undertaken in assisting developing countries to
implement Agenda 21.
The World Tourism Organization -an intergovernmental body entrusted by the United
Nations with the promotion and development of tourism- is the leading international
organisation in the field of travel and tourism, serving as a global forum for tourism
policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. It has, among others, the
responsibility of assuring the implementation of the Agenda 21 for the Travel and
Tourism Industry worldwide, and specially among all its 138 Member States.

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B. THE ROLE OF THE WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION


PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM

IN

Through tourism, WTO aims to stimulate sustainable economic growth and job
creation, provide incentives for protecting the environment and heritage of destinations,
and promote peace and understanding among all nations of the world. The transfer of
tourism know-how to developing countries is one of the World Tourism Organizations
fundamental tasks.
The sustainable development agenda has come to occupy an outstanding position in
WTOs programme of work. Reflecting the priority assigned to this, the World
Tourism Organization created a Section on Sustainable Development of Tourism in its
Secretariat in 1998 and a political committee of Member States representing all regions
of the world was set up. It is currently chaired by Costa Rica.
As an executing agency of the United Nations Development Program, UNDP, WTO
contributes decades of experience in tourism to the sustainable development goals of
nations throughout the world. Acting upon request from member governments, WTO
identifies needs, locates the worlds leading experts, and carries out all types of
technical assistance for tourism development.
All WTO technical cooperation projects are based on the policy of sustainability,
ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism development are not offset by damage to
the environment or to local cultures. WTO projects also attempt that local communities
share in the planning process and in the prosperity achieved through increased tourism.
Working hand-in-hand with its member governments, donor agencies and private
sector, WTOs objective in the field of sustainability, is to make sure that economic
benefits generated by new tourism developments will be environmentally and socially
sustainable, and will be evenly distributed among local peoples.

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II. ACTIONS BY THE WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION

A. AGENDA 21 FOR THE TRAVEL & TOURISM INDUSTRY


In 1996 the World Tourism Organization, the Earth Council and the World Travel &
Tourism Council, representing large multinational tourism and travel companies, joined
together to launch an action plan entitled "Agenda 21 for the Travel & Tourism
Industry: Towards Environmentally Sustainable Development" - a sectoral sustainable
development programme based on the Rio Earth Summit results.
Agenda 21 specifies actions that industry can take to bring about sustainable
development and ways in which governments can facilitate this process. The Agenda 21
for travel & tourism industry, aims to help government departments with responsibility
for the travel & tourism, national tourism administrations (NTAs), representative trade
organizations and travel & tourism companies fulfil their potential to achieve
sustainable development at local and national levels. It lays out the key objectives for
achievement by the year 2005. Implementation of its recommendations will go some
way towards harnessing the power of tourism to:
- create economic value for resources whose conservation would otherwise be
seen as having no financial value; such resources include wildlife, natural areas,
built heritage and cultural heritage;
- provide incentives and means for environmental enhancement of areas such as
city centres and old industrial sites, including the creation of employment in
these areas;
- establish essential infrastructure such as water treatment plants, for residents as
well as visitors; this may in turn, stimulate other economic activities;
- use communication opportunities with customers and host communities to pass
on the message and practices of sustainable development;
- provide environmentally sound growth alternatives for developing countries and
island states, which can help them attain sustainable development patterns;
- lead other industries in the adoption of business practices that contribute toward
sustainable development by asking suppliers to provide environmentally benign
products and exchanging information and ideas on sound environmental
management.
After the launch of this document, the three organisations conducted a five-year series
of regional seminars designed to increase awareness of the conclusions and to adapt the
programme for local implementation.

B.
WTO
STUDIES
AND
DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM

PUBLICATIONS

ON

SUSTAINABLE

One of WTOs most important functions is to serve as a permanent source of


information for its Members and the world community. WTO fulfils this task in part
through its extensive programme of research and publications, including electronic
media.

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1. The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism1


In October 1999, the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization, held in
Santiago, Chile, approved the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism which sets a frame of
reference for responsible and sustainable development of world tourism.
The code includes nine articles outlining the rules of the game for destinations,
governments, tour operators, developers, travel agents, workers and travellers
themselves. The tenth article involves the redress of grievances and marks the first time
that a code of this type has a mechanism for enforcement.
The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is an essential tool to help minimise the
negative impacts of tourism on the environment and cultural heritage while maximising
the benefits for residents of tourism destinations. Therefore, a resolution in support of
WTOs Global Code Ethics for Tourism was considered by the United Nations General
Assembly on 19 November 2001.

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The World Tourism Organization General Assembly held in Seoul, Korea and Osaka,
Japan, in September 2001, approved the creation of a World Committee on Tourism
Ethics which is envisaged to act as a global observer to: monitor adherence to the code;
gather information on its implementation and any non-compliance; interpret the codes
principles; and evaluate the principles proposing development and amendments as
needed. The Committee will also have the responsibility for setting up a system of
conciliation to settle any disputes.
2. Guide for Local Authorities on Developing Sustainable Tourism
This guide presents concepts, principles, and techniques for planning and developing
tourism and includes sections on managing environmental and socio-economic impacts
at the local level. It also contains numerous examples of sustainable tourism best
practices readily adaptable to the particular conditions and levels of development of
each destination. It is mainly intended for local authorities, whose responsibility in
shaping tourism development is increasing; it also helps private developers and
managers.
3. Guide for Local Authorities. Supplementary Volumes
Supplementary volumes of this Guide are available for Asia and the Pacific, Latin
America and the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa, containing numerous examples of
application of sustainability principles in each region.
4. Indicators of Sustainable Tourism2
Indicators are essential tools for monitor environmental and socio-economic impacts of
tourism development and measure the level of success in achieving development
objectives, forming an integral part of the planning process in all stages.

1
2

The full text of the Global Codes of Ethics for Tourism can be consulted in Appendix 1
Further details on Indicators of Sustainable Tourism can be consulted in Appendix 2

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A Task Force of international experts was established by WTO in 1993 aiming at


defining a set of useful sustainability indicators in tourism. In the following years these
indicators were tested through pilot projects at local destinations in Canada, Mexico, the
Netherlands, Argentina and USA, among others. The results were published as A
practical guide for the development and application of indicators of sustainable tourism
in 1996.
Based on this guide, regional workshops have been held in Hungary, Mexico, Sri
Lanka, Argentina and Croatia. A methodology has been developed that is based on case
studies carried out at local destinations as demonstration sites. The workshops,
therefore, primarily aim at training of international, national and local tourism officials
and experts by actively involving them in the definition and evaluation of potential
indicators corresponding to case-study sites.
The World Tourism Organization will continue to work in this field with a view to
improving existing know-how and methodologies for definition, adaptation and
application of indicators, extending the application of such methodologies to the largest
possible number and types of tourism destinations and making the use of sustainability
indicators a standard practice in tourism destinations by 2005.

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5. National and Regional Tourism Planning: Methodologies and Case Studies


This publication lays the foundation for tourism development of a country and its
regions. It establishes the principal guidelines for preparing tourism development plans
at national and regional levels with emphasis on integrated approach, balancing
economic, environmental, and socio-cultural factors for achieving sustainable tourism.
It is illustrated with 25 case studies.
6. An Integrated Approach to Resort Development
A WTO study published in 1992 analyses six resorts, all largely completed and
representing various regions of the world and different types of development. For each
case study, comprehensive details are provided on planning and implementation,
including the current status of development. Economic, environmental and sociocultural factors in planning and implementation are also analysed, as well as the
development impact of these factors. The report evaluates the financing of both the
infrastructure and tourist accommodation of the resorts, the respective roles of the
public and private sectors in financing, and financial policies and procedures applying
these planning and implementation procedures in other development projects around the
world.
7. Guidelines: Development of National Parks and Protected Areas for Tourism
Sustainable development requires part of the earths land area to be set aside as
protected areas. Such areas, which include National Parks, make important
contributions to human society by conserving the natural and cultural heritage for the
enjoyment of people and ensuring ecological balance as nations populations increase.
In order to assist this countries to achieve sustainable stewardship of their National
Parks and related protected areas, WTO and UNEP have joined forces with the World

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Conservation Union (IUCN) to publish these guidelines in 1992, while a new, enlarged
and updated version will be published in 2002.
8. Voluntary Initiatives for Sustainable Tourism
Systems of voluntary initiatives for self-regulation of the tourism industry in what refers
to sustainability (like certification systems, eco-labels, awards and prizes,
environmental management systems, codes of conduct, etc) are gaining increasing
importance. Following a recommendation of the UN Commission on Sustainable
Development (CSD-7), WTO initiated a world wide evaluation study of these
initiatives. This study aims at identifying similarities and differences among voluntary
initiatives, finding out the factors that make them effective and successful in terms of
sustainable tourism development, and proposing further steps to make these initiatives
more effective and credible in the market place. A publication with the results of this
study is due to appear in the first quarter of 2002.
9. Global Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC): An Accreditation
Body for Sustainable Tourism Certifiers

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This study is currently investigating the possibilities for creating an international


accreditation body of sustainable tourism and ecotourism certifiers, determining the
most appropriate organizational structure, the necessary steps for its implementation and
provide recommendations for accreditation criteria.
This accreditation body is envisaged to have the responsibility of establishing
international criteria for accreditation, monitor compliance with such criteria, promote
consumer awareness and increase credibility of certification schemes. In addition, an
accreditation body for sustainable tourism could indirectly raise the environmental and
social standards for all sectors of the tourism industry.
10. Sustainable Development of Tourism An Annotated Bibliography
Sustainable Development of Tourism is relatively a new concept, however it has
increasingly been the subject of study over the last decade. To enhance the
understanding of sustainable tourism and its practical applications, the World Tourism
Organization has compiled a list of the most recent books and articles on the subject.
For the second edition nearly 100 books together with more than 250 articles were
reviewed. WTO offers to the international community what is probably the most
complete and updated Annotated Bibliography on Sustainable Tourism and related
subjects. (1999)
11. Sustainable Development of Tourism A Compilation of Good Practices
The progress towards a more sustainable tourism industry is best demonstrated through
success stories. This publication contains around 50 examples of good practices in
sustainable development and management of tourism, collected from 31 countries. A
great variety of projects are presented, ranging from local to regional and national
levels, including activities of the public, private and NGO sectors, covering aspects of
eco-, rural- and cultural tourism, accommodations, tour operations, transportation,
protected area management, regulatory and voluntary frameworks, among others. Each
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case is described in a systematic order, including detailed background information,


success factors for sustainability, problems aroused and their solutions, lessons learnt,
and monitoring activities. A second edition, containing 55 case studies from 38
countries is fully devoted to ecotourism examples on the occasion of the International
Year of Ecotourism, as declared by the United Nations.
12. Tourism at World Heritage Sites
World Heritage Sites include many of the worlds most outstanding attractions and
grandest monuments of the past. For tourism promoters they act as magnets, while for
the nation in which they are found they serve as icons that continue to influence current
values.
The handbook concentrates on human-made sites, the physical evidence of major
historical events. It is devoted to helping the managers of World Heritage Sites
accomplish a dual purpose: to conserve the site given to their care and provide
meaningful and considerate access to as many visitors as the site can allow. (1999)

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13. Handbook on Natural Disaster Reduction in Tourist areas


Nowadays tourism involves the movement of millions of people to virtually all
countries on the surface of this globe. Quite often tourism developments are located, in
areas exposed to, or likely to be exposed to, sudden-onset natural disasters, in particular
beach and coastal areas, river valleys and mountain regions. If these developments are
hit by natural disasters, the image of tourist destination will suffer.
The handbook, jointly produced by WTO and WMO experts, demonstrates how to
combat natural disasters in tourist areas and mitigate their impacts. It guides the reader
through disaster onset to post-disaster reconstruction and re-launching of a tourist
destination. (1998)

C. COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT


Cooperation for Development constitutes one of the pillars of the WTOs general
programme of work and plays an important role in furthering the statutory aims of the
Organization. Technical cooperation activities, which account for a large share of
cooperation for development, can be broadly classified under two categories:

Technical cooperation projects, and


Sectoral Support/technical assiatence missions.

Technical cooperation projects, which are usually of a long duration (more than six
months), are the tools through which WTO assists governments in acquiring technical
know-how in the formulation of tourism policies and strategies in planning,
development, marketing, promotion, education and training. They tend to focus on
tourism master planning at all levels, establishment of training institutes, formulation of
legislation and regulations, preparation of marketing programmes, and, national
capacity building. They are also based on a policy of sustainability, ensuring that the
economic benefits of tourism development are not offset by damage to the environment
or to local cultures.

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Sectoral support missions are carried out at the request of countries or group of
countries to identify, evaluate and describe their specific technical assistance needs and
provide policy advice on the problems they are faced with. These missions are ususally
fielded for a short duration and result in direct WTO recommendation reports to
Members or in formulating further project proposals for funding by UNDP or other
sources. Since the Rio Summit the following technical cooperation projects and sectoral
support missions in the field of sustainable development have been carried out by WTO.

1. AFRICA
ALGERIA
Elaboration of a Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development of Tourism
The elaboration of this strategic plan is envisaged to develop the tourism sector in
Algeria in a sustainable manner. The plan identifies possible scenarios in which the
sustainable development of tourism should be based, and includes all fields of the
tourism administration.
CAPE VERT

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Tourism Sector Planning and Capacity Building


The two main objectives of the project are: to elaborate a Tourism Strategic
Development Plan based on the revision and update of the present tourism policy,
including an ecotourism project to be implemented in specific predefined regions; and
the second objective consists in providing institutional capacity building in order to
improve technical and operational skills of the General Directorate for Tourism
Development (DGDT).

CONGO
Elaboration of a Tourism Development Project in the Protected Areas
This project initiated in 1997 is based on the recommendations of the Agenda 21. It
aims to be the engine for the implementation of the national conservation strategy, as
well as being a tool to improve the conditions of the infrastructures of the protected
areas.
DJIBOUTI
Elaboration of a Strategic Plan for the Development of Tourism
This project aims to contribute to the sustainable development of Djibouti by drawing a
global strategy to develop the tourism sector. The project was initiated in 1998.
GABON

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Tourism Development in the Protected Areas


This mission took place in 1995 and carried out a technical study to provide the
necessary tools to develop tourism activities inside Gabons protected areas.
GUINEA
Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development of Tourism
The main objective of this project initiated in 1998 is to draw a Strategic Plan for the
Sustainable Development of Tourism, and elaborate an action plan to implement it in
the short, medium and long term.
MOROCCO
Analysis of Rural Tourism
The project analyses rural tourism in Morocco and studied the possibility to develop
rural tourism in the Northern provinces of the country. Project started in 2001.
2. AMERICAS
PANAMA

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Rural Tourism Strategic Plan


The Government of the Republic of Panama requested the World Tourism Organisation
in 1998 a sectoral support mission to evaluate the stage of rural tourism in the country
with the aim of formulating a strategic development plan.
COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, NICARAGUA
AND PANAMA
Conservation of Protected Areas
This regional project, started in 1993, laid the foundations for a strategy and an action
plan to make compatible the use of natural resources and the development of tourism in
Central America. The immediate objective of the project was to increase the
contribution of the tourism in the regions economy.

3. ASIA
INDIA
Strategy for Environmentally Sustainable Tourism in the Andamans
This technical cooperation project focuses on the following aspects: spatial
development strategy, market development, tourist accommodation and facilities,

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transport, socio-economic impact, environmental considerations, policy


development programme, local area and project plans and the action priorities.

issues,

INDONESIA
Development of Community-based Tourism
A mission was undertaken to produce a project document for the development of
community-based tourism in the country. The project document has been submitted to
the Government and the UNDP for their approval and WTO hopes to commence project
activities shortly.
LAO PDR
Support for Tourism Development and Ecotourism
WTO was the implementing agency for two project components of this UNDP-funded
and government-executed project. Under the first component, a national tourism
development plan providing the overall general guidance for the 15-year period of
1999-2013 was prepared. The second component in the field of tourism marketing was
completed in 1999.
MACAO

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IFTs 1999 Summer Programme on Tourism and Environment


WTO offered its technical assistance to the Institute of Tourism Education of Macau
(IFT) in conducting its summer programme for 1999 on Tourism and Environment
which was held in Macau in 1999. The themes covered included general introduction
into major environmental problems at global scale; the phenomenon of tourism and its
impacts on host countries; ecotourism and sustainable tourism; socio-economic and
cultural impacts of tourism; urban and rural tourism.
MALAYSIA
Development of Ecoturism in the Tamam Negara National Park
This sectoral support mission to Malaysia on development of Ecotourism in the Tamam
Negara National Park was carried out in 1993 and consisted in the following:
-

Evaluation and assessment of tourism potential in Taman Negara


Identification of potential ecotourism attractions in Taman Negara and proposal
of volume and categories of projects and activities to be developed
Establishment of guidelines and development controls to ensure that tourism
development takes cognisance of local environmental sensitivities
Analysis of the possible socio-economic impact of ecotourism development on
the local population and proposal of measures for local participation in tourism
activities
Establishment of marketing and promotional strategies to attract special interest
tourists and to increase consumer awareness
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Recommendations on development and implementation of visitor education and


interpretation programmes

Rural Tourism Master Plan


The mission was undertaken to Malaysia to produce a project document to formulate a
Rural Tourism Master Plan through review of rural tourism plans and policies, siteinspection and inventory of rural tourism attractions, meetings with relevant ministry or
agency officials, market analysis, infrastructure and design guidelines, environment
protection and private sector participation. A revised project document has been
submitted to the UNDP.
MALDIVES
Study of Social, Economic and Environmental Impact of Tourism
The project assisted the Government to identify, measure, monitor and manage the
social, economic and environmental consequences of the development of tourism, in
order to:
-

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achieve the goals identified in the Second Tourism Master Plan (1996) and Fifth
National Development Plan (1997);
maximise the benefits from existing and projected tourism development, on a
sustainable basis; and
minimise any adverse impacts of tourism development on the economy, the
social and cultural environment, and marine and lad-based ecosystems of
Maldives.

PHILIPPINES
Conservation and Restoration of Historic Sites
This Mission was carried out in 1996 to assist the DOT with two key objectives:
1. The formulation of a Conservation and Restoration Plan for Cultural and
Historical Sites in the Philippines; and
2. The preparation of a Proposal for the Establishment of the Asia-Pacific Centre
for Culture and History in the Philippines.
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Development of Cultural Heritage as a Tourism Resource
The main objectives of this technical mission were:
1. to survey and evaluate the Republic of Koreas cultural heritage from a tourism
development point of view;
2. to identify those segments which have the highest potential to be developed into
tourism resources; and
3. to recommend measures to:
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convert these segments into tourism resources


enhance their appeal
conserve and protect the cultural heritage

THAILAND
Energy Conservation in Hotels and Resorts
This technical assistance mission to Thailand, undertaken in 1998, provided practical,
on-the-spot advice to the hospitality industry in Thailand on measures that could be
adopted to save energy in hotels, resorts and other tourism establishments.
Sustainable Tourism Development for Thailand

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The aim of the project carried out in 2001, was to assist the Government of Thailand in
the preparation of a new five-year Tourism Master Plan for the country with a view to
the long-term sustainable development of tourism and its resources. WTOs technical
assistance focused on reversing the current diminishing returns of tourism in Thailand
and to define and formulate sustainable policies and strategies for further development
and promotion of tourism in Thailand. It also assisted the Government in redefining
Thailands national tourism policy, reposition the image of the country as a tourism
destination and provide guidelines for sustainable tourism development.

VIETNAM
Revised Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development
The aim of the project is to update and revise the Tourism Development Master Plan
prepared in 1991 with a view to the long-term sustainable development of tourism and
its resources in Vietnam. The revised Master Plan, completed in 2001, defined and
formulated sustainable policies and strategies for the further development and
promotion of tourism in Vietnam; it also compiled detailed analyses of successful
international and national case studies, which could be adopted to the situation in
Vietnam.

4. EUROPE
LITHUANIA
Ecotourism Development Plan
The mission was carried out during 1997. The goals of the mission were: (1) to examine
the utilisation of the three parks for holiday purposes (where and in what form, and
what intensity of recreation); (2) to consider reorganisation and protection of parks; (3)
to review infrastructure needs; (4) to propose creation of employment possibilities for
local people; and (5) to review possibilities for private sector involvement.
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MOLDOVA
Sustainable Tourism Development
This project, started in 2000, is designed to provide a broad basis for developing
international and domestic tourism in Moldova in an integrated, balanced and
sustainable manner in order to bring substantial socio-economic and cultural benefits to
the country and its communities.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Ecotourism
A sectoral support mission to Russia wsa carried out during 1996. The mission had as
main objectives to review the capacity to deliver an ecotourism program in tha Galich
site in the Kostroma Oblast, including the identification of potential private funding of
the complex and of tourism facilities at the complex; to prepare a general review of
potential for village/ecological tourism in Central Russia pertinent to the proposed
Galich complex; to review the current capacity of the Russians to manage ecotourism
activities; to examine the means available to adapt tourism development at Galich site to
the environmental conditions so that it can serve as model for ecotourism.

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UZBEKISTAN
Action Plan for Sustainable Development of Tourism in Uzbekistan
This study was carried out in 1997 and its development objective was to establish in
Uzbekistan an informed tourism policy, a basic tourism infrastructure of international
standards, marketing expertise, and trained tourism officials, within a one year time
frame. This would enable the country to expand its tourism industry in a planned,
controlled and sustainable manner, in order to benefit from foreign revenue generation,
increased employment and international exposure.

5. MIDDLE EAST
YEMEN
Sustainable Environmental Management
This programme aimed at building the capacity of several Government institutions,
research institutions, NGOs and local communities in the environmental management in
the field of land degradation, habitat and biodiversity to ensure the sustainable use of
Yemens natural resources.
In this global project, WTO provided technical assistance on the establishment of an
ecoturism department, which constitutes a specialised unit capable of administering
ecotourism through adequate legislation, standards and monitoring. Public awareness
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locally and outside the country of the significance of environmentally valuable sites,
landscapes, monuments, ecosystems and species will be generated and private sector
engagement in ecotourism encouraged.

D. Training Seminars and Technical Meetings (1994 2001)

1. AFRICA
National level
MEMBER STATES
Guinea
Tanzania

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING


YEAR

Seminar on promoting awareness among financial bankers


with the projects GUI/00/002 and GUI/00/003
2001

Seminar on the management and funding of animal 1996


parks/reserves for tourism

Regional level
MEMBER STATES
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Mauritius

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Mozambique
South Africa
Tunisia
Zimbabwe

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING

Seminar / Africa: tourism destination for the next


millennium

Seminar / Tourism in Africa to the Year 2000

Seminar / Africa and the global tourism prospects to the


year 2020: challenges and opportunities (CAF)
Seminar on Planning, Development and Management of
Ecotourism in Africa

Seminar / Promotion of Africa as a destination (CAF)

Seminar / Towards a new public-private sector balance in


the development of tourism (CAF)

Joint WTO/WTTC/Earth Council on the Agenda 21

YEAR

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING

Seminar for Local Planners (phase1)

Seminar for Local Planners (phase 2)

Seminar on Product Development

Seminar for Local Planners

Seminar on Poverty Alleviation Through Competitive


Tourism

Course for Local Planners

Seminar on Product Development

Seminar on Sustainable Tourism Development

Course for Local Planners

Seminar on Product Development

Course for Local Planners

Course for Local Planners

Seminar on Tourism Management of Protected Areas

Course for Local Planners

Course for Local Planners

YEAR
1997
1997
1999
2001

1999
1994
1998
2001
1995
1994
1998

2. AMERICAS
National level
MEMBER STATES
Argentina

Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador

El Salvador
Guatemala

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2001
1998
2000
1996
1997
1999
1996
1998
1998
1998
1996

36

Nicaragua
Paraguay
Peru

Uruguay

Seminar on Product Development


Sustainable Tourism Planning at Local Level
Seminar on Tourism Organization: public or private
alternative?
Two Seminars on Sustainable Development of Tourism for
Local Authorities
Seminar for Local Planners
Seminar on Product Development

2000
1998
1996

2000
1997
2001

Regional level
MEMBER STATES
Brazil
Mexico

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING


YEAR

Conference on Sustainable Development and Management


of Ecotourism in the Americas
2001

Workshop on the application of sustainable tourism


indicators
1999

International level
MEMBER STATES
Costa Rica

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING


YEAR

First Meeting of the Committee on Sustainable


Development and of ad hoc Working Group on Tourism
2000

3. EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

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National level
MEMBER STATES
China

Malaysia
Thailand

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING


YEAR

Seminar on Tourism Planning at Local Level


1997

Sustainable Development and Marketing of Ecotourism in


China
1999

Seminar on Tourism and Heritage


1999

Seminar on Hotel Energy Conservation


1998

Regional level
MEMBER STATES
China
Indonesia
Japan

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING

International Conference on Sustainable Tourism in the


Islands of the Asia-Pacific Region

SCAP/WTO/IOTO National Seminar on Sustainable


Tourism Development

Asia-Pacific Conference on Tourism Development for the


Future: Preserving Natural and Cultural Heritage for the Next
Generation

YEAR

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING

Tenth Meeting of the WTO Environment Committee

YEAR
1997

2000
2001

2000

International level
MEMBER STATES
Indonesia

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4. EUROPE
Regional level
MEMBER STATES
Croatia
Hungary
Kazakhstan
Russian Federation
Italy
Romania

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING

Workshop on sustainable Tourism Indicators for the


Islands of the Mediterranean

Workshop on Sustainable tourism Indicators for Eastern


and Central Europe

Seminar on Ecotourim as a Tool for Sustainable


Development in the 21st Century

Regional Planning for Sustainable Tourism

Ecotourism Technology

International Seminar on Sustainable Tourism for Small


Islands in the Mediterranean

Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

YEAR

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING

5th Joint WTO/WTTC/Earth Council on the Agenda 21

YEAR
1999

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING

Seminar on Sustainable Tourism Development

YEAR
1996

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING

Seminar on Ecotourism Development

YEAR
1998

WTO SEMINAR/TECHNICAL MEETING

Workshop on Sustainable tourism Development

High Level Technical Seminar on Sustainable Tourism


Development

National Workshop on Sustainable Tourism Indicators

YEAR
1994

2001
1999
2001
1996
1997
2000
2000

International level
MEMBER STATES
Germany

5. MIDDLE EAST

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National level
MEMBER STATES
Jordan

Regional level
MEMBER STATES
Egypt

6. SOUTH ASIA
National Level
MEMBER STATES
India
Maldives
Sri Lanka

1997
2000

E. THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ECOTOURISM


By declaring the year 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism, the United Nations
recognized the social and economic relevance of this activity all over the world. The
International Year of Ecotourism reflects the important role of this tourism segment in
promoting social development, economic growth, cultural and environmental
preservation.

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In this framework, as the leading organization ni preparing the celebrations of the IYE,
the World Tourism Organization is undertaking a number of activities to celebrate it,
including the organization of regional IYE preparatory conferences and seminars on
ecotourism management and development, the preparation and publication of market
research studies of the main ecotourist-generating countries, a new edition of the WTO
publication Compilation of Sustainable Practices in Tourism, dedicated exclusively to
the ecotourism segment, an Ecotourism Marketing Workshop with the collaboration of
the German Technical Cooperation Agency, GTZ, during Reisepavillon in Hannover,
Germany, in January 2002, and the co-organization the World Ecotourism Summit in
Quebec, Canada, from 19 to 22 May 2002, jointly with UNEP.

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The following preparatory Conferences for the International Year of Ecotourism have
also been convened by WTO:
Africa: Mozambique, March 2001
Americas: Brazil, August 2001
Europe: Austria, September 2001
CIS Countries, China and Mongolia: Kazakhstan, October 2001
Mediterranean Europe, Middle East and North Africa: Greece,
November 2001
Islands: Seychelles, December 2001
Desert Areas: Algeria, January 2002
Asia: Maldives, February 2002
The Russian Federation and neighbouring countries: Moscow, March 2002
South Pacific: Fiji, April 2002

The World Tourism Organization is also encouraging the Governments of its Member
States to create national and local ecotourism committees, to enhance the potential of
ecotourism to improve living standards in developing countries through
multistakeholders participatory processes.

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APPENDIX 1: GLOBAL CODE OF ETHICS FOR TOURISM

Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

PRINCIPLES

Article 1
Tourisms contribution to mutual understanding and respect
between peoples and societies

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(1)
The understanding and promotion of the ethical values common to
humanity, with an attitude of tolerance and respect for the diversity of religious,
philosophical and moral beliefs, are both the foundation and the consequence of
responsible tourism; stakeholders in tourism development and tourists themselves
should observe the social and cultural traditions and practices of all peoples, including
those of minorities and indigenous peoples and recognize their worth.
(2)
Tourism activities should be conducted in harmony with the attributes
and traditions of the host regions and countries and in respect for their laws, practices
and customs.
(3)
The host communities, on the one hand, and local professionals, on the
other, should acquaint themselves with and respect the tourists who visit them and find
out about their lifestyles, tastes and expectations; the education and training imparted
to professionals contribute to a hospitable welcome.
(4)
It is the task of the public authorities to provide protection for tourists
and visitors and their belongings; they must pay particular attention to the safety of
foreign tourists owing to the particular vulnerability they may have; they should
facilitate the introduction of specific means of information, prevention, security,
insurance and assistance consistent with their needs; any attacks, assaults, kidnappings
or threats against tourists or workers in the tourism industry, as well as the wilful
destruction of tourism facilities or of elements of cultural or natural heritage should be
severely condemned and punished in accordance with their respective national laws.
(5)
When travelling, tourists and visitors should not commit any criminal act
or any act considered criminal by the laws of the country visited and abstain from any
conduct felt to be offensive or injurious by the local populations, or likely to damage the
local environment; they should refrain from all trafficking in illicit drugs, arms,
antiques, protected species and products and substances that are dangerous or
prohibited by national regulations.
(6)
Tourists and visitors have the responsibility to acquaint themselves, even
before their departure, with the characteristics of the countries they are preparing to
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visit; they must be aware of the health and security risks inherent in any travel outside
their usual environment and behave in such a way as to minimize those risks.

Article 2
Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfilment
(1)
Tourism, the activity most frequently associated with rest and relaxation,
sport and access to culture and nature, should be planned and practised as a privileged
means of individual and collective fulfilment; when practised with a sufficiently open
mind, it is an irreplaceable factor of self-education, mutual tolerance and for learning
about the legitimate differences between peoples and cultures and their diversity.

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Tourism activities should respect the equality of men and women; they should promote
human rights and, more particularly, the individual rights of the most vulnerable
groups, notably children, the elderly, the handicapped, ethnic minorities and indigenous
peoples.
(3)
The exploitation of human beings in any form, particularly sexual,
especially when applied to children, conflicts with the fundamental aims of tourism and
is the negation of tourism; as such, in accordance with international law, it should be
energetically combated with the cooperation of all the States concerned and penalized
without concession by the national legislation of both the countries visited and the
countries of the perpetrators of these acts, even when they are carried out abroad.
(4)
Travel for purposes of religion, health, education and cultural or
linguistic exchanges are particularly beneficial forms of tourism, which deserve
encouragement.
(5)
The introduction into curricula of education about the value of tourist
exchanges, their economic, social and cultural benefits, and also their risks, should be
encouraged.

Article 3
Tourism, a factor of sustainable development
(1)
All the stakeholders in tourism development should safeguard the natural
environment with a view to achieving sound, continuous and sustainable economic
growth geared to satisfying equitably the needs and aspirations of present and future
generations.
(2)
All forms of tourism development that are conducive to saving rare and
precious resources, in particular water and energy, as well as avoiding so far as
possible waste production, should be given priority and encouraged by national,
regional and local public authorities.

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(3)
The staggering in time and space of tourist and visitor flows, particularly those
resulting from paid leave and school holidays, and a more even distribution of holidays
should be sought so as to reduce the pressure of tourism activity on the environment
and enhance its beneficial impact on the tourism industry and the local economy.
(4)
Tourism infrastructure should be designed and tourism activities
programmed in such a way as to protect the natural heritage composed of ecosystems
and biodiversity and to preserve endangered species of wildlife; the stakeholders in
tourism development, and especially professionals, should agree to the imposition of
limitations or constraints on their activities when these are exercised in particularly
sensitive areas: desert, polar or high mountain regions, coastal areas, tropical forests
or wetlands, propitious to the creation of nature reserves or protected areas.
(5)
Nature tourism and ecotourism are recognized as being particularly
conducive to enriching and enhancing the standing of tourism, provided they respect the
natural heritage and local populations and are in keeping with the carrying capacity of
the sites.

Article 4

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Tourism, a user of the cultural heritage of mankind and a contributor to its


enhancement
(1)
Tourism resources belong to the common heritage of mankind; the
communities in whose territories they are situated have particular rights and
obligations to them.
(2)
Tourism policies and activities should be conducted with respect for the
artistic, archaeological and cultural heritage, which they should protect and pass on to
future generations; particular care should be devoted to preserving and upgrading
monuments, shrines and museums as well as archaeological and historic sites which
must be widely open to tourist visits; encouragement should be given to public access to
privately-owned cultural property and monuments, with respect for the rights of their
owners, as well as to religious buildings, without prejudice to normal needs of worship.
(3)
Financial resources derived from visits to cultural sites and monuments
should, at least in part, be used for the upkeep, safeguard, development and
embellishment of this heritage.
(4)
Tourism activity should be planned in such a way as to allow traditional
cultural products, crafts and folklore to survive and flourish, rather than causing them
to degenerate and become standardized.

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Article 5
Tourism, a beneficial activity for host countries and communities
(1)
Local populations should be associated with tourism activities and share
equitably in the economic, social and cultural benefits they generate, and particularly
in the creation of direct and indirect jobs resulting from them.
(2)
Tourism policies should be applied in such a way as to help to raise the
standard of living of the populations of the regions visited and meet their needs; the
planning and architectural approach to and operation of tourism resorts and
accommodation should aim to integrate them, to the extent possible, in the local
economic and social fabric; where skills are equal, priority should be given to local
manpower.

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(3)
Special attention should be paid to the specific problems of coastal areas
and island territories and to vulnerable rural or mountain regions, for which tourism
often represents a rare opportunity for development in the face of the decline of
traditional economic activities.
(4)
Tourism professionals, particularly investors, governed by the
regulations laid down by the public authorities, should carry out studies of the impact of
their development projects on the environment and natural surroundings; they should
also deliver, with the greatest transparency and objectivity, information on their future
programmes and their foreseeable repercussions and foster dialogue on their contents
with the populations concerned.

Article 6
Obligations of stakeholders in tourism development
(1)
Tourism professionals have an obligation to provide tourists with
objective and honest information on their places of destination and on the conditions of
travel, hospitality and stays; they should ensure that the contractual clauses proposed
to their customers are readily understandable as to the nature, price and quality of the
services they commit themselves to providing and the financial compensation payable
by them in the event of a unilateral breach of contract on their part.
(2)
Tourism professionals, insofar as it depends on them, should show concern, in
co-operation with the public authorities, for the security and safety, accident
prevention, health protection and food safety of those who seek their services; likewise,
they should ensure the existence of suitable systems of insurance and assistance; they
should accept the reporting obligations prescribed by national regulations and pay fair
compensation in the event of failure to observe their contractual obligations.
(3)
Tourism professionals, so far as this depends on them, should contribute
to the cultural and spiritual fulfilment of tourists and allow them, during their travels, to
practise their religions.
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(4)
The public authorities of the generating States and the host countries, in
cooperation with the professionals concerned and their associations, should ensure that
the necessary mechanisms are in place for the repatriation of tourists in the event of the
bankruptcy of the enterprise that organized their travel.
(5)
Governments have the right and the duty - especially in a crisis, to
inform their nationals of the difficult circumstances, or even the dangers they may
encounter during their travels abroad; it is their responsibility however to issue such
information without prejudicing in an unjustified or exaggerated manner the tourism
industry of the host countries and the interests of their own operators; the contents of
travel advisories should therefore be discussed beforehand with the authorities of the
host countries and the professionals concerned; recommendations formulated should be
strictly proportionate to the gravity of the situations encountered and confined to the
geographical areas where the insecurity has arisen; such advisories should be qualified
or cancelled as soon as a return to normality permits.

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(6)
The press, and particularly the specialized travel press and the other
media, including modern means of electronic communication, should issue honest and
balanced information on events and situations that could influence the flow of tourists;
they should also provide accurate and reliable information to the consumers of tourism
services; the new communication and electronic commerce technologies should also be
developed and used for this purpose; as is the case for the media, they should not in any
way promote sex tourism.

Article 7
Right to tourism
(1)
The prospect of direct and personal access to the discovery and
enjoyment of the planets resources constitutes a right equally open to all the worlds
inhabitants; the increasingly extensive participation in national and international
tourism should be regarded as one of the best possible expressions of the sustained
growth of free time, and obstacles should not be placed in its way.
(2)
The universal right to tourism must be regarded as the corollary of the
right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic
holidays with pay, guaranteed by Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and Article 7.d of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights.
(3)
Social tourism, and in particular associative tourism, which facilitates
widespread access to leisure, travel and holidays, should be developed with the support
of the public authorities.
(4)
Family, youth, student and senior tourism and tourism for people with
disabilities, should be encouraged and facilitated.

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Article 8
Liberty of tourist movements
(1)
Tourists and visitors should benefit, in compliance with international law
and national legislation, from the liberty to move within their countries and from one
State to another, in accordance with Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights; they should have access to places of transit and stay and to tourism and cultural
sites without being subject to excessive formalities or discrimination.
(2)
Tourists and visitors should have access to all available forms of
communication, internal or external; they should benefit from prompt and easy access
to local administrative, legal and health services; they should be free to contact the
consular representatives of their countries of origin in compliance with the diplomatic
conventions in force.

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(3)
Tourists and visitors should benefit from the same rights as the citizens of
the country visited concerning the confidentiality of the personal data and information
concerning them, especially when these are stored electronically.
(4)
Administrative procedures relating to border crossings whether they fall
within the competence of States or result from international agreements, such as visas
or health and customs formalities, should be adapted, so far as possible, so as to
facilitate to the maximum freedom of travel and widespread access to international
tourism; agreements between groups of countries to harmonize and simplify these
procedures should be encouraged; specific taxes and levies penalizing the tourism
industry and undermining its competitiveness should be gradually phased out or
corrected.
(5)
So far as the economic situation of the countries from which they come
permits, travellers should have access to allowances of convertible currencies needed
for their travels.
Article 9
Rights of the workers and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry
(1)
The fundamental rights of salaried and self-employed workers in the
tourism industry and related activities, should be guaranteed under the supervision of
the national and local administrations, both of their States of origin and of the host
countries with particular care, given the specific constraints linked in particular to the
seasonality of their activity, the global dimension of their industry and the flexibility
often required of them by the nature of their work.
(2)
Salaried and self-employed workers in the tourism industry and related
activities have the right and the duty to acquire appropriate initial and continuous
training; they should be given adequate social protection; job insecurity should be
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45

limited so far as possible; and a specific status, with particular regard to their social
welfare, should be offered to seasonal workers in the sector.
(3)
Any natural or legal person, provided he, she or it has the necessary
abilities and skills, should be entitled to develop a professional activity in the field of
tourism under existing national laws; entrepreneurs and investors - especially in the
area of small and medium-sized enterprises - should be entitled to free access to the
tourism sector with a minimum of legal or administrative restrictions.
(4)
Exchanges of experience offered to executives and workers, whether
salaried or not, from different countries, contributes to fostering the development of the
world tourism industry; these movements should be facilitated so far as possible in
compliance with the applicable national laws and international conventions.

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(5)
As an irreplaceable factor of solidarity in the development and dynamic
growth of international exchanges, multinational enterprises of the tourism industry
should not exploit the dominant positions they sometimes occupy; they should avoid
becoming the vehicles of cultural and social models artificially imposed on the host
communities; in exchange for their freedom to invest and trade which should be fully
recognized, they should involve themselves in local development, avoiding, by the
excessive repatriation of their profits or their induced imports, a reduction of their
contribution to the economies in which they are established.
(6)
Partnership and the establishment of balanced relations between
enterprises of generating and receiving countries contribute to the sustainable
development of tourism and an equitable distribution of the benefits of its growth.

Article 10
Implementation of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
(1)
The public and private stakeholders in tourism development should
cooperate in the implementation of these principles and monitor their effective
application.
(2)
The stakeholders in tourism development should recognize the role of
international institutions, among which the World Tourism Organization ranks first,
and non-governmental organizations with competence in the field of tourism promotion
and development, the protection of human rights, the environment or health, with due
respect for the general principles of international law.
(3)
The same stakeholders should demonstrate their intention to refer any
disputes concerning the application or interpretation of the Global Code of Ethics for
Tourism for conciliation to an impartial third body known as the World Committee on
Tourism Ethics.

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APPENDIX 2: CORE INDICATORS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM 3


Core Indicators of Sustainable Tourism

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Indicator

Specific Measures

1.

Site Protection

Category of site protection according to IUCN4 index

2.

Stress

Tourist numbers visiting site (per annum/peak month)

3.

Use Intensity

Intensity of use in peak period (person/hectare)

4.

Social Impact

Ratio of tourists to locals (peak period)

5.

Development Control

Existence of environmental review procedure for formal controls over


development of site and use density

6.

Waste Management

Percentage of sewage from site receiving treatment (additional


indicators may include structural limits of other infrastructural capacity
on site, such as water supply)

7.

Planning Process

Existence of organized regional plan for tourist destination region


(including tourism component)

8.

Critical Ecosystems

Number of rare/endangered species

9.

Consumer Satisfaction

Level of satisfaction by visitors (questionnaire-based)

10. Local Satisfaction

Level of satisfaction by locals (questionnaire-based)

Composite Indices
A.

Carrying Capacity

Composite early warning measure of key factors affecting the ability of


the site to support different levels of tourism

B.

Site Stress

Composite measure of levels of impact on the site (its natural and


cultural attributes due to tourism and other cumulative stresses)

C.

Attactivity

Qualitative measure of those site attributes that make it attractive to


tourism and can change over time

The composite indices are largely composed of site-specific variables. Consequently,


the identification and evaluation of the indicators that compose these indices require onsite direction from an appropriately trained and experienced observer. In future, based
on the experiences in designing composite indicators for specific sites, it may be
possible to derive these indices on a more systematic basis.

Extracted from What Tourism Managers Need to Know: A Practical Guide to the Development
and Use of Indicators of Sustainable Tourism, WTO 1996
4 International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
3

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Activities Undertaken by the World Tourism Organization


Promoting the Sustainable Development of Tourism in
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other Islands

a. Conferences and Seminars organized for SIDS and other islands:

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Barbados Conference (1995): WTO attended the conference and encouraged


delegates to focus on tourism
The International Conference on Sustainable Tourism in Small Island
Developing States (SIDS) and other Islands was convened jointly by WTO and
UNEP in Lanzarote, Spain, 1998. Its resolutions included:
o
Recommendations at the national level emphasizing integrated tourism
development approach; sustainable development policy and planning that is
based on sound knowledge, considers the conservation of natural and
cultural resources and carrying capacity of islands; tourism development
that primarily benefits local communities; management of tourism facilities
and operations that apply environmentally sound technologies; the
monitoring of impacts by the application of indicators of sustainable tourism
o
Recommendations at the regional level emphasizing the harmonization
of environmental regulations and standards in the same regions, the
application of voluntary industry codes and certification systems, exchange
of experiences and dissemination of good practices, awareness raising and
capacity building, as well, the joint funding and facilitating of sustainable
tourism development projects and activities
o
Recommendations at the international level, in particular for WTO and
UNEP, to encourage SIDS and other islands for participating actively in
international and regional conventions, to assist them with the development
and implementation of programmes in the above mentioned activities, to
consider jointly convening regular meetings at the regional and/or
international levels.
Based on the resolutions of the Lanzarote Conference, the following regional
follow up meetings were held in collaboration with UNEP:
o
Seminar on the Sustainable Tourism and Competitiveness in the Islands
of the Mediterranean (Capri, Italy, 2000). The Seminar concluded, among
other key issues, that opting for sustainable approach to tourism in
Mediterranean islands entails institutional leadership, coordination with
private sector, social involvement and skilled technical backing; to enhance
competitiveness among islands in the region it is essential to focus the
tourism strategy on assets, peculiarities and capacities of each island and
integrating a diversified supply of tourism attractions and services.
o
Conference on the Sustainable Tourism in the Islands of the Asia-Pacific
Region (Hainan, China, 2000). The Conference emphasized the need for
integrating planning for tourism with national development and resource
management plans, the role of the various stakeholders and the need for
cooperation amongst them, tourism planning and management in sensitive
natural and cultural sites, the responsible use of natural resources in tourism
and the importance of professional training, capacity building and research
programmes.
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48

b. Technical Co-operation projects carried out in SIDS and other islands


According to the agreement signed with the United Nations Development
Programme, WTO has been the executing agency for many tourism master plan
projects financed by the UNDP in over 30 countries during the past decades. In
these projects, the sustainability principles have been considered as important
elements even before the Rio Summit, but have become central in these plans since
then. WTO is currently involved in the preparation of national and provincial
tourism planning projects in various countries with UNDP or other funding.
Technical Support and Advisory Missions were carried out, WTO Seminars and
Technical Meetings were held at the following SIDS and other islands since 1992:
Asia and Pacific Regions:

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China: Tourism Development Master Plan for Hainan Province (an ongoing
project)
Cook Islands: Marketing of Tourism, Training for the Tourism Sector
Indonesia: Development of Village Tourism in Bali, Development of
Community Tourism, Second International Forum for Parliamentarians and
Local Authorities, Tenth Meeting of the WTO Environmental Committee
Maldives: Hotel and Catering Training, Resort Management and Tourism
Training, Study on the Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts of
Tourism, Asia-Pacific Ministers Conference on Tourism and Environment,
High Level Technical Seminar on Sustainable Development of Tourism
Niue: Tourism and Private Sector Development Programme
Philippines: Integrated Cluster Development Plans for Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao; Conservation and Restoration of Historic Sites; Tourism Master
Plan; Seminar on Educating the Educators
Sri Lanka: Tourism Master Plan and Convention Business Development,
Project Formulation on Tourism Infrastructure Development, South-West
Coast Tourism and Community Infrastructure Study, Seminar on Privatisation
in Tourism
Vanuatu: Tourism Development Master Plan and Institutional Strengthening of
Government Tourism Agencies

Region of the Americas:

Anguilla, Barbados, Montserrat, Saint Lucia: Sustainable Tourism


Development in the West Indies
Anguilla: Consultancy on Tourism and Economic Development
Aruba: Tourism Training
Bahamas: Hotel Classification
Cuba: Review of Document on Tourism Development, Seminar on Sustainable
development of Tourism, Seminar on the Sustainable Development of Naturebased Tourism in Latin America
Dominican Republic: Economic Impact Study, Tourism Planning for the
Bocachica and Saman Areas, Course for Local Planners, Tourism
Communication Workshop, Course on Food Safety
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49

Haiti: Course on Food safety


Jamaica: Product Development, Seminar on Satellite Account for Tourism
Netherlands Antilles: Identification of Necessities in Technical Assistance in
the Field of Tourism, Tourism Training
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Design and Execution of a Tourism
Marketing Programme
Trinidad and Tobago: Establishment of a Commission on National Parks and
Tourist Sites

Africa:

Comoros: Strengthening of the Institutional Capacity of the National Tourism


Administration
Madagascar: Territorial Zoning of Tourism Areas
Seychelles: Revision of the Project Document on Tourism and Hospitality
Training, Tourism Master Plan
St. Helena: Preparation of Assistance on Tourism Development

Europe:
Cyprus: Tourism Infrastructure Development

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c. Indicators of sustainable tourism


Based on the WTO publication A practical guide for the development and
application of indicators of sustainable tourism, prepared in 1996, the following
regional workshops have been organized in small islands:
- in the island of Cozumel, Mexico (1999) with the participation of 7 countries
from Central America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean
- in Sri Lanka (2000) (originally planned for the Asia-Pacific region, but finally
reduced to national level)
- in the islands of Ugljan and Pasman, Croatia (2001) with the participation of 6
Mediterranean countries. This workshop was organized as a technical followup meeting of the Seminar on Sustainable Tourism and Competitiveness in the
Islands of the Mediterranean (Capri, Italy, 2000)
d. Ecotourism
In the framework of the International Year of Ecotourism, 2002, designated by the
UN, WTO is organizing a series of regional preparatory conferences. A conference
specially designated to the Sustainable Development and Management of
Ecotourism in SIDS and other Islands is scheduled in Seychelles (December, 2001).
Two regional ecotourism conferences are planned in the Asia-Pacific region that
will be held in SIDS: one in the Maldives and another one in Fiji.
e. WTO publications related to sustainable tourism development in coastal
and island destinations
The WTO study An integrated approach to resort development, published in
1992 gives guidance for tourism planning at establishment level. It reviews six
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50

complex resorts representing various regions of the world and different types of
development.
The publication Awards for improving the coastal environment: The example of
Blue Flag was produced jointly with the United Nations Environmental
Programme and the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe in 1997 to
disseminate the Blue Flag Programme in non-European countries.

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The publication Handbook on Natural Disaster Reduction in Tourist Areas,


jointly produced with the World Meteorological Organization in 1998, provides
guidelines on how to combat natural disasters in tourist areas and mitigate their
impacts. The book has a special relevance to SIDS, because island tourism
destinations, mainly at tropical regions, are highly prone and vulnerable to natural
disasters (like hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, etc.).

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Address by Mr. Francesco Frangialli


Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization
to the Third UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries
(Brussels, 17 May 2001)

Mr. Chairman,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am grateful for the opportunity to address this 3rd UN LDC Conference on


behalf of the 136 Members of the World Tourism Organization and, in particular, on
behalf of the LDCs themselves most of them being Members of our Organization. I
should like to use this opportunity to emphasize the essential contribution tourism can
make towards economic and social development and the alleviation of poverty, which
justifies the fact that for the first time it has been put on the agenda of such an
exceptional Conference.

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The reduction of poverty has become one of the most compelling challenges of
our time. Poverty is more than a lack of income it is a multidimensional and complex
phenomenon with an intricate relationship to issues such as disease, illiteracy, infant
mortality, environmental degradation and many other aspects.
The UN, the Bretton Woods institutions and the OECD have developed sensible
targets for the reduction of poverty. They have requested specialized agencies within
the UN family to coordinate their efforts in achieving these objectives. However, it
appears that we are already falling behind schedule and that the targets will not be met.
This Conference provides a valuable opportunity to enlarge our common action and to
emphasize the significant contribution that tourism can make towards poverty reduction.
***

Tourism has, up to now, not been seriously considered in most of the poverty
reduction strategies of international aid and development agencies. That is regardless of
the fact that tourism has grown into the biggest and most ramified economic activity of
our time.
The dramatic growth of tourism over the last 50 years is one of the most
remarkable economic and social phenomena of that period. International tourist arrivals
grew, in real terms, from a mere 25 million in 1950 to 698 million in 2000. That
represents an average annual growth rate of 7% over a period of 50 years.
The receipts generated by these arrivals excluding air fares and not taking into
account income from domestic tourism - have increased at 12 per cent a year over the
same period, well above the average annual economic growth rate. They have reached
476 billions in 2000. They represent today the number one item in world trade.
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Reasonable and conservative forecasts by the World Tourism Organization


indicate that this trend will continue and that tourism will grow steadily for the
foreseeable future. International arrivals are expected to increase to more than 1 billion
in 2010 and attain over 1.5 billion by 2020. The question is whether the power of this
industry can be effectively harnessed in the fight against poverty. Available evidence
provides a positive answer.

***

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Annual growth of tourist arrivals in LDCs over the last 10 years has been higher
than the world average. Demonstrating the existence of a competitive advantage in their
favour , the growth of international tourism receipts in LDCs was significant during the
1990s. LDCs receipts more than doubled between 1992 and 1998. Tourism has
became the primary source of foreign exchange earnings in 49 LDCs, apart from the
petroleum industry which is concentrated in only three of them (Angola, Yemen and
Equatorial Guinea). The combined tourism exports in 1998 actually accounted for more
than 16 per cent of their nonoil exports, thereby exceeding the receipts of their second
and third non-oil export sectors (cotton and textile products) by 39 and 82 per cent
respectively. For many of these countries, tourism has become the major - or one of the
major - contributors to their GDP.
These selected but critical statistics clearly indicate the important position
tourism has already achieved in the very poor countries. Our strong conviction is that,
against the background of a fast-growing international tourism industry, the potential
for tourism in LDCs far exceeds present performance. For many of them, tourism
development represents one of the few options they have in their hands to diversify their
economy and to replace a declining traditional agriculture.
Would not the situation of countries like Bhutan, Myanmar, Senegal, Tanzania,
Sao Tom and Principe, Maldives and many others be even worse without tourism?
Where is the economic future of Cambodia, Nepal, Cape Verde, Vanuatu, Comoros,
Haiti, Yemen and many others if not in tourism development?
Cross-country evidence demonstrates that tourism in LDCs is a labour intensive
activity offering small scale opportunities. It therefore has the capacity to create jobs
jobs for the poor, jobs for women and young people, jobs in the indigenous
communities, unskilled as well as highly qualified jobs, jobs in seaside resorts as well as
in remote rural areas and in ecotourism activities.
The same cross-country evidence illustrates the major contribution that foreign
currency receipts, generated by tourism, can bring to the balance of payments of most of
these countries, reducing their external debt and avoiding dependency on a single export
sector, usually raw materials. Tourism receipts prove to be much more important to
LDCs than the leakages they can generate.
For these two reasons combined, tourism can play an important part in
improving living standards and raising people above the poverty threshold.

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***

However, their further tourism development is severely handicapped by a


number of factors, in particular, the lack of or deficiencies in necessary physical
infrastructure, communication systems, mastering of new information technologies and
development of human resources.
At a high level meeting on tourism and poverty alleviation in LDCs, organized
by UNCTAD and the World Tourism Organization in March 2001 in the Canary Islands
(Spain), four critical areas for development of tourism in these countries were
identified:
-

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strengthening the capacities of LDC governments and especially of their national


tourism administrations, to enhance sustainable and competitive tourism;
developing entrepreneurial capacities and managerial skills, especially in small and
medium-sized enterprises, in order to improve the competitiveness of tourism
products and services;
promoting synergies between transport and
tourism policies, with particular
reference to air transport; and
increasing national capacities to use relevant elements of the multilateral trade
framework.

I would like to urge the Conference participants, international institutions and


aid agencies, to give favourable consideration to national and regional projects that are
aimed at strengthening the capacities of LDCs in these four areas.
WTO itself will set a good example by including poverty alleviation as a new
priority in its budget for 2002-2003. A special programme will be implemented for subSaharan African destinations which receive only 1.5% of world tourism receipts.
However, this new WTO programme will be far from sufficient: our own resources are
limited, we can provide technical assistance but we are not a financial institution.

***
In appealing to the international community to consider the value of tourism in
the international fight to alleviate poverty, I should like strongly to emphasize that great
care should be taken to ensure that the right kind of tourism is promoted sustainable
tourism.
We have to recognize the fact that unguided tourism development can have a
profound and negative impact on the environment as well as a devastating effect on the
social and cultural patterns of developing countries. Without an appropriate regulatory
framework, efficient planning, sound management and clear sustainable development
guidelines, tourism can do harm to the natural and social environment, endanger natural
biodiversity and cultural heritage, lead to the exploitation of people particularly
women and children - offend traditional cultural values and customs and alienate local

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communities.
These and other negative aspects of tourism are comprehensively
addressed in WTOs Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, adopted in 1999.
However there is overwhelming evidence of the overall positive impact of
tourism. I have already mentioned some of its most valuable benefits. The contribution
of tourism to social and economic development in LDCs is of more critical importance
than in developed countries. The narrow resource base of many poor countries makes
tourism one of the few potential avenues for their growth and development.
Ladies and gentlemen,

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I wanted to share with you this conviction and I thank all of you for your
attention.

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Statement by Mr. Francesco Frangialli,


Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization,
at the Launch Ceremony of the International Year of Ecotourism 2002
(New York, 28 January 2002)

Madam Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations,


Mr. Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

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In November, the Secretary-General of the United Nations informed me that in


view of the importance he attaches to this International Year of Ecotourism, he wished
to open it in person. We understand that circumstances prevent him from being with us
today. Mr. Kofi Annans absence has nonetheless enabled us to benefit from the
presence of Mrs. Louise Frchette, which is indeed a happy coincidence insofar as this
international year will culminate in her home country, Canada, with the Summit that is
scheduled to take place in Quebec in May.
The World Tourism Organization has spared no effort to make this International
Year a success. Alone, with UNEP, or with other partners, it has organized preparatory
meetings and conferences in Mozambique, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Austria, Greece, the
Seychelles, Germany and Algeria, in the course of which two hundred case studies were
presented to over 1,800 participants. Other meetings are scheduled, notably in Spain,
the Maldives, Russia, the United States and Fiji. A series of technical publications and
market studies have been prepared and are at your disposal.
*

Ladies and Gentlemen,


On 11 September, the city of New York and its inhabitants were targeted by one
of the most heinous terrorist attacks of modern times. Besides the thousands of
employees of the World Trade Centre and the rescuers who bravely came to their aid,
another victim was immediately singled out by markets and experts: the airline and
tourism industry, which was directly hit by the biggest civil aviation catastrophe in
history.
This analysis was right, at least to some extent.
Tomorrow in Madrid, on the occasion of FITUR, Spains major tourism fair, I
will announce the preliminary results for world tourism in 2001. The growth rate for
arrivals has plummeted, from 7.4 % in 2000 to virtually nil last year, as a consequence
not only of the global economic slowdown that had already taken hold before 11
September but above all of these events and their huge media impact.
But for tourism, a sudden crisis does not necessarily translate into a long-term
recession. Some scheduled trips have simply been postponed or the destination
switched. Experience shows that tourism has always managed to bounce back from past
crises with remarkable speed and recover its previously strong growth levels. After a
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56

marked downturn, there are numerous indicators that activity will definitely pick up in
2002.
It is on the basis of these facts and figures and with the benefit of hindsight that
we are able to express our confidence in the future of the industry and maintain our
long-term growth forecasts. We still expect over one billion international tourist arrivals
in 2010 and over 1.5 billion in 2020.
It was here in this very city, in November, that I told the United General
Assembly that we should not allow our deep concerns for the enterprises whose
structures have been weakened and for the workers whose jobs are at risk to lead us to
bark up the wrong tree. Tourism will bounce back, and fast, if this is not already the
case. The tripling of flows in the space of a generation, predicted by WTO, and the
growing pressure to which the environment, tourism sites and host populations will
inevitably be subject as a result, should encourage us, today as in the past, to think and
act with a view to the sustainable development of this activity.

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Obviously, the concept of sustainable development applied to tourism cannot be


reduced to ecotourism, which is just one of its components. But ecotourism, which is
what we are highlighting today, is far from being a fringe activity. It should not be
regarded as a passing fad or a gimmick, or even as a secondary market niche, but rather
as one of the trump cards of this industry of the future, i.e. tourism. And for a simple
reason: it is crucial to the problem of developing a balanced, sustainable and responsible
tourism sector.
*

Ladies and Gentlemen,


The Roman divinity Janus had two faces, and depending on whether the door of
his temple was open or closed, Rome was either at war or at peace.
Like Janus, international tourism has a twofold image and its two faces are
completely different.
There is the face that becomes inscrutable on regarding with consternation the
anarchic development of certain sites and the unrestrained development of certain
destinations. The inevitable growth of tourist flows, to which I have just referred, can
only accentuate these distorted features further: growing pressure, for the most part
intolerable, on fragile areas, coastlines and coral reefs, wetlands, tropical forests, deserts
and mountains; mounting demands, competing with those of local populations, on water
and energy resources; overcrowding at the most popular nature sites and monuments;
inadequate transport infrastructure; outmoded public facilities; local cultures and
traditions under threat
But let us not lapse into otherworldliness. Nature tourism and ecotourism, even
if practised in a measured and reasonable fashion that respects the carrying capacity of
sites, will not eliminate these pitfalls completely. These activities cannot fail to make an
impact on the areas visited because no human activity is without impact. But and this
is their remarkable advantage they make it possible to satisfy mans insatiable appetite
for discovery and travel without overstepping the limits of what is intolerable and
WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Johannesburg, 2002

57

beyond remedy. A smokeless activity, ecotourism equals other competing activities in


producing value added in local economies but causes far less pollution.
Ecotourism is a form of leisure and travel that represents the happy face of
tourism. It brings out the best qualities of tourism, such as its capacity to create wealth
in the poorest regions, where it is one of the rare activities capable of replacing
traditional farming and agriculture, which are fast disappearing. It offers new openings
for these activities and for fishing, handicrafts and the local building industry. It
contributes to lightening the burden of the most heavily indebted developing countries
and to financing their imports. And above all, it creates jobs lots of jobs jobs at the
level where they are most needed, unskilled as well as highly skilled jobs, jobs in
remote rural areas that are ideal for hiking and discovery tourism, thus preventing the
tragedy of marginalization and the forced emigration of young people arriving on the
job market.
*

Ladies and Gentlemen,


Tourism has become without our always immediately realizing it one of the
biggest economic activities of this day and age, perhaps the biggest. With 476 billion
dollars in 2000, tourism is doubtless the primary source of international trade receipts.

Delivered by http://www.e-unwto.org
Georgios Drakopoulos (307-99-294)
Friday, March 04, 2011 5:07:48 AM

Some people are worried by this, and rightly so. Others, perhaps some of you
here today, would like to offer resistance, but this doesnt make sense. Is there any point
in trying to stem the tide or swim against the stream?
By proclaiming 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism, the United
Nations is sending out a message to the international community. The same message as
the one it conveyed last year on considering tourism as an instrument for poverty
alleviation on the occasion of the Brussels Conference on Less Developed Countries,
and on endorsing the Global Code of Ethics presented by our Organization. The same
message that I hope it will convey again this year by placing tourism on the agenda of
the Johannesburg Summit and by responding favourably to the motion we have
submitted with a view to transforming the World Tourism Organization into a
specialized UN agency in its own right.
This message of determination and hope mirrors a desire to make tourism
consistent with the strategy of sustainable development. It mirrors the face of an activity
that is an expression of freedom, an activity that has been galvanized by the inrush of
new technologies and fuelled by the elimination of barriers to trade and the free
movement of people, but an activity whose environmental, cultural and social impacts
are kept under control. This message can be summed up in the conviction, expressed in
the Global Code of Ethics, that it is possible I quote: to reconcile in this sector
economy and ecology, environment and development, openness to international trade
and protection of social and cultural identities.
Thank you.

WTO Contributions to the World Summit on Sustainable Development


Johannesburg, 2002

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