Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries—in fact, according to the World Trade Organization, it ranks right behind the oil and technology industries in terms of total economic impact.
The sea lions at Pier 39 are a perfect example of a mutually beneficial balance between nature and tourism. The sea lions get a safe place to call “home,” and bring tourist dollars to area businesses. Photo courtesy of the SF Convention & Visitors Bureau
Published: September, 2009
That’s why the United Nations World Tourism Organization and more than 40 partner organizations have come up with a 37-point checklist to help communities and tourism-related businesses reap the benefits of tourism while minimizing its potential for harm. San Francisco was the first city in the country to officially adopt the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, with Baltimore and Miami immediately following suit. And, at this summer’s U.S. Conference of Mayors in Providence, Rhode Island, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom introduced a resolution encouraging all of his fellow mayors to follow suit.
“As a city at the forefront of the environmental movement, we understand the need for tourism that brings economic benefits to communities without damaging the environment or harming local culture,” Newsom said in a written statement. “The resolution was received very well,” reports Kate Dodson, Deputy Director of Sustainable Development with the United Nations Foundation. “172 other mayors have pledged to adopt the criteria for use in their cities.”
Beyond green
Dodson is quick to point out that “sustainable tourism” is very different from “green tourism.” While the latter focuses solely on minimizing the carbon footprint of both travelers and the businesses that serve them, “sustainable tourism” takes into consideration all of the factors that contribute to a community’s overall wellbeing. That means addressing the cultural and socio-economic impacts of tourism as well.
Dodson offers up Mexico’s Riviera Maya as an example. Travelers can expect to pay several hundred dollars per night for a hotel room in Cancun and neighboring resort cities. Some local residents earn that much in an entire year. The creators of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria would like to see more of those tourist dollars going into the local community.
In some parts of the world, a tug-of-war has erupted over land whose ecological value and cultural significance—according to conservationists—warrant preservation, while local governments and developers see the same land as an opportunity to make money.
In San Francisco, one of the greenest cities in the country, officials are wrestling with how to grow tourism while respecting the City’s cultural heritage and preserving the unique cultural identities of its neighborhoods. More than once, that’s meant saying “no” to chain stores, which neighborhoods groups and merchants associations insist would put small, independently owned establishments out of business and radically change the look and feel of these much-visited areas.
Dodson believes this dialogue between the city, big business, small business and local residents is very important. “We need to empower entire communities,” she explains. “That means bringing everyone, not just the private sector, into the decision-making process about how tourism is managed.”
Covering the bases
The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) were announced in November of 2008, and took 15 months to develop. During that time, more than 100,000 people from around the world, including representatives for hotel groups, tour operators, consumer groups and conservation organizations, as well as members of the scientific community, were consulted.
“The networking effort was really vast,” Dodson explains. “But we wanted to make sure that what we ended up proposing makes sense to all of the stakeholders that are influenced and impacted.”
The checklists of more than sixty existing sustainable tourism certification programs from around the world were looked at, and common goals were integrated in the final 37 criteria, which are organized into four categories:
• Demonstrate effective sustainable management
• Maximize social and economic benefits to the local community,
and minimize negative impacts
• Maximize benefits to cultural heritage and minimize negative impacts.
• Maximize benefits to the environment and minimize negative impacts
Ahead of the curve
San Francisco already has policies in place that help area businesses meet some of the criteria, including allowances in the City’s bidding process for contractors that hire locally and work with sustainable materials, and aggressive goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the consumption of energy and water.
On the green front, the San Francisco Green Business Program promotes green business practices by certifying businesses that meet specific environmental standards. These businesses are recognized as “green businesses” on the San Francisco Green Business Program website, as well as the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau website, and will be listed as participating in the City’s sustainable tourism program.
That program is being developed now and will include an outreach effort to get more businesses to adopt the GSTC. “We already have a number of businesses in San Francisco that pride themselves on being on the cutting edge of environmental and sustainable initiatives, so we expect significant participation,” says David Assmann, Deputy Director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment.
Dodson also says that more and more travelers are seeking out sustainable businesses. In a recent survey conducted by National Geographic Traveler and the Travel Industry Association of America, 71 percent of those polled said it is important to them that their visit not harm the destination’s environment.
“And Travelocity and Expedia customers also said that sustainable tourism is important to them, and that they were willing to pay a premium for it,” adds Dodson.
In the meantime, there is plenty that individuals can do themselves to be sustainable travelers. “Reduce, reuse, recycle, hire local tour guides, buy local products and services,” she says. “Eat at local restaurants, shop at local markets. Tourism should benefit as many people in the host community as possible, so get off the beaten path and really experience what that community has to offer.”
BE A SUSTAINABLE
TRAVELER
LODGING CHOICES: Look for hotels with a written statement covering their environmental impact, employment and cultural policies.
EXPLORE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS: Remember that traveling affects the environment. Wherever possible, try to minimize your impact on the environment by looking to use alternative transportation and, if possible, offset your carbon emissions.
ENGAGE IN LOCAL CULTURE: Eat local foods, shop in local markets.
BUY LOCAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES: Support locally owned businesses, community tour operators, and artisans. Avoid buying products made from threatened natural resources.
REFRAIN FROM AGGRESSIVE BARGAINING: Remember that the purchases you make directly affect vendors’ livelihoods.
HIRE LOCAL TOUR GUIDES
RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT: Follow designated trails, do not remove archaeological or biological treasures.
REDUCE, REUSE, AND
RECYCLE: Even though you are just visiting and not paying the utility bill, disposing of your garbage properly and minimizing your consumption of water and energy will benefit everyone.
Courtesy of Friends of World Heritage
Preserving The City’s natural resources, including Lincoln Park (pictured here immersed in San Francisco’s trademark fog), Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach, is high on San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s “to do” list,” and one of the reasons that San Francisco was the first city in the country to pledge its support of the Partnership. Miami and Baltimore immediately followed suit. Photo courtesy of the SF Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria Partnership has come up with a list of 37 goals for tourism-related businesses. Those goals include minimizing a business’ environmental impact and helping to preserve the cultural heritage of both its host city and host neighborhood, such as Chinatown (pictured). Photo courtesy of the SF Convention & Visitors Bureau
