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Responsible Tourism News is a newsletter of record carrying the 10 most important Responsible Tourism stories of the month. Please forward to those you think may be interested – you can subscribe here. If you wish to contribute a story email harold@haroldgoodwin.info or post it on our RTNews Facebook page.
Responsible Tourism News December 2015
1. Tourism and Climate Change
As this issue of Responsible Tourism News comes out the climate change conference in Paris continues and there may be some ground for optimism - so much will depend on what is done afterwards by governments, producers and consumers. However, aviation and marine are still effectively outside the system. The New York Times has carried an article about the Marshall Islands disappearing. At WTM in London last month Professor Kevin Anderson detailed the scale of the challenge we face and private sector, government and inter-governmental organisations were quizzed by Stephen Sackur. more
In the Carbon Debate there was more time to look at what the industry is doing, why they are not doing more and what might be done to encourage the industry to make more rapid progress. video On Wednesday there was an industry panel discussing carbon efficiency video and we published some case studies on carbon efficiency Read more and more
2. Presentations on Responsible Tourism 8/9 December in Delhi and Washington
Harold Goodwin is giving the opening address at the Outlook India Responsible Tourism Summit in Delhi. Facebook Cillian Murphy, of the ICRT Ireland and chair of Loop Head Tourism Ireland is speaking at the World Bank Group Tourism Forum 2015 in Washington link.
3. 2016 Africa Responsible Tourism Awards launched
Nominations have just opened for the African Responsible Tourism Awards to be presented at WTM Africa in April. Part of the growing family of World Responsible Tourism Awards the Africa Awards showcase some of Africa’s most responsible businesses - the judges can only choose from amongst those nominated. Nominate here.
4. Responsible Tourism in Destinations Conference in Finland June 2016
RTD12, the 2016 International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations will take place in Jyväskylä, during “white nights” in June with the theme “Four Seasons and Responsibility”. This year the conference will have academic and industry streams and there is an international summer school which is linked to the conference. There is a call for papers and a special journal edition. Confirmed speakers include Harold Goodwin, Terhi Hook and John Swarbrooke. Details
5. WTM London 2015 - resources on-line
New this year was the Responsible Tourism speed networking, the demand for which overwhelmed us, the Responsible Tourism stand which was popular and the change makers’ session on Tuesday proved to be thought provoking - we need to talk more about how to make change. Martin Brackenbury moderated a fascinating discussion about how cities can manage crowds of tourists focussed on Barcelona and Venice. Close to 2000 people attended the Responsible Tourism programme of events at WTM in London in November. The main theme was carbon but there were panels on wildlife and national parks, child protection, government, increasing local economic benefits, snowsports, food and cruising. All the sessions are available on-line here.
6. The International Centres for Responsible Tourism have a new website
The ICRT has a network of sister organisations around the world all committed to furthering the aspirations of the Cape Town Declaration. There are groups in ASEAN, Australia, Barcelona & Catalunya, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Kerala, Ireland Southern and West Africa - and new groups forming in Russia and Turkey - contact us if you would like to start a group.
7. TUI Group’s new Better Holidays, Better World Strategy
Following the merger Jane Ashton and her team have been shaping the new group’s sustainability strategy. “By 2020, TUI has pledged to cut the carbon intensity of its airline, cruise and ground operations by a further 10%, deliver 10 million ‘greener and fairer’ holidays per year and invest €10 million per year to enhance the positive impacts of tourism…. A step change in approach, with commitments to influence, innovate and invest in more sustainable tourism. The three pillars of the new strategy cover TUI’s operations, the value chain, customers, and the wider industry and beyond.” More Download the sustainability strategy here and there is a video.
8. Global Spirit 'Animals in Tourism' training events
With increasing focus and campaign activity around the use of animals in tourism, these events provide a broad-based understanding of the issues, the relevance to tourism businesses and how implementation of the ABTA Global Guidance for Animals in Tourism can help you drive forward positive change across the supply chain. There will be an introduction to Animal Welfare from the Born Free Foundation, together with practical advice on how to implement the ABTA Guidance from Global Spirit and some presentations from tour operator and species experts and an initiative in Thailand bringing new opportunities to elephants, mahouts and tour operators.
9. The Olympics won’t be in Hamburg
The citizens of Hamburg voted against the city's bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games. more Hamburg has withdrawn its bid. more “… Hamburg and Boston’s withdrawals from the race show more and more cities are unwilling to commit billions of dollars toward Olympic venues and infrastructure that often fall out of use shortly after the games end — especially amid more pressing concerns such as Europe’s ongoing refugee crisis.” more
10. SeaWorld to end killer whale shows
Joel Manby, SeaWorld’s chief executive has said that he has listened to guests’ criticism of its Shamu stadium whale circus and it would end the “theatrical killer whale experience” in San Diego by the end of 2016 and replace it with “an all new orca experience focused on the natural environment [of the whales]” - one to watch. more
