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Tourism and Travel

About this sector

Based on its contribution to global gross domestic product, the number of people it employs, and the number of clients it serves, tourism has been described as the world’s largest industry. In 2008 these figures were 9.5% of global GDP, over 200 million jobs – one in 13 of all jobs worldwide – 924 million international travellers in 2008, and perhaps 10 times the number of domestic travellers.
The industry forms one of the top five export earners in 150 countries, and is particularly important for developing countries. For the world’s 40 poorest countries, tourism is second to oil as a source of foreign exchange.

Impacts

Tourism facilities and infrastructure can threaten natural and important habitats.
Excessive use of natural resources, such as fresh water, energy and food can threaten supplies and lead to pollution through waste.
Tourist behaviour can threaten species and ecosystems (introduction of invasive alien species, harvesting of wild species for souvenirs).

Opportunities/Risks

The rise in demand for nature-based and eco-tourism creates business opportunities that can be tied with wildlife conservation.
Consumer awareness of ethical and environmental issues creates markets for responsible tourism.
Environmental impacts can limit access to capital insurance and incur legal risks.
Brand and reputation are strongly influenced by a company’s environmental performance.

Case Studies

TAKEKAMI(Bamboo paper), beneficially utilization of Domestic Bamboo

In 1998, CHUETSU PULP & PAPER, CO., LTD. attempted to make paper from domestically produced bamboo, something held to be impossible. This has developed into a project that uses local, managed bamboo forests. This is good not only for the bamboo groves, but for the surrounding local satoyama woodlands, which contribute to biodiversity.

Supporting Pesticide-free Cotton Farms that Contribute to Greener Agriculture and a Better Environment

Tsubame Towel Corporation is encouraging the spread of environmentally friendly organic cotton and also supporting the work of organic farmers in India.

Shigetomi Tidal Flats Festivity Project

We have implemented activities to protect as well as observe nature with a local non-profit organization (NPO) at the sprawling wetlands of Shigetomi, which belong to a beachside swim area of the same name nestled within Kagoshima Bay, popularly known as Kinko Bay.

Forest of Toyota Project

The Forest of Toyota is a company-owned forest on the outskirts of Toyota-city. Of the 76-hectare plot, some 15 hectares are forest that has been maintained as a model of so-called satoyama woodlands since October 1997. A nature guide is stationed on site to support nature study activities and monitor the results of forest maintenance activities.

Yogyakarta Special Province Wildlife Reserve Restoration and Recovery

This project is designed to restore a natural reserve that has been ravaged by illegal logging and, over the long term to contribute to the local economy through the planting of trees. This has resulted in the planting of some 300,000 trees across nearly 350 hectares of highland area.

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Tools and Mechanisms

Global Forest & Trade Network

http://gftn.panda.org/

GFTN is a WWF-led partnership endeavoring to create a new market for environmentally responsible forest products, thereby diminishing the incentive to harvest from illegal or controversial wood sources. This is achieved by linking more than 300 companies, communities, NGOs, and entrepreneurs in more than 30 countries around the world.

International Seafood Sustainability Foundation

http://iss-foundation.org/

A global partnership between science, the tuna industry, and WWF working toward the science-based conservation and management of tuna stocks, reducing bycatch, and the protection of ocean health.

Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA)

http://lcafrica.org/index.php

The purpose of the LCA is primarily to establish a link between business and conservation, by influencing both national and international business leaders to support investment in the development of Africa conservation-related resources.

ACS Green Chemistry Institute

http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfp...

The mission of the ACS Green Chemistry Institute® (ACS GCI) is to enable and catalyze the implementation of green chemistry and engineering principles into all aspects of the global chemical enterprise.

Pro biodiversity business

http://smeforbiodiversity-steppes.com

This project to define the structure and procedures through which Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can be engaged in delivering economically viable biodiversity conservation activities in the Eurasian Steppes. Furthermore it seeks to identify financial structures and instruments that will provide the market mechanism necessary for long-term sustainability of the selected SMEs in the steppe ecosystem.