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Sectors

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

Animal-Pathway Project in Hokuto-city

This is a research and development project to demonstrate the efficacy of animal pathways
constructed to allow animals to pass across man-made structures, such as roads and railways, that
bisect forests and to help preserve the genetic robustness of small arboreal animals, such as the
Japanese dormouse (a species that is listed as near threatened and registered as a natural monument),
Japanese squirrels and small Japanese field mice, by increasing their access to habitat and removing
obstacles to food and opportunities for reproduction.

Hokkaido Fuyumizu-tambo (Winter-flooded Rice Paddies) Project

This project has established a wet-paddy winter approach for Hokkaido and is a multifaceted endeavor with myriad benefits, among them establishing and spreading farming rice paddies without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. This has contributed to the conservation of biodiversity and the production of rice that is both safe and has added value. In addition, it has also helped environmental education and the development of local communities.

"Sea forest creation" project through recovering algae beds by means of Ferrous Supply Units

This project harnesses the byproducts of two production processes, using steel slag generated in steel production and waste woodchips from forestry, to restore coastal ecosystems affected by denuding, known as “isoyake ”

Forest improvement project to conserve the source of a river in Mitake

In Gifu Prefecture a pact has been concluded involving the company Gifu Zohen to realize a government-citizen forest-creation project. The activities will cover a 14.66-ha of satoyama woodland, which is integral to local communities.

The Road to Kamaka: struggles of poverty and desertification

Case prepared by Joseph EL-KHOURY & Professor Luciano BARIN-CRUZ. The team participated in several cultural workshops that introduced them to aspects of Malian culture, such as gender dynamics, values, customs, and important health precautions. Halfway through their retreat, the team was given specific tasks that they would be responsible for executing in Kamaka.

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Tools and Mechanisms

Center for Small Business and the Environment

http://www.aboutcsbe.org/about.html

CSBE operates as a grassroots voluntary network of small business people who share the belief that entrepreneurial creativity and drive can protect the environment while creating jobs and economic growth. CSBE has identified and promoted profitable and successful small business models for environmental action.

Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE)

http://www.ace-cae.eu/public/contents/index/catego...

ACE fosters the use of sustainable principles in architectural design and planning, encouraging the adoption of holistic approaches to the complex issues and interactions that characterise the built environment, thereby ensuring a valuable and balanced legacy for the future. Specific policies related to sustainable construction include the promotion of sustainable design for resource conservation, energy efficiency, and ecologically and socially sensitive land-use.

The Forests Dialogue

http://environment.yale.edu/tfd/

The Forests Dialogue is an ad hoc initiative that seeks to support and reinforce existing efforts related to forest management by addressing significant obstacles through a constructive dialogue process between all key stakeholders. Key topics include climate change and biodiversity conservation.

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.