Impacts and solutions for environmental issues caused by tourismJozsef Szilagyi

What are the impacts? Trail erosion Air, noise and water pollution Littering Decreased diversity in flora and fauna Aesthetic degradation Deforestation

Solutions so far Costa Rica Long-term deforestation:

Encouraging land owners by the government (cash payments through international donations and nationwide taxes) Land owners’ job: tree plantation, safeguarding biodiversity, scenic beauty and water

management

Beach management: The Blue Flag Ecological Program

Organizing of coastal communities for administration and surveillance of the sanitary quality of Costa Rica’s beaches

Qualified beaches are awarded depending on: Quality of beach waters

Bacteriological condition of water meant for human consumption Solid and liquid waste management Environmental education and involvement of the community

Beaches are monitored on monthly basis

Because of the country’s low annual downfall, there might not be enough fresh water Financing new water systems

In January 2008, Manuel Antonio inaugurated a new aqueduct, this satisfies needs of the 3300 Manuel Antonio residents and up to 6500 hotel guests, as well as much of the surrounding Aguirre County

Kenya Interventions and initiatives:

Tourism provides vital funding for national parks and other conservation areas Tourism in the Parc Des Volcans of Rwanda generates USD 1 million annually, which is used to

support the management of all protected areas in the country. Kenya’s Amboseli National Park each lion or elephant herdi s worth USD 27,000 or USD 610,000

per year, respectively, in tourism revenue. This motivates wildlife protection and conservation In countries like Madagascar, 50% of park entrance fee is allocated to sustainable development

projects for the local people Tourism contributes to environmental conservation through improved environmental

management and planning through control of tourism activities and use of environment-friendly technology

Policy interventions Policy involving local communities in the management of wildlife and ensuring that they

received some of the wildlife benefits. Use of regulation and other policy instruments to ameliorate such negative impacts of tourism

as social and cultural pollution and damage to the environment Increase in park entry fees to ensure adequate resources for environmental conservation Promotion of ecotourism as a tool for achieving rational utilization of environmental and cultural

resources Introduction of environmental impact assessment studies and ‘green certification’ as

prerequisites for the approval of proposed tourism projects Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999), which empowers individual Kenyans

to sue those who degrade or pollute the environment

Industry Initiatives Ecotourism Society of Kenya (ESOK, operating since 1996): brings together

commercial, conservation and local community stakeholders to promote sustainable tourism development: Publishing ecotourism regulations and codes of conduct Increasing environmental awareness Providing professional, advisory and consultancy services in all aspects of ecotourism

development. Other industry initiatives: The Kenya Tourism Board is marketing uncrowded tourist attractions (Tsavo, Samburu and

Meru national parks) as a way of relieving the overcrowded ones Hotels and lodges located in tourism areas (Amboseli) have been involved in environmental

rehabilitation through tree planting since 1991. For example, Serena Hotel has planted half a million trees, recognized with environmental award. Tourists and other donors are invited to contribute. This hotel has also started a Green Turtles Conservation Project at the coast. This project pays local fishermen to locate turtle nests. Eggs collected from these nests are protected and cared for (by a marine biologist employed by the hotel) until they hatch, after which the turtles are released into the ocean.

Mara Management Committee and the Ministerial Licensing Commission 5 year moratorium over new developments

conserve water through using appropriate taps and other implements, recycling water, maintaining equipment to prevent leakage, minimizing water use and educating staff on conservation

Energy conservation using energy-saving bulbs, solar energy or fuel briquettes (made from waste materials), putting up notices about switching off electricity when it is not required, sensitizing staff on energy conservation, regularly maintaining energy-using equipment

Composting of organic waste to produce manure for use in flower gardens, giving vegetable waste to farmers, and using wetlands as part of sewerage systems

Some tour operators abide by the park regulations and create awareness among tourist about the environment, how to avoid causing adverse impact, and park rules.

Some hotels conduct educational programmes for the communities living around them on how to coexist with wildlife. They also train the relevant staff (such as driver guides) on environmental management.

Challenges of initiatives

The main challenge confronting industry initiatives is the high cost of change coupled with the lack of funds.

Sweden Responsible waste management: waste sorting (frequently pursued in

offices and kitchens, not in guest rooms) Textiles and draperies should be changed every 5 years, while furniture and

most other equipment should be changed every 10 years. Many of them are in good condition, they can be donated, longing the life span of it, this minimizes their environmental costs.