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World Tourism Day 2012

Tourism and sustainable energy

Mohammad Shahidul Islam
IN Sustainable Energy, energy expert J. W. Tester writes: "For dynamic harmony between equitable availability of energy-intensive goods and services to all people and the preservation of the earth for future generations — the solution will lie in finding sustainable energy sources and more efficient means of converting and utilising energy." There is no doubt about it — travel and tourism have the potential to ignite and excite people to take action. The dream and desire to explore new places, meet new people, discover new cultures, learn new things, build new friendships, establish new business associates, close new deals, and gain new perspectives can turn the passing of time until departure into sweet anticipation.
In the above backdrop, "Tourism & Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development" is the official theme of World Tourism Day (WTD) 2012, inviting everyone involved in tourism — from governments to businesses and tourists themselves — to learn more about the sustainable energy initiatives in place in the tourism sector, debate what more should be done, and advance the use of sustainable energy in tourism.
In his article Powering Sustainable Energy for All Ban Ki-Moon writes: "Energy transforms lives, businesses and economies. And it transforms our planet — its climate, natural resources and ecosystems. There can be no development without energy. Today, we have an opportunity to turn on the heat and lights for every household in the world, however poor, even as we turn down the global thermostat. The key is to provide sustainable energy for all."
Travel's remarkable natural energy is, in the case of travelers, in unlimited supply. It can be generated at any time, in any place, even before any actual travel occurs. Just the thought of traveling can increase people's energy — searching the Internet for information
on holidays, discussing with colleagues the new markets for future ventures, etc.
For growth of the global travel and tourism sector, however, huge amounts of energy are required to keep airplanes flying, hotels operating, services serving, experiences unfolding, and people working. The energy demands of the sector grow as the desires of travelers and number of travelers increase.
Appreciatively, with the remarkable milestone of 1 billion international arrivals being reached in the latter part of 2012, the tourism community has made sustainable energy, and its ability to power sustainable development, an ongoing priority -- applying the industry's energies to where it matters most.
As stated by Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO): "Tourism is leading the way in some of the world's most innovative sustainable energy initiatives. Energy efficient upgrades to aircraft, the shift to renewable fuel for aviation
and cruise liners, energy technology solutions in hotels, as well as countless other initiatives are placing tourism at the forefront of the clean energy transformation. Sustainable energy initiatives in tourism are creating economic opportunities and jobs for millions, whether in tourism, energy, or other sectors. As UNWTO findings show, the return on investment in sustainable energy can be enormous, enabling tourism businesses to grow and create jobs. At the same time, tourism infrastructure in developing countries is helping to bring modern energy services to some of the world's most vulnerable communities."
For tourism to continue to create opportunities for the building of stronger societies and economies in destinations across the globe, the tourism sector has the opportunity to combine its efforts to ensure that the sector is continuously powered by sustainable energy. Philosophically, the matter of sustainable energy is embedded in the role of conscience in responsible tourism.
The concept of Responsible Tourism originated in The Holiday Makers by Jost Krippendorf, in which he called for "rebellious tourists and rebellious locals" to create new forms of tourism. His vision was "to develop and promote new forms of tourism, which will bring the greatest possible benefit to all the participants — travelers, the host population and the tourist business — without causing intolerable ecological and social damage." He wrote about benefits for the host population and used the term human tourism. Humane travel focuses on the host local population. The South African national
tourism policy (1996) used the term "responsible tourism" and mentioned the well-being of the local community as the main factor.
The Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations stated in 2002 that responsible tourism was about "making better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit." The declaration focused on "places" but did mention the local population. From the Rio summit or earth summit in 1992 until the UN Commission on Sustainable Development in 1999, the main focus of the tourism industry was the planet, the places, and "green" or "eco" tourism. Now
there is a trend to include the local population. This trend or branch of responsible tourism is called humane tourism or humane travel.
With tourism taking its toll on the flora, fauna and cultural identity of exotic Bangladesh, local populace across the tourism pockets of the country should extend the onus of sustainability of the destinations on visiting tourists through responsible tourism. This means that tourists should not be allowed to litter waste or try to chase a wild beast. Taking a leaf out of eco-tourism and rural tourism, where tourism is made sustainable with participation of stakeholders, responsible tourism will bring tourists into its fold to ensure longevity of the essence of the region.
The entry of motor vehicles should be banned in all hill stations to check pollution. Hotel and motel owners in drinkable water-scarce places of Rangamati, Syihet and Saint Martin's should ask tourists to keep a check on water usage. The authorities concerned should team up to check poaching of wildlife. Tourist guides should be careful to make tourists responsible. Not just the public but also the government have to be proactive to promote responsible tourism.
The entire world is now under danger of ecological damage, Bangladesh included. The above efforts to reduce environmental impact are not excessively troublesome to a vacation routine, and can help greatly in reducing pollution and interference with the local environment. Responsible tourism publicity and campaigns may effectively result in making travellers green. All tourism stakeholders — governments, businesses and tourists themselves — have to play their part in reaching the UN goal of achieving sustainable energy for all by 2030, and position tourism at the centre of the clean energy economies of the future.
The writer is Head of Tourism Language & Culture, National Hotel and Tourism Training Institute.