PRESENTATION TO HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR PECSUSTAINABLE TOURISM SEMINAR

A SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR

HONG KONGBy Ian Kean, Executive Director of AICST

FRIDAY 15TH APRIL 2005

THE BIRTH OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

•Tourism grew from developments in ships & aeroplanes•International tourism commenced in early seventies•Countries welcomed tourism without understanding the opportunities & impacts – started their own airlines•Hong Kong has a history of visiting traders•During the 70s & 80s tourism & travel grew dramatically•Governments & Industry played catch-up to try to keep up•A tourism industry was born•Today 22 million visitors to HK – 25% from the mainland•Visitor impacts led to push for “sustainable tourism”

THE EARLY DAYS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Early 90s: •A lack of awareness of benefits & impacts from tourism (positive & negative)•A lack of systems for monitoring & measurement & regulations & policies for managementToday:35 years of outstanding growth in tourismPlanning, legislation, regulations, management lacking

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM TODAY

•Strong growth in tourism will continue•Benefits & negative impacts from visitors will increase•Management practices to avoid or reduce impacts must improve – and quickly

WTO - “Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. It is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems”.

TOURISM MISUNDERSTOOD

•Often seen as just hotels, restaurants & tour operators•Not seen as being a real industry or complex/important•Lack of appreciation of the breadth of tourism – to indirect benefits to all other industries•Not seen as a force for developing communities•Not appreciated as a force for peace & understanding of different races & cultures•Lack of awareness of tourism’s ability to improve human capacities & improve quality of peoples’ lives

BENEFITS FROM TOURISM

Economic Objectivesindustry growth

business Profitability increased employment opportunities benefits spread across destination

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

preserve culture & heritage protect natural assets secure community involvement manage useage & impacts improve services & infrastructure inform & educate people improve quality of life build strong partnerships

Social Objectives Environmental Objectives

BENEFITS FROM TOURISM

Economic Objectivesindustry growth

business Profitability increased employment opportunities benefits spread across destination

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

preserve culture & heritage protect natural assets secure community involvement manage useage & impacts improve services & infrastructure inform & educate people improve quality of life build strong partnerships

Social Objectives Environmental Objectives

BENEFITS FROM TOURISM

Economic Objectivesindustry growth

business Profitability increased employment opportunities benefits spread across destination

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

preserve culture & heritage protect natural assets secure community involvement manage useage & impacts improve services & infrastructure inform & educate people improve quality of life build strong partnerships

Social Objectives Environmental Objectives

A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

MANAGEMENTPreparation:•A whole-of-government commitment – almost every Government Ministry has responsibility for some aspect of tourism•Industry commitment and involvement – sectors that are direct & indirect beneficiaries of visitor expenditure•A sustainable tourism management strategy is more than a document•Human & financial resources are required•Leadership from the top – in government & industry

A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

MANAGEMENTImplementation:•Benchmark the destination to assess current levels of sustainability•Identify what’s working; what’s not; what needs to be done•Set priorities – budgets & timeframes•Form a National Task Force – government, industry & academia•Form specific Working Groups to deal with specific issues•Transparency, monitoring, reporting & updating

EXAMPLES OF ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDE……..

•Measuring economic impacts–expenditure/employment•Improving businesses, service standards & quality•Training programs•Risk management strategies – government & operators•Community involvement in planning & operations•Maintenance of local arts, crafts, music, languages•Preservation of heritage, culture & history•New infrastructure & services•Partnerships to improve conservation/carrying capacities•Coastal areas & marine environments•Water, power, waste treatment, etc.

APEC INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE

TOURISM

Established by the Tourism Ministers from the 21 APEC Economies in July 2002 to provide information and assistance and assistance to improve sustainable tourism in the Asia Pacific Region.

AICST is a network of governments, tourism industry associations/councils and universities.

TOTAL TOURISM MANAGEMENT

TTM

TOTAL TOURISM MANAGEMENT

TTM2 main objectives:•To assist a country or destination in applying improved sustainable tourism management practices•To increase the knowledge, skills & experience of the local people

TTM is helping local people to plan & implement sustainable tourism management practices for themselves

A TTM MODEL FOR HONG KONG

Government commitment in place:•Assist in selecting a Task Force to plan & implement•Assist with a benchmark study of current sustainability•Assist to set priorities for work to be undertaken•Assist to establish Working Groups to undertake work•Provide information, systems, options to address issues•Provide experienced people to assist & guide•Work with Task Force over time to manage the improvements and new initiativesIncrease the knowledge, skills & experience of the local Task Force and Working Group members

HONG KONG TODAY

“East meets West” culture: Modern & traditional architecture: Traditional artistic performances

HONG KONG TODAY

•A Different: Culture; Heritage; Lifestyle

HONG KONG TODAY

A desire to involve local communities in cultural tourism developments & to improve their quality of life

HONG KONG TODAY

A recognition that tourism should benefit poorer peopleA desire to balance conservation & development

HONG KONG TODAY

Questions to be asked:•Are these desires & recognition translated into actions•Is there a whole-of-government commitment•Is there a partnership between government, industry & academia•Has there been an analysis of what’s working; what’s not & what more needs to be done•Are there sufficient resources available to be successful

YES?? YES, BUT..?? MAYBE…??NO??

SUMMARY

•Tourism really wasn’t planned – it just happened•We were unaware of the benefits & impacts•We didn’t have the knowledge to deal with problems•Visitor numbers will double in the next 20 years•We now know about benefits & impacts, & we have the knowledge to address most problems•Playing catch-up is no longer a responsible option

A SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MODEL FOR

HONG KONG

THANK YOU

THE APEC INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM