New on Ecoclub

Neolocalism and TourismNeolocalism and Tourism: Understanding a Global Movement
Authors: Linda Ingram, Susan L. Slocum, Christina Cavalier
GoodFellow Publishers, October 2020
ISBN: 9781911635604 HBK; 9781911635611 eBook
DOI: 10.23912/9781911635604-4287

Neolocalism and Tourism: Understanding a Global Movement is the first comprehensive analysis of neolocalism in the tourism context and provides a forum to discuss the latest developments, trends, and research involving tourism and neolocalism, as well as exploring new areas for consideration.

Synergies between neolocalism and tourism can contribute to a greater understanding of the complexities of sustainability through increases in community involvement, which enhances local pride and local sourcing. The role of local production, distribution, and consumption can link people to landscapes and contribute to a deeper understanding of sense of place, which in turns garners support for local enterprises and local causes.

This edited collection:

  • Outlines the theory of neolocalism and features neolocalism in relation to tourism;
  • Brings a new level of scrutiny to the stand-alone concept of “neolocal” as a rising phenomenon in sustainable tourism development and tourism product development studies;
  • Highlights the versatility and innovating applications of neolocalism within the wider tourism debate; and
  • Contains international contributions and examples (both applied and conceptual) from global experts.

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Attention Ecoclub Members: 20% Discount for our Members on all GoodFellow Publishers titles!
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The Morrison Government’s announcement today of $61.7m to ‘boost local tourism and preserve our environment’ is a drop in the ocean of what’s needed for a green recovery, the Greens say.

Greens Spokesperson for the Environment and Tourism Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“Australians want our environment protected more than ever. There is a win-win opportunity here, but again the Morrison Government has missed the mark.
“Our special nature spots and the green tourism industry needs real investment, not just the crumbs left over after the Coalition has given the bulk of support to the fossil fuel lobby. This announcement is an insult to the thousands of small businesses that rely on our beautiful beaches, forests and parks being protected and cared for.
“There are more jobs to be created in restoring and protecting our environment than wrecking it. Yet, this Government is putting more money into trashing things than caring for nature. With millions of people out of work, investing in a Green Recovery would be good for local jobs, good for our tourism and good for the environment.
“I visited Kangaroo Island this week, which was ravaged by fire over the summer, and it was very clear so much more is needed to restore the natural environment the premier tourist destination is known for. This announcement isn’t going to cut it for the bushfire hit areas or other tourism destinations where our pristine natural world is the main attraction.”

Greens Spokesperson for Oceans Peter Whish-Wilson said:
“$20 million dollars for our declining reefs is a drop in the ocean.
“It shows just how out of touch the Government really is that with everything we know about the declining health of our oceans, it is committing so little.
“Artificial reefs and an aquarium are Band-Aid solutions to an emergency.
“We need definitive action on climate change and our warming oceans.
“I want my grandchildren to see our marine life at the beach, not behind a glass window.”

Relative effects of recreational activities on a temperate terrestrial wildlife assemblage
Robin Naidoo A. Cole Burton First published: 05 September 2020
https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.271

Outdoor recreation is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world and provides many benefits to people. Assessing possible negative impacts of recreation is nevertheless important for sustainable management. Here, we used camera traps to assess relative effects of various recreational activities—as compared to each other and to environmental conditions—on a terrestrial wildlife assemblage in British Columbia, Canada. Across 13 species, only two negative associations between recreational activities and wildlife detections were observed at weekly scales: mountain biking on moose and grizzly bears. However, finer‐scale analysis showed that all species avoided humans on trails, with avoidance strongest for mountain biking and motorized vehicles. Our results imply that environmental factors generally shaped broad‐scale patterns of wildlife use, but highlight that recreational activities also have detectable impacts. These impacts can be monitored using the same camera‐trapping techniques that are commonly used to monitor wildlife assemblages.

Read the full paper

 

Jumpstarting a green recovery with more and better jobsPolicy Brief: COVID-19 and the world of work
Jump-starting a green recovery with more and better jobs, healthy and resilient societies

Key Points:

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the multiple links between public health and the environment and made it evident that a healthy life and workplace and productive economies depend on a healthy environment.

One positive outcome from the pandemic has been a dramatic, but temporary reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions across the world.

As economies restart, there is an opportunity to develop public and private policies to address the current climate change crisis gradually and foster the transition to a green economy. The reconstruction of the economic fabric should lay the foundations for environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive production and consumption as we move into the future.

Through social dialogue, governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations have a key opportunity to forge a strong consensus and broad-based support for a sustainable recovery that promotes decent work, resilient enterprises and workplaces, and environmental sustainability.

To support a sustainable and green recovery, policies and investment towards a greener and circular economy are required, such as fast-tracking low-carbon mobility, removing distortions such as fossil fuel subsidies while providing incentives to use renewable energies, and ensuring that public funds are provided to ensure business continuity, stimulate the economy, create decent jobs, and address risks to human health and the environment.

Enterprises, supported by employers’ organizations, can build on innovative business continuity measures to scale up green innovation and entrepreneurship, enhance resilience against future shocks by integrating environmental risks and technology into enterprise risk management (ERM) practices and into climate-related financial disclosure, and invest in sustainable supply chains.

Enterprises can work with employers’ and workers’ organizations to identify and implement best environmental practices at workplace level. Consumers can further embrace sustainable consumption patterns that allow human well-being and the fulfilment of individual and collective aspirations, while reducing waste and paving a way to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Build back better: the ILO offers a range of programmes, initiatives and tools to advance decent work, social justice and environmental sustainability simultaneously.

Download the policy brief

Judy Kepher-GonaCREST staff and Board of Directors are honored to announce this year’s recipient of the Martha Honey Legacy in Responsible Travel Award: Judy Kepher-Gona, Founder and Principal Consultant at Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda (STTA).

The inaugural Legacy in Responsible Travel Award was made last year to Dr. Martha Honey on the occasion of her retirement to honor her incredible leadership and accomplishments in responsible travel. At that time the CREST Board of Directors decided to make this an annual award to someone in the global tourism industry making a significant difference in pushing the envelope in responsible travel. 

This year’s award winner, Judy Kepher-Gona, is a thought leader in sustainable tourism with over 20 years of experience in championing responsible tourism in Africa and beyond. From setting up Africa’s first ecotourism society to working with countless communities in tourism and conservation, Judy’s contribution to sustainable tourism transcends continents. She has dedicated her career to a pioneering model of ecotourism worldwide.

Caribbean Community Based Tourism (CBT) Toolkit

Caribbean Community Based Tourism (CBT) Toolkit. (English). Barbados.  Interamerican Development Bank, Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility.

Prepared by Judy Karwacki, Small Planet Consulting, and Euromonitor. 2019.

The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF), a multi-donor funded facility that is administered by the IDB, in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization have prepared a Caribbean Community Based Tourism (CBT) toolkit. The aim is to provide practical tools to support clusters focused on the tourism and agrotourism niches. The toolkit includes a Community-Based Tourism Enterprise Handbook, a CBT Readiness Diagnostic Tool, a Tourism Assets Inventory and Community Profile Template, all of which cluster stakeholders can use to develop and/or enhance their tourism products and experiences. These tools were prepared by Judy Karwacki of Small Planet Consulting Inc., a long time Ecoclub member. The toolkit also includes primary market research study of US-based consumers, prepared by Euromonitor, which assesses the demand for innovative CBT products and services that can be offered in the Caribbean and visitor willingness to pay for these experiences.

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Cabo Verde: The Potential of Local Experiences and Online Marketplaces to Diversify Tourism (English). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group.

Written by Judy Karwacki for World Bank Group. 2019.

A pivotal shift in consumer sentiment about travel is taking place across the globe where people of all ages are seeking more immersive and meaningful 'local experiences' when they travel. More of these consumers are purchasing tours and activities through online marketplaces, a new distribution channel in the tourism sector. These developments come together to create opportunities for Cabo Verde, which has a wealth of friendly local people and a diversity of communities and culture, the vital ingredients needed to create local experiences. They help to mitigate three of the main impediments Cabo Verdean entrepreneurs and MSE's (micro and small enterprises) face when they try to enter the tourism value chain: limited market access, insufficient capital, and a lack of tourism knowledge and skills. The objective of this scoping study is to investigate the potential for Cabo Verde to develop and market local experiences through online marketplaces. 

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The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2020

Dear Responsible Travelers,

It is my pleasure to share with you our latest report, The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2020, a special edition on lessons from COVID-19 for tourism in a changing climate.

This annual meta-analysis comes at an unprecedented time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has highlighted the immense need and value of tourism, while fundamentally changing the way destinations, businesses, and travelers will plan, manage, and experience tourism. At the same time, climate change remains an existential threat that has real consequences for destinations and communities everywhere. 

That said, tourism was frankly on a path of self-destruction for decades, valuing profits at the expense of people, planet, and purpose. COVID-19 has proven that simply stopping tourism is not enough to meet the challenges of the climate crisis. Crisis often breeds innovation, and destination communities and businesses must now take the time to reconsider the path forward. As we look to the future of tourism, the same rigor and dedication that is needed to adapt to the pandemic must also be applied to neutralize the threat of climate change. 

As I note in the report, “Post COVID, there will be a profound shift in the competitive landscape in the travel and tourism sector, with preparation and effective risk management, adaptation and resilience, and decarbonization being fundamental to future competitiveness and relevance.” With the compounding threats of climate change and COVID-19, we must share knowledge and case studies that provide genuine lessons learned, and we must take unified action to develop solutions for our planet and its people.

Prepared in collaboration with more than 30 leading tourism organizations, researchers, and institutions, The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2020 shares key studies on COVID-19 and climate change and what lessons may be applied from the pandemic to meet the challenges of the climate crisis. In addition to general consumer, business, and destination trends in the context of recovery, we explore the unprecedented opportunity to mitigate two existential threats with one coordinated approach, truly making the world a safer, more equitable, and more resilient place for all.

I invite you to explore CREST’s Trends and Statistics report and to discover real world examples of how destinations, companies, and travelers can adapt and be more resilient to the dynamic changes unfolding in our world today.

Yours in responsible travel,

Gregory Miller, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Center for Responsible Travel (CREST)

Download the Report

Allen Schnaak“Awareness precedes all change and social awareness related to environmental responsibility, sustainability, and stewardship is reaching a critical mass in the world” 

Allen Schnaak's personal and professional life have revolved around water and the outdoors. Over 50 years ago, at the age of 12, he got his first job maintaining a neighborhood swimming pool. He was active in boy scouts, earned the Eagle scout rank with a community project involving the cleanup of a garbage dump. While in college he studied marine biology and limnology, but "since Jacques Cousteau had the job" he wanted, his career evolved around the swimming pool industry, the last 30 years focused on chemical solutions to water maintenance. Now, with BioNova Natural Pools and the promotion of natural biological filtration of swimming environments, his life and career "has come full circle". Mr Schnaak explains that the more he learns the more he is amazed, at how “nature” can so easily manage the diverse and complex interrelationships of biology, chemistry, and geology, so long as the conditions for nurturing it are properly “cared for”. He believes that there is a rising level of awareness in sustainable practices and promoting responsible stewardship of our natural resources.

Ecoclub: While preparing for our conversation, we showed images of your pools to two friends. After three seconds of awe, one exclaimed 'I want one of these!" and the other one opined that 'this is how pools should be made". Indeed. So why aren't they, we thought? There is always resistance to change, sometimes fueled by conventional scientific wisdom and other times by material posted online. A quick search reveals that there have been some studies suggesting that natural swimming pools may be at risk from fecal materials from birds and other animals and there are some online cautionary tales [inexperienced contractors apparently using cheap filtration materials or the wrong type of plants and ending up creating fish ponds]. How do you convince customers to do away with their fears and opt for green progress?

BioNova Natural Pool

Allen Schnaak: I agree. Natural Swimming Pools should be more prevalent than they are, and to understand the reason why they are not, one only needs to “follow the money”. That sounds crass, but in the 1960’s when construction techniques simplified the process and lowered the cost for pool construction it enabled the average person the ability to afford a swimming pool. During this same time, chlorine was growing in popularity as a water treatment method to curb illness caused by water borne pathogens in drinking water across the world. It was an easy leap for chemical manufacturers to expand their business to market to this growing water treatment opportunity for recreational water. Pool businesses that evolved in the last 60 years were provided with a revenue stream of maintenance chemicals to sell once the swimming pool was installed and now the average swimming pool (18k gallons operating 22 weeks of the year) will require US $600-$1,000 per pool season, of chemicals for maintenance of a “nearly” sterilized water environment.

If the objective of a viable business is “to find a need and fill it” then chemical companies and pool businesses were simply filling a market need. For Natural Swimming Pools (NSPs) to gain a more prevalent position in the market, designers and builders of recreational water environments must first believe that there is “demand” in the marketplace and realize a profitable return for their time and effort to add it to their portfolio of pool options. For there to be more demand, there needs to be greater awareness in the marketplace of NSPs as a viable option for pool care.

That is where we are now, building greater public awareness of the viability of natural water purification. “Awareness precedes all change” and social awareness related to environmental responsibility, sustainability, and stewardship is reaching a critical mass in the world and this growing group of environmentally focused persons is seeking more options to support their “green living” lifestyles. NSPs now become one of those choices to complement their focus on environmentally sustainable choices.

UNWTO1 May 2020 -  For many millions of people around the world, tourism is so much more than a leisure activity.

Our sector gives them the chance to make a living. To earn not just a wage, but also dignity and equality. Tourism jobs also empower people and provide a chance to have a stake in their own societies – often for the first time.

This is what is at risk right now.

The International Labor Organization, a fellow UN agency of UNWTO, has raised the alarm: As many as 1.6 billion individuals worldwide could be affected by a loss of working hours as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.