International tourism organizations as well as local authorities increasingly talk about the impact of climate change on the sector. The World Tourism Organization notes the need for promoting sustainable development in the sector. It also believes that an effective balance between the sector’s reaction on global climate change and the need for the economic development of poor regions can be found through adopting the right policies, technological innovations and financial support.
A high-ranking WTO official said that tourism can, and must, play its part in combating climate change and this should be done in such a way as to also contribute in the fight against poverty. The WTO attributes particular significance to the results of the second international conference on Climate Change and Tourism, scheduled for October 1-3 in Davos, Switzerland.
In Greece on October 29-30, the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises (SETE) will organize its sixth conference, with discussions to include those on changes in the climate and how they affect tourism. According to SETE, demographic developments, climate change and the need for planning new social and environmental policies have formed a new framework for tourism development. Governments and tourism enterprises cannot just manage tourism as a profitable activity, but since in many countries tourism is a main engine for the economy, its development strategy requires a different approach.
The issue has concerned the Institute for Tourism Research and Forecasts (ITEP), too, which in a study on tourism development and environmental protection has concluded that Greek tourism legislation is very strict as far as environmental protection is concerned. It notes that Greek law treats a major tourism unit in the same way as it does a heavy-industry installation.
The ITEP study adds that if there are problems from businesses breaking the law, the right solution is more effective monitoring and not the adoption of practices that may deter more serious investors whose planning has no unlawful dimensions.
Finally, the issue of climate change and tourism will feature in the World Travel Market in London in November.
(Kathimerini)