Step 1) Introduction on responsible tourism (45 minutes)

As an introduction, it is important to remind the learners the importance of the tourism sector in coastal areas and in the islands. The trainer will then introduce the notion of sustainable tourism and responsible tourism. The below definition can be printed and distributed to learners to open a discussion on the potential impact of tourism on coastal and marine environments.

●      Sustainable tourism

According to the UNWTO (United Nation World Tourism Organisation) “Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability.

Thus, sustainable tourism should:

1.     Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.

2.     Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.

3.     Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.

●      Responsible tourism

Responsible tourism is any form of tourism that can be consumed in a more responsible way.

“Responsible tourism is tourism which:

1. minimizes negative social, economic and environmental impacts
2. generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities
3. improves working conditions and access to the industry
4. involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances
5. makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity
6. provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
7. provides access for physically challenged people
8. is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence”

Cape Town Declaration of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, 2002

To refer to the SDGs, trainer can remind that:

SDG 14 calls for a tourism which can contribute “by 2030, (to) increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries” (target 14.7) and SDG 8 targets that “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products” (target 8.9).

Step 2)  “Green sea resort” assessment (60 minutes)

Learners are then asked, in groups of 3 or 4 persons, to select on the web a Tourism seaside resort. They will give special attention to seaside resorts promoting a sustainable and/or responsible approach.

Through the information available on the website of the selected seaside resort (philosophy and general policy, presentation of tourism destination and products, comments of the users, environmental charter, etc.), each group analyses the engagement of the seaside resort toward responsible tourism.

The question they should answer is “How do you find out if a company is greenwashing* or practising responsible tourism?” Answers should be justified with relevant information and insights.

Their analysis can be help using the following questionnaire:

About the tourism infrastructures

●      Does the company have a written policy regarding its practice towards the environment and local communities?

●      Does it have a system of measuring the impact of the company on the environment?

●      Do infrastructures and beaches’ equipment threaten mangroves, corals, marshes and seagrass meadows?

●      Does it provide information to tourists about local culture and environment?

●      How is sewage treated from their hotels?

●      Is there any water recycling for the use of rainwater?

●      Does the company use smart technologies to reduce energy consumption?

About tourism activities proposed

●      Does the resort adopt a responsible attitude towards the outdoor activities they offer to visitors with respect to marine life?

●      Does it allow driving on the beach?

●      Does it offer activities harmful for the local resources (eg. golf courses and overconsumption of water; water skiing and boating and sea water pollution)

●      Are the visitors informed about the local natural resources to ensure a more responsible attitude on their behalf (water scarcity, endangered species, etc.) ?

About the seafood provided

●      Is the seafood offered in the resort is provided by local fisheries?

●      Does the respect of fishing rules is referred to (date of captures, size, fishing methods) ?

Step 3) Sharing results (20-30 minutes, according to the number of participants and groups)

The groups design one or two speakers to present to others the resort or hotel they have analysed and the results of their analysis, validating (or not!) the sustainability and responsibility of the tourism resort they have assessed. They should be able to give a clear image of their findings in about 5’.

After the presentation of the various cases, the learners vote for their favorite (eventual!) next destination.

- CALL FOR ACTION 1
On the basis of the new knowledge learners will have gained from the various assessments, the groups of learners will prepare a brochure or an infographic aiming at better informing the owners of seaside resorts/hotels about good practices and responsible tourism.

- CALL FOR ACTION 2
Sustainable menu
If the training is taking place in a coastal area, one group of learners can also prepare a menu made with seafood and products that does not endanger the local species, nor infringe the fishing rules. They will adjust the proposed menu, according to the period of the year and the local fish and shell species. Participants can refer to the EU rules to combat illegal fishing https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/illegal_fishing_en and to one of the National seafood guide proposed by the WWF https://wwf.panda.org/act/live_green/out_shopping/seafood_guides/

If the training isn’t taking place in a coastal area the facilitator can propose the same activity for a selected seaside in the country or in Europe.

*”greenwashing” is about claiming an environmental or sustainable policy, mainly for marketing purposes without genius sustainable engagement. Eg. The notices in hotel rooms asking guests to reuse their towels to save the environment reduces the hotel’s laundry costs but don’t necessarily reveal an environmental approach.