| Tourism Initiative 2010-2013 |
Tourism Initiative 2010-2013
Published November 2009
It
is clear that there is a strong momentum in the international community
to recognize the importance of water management in the wider management
of poverty reduction and sustainable development.
International
cooperation will be a key to success. Need for more integrated
approaches, stronger partnerships and more effective focus on poverty
reduction, and sustainable development in policy processes.
Boom
in tourism has multiple impacts. There are undoubtebly economic
benefits at a national level due to the increased revenue available,
but tourism requires the use of disproportionate shares of local
natural resources, of which WATER is often the most crucial. Much of
this water, when use, is disposed of without adequate treatment in ways
that impact irrevocably on the surrounding water resources and their
ecosystems.
Tourism is vital to the economic well-being and the reduction of poverty in many developing countries.
Since
natural resources are a powerful part of the attraction of this industry,
it provides added incentive for resource preservation. In many cases
though, tourism leaves an undeniable ecological footprint. Countries
that depend on tourism are making major efforts to simultaneously
maintain their tourism industries and reduce the environmental impact
(including water use) of the industry.
Recreation is a major
use of and a major issue in the planning of water resources in all
parts of the world. The use of beaches, lakes and reservoirs for
sailing, fishing and water skiing is an important consideration even in
the prosperous countries of Europe and North America. It can add
significant economic benefits to these resources, but also has
implications on water quality in ecological terms.
Goals of this Initiative
Meeting the basic needs; recognizing
that access to safe and sufficient water and sanitation are the basic
human needs and are essential to health and well-being.
Securing the water and food supply; enhancing
water and food security, particularly of the poor and vulnerable, through more
efficient mobilization and use of water and the more equitable
allocation of water for food production.
Protecting ecosystems; ensuring the integrity of ecosystems through sustainable water resources management.
Managing risks; promoting security from floods, droughts, pollution and other water-related hazards.
Sharing water resources; promoting
peaceful cooperation and developing synergies between different uses of
water at all levels, whereever possible, within and - in the case of
boundary and trans-boundary water resources - between concerned states,
through sustainable river basin management or other appropriate
approaches.
Valuing Water; managing water in a way that
reflects its economic, social, environmental and cultural values in all
uses, with a move towards pricing water services to reflect the cost
of their provision. This approach should account for the need for
equity and the basic needs of the poor and the vulnerable.
Governing Water wisely; ensuring water governance, so that the involvement of the public and the
interests of all stakeholders are included in the management of water
resources.
Water-Efficiency Can Save the Hospitality and Tourism Industry A Bunch of Green
A Global Call To Action for Tourism and Travel Industry Leaders
Contact: Tourism Initiative Administrator
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