Eco tourism: 4 Steps Should Be Considered In A Successful Mitigation Policy

It is marketing strategies of tourism businesses- from small, local operations that service a single local market to very large transport, hotel and tour operator companies - when they shape demand of products and services. The industry provides tourists with products and services such as accommodation, transport, food and drink, attractions to visit, and souvenirs to purchase. But, consumers (tourists) ultimately make the final choices. Recognizing mature tourist or eco-tourists that protect nature as well as celebrate it at the same time, it could be important in creating business interest in sustainable tourism products.

In response to the growing awareness of consumers as to the contribution of tourism to climate change, the tourism sector is looking more actively into exploring strategies for becoming carbon neutral. The sector needs to be considering mitigation options and being proactive in addressing climate change with a special focus on transportation, accommodation and tour operators.

Identifying the tactical strategies of attaining carbon neutrality has an important role for a successful mitigation policy.

In relation to the carbon neutrality concept, a successful mitigation policy could consider four main steps that any tourism-related business or institution can implement as a practical response to climate change [1]:

- The first step is to eliminate the emission of greenhouse gases by keeping away from certain activities that can be avoided without a considerable change to the tourism product or service quality.

- The second is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by focusing on energy efficiency practices in specific activities.

- The third step is to substitute practices that are responsible for a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions with practices that have a lower carbon footprint.

- Finally the institution or business unit can offset remaining emissions to achieve full carbon neutrality.

These four steps should not be considered a linear sequence, but rather an iterative cycle of problem implementation of practices and evaluation of outcomes, which includes feedbacks between the steps as identified.

Source:
United Nations Environmental Programme, 2008. Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in the Tourism Sector Frameworks, Tools and Practices

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1. Who are Eco-tourists?
2. 9 Basic Guidelines of The Quality Eco-Experiences, You Should Know