Tourism employs around 9 million Europeans and accounts for 30% of total European Union external trade in services. (Taken from: Environment for Europeans)
The growth of the industry has taken its toll on the environment - the time has come to promote a more sustainable, eco-friendly approach.
It’s that time of year again when thoughts gradually turn to sunnier climes, where fun, sun and unashamed selfindulgence are the name of the game. Visions of sandy beaches, clear blue seas and hot summer days chilling by the pool drift into focus.
Now imagine the following: you’ve finally made it to your sandy beach, but all is not as it should be.
Flies are buzzing around overflowing dustbins. Cigarette ends, paper and empty cans are everywhere. You go for a swim to cool off. The water is more chocolate brown than blue. Suddenly a whiff of sewage fills your nostrils.
It’s not like this in the brochure. Still in a holiday mood?
Of course, idyllic happiness is never guaranteed, but such a scenario is more the exception than the rule. Thanks to
an EU Directive, 85% of Europe’s coastal bathing waters meet required standards and things are improving.
Sustainable Tourism
Tourism is a socio-economic phenomenon that increasingly concerns environmentalists. Every summer, Europe’s roads are log-jammed with cars and coaches belching out a cocktail of exhaust fumes. Litter builds up relentlessly. The environment - far from getting a well-earned break - has to take the strain. Clearly, there is a need for a more eco-friendly approach. Eco-tourism or sustainable tourism is the new buzzword. The challenge is to accommodate growth without damaging the integrity of our environment.
On the social level, sustainable tourism must satisfy the needs of tourists, those employed in the industry and the local population. Economically, sustainable tourism contributes to companies’ competitiveness. Businesses in the travel, accommodation and catering sectors are expanding fast to meet demand, providing more jobs and helping develop profits at local and regional level.
Environmentally speaking, sustainable tourism means safeguarding the planet’s natural resources. Nature and biodiversity are our universal heritage and must be protected. EU environmental policies focus on managing water resources, preventing pollution of coastal and waste waters,reducing air pollution, increasing energy efficiency, improving waste management and protecting fragile ecosystems and wildlife species.
Other international organisations, such as the UN and the World Tourism Organisation, are also committed to promoting sustainable tourism. Some companies in the tourism industry voluntarily apply more eco-friendly standards and offer certification to show their activities are environmentally sustainable. But it’s not just a question of bringing in legislation or changing industrial practices. Every individual has an important part to play.
How can we help?
What can we do in practical terms? Well, we could, for example, choose a tour operator that uses hotels with environmental certification. Where possible, travel by rail. Once at our destination, we can try to use public transport rather than drive. There are many other practical steps we can take to consume less and recycle more. We just have to be aware of what is at stake and act. Unless we do something now, our environment could be irreversibly damaged and those perfect beaches in the brochures will become a thing of the past.
Feel free to comment on any further suggestions on how we can help?
Happy Holidays
Fionnuala