FRIDAY 15 TH APRIL 2005

1. PRESENTATION TO HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR PECSUSTAINABLE TOURISM SEMINARA SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR HONG KONGBy Ian Kean, Executive Director of AICST FRIDAY 15TH APRIL 2005

3. THE BIRTH OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Tourism grew from developments in ships & aeroplanes International tourism commenced in early seventies Countries welcomed tourism without understanding the opportunities & impacts – started their own airlines Hong Kong has a history of visiting traders During the 70s & 80s tourism & travel grew dramatically Governments & Industry played catch-up to try to keep up A tourism industry was born Today 22 million visitors to HK – 25% from the mainland Visitor impacts led to push for “sustainable tourism”

4. THE EARLY DAYS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Early 90s: A lack of awareness of benefits & impacts from tourism (positive & negative) A lack of systems for monitoring & measurement & regulations & policies for management Today: 35 years of outstanding growth in tourism Planning, legislation, regulations, management lacking

5. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM TODAY Strong growth in tourism will continue Benefits & negative impacts from visitors will increase Management practices to avoid or reduce impacts must improve – and quickly WTO - “Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. It is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems”.

6. TOURISM MISUNDERSTOOD Often seen as just hotels, restaurants & tour operators Not seen as being a real industry or complex/important Lack of appreciation of the breadth of tourism – to indirect benefits to all other industries Not seen as a force for developing communities Not appreciated as a force for peace & understanding of different races & cultures Lack of awareness of tourism’s ability to improve human capacities & improve quality of peoples’ lives

7. BENEFITS FROM TOURISM Economic Objectives industry growth business Profitability increased employment opportunities benefits spread across destination SUSTAINABLE TOURISM preserveculture & heritage protect natural assets secure community involvement manage useage & impacts improve services & infrastructure inform & educate people improve quality of life build strong partnerships Social Objectives Environmental Objectives

8. BENEFITS FROM TOURISM Economic Objectives industry growth business Profitability increased employment opportunities benefits spread across destination SUSTAINABLE TOURISM preserveculture & heritage protect natural assets secure community involvement manage useage & impacts improve services & infrastructure inform & educate people improve quality of life build strong partnerships Social Objectives Environmental Objectives

9. BENEFITS FROM TOURISM Economic Objectives industry growth business Profitability increased employment opportunities benefits spread across destination SUSTAINABLE TOURISM preserveculture & heritage protect natural assets secure community involvement manage useage & impacts improve services & infrastructure inform & educate people improve quality of life build strong partnerships Social Objectives Environmental Objectives

10. A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT Preparation: A whole-of-government commitment – almost every Government Ministry has responsibility for some aspect of tourism Industry commitment and involvement – sectors that are direct & indirect beneficiaries of visitor expenditure A sustainable tourism management strategy is more than a document Human & financial resources are required Leadership from the top – in government & industry

11. A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT Implementation: Benchmark the destination to assess current levels of sustainability Identify what’s working; what’s not; what needs to be done Set priorities – budgets & timeframes Form a National Task Force – government, industry & academia Form specific Working Groups to deal with specific issues Transparency, monitoring, reporting & updating

12. EXAMPLES OF ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDE…….. Measuring economic impacts–expenditure/employment Improving businesses, service standards & quality Training programs Risk management strategies – government & operators Community involvement in planning & operations Maintenance of local arts, crafts, music, languages Preservation of heritage, culture & history New infrastructure & services Partnerships to improve conservation/carrying capacities Coastal areas & marine environments Water, power, waste treatment, etc.

13. APEC INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Established by the Tourism Ministers from the 21 APEC Economies in July 2002 to provide information and assistance and assistance to improve sustainable tourism in the Asia Pacific Region. AICST is a network of governments, tourism industry associations/councils and universities.

14. TOTAL TOURISM MANAGEMENTTTM

15. TOTAL TOURISM MANAGEMENTTTM 2 main objectives: To assist a country or destination in applying improved sustainable tourism management practices To increase the knowledge, skills & experience of the local people TTM is helping local people to plan & implement sustainable tourism management practices for themselves

16. A TTM MODEL FOR HONG KONG Government commitment in place: Assist in selecting a Task Force to plan & implement Assist with a benchmark study of current sustainability Assist to set priorities for work to be undertaken Assist to establish Working Groups to undertake work Provide information, systems, options to address issues Provide experienced people to assist & guide Work with Task Force over time to manage the improvements and new initiatives Increase the knowledge, skills & experience of the local Task Force and Working Group members

17. HONG KONG TODAY “East meets West” culture: Modern & traditional architecture: Traditional artistic performances

18. HONG KONG TODAY A Different: Culture; Heritage; Lifestyle

19. HONG KONG TODAY A desire to involve local communities in cultural tourism developments & to improve their quality of life

20. HONG KONG TODAY A recognition that tourism should benefit poorer people A desire to balance conservation & development

21. HONG KONG TODAY Questions to be asked: Are these desires & recognition translated into actions Is there a whole-of-government commitment Is there a partnership between government, industry & academia Has there been an analysis of what’s working; what’s not & what more needs to be done Are there sufficient resources available to be successful YES?? YES, BUT..?? MAYBE…?? NO??

22. SUMMARY Tourism really wasn’t planned – it just happened We were unaware of the benefits & impacts We didn’t have the knowledge to deal with problems Visitor numbers will double in the next 20 years We now know about benefits & impacts, & we have the knowledge to address most problems Playing catch-up is no longer a responsible option

24. A SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MODEL FOR HONG KONG THANK YOU THE APEC INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM