Guide for Sustainable Tourism Best Practices - Rainforest Alliance

181 Pages·2009·5.71 MB·English

Guide for Sustainable Tourism Best Practices
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G u i d e f o r S u s t a i n a b l e To u r i s m B e s t P r a c t i c e s
Credits

Prepared by:
Sustainable Tourism Division
Rainforest Alliance
Technical Compiling:
Alejandrina Acuña
Technical Review:
Ronald Sanabría
Milagro Espinoza
Official Translator:
Luis Delgadillo
Philologist:
Sonya Kozicki-Jones
Art and Layout:
Diseño Editorial S.A.
www.kikeytetey.com
Financed by:
Inter-American Development Bank
Ford Foundation
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Content
Presentation .............................................................01 Subject 3 – Economic ............................................................81
Introduction .............................................................01
3.1 Policies and Planning ...................................................................................................82
3.2 Administration and Planning .......................................................................................90
Subject 1 – Environmental .....................................................02
3.3 Laws and Regulations ..................................................................................................92
3.4 Quality .............................................................................................................................94
1.1. Water ..............................................................................................................................03
3.5 Communication and Marketing ................................................................................101
1.2. Energy .............................................................................................................................09
3.6 Staff Training ...............................................................................................................107
1.3. Flora and Fauna .............................................................................................................27
3.7 Design and Construction ...........................................................................................110
1.4 Natural Areas and Conservation ................................................................................35
3.8 Health and Safety .......................................................................................................119
1.5 Landscaped Areas and Gardens ................................................................................40
3.9 Supplies and Suppliers ..............................................................................................122
1.6 Solid Waste ....................................................................................................................45
3.10 Monitoring and Corrective Actions .........................................................................126
1.7 Pollution ..........................................................................................................................50
1.8 Environmental Education .............................................................................................55
Glossary ..................................................................135
Subject 2 – Sociocultural ......................................................68
2.1 Cultural Activities ..........................................................................................................69 Recommended Bibliography ................................140
2.2 Contribution to Local Development ...........................................................................72
2.3 Preservation and Protection of Historical-Cultural Heritage .................................75
Literature Cited .......................................................175
2.4 Respect for Local Cultures and Communities ..........................................................79
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Preface Introduction
This second edition of the Guide includes an overview of the The Guide for Sustainable Tourism Best Practices is meant to
various criteria currently used by different tourism sustainability be a facilitating tool for community businesses and for small
certification programs operating in the Americas, thus covering and medium entrepreneurs to adopt specific actions that allow
new issues and aspects that have emerged since the edition them take the needed steps to carry out and manage sustainable
published in September 2003. development.
The information has been reorganized around three main Sustainable tourism has been defined by the World Tourism
subjects: the environment, and both sociocultural and economic Organization as “satisfying current tourist and host community
issues. Each chapter’s theoretical and technical information has needs, while protecting and improving future opportunities. It
been expanded. is seen as a guide in managing all resources, in such a way
that economic, social, and aesthetic needs may be met, while
The Guide has been produced with support from InterAmerican maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes,
Development Bank Multilateral Investment Fund. biological diversity, and life support systems.”1
Making a reality of sustainable tourism entails adopting
“best practices,” namely, corrective or improved measures
implemented in every area of tourist business management
and operation. These actions are aimed at ensuring that the
least possible impact is caused, that tourist product quality and
image are improved, that business development becomes more
efficient, and therefore, social and economic development does
as well.
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1. Environmental
1.1 Water
1.2 Energy
1.3 Flora and Fauna
1.4 Natural Areas and Conservation
1.5 Landscaped Areas and Gardens
1.7 Pollution
1.8 Environmental Education
1. Environmental
Water Environmental
1.1 Water unable to live in a marine environment. On our planet, the sea is
the water resource holding the most varied life forms, from such
simple unicellular organisms as protozoa, to giant whales.4
1.1.1 CONCEPTS
Tapping water resources for different activities, such as energy
Water “is the most abundant component on the surface of earth generation, agriculture, human consumption, and industry,
and, in a more or less pure form, makes up rain, fountains, among others, puts pressure on water availability and quality.
rivers, and seas; it is a constituent part of all living organisms, Throughout this century, global water demand has increased
and appears in natural compounds.”2 For instance, note the seven-fold, whereas global population has tripled. Currently,
percentages of water content for the following items: the future of water reserves depends on the use we make of
this fragile and limited resource. Water shortages could lead to
w A growing tree = 50% water. conflicts among users, but may also foster cooperation, as shown
today by water partition treaties and multiple agreements.5
w A woody tree = 75% water
w An aquatic plant = 95% water 1.1.2 IMPORTANCE
w Tomatoes = 95% water All living creatures need fresh water; without it, earth would be
a lifeless planet. Water is found in rivers, lakes, lagoons, ground
sources, and the atmosphere; however, compared to our world
w Apples = 85% water
size, and considering how essential it is to life, we actually have
very little fresh water available: less than 1% of our planet’s total
w Melons = 98% water
water is liquid fresh water.
w Potatoes = 80% water3
Although we can live with as little as 5 liters of water a day or
less, we usually need much more than that to stay healthy. It has
Water is the most abundant substance on earth and the ideal been estimated that a person needs 50 liters or more every day
medium for life. Every ocean, river, and lake has its own specially to meet personal and household needs. In developed countries
adapted flora and fauna. That is why most marine organisms they use much more than this: a daily average of 400-500 liters
cannot live in fresh water, just as fresh water beings would be of water per person6.
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