Prospect of Sustainable Tourism in Bangladesh. A Views On Tourism Project presentation UIU / JCI seminar 21th June 2010

Transcription

1 Prospect of Sustainable Tourism in Bangladesh A Views On Tourism Project presentation UIU / JCI seminar 21th June 2010

2 Personal profile Majbritt Thomsen MA Tourism Marketing, policy, organisation Danish expat since late 2007 BD travel experience Royal Danish Embassy, DANIDA report on BD tourism potential Business studies BD tourism Interaction tourism sector Huge number of visionary people, resources, organizations and initiatives in Bangladesh Views On Tourism Project Photo: Up-comming Panigram Eco-resort, Jessore

3 The Views On Tourism Project Voluntary initative since 2008 Vision Encourage an active sustainable tourism movement in Bangladesh All players can make an impact! Online blog Tourism knowledge and inspiration National, regional and international resources This presentation is available Online group Tourism network and discussion forum for people interested in a sustainable tourism development in Bangaldesh LinkedIn an international professional network

4 World best practice and theory Agenda Understanding tourism challenges Sustainable tourism Practices and lessons Bangladesh Status and sustainable tourism potential How to develop national tourism through knowledge and network Summing up

5 Understanding tourism demand Without tourists no tourism!

6 World tourism demand since 1950 Push-factor why leave home? Economic factors More wealth Social factors More time Demographic changes Family size, population increase, urbanisation, increased life expectancy Technological factors Transportation Political factors Freedom of mobility Regional outbound anno 2008 Western Europe Dominates Tourism Flow Outbound Strong Outbound Flow from Asia-Pacific Economic Stability in Eastern Europe Favors Outbound Flows Wealthy North Americans: Passionate Travelers Source: Euromonitor International's Tourism Flows Outbound World (2008)

7 World tourism destinations Pull-factor where to go? Accessibility to markets Affordability Availability of attractions Availability of services Cultural links Geographical proximity to markets Peace and stability Positive market image Pro-tourism policies International arivals 2008 France 79.3 milion USA 58.0 Spain 57.3 China 53.0 Italy 42.7 United Kingdom 30.1 Ukraine 25.4 Turkey 25.0 Germany 24.9 Mexico 22.6 Source: UNWTO

8 Understanding travel motivation Physical motivators Refreshment of body and mind; health, sport and pleasure. Cultural motivators Desire to see and know more about other cultures Interpersonal motivators Meet new people, visit friends or relatives Status and prestige motivators Personal development or education Theory: McIntosh, Goeldner and Ritchie (1995)

9 Dominant western environmental paradigm Humans are separate from nature superior to nature Reality is objective can be compartmentalised The future is predictable The universe has order The importance of rationality and reason Hierarchical structures Competitive structures Emphasis on the individual Facilitation through capitalism Linear progress and growth Use hard tecnology Patriarchal and male A new world view Green paradigm Humans are part of nature and nature are equal Reality is subjective integrated and holistic The future is unpredictable The universe is chaotic The importance of intuition Consensus-based structures Cooperative structures Emphasis on the communal Facilitation through socialism Maintenance of a steady state Use soft tecnology Matriarchal and female Source: Weaver & Lawton (2002)

10 The new traveler stereotype Green consumer Knowledgeable about environmental issues Conscious of social justice concerns Motivated by a desire for selffulfilment and learning More independent-minded and quality conscious Carefully assesses tourism products in advance Preferes flexible and spontaneous itineraries Sensitive to local cultures Searches for authentic and meaningful experiences Searches for physical and mentally challenging experiences Wishes to have a positive impact on the destination Source: Weaver & Lawton (2002)

11 Changed world demand for nature Historical tourism development 1980s increased tourism demand for more naturebased travel adventures 1994: % international tourists (528.4 million) were nature tourists Now: Nature-based tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the world's largest industry

12 Eco-tourism demand More than a niche market! Environmentally minded travelers Hard core eco-tourism Nature - the reson to go! Nature professionals or people with serious interests Soft eco- tourism Nature important, but not main holiday motivation or activity

13 Understanding tourism sector Most important supporters of tourism demand and supply Attractions Often motivation for visit Accommodation Most visible sub-sector Transportation Most important element in destination development Public sector and policy Crucial management organisations Tour operators/planers Almost exclusively product packaging and distribution High influence on tourism demand and hence sector succes and failure Multiple SME s and tourism related stakeholders Different agendas, resources and focus on tourism

14 Tourism development is complex! Tourism often praised as an effective development tool, especially in rural areas and the developing world Positive and negative destination impact on: Environment Society and culture Economy Tribal people in Bandarban

15 Positive tourism impact Economy Direct / indirect revenue for country, community and private sector Nature Protect environment and preserve nature Source: Why Tourism Matters campaign Washington State, USA Society / Culture Preserving local culture and heritage Social wellbeing and stability Promotion of cross-cultural understanding

16 Negative tourism impact Economy Increased local living cost External money flow Nature High pressure on environment ressources Disturb fauna and flora Society / Culture Lost of cultural values and traditions Prostitution and crime

17 Destination impact from tourism Most vulnerable destinations less developed areas rapid tourism development Tourism in developing world Industry focus often inbound tourism (expect high income) Inbound tourism Few in numbers Potential negative social implications when huge cultural gab New discussion: Long-term social and economic benefit best from national tourism?

18 Sustainable tourism is the solution! One definition: Tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future Source: UNWTO A tourism value Development: Balancing the needs of tourists and destination New tourism management: cooperation government, tourism sector and all stakeholders

19 Sustainable tourism values and principles Economic goals Economically viable industry Economically viable businesses Economic benefits to locals and other stakeholders Environment economy integration Community based economics Environment and ressource goals Maintain or expand biodiversity Minimal resource degradation Resource benefits Acceptance of resource values Matching of supply and demand Intergenerational equity Adaptive design Conservation With Equity Social goals Participation Planning Education Health Employment Community benefits Visitor satisfaction Source: Hall (1998)

20 Best case: Bhutan national strategy National tourism status: Successful poverty alleviation through tourism development Core development values: Brutto National Happiness Pro-poor tourism development Long-term sustainability Restricted level of tourist activity Management: Department of Tourism Coordination Tourism advisor since 2002: SNV (Dutch NGO) Department of Tourism, Regional Trade and Industry Office, Association of Tour Operators, Nature Conservation Division

21 Eco-tourism - a sub-category One definition Ecotourism is a responsible travel to natural areas that covers the environment and sustains the well being of local people (Epler Wood, 1996) Goal Ecotourism can become an important tool to preserve and develop remote areas

22 7 characteristics of eco-tourism Involves travel to natural destinations Minimizes impact Supports human rights and democratic movements Respects local culture Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people Builds environmental awareness Provides direct financial benefits for conservation Source: The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

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24 Best case: Ecotourism in China Meilixueshan Conservation Area Principle tourist attractions Mountain, glaciers and waterfalls along a Tibetan pilgrimage route Tibetan cultural and religious heritage Activities Trekking through forest and traditional Tibetan villages Tibetan-run guesthouses or homestays Local Tibetan guides Development partners Deqin County Government The Nature Conservancy, world conservation organization

25 South Asian tourism cooperation! Regional tourism status in 2007 Inbound tourism India, Nepal and Bangladesh Total arrival: 5,7 million Total income 12,3 billion UD$ Already a multicountry activity 1/3 Indian tourists, visit primerly Nepal 46 % Bhutan tourists also visit Nepal and/or Indian Source: ADB (2009) The South Asia Travel & Tourism economy 2010 is: Number 10 in absolute size worldwide Number 1 in long-term (10-year) growth Source WTTC (2010)

26 Best case: Regional cooperation Asian Development Bank project Subregional tourism cooperation India, Nepal & Bangladesh Governments co-investment Sustainable heritage tourism development (UNESCO) Bangladesh: Heritage Highway Site access and condition Protect, manage and promote heritage Target markets Thailand, Korea, China, UK, France, Germany, Italy, USA, Canada and Australia

27 Bangladesh - tourism demand Forecast WTTC Travel & Tourism economic Impact Bangladesh ,9 to 4,1 % GDP from 2010 to : 265,9 billion Taka 2020: 788,4 billion Taka Who are the present tourists? National / international tourists Demographic and geographic profile Travel motivation and satisfaction Product consumption Who are welcome? National, regional or international tourists Mass tourists, high spenders, long time travelers Leisure or business tourism? Who supports positive development? Photo: a group of tourists in Sundarbans

28 International tourism image? Destination image: Sum of beliefs, ideas and impressions that a person has of a destination Kotler et al. (1994) Different image sources News/NGO: Only focus on the negative stories? International tourism focus: New7Wonders Lonely Planet: 2009 top ten interesting travel destination 2 new travel guide books The personal experience: Hear stories from people who lived in Bangladesh Travel Bangladesh: visit, business, expat, work, tourist

29 Best tourist attractions Sustainable products Eco tourism Cultural tourism Nature tourism Heritage tourism Religious tourism Adventure tourism Volunteer / study tourism Pro-poor tourism The everyday life Sustainable world icons? Cox s Bazar - not likely Sundarbans potential Other possibilities

30 The tourism industry National status: Bangladesh is still one of the countries in the South Asian region with the fewest arrivals and the lowest revenue earned from the tourism industry. Never the less, tourism has since the 1990s been a small but rapidly growing sector of the Bangladeshi economy. Royal Danish Embassy (2008)

31 New sustainable tourism visions ADB: Heritage Highway USAID/IPAC: Teknaf Peninsula Community- Based Ecotourism Strategy Katalyst: Tourism capacity development Government National tourism policy National Tourism Board Succes depend on longterm sustainable tourism strategies, knowledge and cooperation!

32 Present tourism organisation Bangladeshi tourism is a scattered industry Huge competion for the existing markets Lack of cooperation on all levels Goal fast economic groth Focus existing problems Blame between government and tourism industry Many isolated sustainable tourism resources, visions and initiatives United forces will make a sustainable tourism movement

33 Cooperation in tourism! Advise The stakeholders must truly want sustainable tourism development and be prepared to cooperate and communicate When setting up partnerships structures share income and risk Invite an expert on tourism to participate at the earliest posible date Source: GTZ Sustainable Tourism as a Development Option

34 Private sector: Tour operators Travel agencies Incoming agencies Employees in tourism Business associations Suply industry, souvenirs Advertising and marketing Hotels, B&B Transportation compagnies Restaurents Agriculture Guides Cooperation in tourism - an overview of the stakeholders Organisations of the multilateral and bilateral co-operation Tourism experts Tourists Public sector: Tourism officials Community and regional administrations Ministries of Economic and Foreign Affairs Ministry for Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation Agriculture NGO/SHO (Non-governmental and self-help organisations): International nature conservation organisations National NGO s Organisations of indigenous peoples Local NGO s Local SHO s/co-operatives Source: GTZ Sustainable Tourism as a Development Option

35 New tourism management Industry should: Adapt strategic thinking to develop tourism with benefits for everyone Extend and diversify product offerings to improve return on investments and social value Lead innovative management and help spread best practice through corporate social responsibility Source: WTTC (2003) Potential Bangladeshi players: International SKAL, WTTC, IATA National Associations: TOAB, ATAB, TGAB, Bangladesh Tourism Foundation Best practice players: Panigram, Guide Tours World brands in BD: Radisson, Emirates, Intrepid Travel Individual tourism players

36 New tourism management Government should: Show leadership defining management structures Elevate travel and tourism to strategic national level Add sustainable travel and tourism into all policies and decision-making High involvement: Attractions, regulation, research, planning, promotion etc. Source: WTTC (2003) Potential Bangladeshi players: International UNWTO, UNESCO, OECD, PATA Regional cooperation Bhutah, Nepal, India, Myanmar National Government All relevant ministries Municipalites Bangladesh missions abroad National tourism board Parjatan

37 New tourism management All stakeholders should help: Cooperate in identifying opportunities for growth Focus on building travel and tourism that open up prospects for people Work together to remove obstacles to growth Potential Bangladeshi players: International Bimtec, SNV, USAID National Development: Grameen, Katalyst, JCIB Conservation: Urban Study Group, Nishorgo, Contic Media: tourism and general Private sector: Chambers of commerce and industry, investors and banks Higher education: service schools and universities Source: WTTC (2003)

38 Status General sector obstaceles National tourism obstacles Tourism development goals Sustainable tourism values Summing up National and regional cooperation Active sustainable movement Long-term sustainable values Knowledge sharing and cooperation on all levels Goal: new tourism management The Views On Tourism Project Communication platform for sustainable tourism movement