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Subject:

FW: Week in Europe

From:

"Ali, Linda" <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Ali, Linda

Date:

Thu, 5 Dec 2002 09:04:26 -0000

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (188 lines)

-----Original Message-----
From: Ali, Linda
Sent: 04 December 2002 10:58
To: 'Amanda Sives'
Subject: RE: Week in Europe



Dear Amanda - I have been a keen supporter of Fairer Tourism and this paper
is very relevant.  I believe that, for too long, the well off 'use'
sun-drenched locations to their benefit, take ALL they can, and leave the
areas, even more impoverished than when they arrived, in many cases - i.e.
the all-inclusives.  No money is spent in many Caribbean islands by tourists
as everything they require is paid for in their originating countries.

Furthermore, many poor people in the holiday locations can only look on at
the display of wealth without ever hoping to join this elite group.   This
in my mind has political implications namely those who feel they are being
exploited are being more enlightened and may well taken action of one sort
or other.

Thanks for sending these news updates.  Linda Ali



-----Original Message-----
From: Amanda Sives [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 19 November 2002 13:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Week in Europe



The Week in Europe

By David Jessop

 Each year two very large tourism trade shows take place in Europe. One is
located in London and is held every November. The other takes place in
Berlin in March. Both events are attended by hundreds of industry
professionals from the Caribbean and many more from elsewhere. All make use
of such events to strike deals with the thousands of tour operators, travel
agents, airline representatives and others who attend.



Both trade fairs are also notable for the opportunity they offer to develop
new initiatives related to tourism.



This year a small number of hotelier's associations from the Caribbean and
Indian Ocean with the support of colleagues in the Pacific, South Africa and
elsewhere met informally in the margins of World Travel Market in London.
Their aim was to identify whether there was enough common ground to try to
develop tourism private sector positions across the African, Caribbean and
Pacific group of nations (the ACP). There was a meeting of minds and the
group is now intending to bring together interested parties next year to
address jointly matters of concern relating to trade negotiations and the
ways in which European development assistance is provided to the sector.



As the group was meeting, another initiative of relevance to the region was
being announced. This was the launch of a guide to social responsibility
among the companies that market vacations in the Caribbean and elsewhere.
The document, which is primarily aimed at improving the ways in which tour
operators act in developing nations, was launched jointly by the Association
of British Travel Agents (ABTA) which represents over ninety per cent of
British tour operators and a Christian aid organisation known as Tearfund.



Entitled somewhat unpromisingly 'Improving Tour Operator Performance: The
Role of CSR and Reporting' this very accessible short paper suggests how
tour operators can address the social, economic and environmental impact of
their business activities. The document argues that this has particular
value in developing countries. It makes clear that a socially responsible
approach can also be made into a successful business model for tour
operators and hoteliers. That is through product differentiation and the
creation of improved quality and enhanced customer loyalty.



According to the paper, recent research has shown an increase in concern
amongst consumers about the social and environmental impact of the holidays
that they take, particularly in developing countries. Most consumers, it
seems, feel that their holiday should benefit the destination they are
visiting and would like more information about the impact of their holiday
before they book. The research also revealed that most consumers would pay
more for their holiday if it came with assurances and details of how the
local community would directly benefit.



The report suggests that the process of corporate social responsibility has
to start with a company having clear core values and principles that address
everything from its own employment policies to its attitude to the
environment. These it argues then have to be incorporated into the ways in
which any tour operator engages with its suppliers in the market concerned.



Put practically this means that both the tour operator and the hotelier or
other local supplier are being encouraged to find ways to increase the
benefits of tourism to local communities. Examples cited include supporting
local activities that stimulate wealth creation, minimising pollution and
encouraging energy efficiency, waste reduction and recycling. It could also
mean, the paper suggests, the development of an approach with the hotelier
that places emphasis on fair wages, training, education and
non-discrimination.



While this may seem altruistic, research undertaken by the paper's authors
showed that half of those interviewed for the study were more likely to book
a holiday with a tour operator that has an ethical code. Moreover, the
majority of these were willing to pay for that guarantee. ABTA research in
2002 found that 87 per cent of holidaymakers said it is important that their
holiday does not damage the environment, and that 76 per cent feel that
tourism should benefit those in the destination, through jobs and business
opportunities. The research showed also that 59 per cent wanted information
about local issues in their resort before they booked.



Speaking about this, Ian Reynolds, ABTA's Chief Executive, noted that taking
action to increase the positive and reduce the negative impact had become
vital to the future sustainability and profitability of tourism. A
forward-looking business, he argued, will address these issues "before it is
too late". The type of corporate social responsibility being proposed in the
joint paper can provide "a useful framework"; he is reported as having said.




Pressure for businesses to become more socially responsible has increased
following high profile corporate scandals in the United States and in
Europe. These coincide with increasing pressure from aid agencies
particularly in Europe's member states and from within the European
Commission to ensure that all development programmes take into account their
environmental and social impact.



Tourism provides jobs, attracts foreign exchange and generates income to
support local development. It can also directly support local industry and
encourage communities to place greater emphasis on environmental protection.
On the negative side the benefits can bypass local communities, put pressure
on scarce local resources and the environment. Money may not reach the local
economy and the jobs available may be poorly paid or insecure.



Greater social responsibility among the rapidly diminishing number of ever
more powerful groupings of tour operators would be a welcome development.
However, to succeed it needs to be matched by a corresponding understanding
on the part of those governments and hoteliers that still look only at the
bottom line whether it is in relation to taxation or profit.



Even before the events of September 11 much of the industry in the Caribbean
was showing signs of tiredness, a lack of competitiveness with other
destinations and the need to restructure. Any new approach to remarketing
would be wise to factor in what most likely will become a trend at the
higher end of the market: namely socially responsible tourism.



David Jessop is the Executive Director of the Caribbean Council and can be
contacted at [log in to unmask]

November 15th, 2002




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