Workshop on Sustainable Tourism
29th November 2004

The third and final workshop of the 2004 CSR Network cycle focused on Tourism and the Hotel industry.

Speakers:

• Professor David Bellamy, Environmentalist and Broadcaster, UK
  
• H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Al Midfa, Director General, Environment & Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah
  
• Mr. Tony Williams, Al Maha Resort and Spa, Dubai
  
• Mr. Gary Mason, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai
  
• Mr. Mario Seneviratne, Director, Green Technologies, Green Buildings Expert
  
• Mr. Ibrahim Barghout, General Manager, JW Marriott Hotel Dubai

The World Tourism Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations, defines Sustainable Tourism thus: "Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of the present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing the opportunity 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."

Eco-tourism is understood as a subset of the wider sustainable tourism agenda. Eco-tourism adheres to the same principles of sustainable tourism, i.e. an integrated approach to tourism aligned with sustainable development, but focuses in particular on the conservation of natural and cultural heritage; the inclusion of local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation; and lending itself better to independent travellers, and smaller sized groups.

According to the World Tourism Organisation, tourism is the world's number one export earner. For the period January to August 2004, the number of international tourist arrivals is estimated to have reached 526 million, corresponding to an increase of 12% over the same period in 2003.

In 2002 the Middle East region grew by 17 per cent to a total of almost 28 million international tourist arrivals. In the same year the UAE showed a 32 per cent increase, welcoming over 5 million tourists. It is worth noting that in 2002 the population of the UAE was 2.4 million people.
The UAE Report on Sustainable Development (FEA, 2002) states that hotels, restaurants and tourism commerce contributed to 11.4% of the GDP in 2001.

The keynote address was given by Professor David Bellamy. Professor Bellamy, botanist, writer and broadcaster has become one of the best-known and respected personalities in Britain and around the world. His numerous television and radio broadcasts, together with his books, communicate to thousands of people his enthusiasm and concern for the natural world.

Professor Bellamy's presentation entitled, Sustainable Tourism and the Green Renaisasnce, highlighted examples of good practice around the world, including the skyrail at Queensland Australia's World Heritage Forest, and the Lake District in Britain. Professor Bellamy also pointed out the challenges that lie ahead as developing countries such as China begin to travel by air in increasing numbers. He stressed the importance of investing in the places tourists visit, in particular paying farmers a wage that allows them to manage rural areas.

Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi, EEG Chairperson said in her welcome address, "there is no doubt that tourism is a valuable element of our economy and perhaps the key to our country's continuing successful development. Nevertheless, the increasing burden this development places on our natural resources cannot be ignored".

H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Al Midfa, Director General, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah, gave an excellent insight into the delicate balance of preserving local wildlife and encouraging visitors to take in interest in the natural environment. He drew on the experience of the Sharjah Wildlife Centre and highlighted the large numbers of wild animals being bred at the centre, which are creating a tourist attraction themselves.

Additional speakers included Mr. Gary Mason, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai, Mr. Tony Williams, General Manager , Al Maha Resort and Spa; Mr. Mario Seneviratne, Green Buildings Expert; and Mr. Ibrahim Barghout, General manager, JW Marriott Hotel Dubai.

The Al Maha Resort was held up as an example of best practice in sustainable tourism in the region. The resort is home to several herds of Arabian & Scimitar-horned Oryx which roam freely in the 225 square kilometres of protected wildlife reserve. 115 Arabian Oryx were introduced in 1999 and the population has now grown to 275 animals. A further five gazelle species have also been introduced.

Mr. Seneviratne presented a case study on Engineering for Eco Hotels focussing in particular in the Kandalaman Hotel in Sri Lanka, which was the first hotel in the world to receive a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating.

The Marriott chain of hotels has a global commitment to environmentally conscious hospitality operations (ECHO). Mr Barghout outlined the company commitment referring to local and international examples and case studies.