Travel and tourism is the world's largest industry and touches every part of a country's economy.
In 1999, travel and tourism, around the world generated 192 million jobs and $3 trillion of GDP. According to forecasts by the World Travel & Tourism Council, it will continue to grow by three percent per annum until 2010.
In some countries, such as Thailand, there will be faster growth rates, and whilst this is good news in terms of increased wealth and greater employment for the country, it foretells of danger ahead. Indeed, growth in travel and tourism, developed in an unsustainable manner, may seriously affect the economies of countries around the world.
This is not a new revelation, nor is it a recent phenomenon, but it is important.
In 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio, 182 countries agreed to work together to save the planet. From this Summit, the World Tourism Organization, the World Travel & Tourism Council, and the Earth Council devised a set of safeguards - a blueprint - to apply to the travel and tourism industry. These organizations foresaw a need to act immediately for the sake of future generations.
A document, entitled "Agenda 21 for the Travel & Tourism Industry," (www.wttc.org) describes the actions required by the industry. These actions may appear daunting, but the consequences of inaction could be serious with economic penalties on businesses and potentially irreversible damage to the landscapes, wildlife, historic monuments, and cultural diversity on which the industry depends for its very survival. This could be the short-term effect.
In the long term, inaction could result in environmental and economic catastrophe.
A number of countries, Thailand included, are being motivated to take positive action. In a landmark, pilot program, the Thai government, through its national tourism organization the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), authorized work to commence on the island of Samui to address issues of environmental degradation. A process to raise awareness is already underway.
Samui is Thailand's second largest island, situated in the Gulf of Thailand and a very popular destination for visitors from around the world. The island is less than one hour's flying time from Bangkok, and has wonderful beaches, waterfalls, forested areas, and the potential to remain one of the world's most popular destinations for family vacations. The island will enjoy unprecedented growth in the next ten years. Will the island be in a position to support this growth in visitors?
To keep its place as a preferred destination for vacations, Samui's community is taking steps to ensure the island can sustain the growth in visitors predicted by these world bodies.
Work has already begun.
In conjunction with Green Globe Limited (www.ggasiapacific.com.au), the worldwide organization that sets environmental standards for all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, the TAT and Samui island community are engaged in plotting a future course for the island.
Work will then begin addressing infrastructure requirements; measures will be taken to guard against pollution, assist freshwater conservation, wastewater treatment, and so forth.
This is a process in which everyone will be involved - consumers, companies, and communities. Consumers (or visitors) will be asked to follow a code-of-conduct to help keep the island clean. Companies (hotels, tour operators, boat operators, etc.) will be encouraged to adopt environmental practices working to Green Globe standards - all in support of the community work taking place on the island.
Samui is defining environmental safeguards for other regions of Thailand to follow.
Eco-conscious travelers please take note. Thailand is going "green," and fully intends to live up to its reputation for being a great place to visit for cultural diversity, cuisine, historic monuments, friendly people and, most importantly, its responsibilities for protecting the country's natural environment. Not just for our children, but for our children's children.
