Workshop on sustainable development of APEC tourism in the context of climate change

   Workshop on sustainable development of APEC tourism in the context of climate change by the APEC Tourism Working Group was held in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province on February 23rd 2017, within the framework of the first APEC Senior Officials Meeting and related meetings for APEC Vietnam 2017. The workshop was the respond to International Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017 launched by UNWTO and demonstrating the initiatives of APEC Tourism in reacting to the impacts of climate change. The workshop was chaired by the Deputy General Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Dr. Ha Van Sieu, along with representatives of International Cooperation Department, VNAT, representatives of Institute for Tourism Development Research, international experts from various APEC economies and international organizations such as WTTC, OECD, PATA, IATA, AICST, etc. 

   Deputy General Director Ha Van Sieu shared that in recent years, tourism in APEC economies had grown steadily and consistently, confirming its important role in socio-economic development, exchanging mutual understanding between the economies and enhancing the connection in the region. However, in the development process, the tourism industry had faced many challenges, especially the challenges brought about by climate change, said the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) “Tourism is both an agent and a victim of climate change”.
   Tourism development has many negative impacts on the environment and climate change. Tourism contributes 5% of greenhouse gas emissions from travel and accommodation (UNWTO, 2013); Solid and liquid wastes from tourism also cause pollution of soil and water; Accommodation business with the use of precious resources such as land, water and energy in large quantities also depletes natural resources; Some poorly planned tourism activities can adversely affect the biodiversity and wildlife environment. In addition, tourism is a vulnerable sector, sensitive to the changes of nature, climate. Climate change affects destination, travel season and operating costs (air conditioning, food, water, insurance…); Some extreme weather phenomena are difficult to forecast, causing travel programs to be canceled, creating anxiety for tourists; Sea level rise and landslide impact on coastal tourism.
   The workshop focused on presenting and discussing topics such as: vulnerability of tourism and climate change; the impact of tourism on climate change and vice versa; Policy orientation on sustainable tourism development in APEC economies, in response to climate change; Guiding the participation and dialogue among stakeholders in APEC economies. On behalf of VNAT, the Institute for Tourism Development Research also presented some contents on the draft APEC Tourism Guideline for Sustainable Development in the context of climate change.

   Based on the content presented and discussed during the workshop, the APEC Tourism Working Group will propose the objectives and content of the Ha Long Declaration and the APEC Tourism Guideline for Sustainable Tourism in the context of climate change will be launched. These are the two important documents that will continue to be reviewed and adopted at the High-Level Policy Roundtable on Sustainable Tourism to be held in Ha Long in July 2017 and the APEC Leaders’ Conference in November in Da Nang.

Hong Nhung