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ETHOS Engaging Hospitality Operators in Sustainability. BC Partnership for Sustainable Tourism Society – is a partnership between the tourism industry and provincial Government Key participants and funding partners: Tourism Vancouver Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
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ETHOSEngaging Hospitality Operators in Sustainability • BC Partnership for Sustainable Tourism Society – is a partnership between the tourism industry and provincial Government Key participants and funding partners: • Tourism Vancouver • Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts • Ministry of Environment • Aboriginal Tourism BC • COTA • BC Climate Action Secretariat • BC Sustainable Tourism Collective • BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association • BC Hotel Association • Tartan Group • Academia – Tourism Educators/LinkBC • CSTAC - national partners (TIAC, CTC, Industry Canada, Parks Canada)
Role of ETHOS • To help reduce our GHG emissions, improve our financial performance, and reduce our environmental footprint and social impact while supporting our Super Natural BC brand. • Key Initiatives: • Education– business workshops and online programs • Resource centre– tools and resources including a social network to share best practices • Recognition and awards – showcasing success stories and developing an industry innovation award for employees • Certification program
Global Tourism • World’s largest service industry (UNWTO) • 2008: 922 million outbound travellers spending over $856 billion • Employs approximately 10% of global workforce • Forecast: to grow 3-5% per annum until 2020
2008: Generated $13.8B in revenue (62% increase since 1998) 2008: $937M in provincial tax revenue and $3.6B in export revenues 2008: Direct contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) of $6.6B (32% increase since 1998) Most (87%) of tourism‐related businesses located in SW region of BC, with over half (56%) in Mainland/Southwest. BC Tourism Industry
Contribution to BC Economy • 2009: 17,814 tourism-related business operating in BC • 2008: Employed 131,000 full-time equivalent employees, (+ 28% since 1998) • 2008: $4.7B wages and salaries (+ 61% since 1998) • Nearly one in four businesses (23%) have 20 or more employees. Average for all industries is one in 10 (11%)
Impacts of Tourism • GHG emissions generated directly from tourism is 5% If tourism was an actual country, comparing the total emissions of other countries, tourism would be 5th biggest polluter worldwide (UNEP, 2009) • Tourism’s contribution to GHG emissions could grow by 150% in the next 30 years (UNWTO, 2008) • Destruction of habitats will affect eco-tourism, land use, agriculture, fisheries and our image as a destination • Global tourism growth projections may now be suspect and vulnerable
Urgent Action Required • Scientific evidence clear; the earth’s climate is changing owing to mankind’s activities • Global GHG emissions need to stabilize by 2015 and be reduced well below half of 2000 levels to prevent average temperature rises beyond 2 degree threshold • In 2007, the BC Government legislated GHG reductions 33% below 2007 levels by 2020, 80% by 2050
Defining Sustainable Tourism • Brundtland Report (1987) - Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. • The World Summit (2005) - Requires the reconciliation of environmental, social, and economic demands - the "three pillars" of sustainability. • Tourism Industry - Creating the conditions for the long-term success of our industry, including the protection of our environmental and cultural heritage, contributing to our communities and ensuring strong financial performance. • Creating a new ethos
Drivers of SustainableTourism • Consumer behaviour & changing attitudes Increased demand for green travel & for offsetting • Technology and internet powerful influence for destination choice & distribution • Tourism operators - changing their view of the world • Perception of Canada by visitors • Government policy
Benefits of Adopting Sustainable Business Practices The Sustainability Payoff using the Business Scorecard Model: • Financial Performance • Customer • Internal Processes • Innovation & Learning
Industry-wide Transformation • Leadership • Vision • Plan • Resources • Tools • Action
Self Assessment • How is my organization doing?
Sustainability Payoff Overall Benefit: • Stronger Competitive Position • Economic Stability • Long-term Business Viability
Business Tools • Education – creating a culture of sustainability internally • Certification – as a clear path • Traveler’s Calculator – contributing to long term reduction by investing in BC based projects. • Gobi Carbon Management Tool – creating a long term action plan for reduction with financial benefits.
Business ToolsWhy Sustainable Tourism Certification? • Provides a framework to help tourism businesses follow a clear path to real sustainability • Globally respected endorsement that is the trusted standard in BC & Canada • Brings credibility to the industry, both for consumers & businesses • Creates a benchmark across all sectors • Gives consumers confidence that certified businesses are indeed protecting ecosystems and the well-being of local peoples
Implementing Certification • Green Tourism Business Scheme – UK • In operation for 12 years • Over 2200 current and active certified members in UK • Applied in New Zealand & Sweden • Based on measures of sustainability, not product or quality • One of the few programs that certifies full range of tourism operators • All assessments done in person (no self-assessment) • Completely aligned with Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria
Performance Indicators • Compulsory • Management and Marketing • Social Involvement and Communication • Energy • Water • Purchasing • Waste • Travel • Natural and Cultural Heritage • Innovation
Benefits of Certification Results based on GTBS members in the UK: • 70% improved energy efficiency • 60% developed green policies • 90% changed their purchasing behaviour (buying more local, fair-trade and green products)
Business Tools • Travelers Carbon Calculator • Determines the impact of travellers’ decisions by calculating the carbon emitted on their travels, ie: carbon footprint • Provides the opportunity to purchase carbon offsets in BC (Pacific Carbon Trust) • Gobi Carbon Management Tool • Comprehensive and affordable carbon software to measure, report and manage an organization’s carbon footprint • www.gobinet.com
Travelers Carbon Calculator • Offset calculators as an educational tool • Facilitators of progress through investment • Demonstration
Carbon Management Tools for Business • Demonstration • Benefits
For more information … • www.ethosbc.com • www.bchydro.com • www.gobinet.com • www.theicarusfoundation.com • www.linkbc.ca • http://web.viu.ca/sustainabletourism/ • ETHOS: 604 689 7774 • judy,.adams@ethosbc.com