How to save tourism from itself | Doug Lansky | TEDxStockholmSalon

Summary

This script addresses the unsustainable growth of the tourism industry, highlighting the negative impacts such as overcrowding and environmental damage. It proposes a redefinition of success in tourism, emphasizing the need for strategies that protect local quality of life, maximize local economic impact, elevate visitor experience, and protect key assets. The speaker suggests practical solutions like time-ticketed entry, advanced spending, and supporting sustainable practices to ensure tourism benefits both travelers and destinations, while preserving the planet for future generations.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The global tourism industry has grown exponentially from 25 million international travelers in 1950 to 1.4 billion in recent years, becoming one of the world's largest industries.
• 📈 The current global strategy for tourism has been to continually push for 'more', which has led to over-tourism and negative impacts on the environment and local communities.
• 🚫 Over-tourism has resulted in overcrowding at popular destinations, damage to natural resources like coral reefs, and pollution in various forms, including air and marine pollution.
• 🛑 The speaker suggests that the tourism industry needs to 'pump the brakes' and reconsider its strategies to avoid further damage and ensure sustainable growth.
• 🏡 Protecting the quality of life for locals is identified as a key goal, as they have often been overlooked in the pursuit of tourism growth.
• 🌍 The concept of 'over tourism' is challenged by the speaker, who prefers 'unbalanced tourism', implying that a more balanced approach to tourism is needed.
• 🎟️ Destinations should implement measures such as ticketing systems and visitor limits to manage tourism growth and maintain a balance with local infrastructure and resources.
• 💰 The focus should shift from merely increasing visitor numbers to maximizing local economic impact, considering the costs and leakages in the tourism industry.
• 🛍️ Enhancing the visitor experience through better facilities, extended opening hours, and reducing queues can lead to increased spending and profitability with fewer visitors.
• 🌟 Protecting key assets, such as natural and cultural attractions, is crucial for the sustainability of tourism and requires proactive management and preservation.
• 🛫 The script raises the question of flying and its environmental impact, suggesting that while reducing flights is important, supporting the development of eco-friendly planes is also a viable path towards sustainable tourism.

Q & A

How has the number of international travelers changed from 1950 to the present day?

In 1950, there were 25 million international travelers, and by the last year mentioned in the transcript, the number had grown to 1.4 billion, indicating a massive increase in tourism as one of the world's largest industries.

What is the speaker's main concern regarding the current state of tourism?

The speaker is concerned about the negative impacts of over-tourism, including environmental degradation, disturbance to local communities, and the need for a more sustainable and balanced approach to tourism growth.

What does the speaker suggest as a solution to the problem of over-tourism?

The speaker suggests a redefinition of success in tourism, focusing on four key areas: protecting the quality of life for locals, maximizing local economic impact, elevating the visitor experience, and protecting key assets.

Why does the speaker argue that the term 'over-tourism' might not be entirely accurate?

The speaker argues that 'over-tourism' might not be accurate because it implies that there are too many tourists everywhere, whereas the problem is often more about unbalanced tourism, with certain areas being overcrowded while others are underutilized.

What is the speaker's view on the economic impact of tourism on local communities?

The speaker believes that the economic benefits of tourism should not come at the expense of the quality of life for locals. They argue for a strategy that ensures tourism works for locals and contributes positively to the local economy.

What is the concept of 'destination capacity' as discussed in the script?

Destination capacity refers to the idea of balancing the number of tourists with the available resources and infrastructure in a destination. It's about ensuring that growth is organic and sustainable, rather than overwhelming the destination's ability to accommodate and cater to visitors.

How does the speaker describe the current situation of tourists taking over certain areas in cities?

The speaker describes a scenario where tourists have effectively taken over certain areas in cities, making it uncomfortable for locals to access their own neighborhoods and services, which can lead to resentment and a decline in the quality of life for residents.

What is the speaker's suggestion for a more sustainable approach to tourism growth?

The speaker suggests that destinations should grow organically, similar to how theme parks expand by adding new attractions and facilities in tandem with increased visitor numbers. This approach ensures a balance between tourism development and the destination's capacity to accommodate.

What is the 'Palau Pledge' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to sustainable tourism?

The 'Palau Pledge' is an initiative by the island nation of Palau where visitors sign a passport stamp committing to act in an environmentally responsible way during their visit. It is a cost-effective and impactful way to encourage sustainable tourism practices among travelers.

How does the speaker address the issue of carbon emissions from air travel in the context of sustainable tourism?

The speaker acknowledges the dilemma of air travel's carbon footprint and suggests that while reducing flights is important, it's also necessary to support the development of eco-friendly planes and airlines that invest in sustainable energy solutions. They also encourage travelers to make more conscious choices, such as flying less or choosing more fuel-efficient flights.