HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
AGENDA 21 PANEL ITEM 9
30TH OCTOBER 1996
GREEN TOURISM IN HAMPSHIRE
REPORT OF THE HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Contact: Nicola Horsey, ext 5423
1. Summary
This report discusses what green tourism means in theory and in
practice in Hampshire, and recommends a new approach to tourism
promotion as part of the County Council's wider approach to
sustainable development and Agenda 21.
2. What is Green Tourism?
2.1 Green tourism is one of those expressions that is instantly
recognised, but means different things to different people. It
is better described as 'sustainable tourism' - this is
environmentally sensitive and responsible tourism, whether it
takes place in the countryside or in urban areas.
2.2 Central to the concept of sustainable tourism is a
'relationship' between four key elements:
- the visitor
- the tourist industry
- the host community
- the environment
2.3 For tourism to be truly sustainable it must:*
- respect the well-being and concerns of host communities and
cultures, and help sustain the local economy
- respect the character of the local environment and operate
within its capacity to regenerate itself
- reduce the impact on global resources
- provide a meaningful and satisfying experience for the
visitor.
* Taken from the English Tourist Board's Insights Journal B77
1995/96.
2.4 Most tourist activity is essentially friendly to the
environment - if properly managed. However, tourists do create
problems and these include traffic congestion and pollution in
peak times (as the majority of tourists use a car in the course
of their visits), and damage to the environment and buildings
in 'honeypot' areas. Green tourism objectives would tie in
closely with the County Council's approach to promoting public
transport and other more environmentally-friendly modes of
transport such as cycling and walking. Green tourism also can
help stem the decline of the economy in rural areas by
providing jobs and helping Hampshire's towns and villages
retain services and facilities.
2.5 Green tourism is more than just rural tourism or cycling and
walking, it embraces all aspects of managing tourism from
marketing through to hotel management which pays attention to
sustainable objectives. The concept of green tourism is linked
to that of sustainable development which is at the heart of the
Structure Plan and a key aim in the County Council's strategy
'Charting a Course'. Public awareness and support is critical
and this has been addressed through public awareness campaigns
such as HEADSTART and THINK WASTE. Any sustainable tourism
initiatives would similarly need to gain both public and
commercial support.
3. Green Tourism in Hampshire
3.1 A number of district councils in Hampshire have incorporated
suitable sustainable tourism policies into their tourism
strategies. These include New Forest and East Hampshire
District Councils and Eastleigh Borough Council. The County
Council's Tourism Strategy places considerable emphasis on the
need to protect and enhance the environment which is one of the
five priorities identified to determine future action. Some
specific green tourism activity such as walking, cycling and
riding is discussed, but it is not actually mentioned in the
Action Plan. However, the Tourism Stategy is due to be updated
and rolled forward this Winter, so it is a good opportunity to
incorporate some specific green tourism policies.
3.2 The County Council's draft Recreational Strategy recognises
the benefits of encouraging cycle tourism. A key aim of
this Strategy is to provide a range of high quality, safe and
enjoyable facilities for cycling, which will meet the aims of
both the residents of Hampshire and visitors. Many of the
projects highlighted in the strategy are aimed primarily at
cycle tourists such as the Round-the-Habour Cycle Route in the
Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport area.
3.3 Some of the initiatives currently being investigated by the
Tourism Working Groups in Arc Manche and the Atlantic Arc
include sustainable tourism projects such as the development
and promotion of walking and cycling routes through the regions
and encouraging rural tourism projects. These will be reported
in more detail to the Committee in due course when the projects
are more fully developed.
3.3 Hampshire Fare and hazel coppicing are both local initiatives
which demonstrate sustainable tourism principles and are
actively supported by the County Council.
4. The Way Forward
4.1 The County Council has approached tourism in a sustainable way
and there is some potential for promoting Hampshire as a green
destination for tourism. In partnership with the district
council and other organisations, the County Council should
adopt green tourism principles across the board, from marketing
to tourism support activities, in conjunction with the
development of the County Council's Agenda 21 plan which
involves all County Council departments including those
managing tourist attractions such as Hilliers Arboretum and the
Country Parks. Here land is managed for conservation and
recreation as well as providing facilities for environmental
interpretation.
4.2 In order to consider green tourism more fully, it is proposed
that the County Council:
1. Joins Green Globe International, at a cost of £150, to
be paid for from the 1996/97 Tourism budget. This is a
UK based, not for profit environmental organisation
working with the tourist industry on programmes of
sustainable development. Existing partners include the
Rural Development Commission, Youth Hostels Association,
English Tourist Board and various county and district
local authorities from around the country. Membership of
Green Globe will provide education and training, examples
of best practice and cost saving techniques and optional
on-site help to the County Council to develop a suitable
approach to sustainable tourism.
2. Encourages tourism businesses to save resources and act
in a more environmentally friendly way. Most businesses
want to improve their image and bring down operating
costs, and it is usually only lack of information and
help which makes them appear not to be interested in
environmental issues. This would be in line with the
work of the Economic Development Office in conjunction
with the Agenda 21 Panel. A database of Hampshire firms
which can give advice on environmental issues or which
are producing products that will assist the tourist
industry in meeting environmental regulations is being
produced which will be widely circulated.
3. Calls a meeting with district tourism officers to
discuss how they are dealing with green tourism issues,
to avoid potential overlap and duplication.
4. Incorporates a specific section on sustainable tourism
including recreational cycling in the Action Plan of the
updated Tourism Strategy.
Recommendations
1. That the proposals in Section 4 are approved.
NHA56596
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