News from Tourism Concern

Featuring case studies from Goa, Alleppy in Kerala, Bali, Zanzibar and The Gambia, the report highlights how poorly regulated tourism is adversely impacting the right to water and sanitation for marginalised communities.

On 9 July, industry, journalists, NGOs, MPs and supporters gathered at the Houses of Parliament for the launch of our latest campaign report, Water Equity in Tourism – A Human Right, A Global Responsibility.

Featuring case studies from Goa, Alleppy in Kerala, Bali, Zanzibar and The Gambia, the report highlights how poorly regulated tourism is adversely impacting the right to water and sanitation for marginalised communities. It calls for the essential water rights of local people to be prioritised over water for tourist leisure.

The report received endorsement from Hugh Bailey MP of the International Development Select Committee, and John Robertson MP, Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Water and Sanitation in the Third World. John Robertson also stated his support for a UK Commission on Business, Human Rights and the Environment, which would help ensure UK businesses operating overseas are accountable for their human rights impacts. Tourism Concern has been campaigning for such a Commission as part of the Corporate Responsibility Coalition (CORE)

We were honoured to have the Young London Goan Society say a few words in support of the report. Members of the Save Goa Campaign (which challenges the corrupt and environmentally devastating iron ore mining sector in Goa), were also present.

The launch also featured short films by our local partners from Goa and Zanzibar, Eco Footprints and Mwambao Coastal Community Network. You can watch both the films further down this page.

There was an encouraging tourism industry presence at the launch, including representatives from ABTA (the UK's largest travel trade association), the International Tourism Partnership, and major tour operator TUI.

The report enjoyed wide media coverage in the UK and across the world. This included an article in The Guardian, and in key tourism sector publications, including Travel Weekly and Travel Mole, plus appearances on the BBC World Service, two Australian radio stations and one in the US.

What next?

The report is now being disseminated to a wide range of industry stakeholders, including UK tour operators, hotels and the UN World Tourism Organisation. All are being pressed for a response to the issues raised and recommendations offered.

Copies are also being dispatched to the governments of Zanzibar/Tanzania, Goa, Kerala, The Gambia and Bali/Indonesia, plus relevant ministers and MPs within the UK Government.

Campaign activities in India

In Goa, Eco Footprints is working hard to challenge the State Government authorities. On 4th August they are hosting a Water Symposium as part of efforts to bring all relevant stakeholders together to address the horrific degradation of Goa's water resources due to poorly regulated tourism development. Please show your support by adding your name to our online petition today!

In Alleppey, our local partners GSGK and Kabani are lobbying the government and supporting local communities to engage in and challenge tourism planning processes, to ensure that their rights are protected. Please add your voice to this campaign – sign our petition today.

Campaign activities in Zanzibar

In Zanzibar, Mwambao Coastal Community Network are embarking on a programme of participatory video advocacy (community film making) with villagers from Jambiani and Kiwengwa – both major resort areas that featured in our report. The project will enable people to document tourism-water issues from a community perspective, while raising understanding and supporting community efforts to advocate for more equitable water management. The videos will be presented to government and tourism sector stakeholders (i.e. hoteliers, tour operators) at a workshop later this year.