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In the run-up to the climate negotiations in Durban, South Africa, an international alliance of civil society organisations, including Tourism Concern, has called upon negotiators to seriously and objectively address the role of tourism. The alliance points out that it is irresponsible to exclude aviation on the grounds that tourism is an "engine of development" and argues that globally binding negotiations on aviation emissions will, if managed properly, enhance rather than undermine poverty reduction.

In Call to Durban, a joint paper developed by civil society organisations from the global North and South (akte (Switzerland), EED/Tourism Watch (Germany), ECOT (Thailand), FTTSA (South Africa) and Naturefriends International) and endorsed by Tourism Concern and 32 others, the groups express their concern regarding the position taken by tourism lobby groups in the international climate negotiations. This NGO alliance criticises the often-cited claim of the travel and tourism industry that climate-related regulation of the aviation sector would make developing countries lose a considerable portion of their tourism income – a loss which would have negative impacts on poverty alleviation. According to this argument, binding emission reduction targets for the aviation sector would threaten the achievement of economic development goals.

Tourism does not automatically equal poverty alleviation

For Christian Baumgartner, General Secretary of Naturefriends International, claims that tourism automatically contributes to poverty alleviation in developing countries and that binding emission reduction targets for the sector would compromise poverty alleviation are unsupportable. "Only a fair and more sustainable tourism development can mitigate the negative impact of tourism on the climate and can actually contribute to poverty alleviation," Mr. Baumgartner emphasizes.

The organisations supporting the Call to Durban demand a serious and differentiated debate on tourism's contribution to poverty alleviation. "The travel and tourism industry have successfully protected their business interests in the name of poverty alleviation. However, it is urgent and imperative to address the complex social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts of tourism in destinations, especially the situation of employees and local communities," says Christine Plüss (Swiss Working Group Tourism and Development – akte).

Who profits?

Evidence from various case studies shows that a large part of the income from tourism does not remain in developing countries, but leaks back to international investors. More often than not, the remaining income fails to benefit the poor, accruing largely to local elites. "The poor in the so-called developing countries are the ones who suffer most from climate change – which they have not caused. And they hardly participate in or benefit from international tourism, even though this has often been claimed," says Caesar D'Mello (Ecumenical Coalition On Tourism – ECOT).

"The tourism industry must change, it must become fairer. In South Africa, we have a range of policies and policy instruments and public-private partnerships that can help to inspire more equitable tourism development on a global scale,” states Jennifer Seif (Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa – FTTSA).

Economic growth is no end in itself

"The debate on the role of tourism must go beyond repeating the same phrases over and over again, exclusively emphasizing the positive economic effects of tourism growth and failing to address the various negative impacts especially on the poor. It is high time to discuss the impacts of rapid tourism growth on the climate, biodiversity, natural resources and human development in a critical manner. Economic growth is not an end in itself. What we need is a human rights based approach," demands Heinz Fuchs (German Church Development Service – EED).

Side event in Durban:
On 5th December, 2011, during the climate negotiations in Durban, ECOT, EED Tourism Watch and FTTSA will be organising a panel discussion on climate justice and tourism. The panel will include a representative of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Title: Side event: Climate Justice and Tourism - sustainable tourism practice alleviates poverty more effectively than tourism growth numbers

Time: 11 am – 1 pm

Venue: C17 - 'People`s Space', Room Shepstone 5, The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

Contact in Durban: Sabine Minninger, EED-Tourism Watch, tourismclimate@googlemail.com, +49-176-65181271

More information, facts, figures, and positions, download LAST CALL TO DURBAN