Water Equity in Tourism

©Vox United/Survival

The issue

The right to water constitutes one of the most fundamental human rights. Yet for local communities in many countries, this right is being undermined in the name of tourism. While tourists can enjoy several showers a day, swimming pools, golf courses and lush landscaped gardens, neighbouring communities often face severe water shortages. This can exacerbate already extreme conditions of hardship and poverty.

>> Learn more about this issue

Tourism Concern's solutions

Tourism Concern is campaigning to promote and protect the right to water of local communities in the face of increasing competition from the tourism industry. Our Water Equity in Tourism programme (WET) involves:

• Detailed research into tourism’s impact on water access of local communities
• A special steering committee comprised of experts from campaigning groups, development agencies, think-tanks and academia to guide and analyse the research. See the list of organisations that make up the steering group below
• Awareness-raising with tourists including water-saving tips for holidays and campaign actions
• Lobbying and advocacy, including promoting dialogues with industry, governments and community stakeholders in a bid to ensure local peoples' right to water is protected

What you can do

Take the WET Pledge and turn up the water pressure

By taking the WET Pledge, you are adding your voice to our calls for the tourism industry and governments to protect the water rights of communities in tourism destinations.

Save water while on holiday!

Check out our easy water saving tips for holidaymakers.

Urge the UK Government to set up a Commission on Business, Human Rights and the Environment that will hold companies to account for rights violations committed overseas and provide access to redress for victims.

You can also support this campaign by becoming a member, signing up to our for the latest updates and campaign actions, or donate to our WET appeal.

Check this page again later to download our water-saving tips.

WET Steering Group

Our WET programme is supported by a special steering group, the WET-SG. This is composed of a cross-sector of NGOs, think tanks and academics, selected for their relevant expertise in issues related to water, development, human rights and business. The WET-SG is helping to guide the in-country research and analyse the findings. Local groups in destinations will also be invited to join, in order to promote ownership of the information and to ensure that their perspectives inform conclusions and the development of sustainable solutions. 

WET-SG members:

• ABTA (Destinations Sustainability Programme)
• End Water Poverty
• Freshwater Action Network
• Institute for Human Rights and Business
• Kabani – the Other Direction
• Overseas Development Institute
• Progressio
• Tearfund
• Travel Foundation
• University of West England
• Water Wise
• Water Witness International

Related news

Browse our free water teaching resources!

PRESS RELEASE: Holidaymakers urged to be water aware

Time to end Goa's tourism water woes

WET educational resources: Watch this space!

NEW: Tourism Concern videos on You Tube

WET Appeal – Help ensure community water rights are protected

Bali’s Looming Water Crisis Threatens Tourism and Livelihoods

Botswana Bushmen to get water at last

World Water Day success!

Victory for Kalahari Bushmen as court grants right to water