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Maintained by |
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This Charter has been developed by a group representing the protected
areas, the tourist; industry and their partners. It has evolved from
previous discussions initiated by the Federation of Nature and National
Park of Europe (FNNPE) in 1991, leading to the publication of the report
'Loving Them to Death?'
This charter is in line with the world-wide and European priorities as
expressed in the recommendations of Agenda 21 adopted at the Rio
Conference, and by the European Union 5th Action Programme for sustainable
development. It is listed among the priority projects adopted by the World
Conservation Union (IUCN) in its action programme for European Protected
areas 'Parks for life'. It also responds to the appeal issued by the 1995
World Conference on Sustainable Tourism held in Lanzarote recommending the
urgent establishment of action programmes for sustainable development in
the tourism sector. This Charter pursues the principles stated by the World
Charters for Sustainable Tourism as formulated by the Conference.
This charter reflects the wishes of authorities responsible for protected
areas and of tourism industry representatives to support and encourage
sustainable tourism development in protected areas.
Its purpose in to act as a standard and guideline helping each signatory to
develop High quality, sustainable tourism, defined as : 'any form of
development or management of tourist activities ensuring the long-term
protection and preservation of natural, cultural and social resources and
contributing in a positive and equitable; manner to the economic growth and
well being of individuals living in, working in or visiting the protected
areas'.
We believe that the pursuit of such a balance between conservation
objectives and social, cultural and economic development is the best
approach for the long-term viability of tourism which itself depends
heavily upon the quality of the environment, as well as for the
conservation of protected areas.
To implement these aims, the charter is designed to initiate local action
programmes based on a strong partnership between the authorities
responsible for the protected areas, the tourism industry and the local
community, by fostering an integrated and strategic approach to tourism.
The European Charter for sustainable tourism in protected areas is aimed at:
* organisations responsible for managing protected areas (nature and
national parks or any other protected areas where public access is
permitted and is compatible with conservation objectives)
* the tourism industry at the destination (hotels, restaurants, travel
agencies, tour guides, etc.)
* tour-operators and transport companies.
The charter consists of 5 sections
* The principles of sustainable tourism in protected areas to which each
signatory agrees
* The section for protected areas - This commits the authorities
responsible for the protected areas to define a strategy for
sustainable tourism development for their area and a concrete action
plan, in partnership with the tourism industry and the local
population
* The section for the tourism industry within the protected areas - This
commits tourism businesses to define a strategy and a precise action
plan to manage their activities in a sustainable manner. This strategy
must conform to the strategy for their protected area in which the
business operate.
* The section for tour operators and transport companies- This commits
the signatories to conduct their operators in protected areas in a
responsible manner. Signatories may be involved with several protected
areas.
* The section for the media - This gives recommendation on how the media
should report activities in protected areas appropriately, in a
responsible manner
Participation in the Charter is both voluntary and contractual
Each signatory commits itself to define and implement a strategy for
sustainable tourism development. This strategy shall addressed the
principles of sustainable tourism in protected areas and constitute the
framework of an action covering all the themes presented in the section
corresponding to each signatory.
This action plan will be presented on a standard form, that will include a
description of the current situation, of the constraints, main objectives
for development and improved, criteria and tools to evaluate the strategy.
This form represents the contractual part of the charter. It will be used
by a technical committee to evaluate the quality of the project, before
signing the Charter, and ultimately to evaluate the results of the
strategy.
This plan must not consist of a simple declaration of intent but must
propose precise measures for sustainable tourism development in protected
areas.
Nature and national parks and other protected areas of Europe are regions
of natural and landscape value, as well as great tourism potential. They
represent the most beautiful mountains, coastal and wetland areas which
more and more people are keen to discover during their holidays. The
promoters of this charter recognise that if sustainable tourism is to
succeed in these areas it will require the fulfilment of visitor
satisfaction, the realisation of benefits for the local community and the
proper integration of tourism and environmental conservation policies.
To implement sustainable tourism in protected areas the signatories of this
charter, agree to the following principles.
Tourism development in protected areas shall take into account the
limitations of the capacity of the natural, social and cultural environment
to accommodate visitors. To this end, the impact of tourist activities on
protected areas shall be regularly planned, managed and assessed to take
account of environmental, economic and social needs.
Tourism in protected areas shall be managed in such a way as to minimise as
possible the use of natural resources (water, energy), to reduce the
production of tourism-related waste and to promote the use of sustainable
forms of transport.
Tourism in protected areas shall new development opportunities appropriate
to the environment and the local character such as the conversion of
abandoned buildings. Where appropriate, schemes should be defined to
encourage those who benefit from tourism to participate on a voluntary
basis in the reconservation or the enhancement of the natural and cultural
heritage.
The local community shall be involved in the decision making process for
sustainable tourism development, and in the management of certain tourist
activities. The development of tourism should guaranty as many benefits as
possible.
Tourism in protected areas shall contribute to the local economy by
promoting local jobs and using local products or skills. Special care
should be taken so that a balance is maintained between the benefits
arising from tourism and other sectors which play a key role in maintaining
the environment. Tourism may offer additional activities for some
traditional economic sectors.
Activities shall be based on the intrinsic qualities of the area,
encouraging appreciation and enjoyment of its natural and cultural heritage
and only requiring a development at an appropriate scale.
Tourist products or facilities in protected areas should aim to offer
education and interpretation, in particular for the benefit of young people
and schoolchildren, to encourage people to understand and learn more about
protected areas.
Marketing and promotional actions in protected areas shall help increase
visitors' awareness of environmental protection and encourage respect for
local tradition and customs. Marketing and promotional messages shall
highlight the authentic values and assets of the territory, and assist the
visitor management by encouraging the public to visit the protected areas
in the off-season.
Authorities responsible for Protected areas believe that "sustainable
development is not the antithesis of conservation, the two are
complementary". In fact, sustainable tourism development can be of great
value for conservation, by generating necessary funds.
On the other hand poorly managed tourism can also cause great damage to
protected areas. The World Conservation Union, in its report "Parks for
Life" stressed the fact that the pressures from tourism are growing rapidly
and that numbers of tourists are expected to grow at an annual rate of
3-4.5 % over the next 10 years. But above all, protected areas are becoming
increasingly popular as destinations.
In this context, careful and efficient planning, management and rigorous
monitoring should be needed in order to guarantee that tourism development
in protected areas is successful and does indeed respect the natural,
cultural and social environment of the area.
All these recommendations are for the mutual long-term benefit of the
protected areas, the tourism industry, the local communities and the
visitors.
As signatory of the Charter, the authority of the protected area undertakes
to :
* accept and abide by the common principles for sustainable tourism in
protected areas as presented in Section1.
* prepare a strategy for sustainable tourism development in the
protected area. The strategy adopted will set the objectives for
tourism development in the area. It will define goals relating to
conservation and enhancement of its heritage, to economic and social
growth, and to visitor management.
* prepare an action programme which reflects the strategy. The action
programme will outline the measures to be implemented in terms of
environmental protection and tourist management. It will specify the
nature of tourism to be developed, its location, the images and values
on which tourism is based, the target clientele. It will also set out
a framework of marketing, promotion, communication and potential
partnership to be developed. A monitoring scheme should ensure that
action can be taken immediately if measures have negative effects.
This strategy will be drawn up as follows :
The sustainable tourism strategy will be based on an assessment of tourism
and the environment undertaken jointly with the partners and designed to
determine the locally approach to sustainable tourism.
The assessment will address the following :
* an analysis of the needs and constraints of the area, taking into
account the objectives of conservation and improving the quality of
life of the population.
* an audit of assets of the area including natural and cultural features
along with their tourist uses and potential.
* an identification of values and assets of the area.
* a qualitative assessment of the tourism resources (strengths and
weaknesses).
* Knowledge of visions profiles, of their expectations and of tourism
market trends.
This assessment will provide the opportunity to highlight points of
potential tourist interest. It will be conducted using a multidisciplinary
approach, taking into account the short, medium and long terms impacts of
tourism development on the natural, cultural, social, economic and
psychological environments.
This strategy will be formulated and implemented in partnership with
representatives from the tourism industry, as well as representatives from
other economic sectors, the local authorities and the local population of
the area.
It is recommended that public consultation meetings be organised so tourism
development is in keeping with the needs of the local inhabitants. The aim
of this consultation is to seek a common vision and quality for the area.
This strategy should set objectives for each of the following themes of
sustainable tourism
Environmental management and prevention of nuisances
Specific measures should be developed to ensure tourism activities remain
within the carrying capacity and agreed limits of acceptable change of the
natural, cultural and social environment of the area.
Schemes should be devised to channel some benefits brought by tourism to
the conservation, maintenance and enhancement of the natural and cultural
heritage. Voluntary subscription schemes may be devised in order to involve
visitors, tourist business and other tourism partners in this task.
The development of tourism resources in protected should be based on a
marketing approach. The expectations both of visitors and potential
visitors should therefore be analysed in order to adapt the tourism
services to these expectations while contributing to the fulfilment of
conservation objectives. Based on this principle, tourism products and
activities should be developed in accordance with the expectations of
clearly identified target markets.
Measures to manage tourism flows in space and should be considered in order
to guarantee the preservation of the natural, cultural and social
environment as well as to preserve the quality of the tourist experience.
At the same time these measures will increase the economic impact of the
tourist activity in the area.
The reduction of traffic by private vehicles should constitute one of the
priorities of the tourism strategy of the protected area. Promotion should
be carried be carried out to encourage the use of public transport, cycling
and walking both for access to the protected area with within its
boundaries.
Recommendations should be given to ensure the appropriate design and
management of facilities in the protected area. In the case of new
renovation of existing buildings rather than to the construction of new
ones. The use of local materials an consideration of architectural
traditions should be encouraged.
The Protected area's tourism product should foster environmental awareness,
discovery and interpretation of the area's natural and cultural heritage.
These activities should have a minimum impact on the natural and cultural
environment.
The marketing and promotion strategy of the protected area should help
increase visitors awareness of the authentic values of the area and of the
objectives of sustainable tourism development. It should help the
signatories of the charter, by officially endorsing, the protected areas
and tourism business, to derive benefit from there commitment.
Specific programmes and facilities should be designed for the environmental
education and interpretation for visitor, local population, especially for
young people and schoolchildren.
A good quality information should be made available to the visitors and the
local community especially regarding the tourist offering, the exceptional
assets and sensitivity of the natural environment. The public should also
be kept informed of the objectives of conservation and sustainable
development.
The protected by area's strategy should encourage tourism-related
initiatives involving various sectors of the local economy so that tourism
has a positive impact on the local economy Better environmental management
may also mean greater efficiency.
The improvement of quality of life for the local community should be a
priority project in the strategy for sustainable tourism development of the
protected areas. This should be fostered by the promotion of local jobs the
involvement of the local population in decision-marketing, and by
encouraging exchanges and contacts between visitors and the local
population.
The area's tourism strategy should include measures to spread the benefits
of tourism across as wide a range of people as possible. Within the idea of
sustainable development, the protected areas should take into account the
needs of the areas and population located outside their boundaries.
Measures should be taken to avoid any elitism.
Cooperation with the partners from the tourism sector
The manager of the protected area should seek close cooperation with the
tourism industry. This should be essential for the implementation of the
sustainable tourism development strategy in protected areas.
The area's tourism strategy should encourage cooperation among tourism
businesses in order to foster joint discussions and actions as a perquisite
for sustainable development. Networking between tourism partners can
contribute to improving tourist flows. It can furthermore improve the
efficiently of promotional activities initiated by tourist businesses.
The action plan of this protected will cover all those themes
The tourism business signatory of the charter will benefit from the
following business benefits from participating in a programme of
sustainable development :
The opportunity to respond to consumer interest for a better quality and
care of the environment.
The long term viability of the business by protecting the environment on
which the capital of the tourist enterprise depends.
Costs savings by the reduction of water and energy consumption and waste
production.
Contacts with the other social and economic partners who contribute to the
enhancement of the quality of visitor satisfaction to the entire region.
New commercial opportunities from the networking of the key players
involved in tourism in the area.
Increased staff morale through participation in a positive programme of
environmental protection.
And most importantly, the guarantee of the quality of the environment on
which the tourist product is based.
Advice and guidance including training seminars for implementing
environmental management systems.
Use in promotional material of a European label which signifies commitment
to a programme of sustainable tourism development in the protected areas
for ensuring a quality products.
Publication of a brochure for distribution at the European level detailing
the tourism businesses and the protected areas participating in the
Charter.
The opportunity to word within a network of businesses at the European
level in this way to benefit from the opportunities to share ideas and
information.
Help from the officers of the protected area for the drafting of European
grants.
Aid for identifying new commercial opportunities via the market studies
conducted by the technical services of the protected area.
Advice from the officers of protected area to design new activities which
are compatible with the sensitivity of the environment.
The provision of information concerning tourism in the protected area in
order to be able to adapt the product to suit the demand of the visitors
and to take advantage of new commercial opportunities.
Educational material produced by the technical services of the protected
area.
In return, the tourism business signatory to the charter commits the
company to :
* accept and respect the principles of sustainable tourism in protected
areas
* work in close partnership with the authority of the protected area to
contribute to the sustainable tourism development of the area
* design and implement a sustainable development tourism strategy and
action programme in cooperation with the authority responsible for the
protected area and in compliance with its objectives.
This strategy should set objectives for each of the following themes of
sustainable tourism
* Develop activities compatible with the conservation aims of the
protected area. To this end, the company should ensure that, the
proposed activities should have a minimum negative impact upon the
environment.
The company should seek the advice of officers of the protected areas when
designing new activities so that they should be in compliance with the aims
of sustainable tourism development.
* Respect the scale and the local architectural style when carrying out
extension, renovation or refurbishment of buildings.
* Implement a programme of reduction of energy and water consumption and
waste generation.
* Whenever possible favour, the purchase of recycled, recyclable or
reusable products.
* Treat pollution problems at source by using preferentially products
which because of their components and packaging are less
environmentally damaging.
* Establish a sorting and recycling programme for waste. Ensure that the
reception building are correctly equipped for dealing with waste
water.
* Maintain air quality by encouraging customers to use means of
transport which do not harm the environment. Reduce the air pollution
risks by checking that refrigerators and air conditioning systems are
maintained in proper working order.
* Participate in the maintenance of natural sites, in the immediate
surroundings of reception buildings or in the places where the
company?s tourist activity is based.
* Help the technical services of the protected area in their mission to
monitor the natural areas, by keeping them informed of any changes
observed by company employees or visitors during their visits in the
protected area.
* Make available to staff information on sustainable tourism and
encourage participation in any training seminars organised by the
protected area.
* Train staff to respect the principles of sustainable development
expressed, especially concerning the preservation of natural resources
(water, air, soil) and their attitude in choosing environmentally
benign products in terms of production, packaging, reuse, etc.. in
order to guarantee implementation of the commitment taken in signing
the Charter.
Participate in the monitoring of the strategy of sustainable tourism
development
e.g.
* Participate in any meeting organised by the protected area for the
implementation and monitoring of the sustainable tourism development.
* Communicate regularly but confidentially appropriate statistics on the
company's activity to ensure that the best strategic and commercial
decision in the protected area may be made regarding sustainable
development.
Offer high quality tourist activities based on the discovery and
appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage of the protected area.
e.g.
* Develop a quality product meeting the needs of the clientele targeted
by the protected area. This product should favour the discovery and
understanding of and respect for natural and cultural heritage.
* Acquire a knowledge of the local heritage in order to provide visitors
with the best advice by taking part in any training courses on this
subject. In addition make available to customers a complete range of
documentation relating to the protected area (tourist guides, maps
etc.).
* Make available to staff manuals and information on the natural and
cultural heritage of the protected area.
* Emphasise in all promotional literature the genuine values of the
protected area and especially the fragile nature of the area.
Help and encourage visitor understanding and taking care of the natural and
cultural heritage
i.e. :
* Include an educational element in the activities offered in order to
help visitors understand and enjoy the natural and cultural heritage
of the area, and to explain the behaviour to adopt and to encourage
the people to change their habits to respect the environment
Encourage visitor awareness of the benefits of sustainable tourism
development
* Inform the visitors about the measures being undertaken by the
protected area and its partners.
* Make visitors aware of the leading role played by the protected areas
in the sustainable development of their regions and its communities.
Respect and contribute to improving the quality of life of the inhabitants
of the protected area.
e.g.
* Encourage visitors to respect the way of life the inhabitants of the
protected area, taking care not to cause any disturbance. Pay special
attention to noise, blockage of roads by visitors' cars as well as to
any other behaviour that might upset the local residents.
* Encourage guests to use public transport in order to ensure its
viability.
* Promote the development of cultural events organised by the
inhabitants of the protected area.
* Encourage a local purchasing policy in order to help the local
economy. Promote those local products and traditions which encourage
environmental sensitivity.
Work in partnership with the other tourism businesses of the protected area
e.g.
* Draw attention of guests of the other protected areas and other
tourist businesses adhering to the Charter.
* Refer guests to other tourist businesses participating in the charter
which may be able to meet specific needs not offered by the company
itself.
All those themes would be covertly the strategy and the action of the
tourist businesses participating in the Charter.
Prepared by ...
Mr. Jean-Luc Sadorge
Director, Federation des Parcs Naturels Regionaux de France
4 rue de Stockholm, 75008 Paris, France
Telephone +33 1 44 90 86 20 Fax +33 1 45 22 70 78
| From: Eco-tour.org |