Andreas has just submitted a chapter for the ITB publication  “Trends and Issues in Global Tourism 2011”. The chapter seeks to explore the relationship between hotels and climate change. The role of hotels in contributing to climate change, and the impacts they face as a result of climate change are discussed. The paper then explores to what extent the accommodation sector is engaging in behaviour to reduce its contribution to climate change and why it is in its own self-interest to do so.

Subsequent to these discussions, examples are provided of how different hotels and hotel chains are responding to the challenges of climate change focusing at first on mitigation and then adaptation. A brief discussion of sustainable supply chain management is also provided given its importance in tackling the causes of climate change. The examples serve to illustrate the range of activities currently being undertaken in the sector. The publication resulted from Andreas’ role as moderator for a panel discussion at ITB this year on hospitality and climate change. If anyone has any examples of adaptation in the hospitality industry please email these to Andreas a.walmsley@leedsmet.ac.uk as he is keen to explore this issue further.

In April Lucy McCombes was invited to represent ICRT at ATA’s 35th Annual World Congress hosted in The Gambia. She moderated the opening plenary on: “The Smiling Coast of Africa: Model of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism” with keynote speakers including: the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Minister of Forestry and Environment, Manager of Kombo Beach Hotel which has recently won a Gold Travelife Award (the first in West Africa), and Adama Bah, from The Travel Foundation and a current student at ICRT.
The four-day event addressed a myriad of topics, such as tourism growth markets, travel trends, airline access, investment opportunities, transportation and social networking tools. You can find out more about the outcome of this event on:
http://africatravelassociation.org/ata/media/documents/ATAGambiaCongressPressReleaseClosing.pdf

Lecture Room D in the Rose Bowl (RD538)

Leeds Metropolitan University, Portland Crescent, Leeds, LS1 3HB

Map and Parking http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/Full_Maps_1April09_Web.pdf

Catch the Free Bus from the Railway Station or walk up either East Parade or Park Row, the new Rose Bowl is behind the City Hall.

Register Now

If you plan to attend register your interest by emailing Andreas Walmsley at responsiblecruising@googlemail.com

Free one day event with keynote speaker Prof Ross Klein, Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. Ross is an international expert with knowledge of cruising out of the UK, North America and the Caribbean, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Harold Goodwin will be talking about Responsible Tourism in Antarctica. This conference is an opportunity to explore what we mean by Responsible Cruising and to begin to work towards a definition of it.

10:00 Opening and Introduction setting the Agenda Harold Goodwin

10:15 Setting the Agenda: Economic Issues Ross Klein Chaired by Harold Goodwin

Economic Responsibility for example:

1. the bargaining power of cruise operating companies over landing and berthing fees when they have exceptional mobility and are able to play one port against another.
2. the capturing of value in highly vertically integrated companies which often own or part own their handling agents and “local” retailers in the ports.
3. the ability of cruise line operators to influence and  manage the purchasing decisions of their passengers.
4. the extent to which the supply chains of the cruise lines benefit the local economies of the destinations they use.
5. Is it true that the destinations do not capture an appropriate share of the value of the cruise – the cruise lines are largely “free loaders” with no investment in the destination.

Social Responsibility for example

11:00 Setting the Agenda: Social Issues Ross Klein Chaired by Harold Goodwin

1. the impact of large numbers of tourists, often inappropriately dressed, coming ashore and dominating the destination to the detriment of locals and other visitors.
2. the impact of intensive large group visitors on the aesthetics and visitor experience at natural and cultural heritage sites.

11:45 Setting the Agenda: Environmental Issues Ross Klein Chaired by Harold Goodwin Environmental Responsibility for example  

1. Discharge of waste – within the 12 mile limit and beyond
2. Solid waste disposal ashore
3. Green House Gas Emissions
4. High intensity, high volume low value visitor pressure undermining conservation at natural and cultural heritage sites.

12:30 – 13:30 there is modern attractive cafeteria in the Rose Bowl

13:30 What is the agenda for river cruising? Fran Hughes, Travel Foundation

14:00 Shaun Russell Director Welsh Environment Hub, Bangor University, Tourism in the Falklands and Antarctica

14:30 What would Responsible Tourism in Antarctica look like? Harold Goodwin

15:00 Cruising for people with disabilities. Craig Grimes and Andreas Walmsley ICRT

15:30 Reflections on Responsible Cruising, John de Vial of ABTA will close the day with some reflections on what has been learnt from the day