Wild Asia - The Future of Travel

The Future of Travel

by Leong Siok Hui

The buzzword of 2007? Global warming. After all the hoo-ha, perhaps it's time we rethink our notion of travel. LEONG SIOK HUI writes the first in our series of 'Rethink Travel' articles in collaboration with The Star newspaper.

Fourteen years years ago, biologist and conservationist Dr Reza Azmi was based in Sabah when nature tourism began to draw visitors to the Kinabatangan area in the state's southeast, where wildlife flourished amidst rich habitats.

It struck him as odd that local communities only received limited benefits from tourism.

"I really felt that tourism could do more. Why stop at incidental employment of boatmen and housekeepers; locals could be valued for their knowledge to enhance tourism in Sukau," recalls Reza of Wild Asia, a Kuala Lumpur-based conservation group.

"I was also puzzled how there was very little commitment in terms of investment and a shared vision to protect the Kinabatangan forests as a conservation site. What would happen to tourism in Sukau if there is no longer a forest to sustain wildlife?"

Reza's vision to help village-level tourism led to the birth of Wild Asia, an online site that champions responsible tourism (RT) initiatives. In 2004, Wild Asia kick-started RT, pushing for tourism practices that benefit the local economy, preserve the local culture, and treads lightly on the environment.

Global trends

In today's travel industry, "responsible" or "sustainable" travel has become important issues. In 2006, the United Nation's World Tourism Organisation (WTO) launched the annual World Responsible Tourism Day.

WTO predicts that a whopping 1.6 billion tourists will hit the road annually by 2020. Already, tourism is one of the top five income earners for 83% of the world. In view of this, this year's World Tourism Day (Sept 27) will address the challenges posed by climate change.

An expert in sustainable tourism, American Costas Christ has witnessed major expansions into nature and adventure travel in the last 15 years.

"More and more travellers today - from luxury travellers to mainstream tourists - want to experience destinations that have authenticity of culture and unspoiled nature. They also want to be active and healthy, with outdoor activities like biking, hiking and climbing, along with healthy cuisines," says Christ, the founding member of The International Ecotourism Society and chairman of the judges for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

Dubbed the "Oscars of tourism", this award recognises environmentally and socially responsible tourism players and destinations.

"With this trend comes a new awareness in sustainable tourism such as having a great vacation in a destination or hotel that helps protect the environment and supports the well-being of local people."

Christ thinks sustainable tourism is now going mainstream.

"We have all heard about 'killing the goose that lays the golden egg'. In that sense, protecting the world's cultural and natural treasures is also about protecting the future of the tourism industry," he points out.

Industry players in Asia

Though Africa, the Americas, Europe and Australia have been at the forefront of sustainable tourism in years past, Asia is now increasingly taking a leading role, Christ says.

"The Six Senses Resorts and Spas, based in Bangkok, and with properties throughout Asia, is setting new standards for RT practices in their resorts; Sabah's Borneo Ecotours has been a leader in sustainable tourism for over a decade; while in Indonesia, Nihiwatu Resort on Sumba Island is a 'best practice' tourism model that invests in local community development," says Christ through e-mail.

Closer to home, despite Wild Asia's efforts, tourism operators in Malaysia have not been enthusiastic about embracing RT.

After Wild Asia began its RT Awards for Asia in 2006, only a handful of local operators, like Sarawak's Borneo Adventure and Langkawi's Tanjung Rhu Resort, have been cited for exemplary practice.

But Wild Asia is hopeful that its Awards will raise awareness and usher in change. In 2007, one of RT Awards' main sponsors was - encouragingly enough - national carrier Malaysia Airlines, a big player in the industry.

"Wild Asia's RT Awards ties in well with our goal to educate the tourism industry on the importance of sustainability," says MAS senior general manager of communications Indira Nair.

"It's important to get hoteliers, tourism operators and others to understand best practices in developing tourism-related initiatives," she says.

Should Malaysians be concerned that the country is lagging in the area of RT?

"A simple way to check is to walk our beaches, swim amongst the reefs or look at how much forest or natural areas remain in our tourism destinations," says Reza.

"The deterioration of our natural environment - the essence of being outdoors - is the reason I think RT is the only way forward."

But for local tourists who are still dealing with everyday travel issues like petty crimes, unscrupulous cab drivers and lousy public transport, RT may seem like a lofty ideal.

"RT is also about honest representation and the quality of service the businesses provide," Reza counters.

"For the operators, transparency and acting on feedback is part and parcel of developing a good relationship with clients, as is being economically viable."

What we can do

In this era of climate change, every flight we take has a direct impact on the environment, Reza says.

"The conundrum is: we need more businesses to drive RT, because if people stopped flying, RT is dead. So travel with your eyes wide open so you are aware of your impact. And you should start questioning how the locals or the natural areas actually benefit from your visit."

As Christ sums up: "Tourism, when developed sustainably, can be the economic link that bridges conservation and basic human needs, and turns local communities into protectors of our planet's last wild places. Take that plane, but choose a trip that actively supports sustainable tourism."

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Original URL: http://www.wildasia.org/main.cfm/library/The_future_of_travel

Published: 15 February 2008