Greetings all — like Tiger Woods on the pro golf tour — I’m back!
The past month of personal and professional travel and been quick exciting and eye opening from an exquisite hidden gem called Poets Cove on Pender Island, BC to the Gran Bahai Principe in Jamaica, one resort in the family that also has properties in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Spain. Each will become a story on their own. As I was travelling I couldn’t help assess the experience and impact of the environment of a resorts on the people and culture. Each of these two sites represent truly different impacts on the local community in scale, scope and opportunity due to their location.
What prompted me to post this note however was an article I just read by Tim Murray titled “Sustainable Tourism: An Oxymoronic Delusion?”. I highly recommend a read! We often are promting why develop sustainable tourism activities — Tim presents some thought provoking reasons that could lead one to surmise we shouldn’t develop tourism. That being said it is inevitable — so the forever remaining question is still something we must address as an industry, how to embrace tourism while minimizing th impact on the environment.
At Royal Roads University we have accepted the legacy gift of world renown artist Robert Bateman and are fundraising to build the ‘Bateman Art and Environmental Education Centre’ on our campus site to host his internationally renown art and advance the creation and sharing of knowledge on the topics of environment and sustainability.
As the Centre will be situated on our campus, which is actually a designated heritage as Hatley Park National Historic Site. We not only have a great opportunity but a major responsibility with Mr. Bateman, our learners, and the people of Canada. The undeniable natural beauty of the site parallels the works of art that Bob creates as one of his ways to educate people about the natural world.
Tim’s article reminds me that witheach tourism site development, each visitor service, each experiential travel invitation we create we must be so careful of the long-term impact. With the BatemanCentre, we have the opportunity to truly a place for environmental and sustainable learning, experiences, reflection, discovery, research and community engagement. No small challenge but a wonderful time to address every aspect of this project with our eyes wide open regarding all that we have learned from treasured places such as the Galapagos, to the cruise industry, to how we invite people into our parks and heritage areas.
By leading with education, experiences and helping people learn while they travel we have the dual benefit of informing and teaching visitors from around the world about our communities while as a business taking a firm stand in our practice about ‘things that are acceptable’ and ‘things that are not’ with our business development. The latter being the more difficult for many people have trouble saying no or turning away a potential partner, client or deal. But, to be successful, sustainable and ensure longevity it is imperative that we are very clear about what the primary purpose of the business is, who are our customers, what is important to their experience and stick to it.
Take a read of Tim’s article and think about three things?
1. Can we flood an ecologically sensitive area with tourists but at the same time protect it? What is needed?
2. Does eco-tourism assist indigenous or traditional groups or forever alter their lives in communities that may make sense today — but what about in 50 years?
3. How has an increase in tourism impacted your community? You business? What are you doing differently today that you weren’t doing five years ago with your business?
Lots to think about there folks! Have a great day.
Nancy Arsenault – the Royal Roads Tourism gal
… and yes we are getting ready for another great Edge of the Wedge set of courses in Gros Morne National Park with a fun twist this time around — we are hosting the programs at the end of April so we will get to see/experience another season on the rock.
