Shortly tourism will be in a stranglehold. There is absolutely no way that numbers can increase as forecast sustainably unless the whole formula is radically changed.
However much the words “Sustainable” or “Green” or “Responsible” are mouthed it will not change what we do and what are the effects. At the moment, the winners are the OTAs and the mass movers of people to commoditized destinations. The losers are the communities who host these massed, unaware plane and ship cargoes.
It is interesting to see that four massive companies dominate the mass market - $69bn Priceline and $16bn Expedia with 94% of the US OTA bookings and $42bn Carnival and $22bn Royal Caribbean practically own the cruise business.
Even more interesting that $12bn Tripadvisor and $10bn AirBNB are extending their tentacles into destinations creating even more paywalls now not only for accommodation providers but also for destination businesses such as restaurants, tours, guides and tourist attractions.
The fact is that these tourists do little to enhance destinations; the profits from their travel have gone largely to the cruise companies and the OTAs who have facilitated their visits.
Am I alone in comparing this to the refugee travel industry, which is currently being studiously ignored by the travel, and tourism industry (unless you have an hotel in Kos, for instance!)?
At least refugees have a real commitment to the destinations they succeed in attaining.
Wry jokes apart, the fact is that tourism will have to change dramatically to become sustainable and deliver REAL benefits to visitors and guests… but there is a way – look below.
NO ESCAPE FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM: Global tourism industry between a rock and a hard place: READ MORE
NEW TOURISM OPPORTUNITY UNVEILED changing warm hospitality in sensational surroundings: READ MORE
SPRING FAM TRIPS TO ITALY’S SECRET CORNER OF PARADISE unveiled: fun cooking course, wine tastings, sights: READ MORE
US TRAVEL AGENTS SEE THE HEART OF ITALY: FAM trip participants experience the Best of Romagna: READ MORE
CLIMATE CHANGE – DEAL IN SIGHT: 2015 has so far been the warmest year on record: READ MORE
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL AWARD OPENS: Ashden looking for pioneering enterprises: READ MORE
2,500 YOUNG TERRA MADRE FARMERS, fishermen, scientists, students, chefs address the world: READ MORE
SUN LAUNCHES SOFT POWER THINK TANK: Links travel, art, culture, climate change and sustainability: READ MORE
HILTON EMPLOYEES PAY BACK: Hilton global month of service helps homeless, immigrants and makes soap: READ MORE
Comments, by the way always very, very, very welcome indeed.
Why not also tell your friends about 'A Vision for Sustainable Tourism' group at Linkedin and join it? With TODAY ***10,088!*** professional members and at least one fascinating new sustainable tourism discussion every day - it's simply the biggest sustainable tourism Linkedin group.
And if you're a Destination Organisation or a destination supplier why not join our new linkedin group 'A Vision for Sustainable Tourism Destinations'
Like us at Facebook - have a look: http://www.facebook.com/totemtourismnews
Join our conversation on Twitter: @TotemTourism
All the very best
Valere
Ps check out http://www.totemtourism.com - it's a mine of sustainable tourism info.
And check out http://www.sustainabletourism2015.com
Valere Tjolle – Principal
TOTEMTOURISM: TOURISMVISION
Eagle House: Batheaston: BA1 7EH: UK
M: +44 7710 173005
E: valere@totemtourism.com
W: http://www.totemtourism.com
info@totemtourism.com
S: valeretjolle
@ TotemTourism
However much the words “Sustainable” or “Green” or “Responsible” are mouthed it will not change what we do and what are the effects. At the moment, the winners are the OTAs and the mass movers of people to commoditized destinations. The losers are the communities who host these massed, unaware plane and ship cargoes.
It is interesting to see that four massive companies dominate the mass market - $69bn Priceline and $16bn Expedia with 94% of the US OTA bookings and $42bn Carnival and $22bn Royal Caribbean practically own the cruise business.
Even more interesting that $12bn Tripadvisor and $10bn AirBNB are extending their tentacles into destinations creating even more paywalls now not only for accommodation providers but also for destination businesses such as restaurants, tours, guides and tourist attractions.
The fact is that these tourists do little to enhance destinations; the profits from their travel have gone largely to the cruise companies and the OTAs who have facilitated their visits.
Am I alone in comparing this to the refugee travel industry, which is currently being studiously ignored by the travel, and tourism industry (unless you have an hotel in Kos, for instance!)?
At least refugees have a real commitment to the destinations they succeed in attaining.
Wry jokes apart, the fact is that tourism will have to change dramatically to become sustainable and deliver REAL benefits to visitors and guests… but there is a way – look below.
NO ESCAPE FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM: Global tourism industry between a rock and a hard place: READ MORE
NEW TOURISM OPPORTUNITY UNVEILED changing warm hospitality in sensational surroundings: READ MORE
SPRING FAM TRIPS TO ITALY’S SECRET CORNER OF PARADISE unveiled: fun cooking course, wine tastings, sights: READ MORE
US TRAVEL AGENTS SEE THE HEART OF ITALY: FAM trip participants experience the Best of Romagna: READ MORE
CLIMATE CHANGE – DEAL IN SIGHT: 2015 has so far been the warmest year on record: READ MORE
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL AWARD OPENS: Ashden looking for pioneering enterprises: READ MORE
2,500 YOUNG TERRA MADRE FARMERS, fishermen, scientists, students, chefs address the world: READ MORE
SUN LAUNCHES SOFT POWER THINK TANK: Links travel, art, culture, climate change and sustainability: READ MORE
HILTON EMPLOYEES PAY BACK: Hilton global month of service helps homeless, immigrants and makes soap: READ MORE
Comments, by the way always very, very, very welcome indeed.
Why not also tell your friends about 'A Vision for Sustainable Tourism' group at Linkedin and join it? With TODAY ***10,088!*** professional members and at least one fascinating new sustainable tourism discussion every day - it's simply the biggest sustainable tourism Linkedin group.
And if you're a Destination Organisation or a destination supplier why not join our new linkedin group 'A Vision for Sustainable Tourism Destinations'
Like us at Facebook - have a look: http://www.facebook.com/totemtourismnews
Join our conversation on Twitter: @TotemTourism
All the very best
Valere
Ps check out http://www.totemtourism.com - it's a mine of sustainable tourism info.
And check out http://www.sustainabletourism2015.com
Valere Tjolle – Principal
TOTEMTOURISM: TOURISMVISION
Eagle House: Batheaston: BA1 7EH: UK
M: +44 7710 173005
E: valere@totemtourism.com
W: http://www.totemtourism.com
info@totemtourism.com
S: valeretjolle
@ TotemTourism
