Tourism’s impacts on water availability
2013 is the UN’s International Year of Water Cooperation.
Today sees the launch of World Water Week, there is a big meeting in Stockholm at the International Water Institute discussing new research and approaches to water conservation.
Tourism is heavily dependent on water for drinking, swimming pools, bathing and in its food supply chain. The theme of World Water Week this year is building partnerships and establishing water co-operation.
“Ensuring adequate domestic water supply and sanitation, not least in the rapidly growing urban centres, and satisfying the need of other strongly water dependent sectors, such as industry, tourism/recreation and transport, also calls for cross-sectoral collaboration.” read more
Tourism is a major player in the water issue; it brings people often with high expectations of water use to water scarce areas. The International Tourism Partnership has identified water as a key issue for the hotel sector
The issue is being debated on World Responsible Tourism Day at World Travel Market on November 6th
Debate: Is the tourism industry doing enough to reduce its water consumption?
Platinum 4 14:30 – 16:00
The United Nations have declared 2013 the International Year of Water Cooperation arguing that water resource management is crucial as it impacts on almost all aspects of our lives, especially health, food production, water supply and sanitation. This year WTMWRTD wants to address the questions around the travel and tourism industry’s contribution to the problem and its solution.
Motion: “This house believes that the tourism industry will not do enough to achieve appropriate reductions in water usage without regulation by national governments.”
Chair: Harold Goodwin WTM Responsible Tourism Advisor
For the motion:
Mark Watson, Tourism Concern
Oliver Kopsch DecRen Water Consult
David Read Chief Executive Prestige Purchasing
Against the motion:
James Whittingham Group Environment Manager, TUI Travel PLC
Robert McCann Corporate Responsibility Manager-Environmental Sustainability at InterContinental Hotels Group
