Environmental awareness and sustainability in tourism destinations: - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Environmental awareness and sustainability in tourism destinations: three Italian case studies

Immacolata Vellecco Alessandra Mancino

Advances in Tourism Research 2008 May 26th- 29th, Centro Cultural e de Congressos de Aveiro, Portugal

Context and Objectives

Pilot Action of the Project Mediterranean: Myths and Sea (INTERREG IIIB, Archimed) Identify and study local stakeholders’ environmental awareness Verify stakeholders’ willingness to support environmental needs in everyday behaviours and to Promote Sustainable Tourism Evaluate conflicts and cohesion of local communities Stimulate reflection and debate on environmental issues Three Italian Areas Campi Flegrei, Punta Campanella and Lipari

Sustainable Tourism (EU Comm., 2007) As destinations are unique, also sustainable development issues in these destinations are unique (Lee, 2001) The development of environmental awareness primarily influences the decision to become environmentally involved (Tzschentkea, Kirka, Lynch, 2008) It is necessary to understand not only how local community is bound to its own territory, but also which are the tensions or conflicts within the community itself (Richards, Hall, 2000)

Theoretical Background

Holistic and Integrated Approach Equity & Futurity Involvement of Local Stakeholders

Public Administrators Tourism Entrepreneurs Twin Questions

Needs of the Territory Natural Protected Area Tourism flows sustainability Policy Instruments Mutual Involvement Perception Specific Questions Ecological quality of structures Environmental attitudes Specific Questions Local Initiatives and Networks

Methodology (1) Stakeholders and Questions

Methodology (2) Sample

Campi Flegrei Lipari Punta Campanella Public Administrators 10 7 10 Tourism Entrepreneurs 40 40 40 Hospitality 18 11 22 Restoration 12 13 16 Tourism Services 10 16 2 Bathing establishment 6 Bus transfer 1 Diving Center 1 Mooring 3 5 2 Scooter hire 3 Thermal 1 Travel agency 5 Shop 1

Comparative Analysis of Sites

Frequencies Absolute values Percentages

• n interviewed

Synthesis Statements Key words

Case Studies Tourism Entrepreneurs Public Administrators

Structured Questions Open Questions

Methodology (3) Answers processing

Results (1) Ecological Quality of Structures

Water Campi Flegrei % Lipari % Punta Campanella % Systems for water saving 65.0 55.0 75.0 Ecological detergents/disinfectants 90.0 75.0 80.0 Recycling rainwater 7.5 47.5 17.5 Dumping of refluent water Sewer 87.5 87.5 87.5 Well of depuration 0.0 0.0 5.0 Cesspool 10.0 0.0 5.0 No answer 2.5 12.5 2.5

Results (1) Ecological Quality of Structures

Energy Campi Flegrei % Lipari % Punta Campanella % Output of combustion lower than 90° 12.5 27.5 25.0 Lighting low consumption 80.0 90.0 82.5 Timer/infrared switches 62.5 40.0 40.0 Low consumption household appliances 77.5 57.5 65.0 Solar panel 20.0 17.5 2.5 Double glasses 42.5 17.5 35.0 Geothermal 2.5 0.0 0.0

Results (1) Ecological Quality of Structures

Rubbish Campi Flegrei % Lipari % Punta Campanella % Organic remains composting 22.5 0.0 32.5 Separate collection Paper 50.0 0.0 85.0 Glass 57.5 0.0 90.0 Plastic 57.5 0.0 92.5 Aluminium 30.0 0.0 80.0 Batteries 35.0 0.0 82.5

Results (1) Ecological Quality of Structures

Certification of Environment Quality Campi Flegrei % Lipari % Punta Campanella % EMAS 0.0 2.5 0.0 ISO 14001 12.5 0.0 7.5 Interested 72.5 20 42.5

Results (2) Environmental Attitude of Entrepreneurs

Attitude Campi Flegrei % Lipari % Punta Campanella % Investment for the ecological quality (last 5 years) 32.5 2.5 42.5 Actions for environment quality (3 years) 52.5 12.5 52.5 Willingness to pay 70.0 62.5 60.0 Triggers to take initiatives Requests from clients 15.0 0.0 2.5 The law 10.0 5.0 15.0 Local population pressures 2.5 0.0 5.0 The staff 0.0 0.0 0.0 Personal conviction 37.5 5.0 17.5 Total Respondents 65.0 10.0 40.0

Results (2) Environmental Attitude of Entrepreneurs

Clients Pressures Campi Flegrei % Lipari

%

Punta Campanella

%

Requests from T.O./Travel Agents 22.5 10.0 37.5 Tourists are interested 65.0 47.5 62.5

Results (2) Environmental Attitude of Entrepreneurs

Perceived impact on the environment Campi Flegrei % Lipari % Punta Campanella % Company’s activities do not affect environment quality 65.0 80.0 62.5

Results (3) Local Communities Conflicts

Cohesion and Conflicts Campi Flegrei Lipari Punta Campanella Main needs of the territory A A A Establishment or presence of a natural protected area A A A An increase in the stream of visitors D D A More effective instruments A D A Perception

• f

mutual involvement in environment protection D D D A=Agreement D=Disagreement

Conclusions

Partnership between Public and Private Stakeholders Measures are required to promote cultural processes of social learning High investment and commitment in Certification Criteria High investment in environmental infrastructures and technologies Innovation friendly Regulation