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
Theoretical Background Sustainable Tourism Holistic and Integrated Approach Equity & Futurity (EU Comm., 2007) Involvement of Local Stakeholders 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)
Methodology (1) Stakeholders and Questions Public Tourism Entrepreneurs Administrators Twin Questions Needs of the Territory Specific Questions Natural Protected Area Specific Questions Tourism flows sustainability Ecological quality of Policy Instruments Local Initiatives and structures Mutual Involvement Perception Networks Environmental attitudes
Methodology (2) Sample Campi Punta Flegrei Lipari 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 0 0 Bus transfer 0 1 0 Diving Center 0 1 0 Mooring 3 5 2 Scooter hire 0 3 0 Thermal 1 0 0 Travel agency 0 5 0 Shop 0 1 0
Methodology (3) Answers processing Synthesis Open Public Statements Questions Key words Administrators Case Studies Frequencies Tourism Structured Absolute values Questions Entrepreneurs Percentages on interviewed Comparative Analysis of Sites
Results (1) Ecological Quality of Structures Campi Punta Flegrei Lipari Campanella Water % % % 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 Campi Punta Energy Flegrei Lipari 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 Campi Punta Rubbish Flegrei Lipari 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 Campi Punta Environment Quality Flegrei Lipari 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 Campi Punta Attitude Flegrei Lipari 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 Punta Campi Lipari Campanella Flegrei Clients Pressures % % % 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 Campi Punta environment Flegrei Lipari Campanella % % % Company’s activities do not affect environment quality 65.0 80.0 62.5
Results (3) Local Communities Conflicts Cohesion and Conflicts Campi Lipari Punta Flegrei 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 of 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
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