Media release – Circular Economy Huon (CEH), 12 July 2023
Rethinking Tourism in a Climate Crisis
In response to Tourism Tasmania’s Key Directions consultation paper, Circular Economy Huon (CEH) calls on the tourism industry to urgently focus on ways to reduce greenhouse emissions and benefit Tasmanians and the environment, in its 2030 Tourism Strategy.
Gerry White, CEH’s Public Officer, says: “The Key Directions paper talks of sustainability, yet aims to dramatically grow the tourism industry, and promote its highest carbon-emitting aspects”.
Member of CEH and Huon Valley Councillor Jenny Cambers-Smith, adds: “Tourism has an inherently high carbon footprint owing to its dependence on travel, but the government is making no effort to reduce this impact, either on people or the natural environment that supports us.”
CEH recognises the importance of tourism to Tasmania, but points out there is already a serious staffing shortage in the industry, and visitor accommodation is removing housing from Tasmanians. CEH suggests we can greatly improve the added value and sustainability of tourism, in the following ways:
- Focus on intra- and inter-state travel, and neighbouring countries, rather than marketing to distant locations such as Europe and the US.
- Introduce a green accreditation scheme for tourism operators based on their processes for energy, water and waste, and other sustainability markers.
- Develop holiday packages that bring a positive impact to regional communities, through working and learning, for instance in indigenous cultural practices, viticulture and winemaking, permaculture, regenerative agriculture, forest ecology, food resilience, and other domains in which Tasmania is becoming a world leader.
- Continue to electrify the rental vehicle fleet, including RV hire, and develop integrated public transport networks that also meet the travel needs of visitors.
- Encourage longer stays in one place, by activating and opening-up the hidden natural treasures that currently have no signage, walkways or promotion, such as giant trees and stunning waterfalls. Tasmania is abundant in sights which are rare worldwide, but few are readily accessible. Family-friendly short-walks are low impact and attract people to stay in an area.
- Introduce a tourist levy on entry to Tasmania, for re-investment into sustainability and environmental projects.
- Better regulate whole house short-stay accommodation.
White says: “Our experience is that many tourism operators want to enhance the value of tourism to local communities, and to limit adverse impacts on the environment. But the industry’s governing bodies seem determined to promote ‘business as usual’.”
We are facing climate, biodiversity and cost of living crises, and the tourism industry must play its part in reversing these trends. CEH calls on government and tourism bodies, to Rethink Tourism.
