Responsible Tourism Development: Lessons from The Gambia

5th.

International Conference

on Responsible Tourism in Destinations June 27-29,2011 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Adama Bah, Gambia Travel Foundation Programme Manager

1994 Sir Colin Marshall, British Airways

Tourism and the travel industry
is essentially the renting out for shortterm lets, of other peoples environments, whether that is a coastline, a city, a mountain range or a rainforest. These products must be kept fresh and unsullied not just for the next day, but for every tomorrow

Their homes, Our holidays

Taking Responsibility to Ethical Principles in Tourism Commitment to ethical principles are critical for securing long term business success; Commitment for creating consumer awareness using brochures/ guidebooks etc. Making available resources to implement RT projects; Staff training (capacity building); Investment into research and pilot initiatives Consultation /Collaboration between stakeholders; Social and environmental audits of products and services; Establish industry advisory group

Responsible Travel takes a variety of forms, it

is characterised by travel and tourism which

1. Minimises negative environmental, social and cultural impacts;

2. generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the wellbeing of host communities, by improving working conditions and access to the industry;
3. involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances.

4. makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and to the maintenance of the worlds diversity;
5. provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural and environmental issues;

6. provides access for physically challenged people; and

7. is culturally sensitive and engenders respect between tourists and hosts.
Cape town declaration 2002

Creating Responsible Tourism Policy

Multi-stakeholder consultation-RTP What you want to achieve. Demonstrate stakeholder responsible behavior by assuring compliance and sustainability. Comply with ethical business principles, national laws and international norms. Commit to human rights, employee rights, environmental protection, community involvement, stakeholder rights and monitoring. Implement Stakeholder Responsibility on 3ple bottom lines: environmentally sound, socially just and economically viable for a better future. Market for a better unique destination not just for the numbers

National Sustainable/ Responsible Tourism Implementation History

1995- GTC Formed out of British travel Advice
1999- CSD 7 attended on Sustainable Tourism
2000- GTC Workshop - SMEs and CBTEs 2000- ASSET Formed 2000-2003- Dfid funded linking informal sector 2002- GTA attended RT conference in Cape town-SA 2003- RTP Formed 2004- RT Policy of The Gambia 2005- Now- The Travel Foundation funded projects 2007- MBOKA 07 in Dakar 2008-MBOKA08/WATM on promoting sustainable Tourism 2010- ICRT, ICRT-WA and University of Gambia Commonwealth 13+10 scholarships 2010- CAMP AFRICA looking at youth market for unique product

Lesson 1: RT POLICY

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM PARTNERSHIP

Not just a worthy cause but good business!

Influence from Cape Town RT Conference and declaration in 2002 RT Policy of the Gambia done and presented at the World Travel Market in 2004

Lesson 2: Dialogue and raising awareness on RT Issues

RTP formed in 2003

Talking Shop can be positive

Policy Dialogue
Tour Operators Key Agree/review projects to avoid duplications

Lesson 3:

Capacity Building

ICRT Msc Students sharing with Gambian Senior Executives, Managers, ASSET members etc..

13 +10 Students on Commonwealth Scholarships to Gambians and W/Afircan

Helped to build Capacity Spread word on RT practices Think Tank for Gambian tourism development

Lesson 4: Irresponsible Tourism: Child protection:-

RTP/ASSET/GTA worked with Child Protection AllianceCPA -to train stakeholders

Code of Conduct on Child Sex Tourism signed and displayed by many hotels
Issued by GTA

lesson 5:
MBOKA

Market RT
CAMP AFRICA

LESSONS 6. Consultation all the way:

BUILD INSTITUTIONS OF TRUST- Clusters Dialogue building trust and fair play Collaborate not aggressive competition The destination first

Lesson 7: Pilot Initiatives:

The Travel Foundation and Other Linkage Projects Linking the Informal Sector Building of ASSET as a trade association The GiG project- Linking the agricultural sector The GiG farm excursion Roots Excursion Sandele- Community/Private sector Investment Capacity building of the informal sector ASSET- Cultural Encounters Camp Africa

Lesson 8.

WORK WITH GOVERNMENT is key to achieve the triple bottom lines of economic, environment and social development Leave them to take the honor or credit just make sure genuine CHANGE is achieved.

Lesson 9.

MONITOR, ADVOCATE AND

CHALLENGE/EXPOSE
Irresponsible Tourism

Stakeholders MUST not be allowed to

Green-wash !

Last Lesson
Destinations are made...

and we are left with the spoils, so lets make a positive impact!