Changes in climate impose direct risk on many natural features on which the local tourism industry is based. Effective international measures are crucial to safeguard the tourism industry. International action on climate change raises another strategic issue. Clearly, long distance air travel will not continue to be as cheap and socially acceptable as the cost of fossil fuels climbs to unaffordable levels. Global warming is increasing due to CO2 emissions from jet fuel. International measures to combat climate change are highly likely to affect all parts of the world's economy over the next decade. Transport, both international and domestic, will be expected to play its part in tourism policy.
Obviously the consequence will be that there will accrue a need to more emphasis on domestic tourism, compared to international tourism. International visitor numbers are likely to plateau and possibly fall. Visits may be less frequent but of a longer duration.
International approach to tourism management should be reconsidered. Common government activity is still focused on getting more people into the country, with little concern for the quality of products and service in the tourism sector. Most fundamentally, tourism development needs to be linked to the promotion of the particular area's culture. Tourism needs to be based on pride in the identity and mutual respect between visitors and hosts.
The Green Party is going to take part in work with the tourism industry, relevant agencies, tourism affected communities and the public, to develop a national strategy for sustainable tourism. This strategy would build on the progress already made through the Foresight process and the work by the Tourism Industry Association. The strategy would develop the initiatives in tourism policy, as well as promoting tourism in the 'off-season.'
It is important to promote tourism at home. Actually, domestic tourism is already a very important industry. There are significant cultural benefits if the countries see their own facilities before they head off overseas. Encouraging domestic tourism may also help pressure on the balance of payments; it is known that tourists spend a very large amount of money overseas.
The significant part of 'green party' activity is work with industry, community and other stakeholders to develop a promotional campaign to encourage people to 'get out into the great outdoors,' in order to promote good health, domestic tourism and appreciation of nature.
They are also determined to support the development of distinct reputations for particular regions.
The tourism industry nowadays is highly successful and according to some sources doesn't any longer need government to tell it how to manage business or market products. The best way in this case is to re-establish a separate and adequately funded Ministry of Tourism with a focus on independent and objective policy advice, looking at the broad picture of tourism and its effects. The Ministry would oversee the purchase agreement with the Tourism Board.
Domestic tourism and eco-tourism tend to be based in less well known locations and require sources to development.
High standards should be maintained everywhere in tourism industry. The speed of innovation in tourism industry needs to be supported by quality assurance procedures to ensure high standards of operation. The main items to develop are a code of practice or a brandmark for eco-tourism,
brandmark system to authenticate tourism products and services based on cultural heritage. The latter would be developed to ensure consistency with intellectual and cultural property rights.
Workable and effective safety standards and codes, particularly in relation to adventure tourism are vitally important. So, the tourist industry had better to develop in parallel with the green party activity to prevent possible ecological disasters and continue the beauty of nature for a long time.