Small island destinations are particularly vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters, and external economic shocks. A newly published paper titled ‘Small Islands, Large Oceans: Voices on the Frontlines of Climate Change’ looks at how a ‘blue economy’ approach is needed: protecting ocean resources by linking their sustainable use with economic growth.
The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights called attention to a new tourism project by the Indonesian Government. The country aims to create an enormous tourism complex in Mandalika, Lombok. The experts criticised the project’s abuse of human rights and highlighted that the project had destroyed houses, fields, water sources and cultural and religious sites.
How will the industry measure “building back better”? There needs to be a major reckoning of the industry’s problematic equity imbalance and new performance metrics if the industry is to transform into a more climate-smart, socially sustainable and equitable industry across its supply chain.
The Panamanian city of Portobelo is looking to expand its existing tourism offering as part of Panama’s “Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism.” Projects include the education and training of tour guides and the rehabilitation of the historic centre. This master plan reactivates the country’s tourism, conservation and Research (TCR) strategy applied over 20 years ago by the ecologist Dr. Hana Ayala and aims to reduce the social inequality gap and safeguard the UNESCO site.
New Zealand’s borders have been closed for almost a year. How has a country so reliant on tourism managed to stay afloat? The New Zealand Tourism Board has been inspiring the country to explore more of their own backyard and this renewed focus on internal tourism seems to be resonating with people in New Zealand.
