Your summer vacation may be fading into a fond sun-kissed memory – perhaps you’re already dreaming of your next staycation or trip abroad – but did you know how important your holiday is to the livelihoods of hundreds of millions around the world who work in tourism and travel? Today is all about just that, so jump aboard and explore World Tourism Day 2022 with us! Destination: Bali, Indonesia, which will host the 42nd iteration of the celebration. Bali is this year’s hotspot because it’s at the forefront of a global drive to reimagine tourism as a key sector for sustainable development. Run by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a specialised United Nations agency, this year’s theme for World Tourism Day 2022 is ‘Rethinking Tourism’.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, communities that relied on tourism for their income were hit particularly hard. Over 60 million jobs were lost worldwide and massive falls in tourist revenue were reported due to international lockdowns and travel restrictions. However, now the sector is bouncing back; but what’s more important than ever is that the travel and tourism sector should follow a sustainable trajectory, positively impacting local economies and social development, while not harming people or their environment. We delve into the ugly underbelly of air pollution caused by tourism in Rhodes city and how much food actually goes to waste on cruise ships. We also revisit a familiar issue, the often fraught relationship between poverty and tourism. We’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can make tourism a sustainable and economic boon for us all. Write us a postcard – or simply leave your comments below.
Traffic, tourism, and climate: Air quality in Rhodes city
Atmospheric pollution from the combustion of fossil fuels is driving climate change and lowering air quality around the world. In Greece, tourism, traffic emissions, forest fires, and prevailing climate conditions are having a particularly marked effect. Dr Ioannis Logothetis and his colleagues Christina Antonopolou, Georgios Zisopoulos, Dr Adamantios Mitsotakis, and Dr Panagiotis Grammelis from the Centre for Research & Technology, Hellas (CERTH) have studied the concentrations of particulate matter in Rhodes city, to understand how weather patterns, human pollution, and wildfires combine to affect the town.
Quantifying food waste on cruise ships: Experiences from China
With rapid economic development and an increase in consumerism, the number of Chinese cruise tourists has risen sharply. Food is central to cruise tourism; however, food waste can be as high as 30%. At Hainan University, Dr Jiayu Wang is attempting to shine a light on food wastage in the cruise industry. The data show that food waste by Chinese passengers is high, and is strongly linked to cultural and social norms. Addressing this issue will require changes to food practices, including a move away from all-inclusive and buffet-style dining, and the provision of more authentic Chinese food.
Could tourism be a channel to alleviate poverty?
Poverty is a major barrier to development. It is widely accepted that the world’s poor lack the resources and capabilities necessary to begin the journey towards improved human wellbeing. Tourism has long been considered an effective vehicle for wider economic growth and development and therefore a potential means of poverty reduction. Drs Robertico Croes and Manuel Rivera, from the University of Central Florida, focus their research on exploring the relationship between tourism and poverty. Despite increasing evidence of the potential for tourism as a tool to alleviate poverty, this idea is not without criticism.
