In the past I have harped on about the benefits of EcoTourism and the ability of the travel industry to change the world for the better. Through this blog I have already been exposed to some people doing amazing things within their industry, things that make me think we’re just seeing the start of a new stage in travel evolution. One of those people, Barbara Steinfeld of Travel Portland, pointed out an ambitious project being championed by the city of Portland, Oregon:
“Portland, Oregon is in the process of getting designation as the world’s first green destination as an entire city. The accreditation is being done by Sustainable Tourism International and will be recognized by the sustainable branch of the United Nations when completed.”
Tourism entities working symbiotically with government and international bodies towards a sustainable future; initiatives like these are truly inspiring.
Of course not all tourism can be sustainable and EcoFriendly. Being located in the Asia Pacific region means that I constantly get exposed to travel updates from Asia that others may not have the opportunity to see. One of those news pieces out of Bali caught my attention last week.
PT Suryainti Permata have broken ground on a new 900 hundred room, 5000 hectre hotel called, “The Rich Prada” located in south Bali (See full article here). There is growing concern from local government officials that the area is already over developed and another mega-resort is both ecologically irresponsible and greedy. I checked in with Stuart McDonald of Travelfish.org on the situation as he’s a bit closer to the situation than I am (Geographically) and would feel the effects of these developments:
“With estimates suggesting Bali will be facing a severe shortage of clean ground water by 2020, a 5,000 square metre spa, within a 910 suite, US$100m property on the Bukit peninsula (the most arid part of Bali) seems an unlikely way forward.
But one doesn’t need to wait till 2020 for matters to fall apart — even today the transport infrastructure in that area is poor. Regular blackouts across the island due to electricity “issues” are all too common in high season. How does the resort plan to address these problems?
The Rich Prada has been given the tagline “Bali’s last mega resort” due to official efforts to curtail new hotel development on Bali — one would hope the officials will prevail and the tag will become “The mega resort Bali never got”.”
These two developments are an example of how divided the travel industry can be when it comes to regulatory control. As a global business, should we all be concerned with the actions of those that don’t put the people and places affected by their existence first? I personally believe we cannot afford not to, but I would like to hear what you have to say. Please leave your comments.
The two faces of travel
“Portland, Oregon is in the process of getting designation as the world’s first green destination as an entire city. The accreditation is being done by Sustainable Tourism International and will be recognized by the sustainable branch of the United Nations when completed.”
Tourism entities working symbiotically with government and international bodies towards a sustainable future; initiatives like these are truly inspiring.
Of course not all tourism can be sustainable and EcoFriendly. Being located in the Asia Pacific region means that I constantly get exposed to travel updates from Asia that others may not have the opportunity to see. One of those news pieces out of Bali caught my attention last week.
PT Suryainti Permata have broken ground on a new 900 hundred room, 5000 hectre hotel called, “The Rich Prada” located in south Bali (See full article here). There is growing concern from local government officials that the area is already over developed and another mega-resort is both ecologically irresponsible and greedy. I checked in with Stuart McDonald of Travelfish.org on the situation as he’s a bit closer to the situation than I am (Geographically) and would feel the effects of these developments:
“With estimates suggesting Bali will be facing a severe shortage of clean ground water by 2020, a 5,000 square metre spa, within a 910 suite, US$100m property on the Bukit peninsula (the most arid part of Bali) seems an unlikely way forward.
But one doesn’t need to wait till 2020 for matters to fall apart — even today the transport infrastructure in that area is poor. Regular blackouts across the island due to electricity “issues” are all too common in high season. How does the resort plan to address these problems?
The Rich Prada has been given the tagline “Bali’s last mega resort” due to official efforts to curtail new hotel development on Bali — one would hope the officials will prevail and the tag will become “The mega resort Bali never got”.”
These two developments are an example of how divided the travel industry can be when it comes to regulatory control. As a global business, should we all be concerned with the actions of those that don’t put the people and places affected by their existence first? I personally believe we cannot afford not to, but I would like to hear what you have to say. Please leave your comments.