Tourism Is an Important element of people”s lives In most developed nation. This Is because tourism usually offers people to get out from their dally routine, getting recovers from their stresses as well as learn new things and adventure. Besides that, is the largest and fastest services sector in the world today. Its plays crucial roles in the economy of a country where can provide Jobs and help stimulate the economy to a great extent. The tourism sector represents 5 percent of world Gross Domestic Product (GAP) and contributes to about 8 per cent of total employment.
International ours Is accounting for 30 per cent of the world’s commercial services export or 6 per cent of total exports (Md. Narrow Hosing Bully; Chambers Solar; Shrouding Mohammad Small; Karakul Maim Adam, 2007). Tourism is top export earners for 60 countries in the world. It is also the main foreign exchange earning source for half of least developed countries (OLD) and one-third developing countries (Green Economy, 2011). Moreover, it is seems as an effective tool to introduce different culture and serve great hospitality to the visitors.
However, at the same time, tourism can also be source for many problems such as pollution, and its velveteen may deteriorate the environment to a large extent (Shook Maintain,2006). In short, rapid growth of tourism industry is contributing to environmental pollution and other negative impacts. Record shows that tourism is contributing 5% of global greenhouse gases (Eggs) emission (UNTO,2008; UNEVEN, 2008). In order to keep its important role to the overall economic growth, this industry has to be more green and sustainable in order to avoid environmental dilapidation as well as ensuring Its energetic growth.
Therefore, there Is a crucial effort and action continuously to be oaken In order to change unsustainable patterns of tourism practices such as discharge of untreated water, excessive use of water consumption, threats to local cultural traditions and built heritage, damage of local biodiversity and ecosystem as well as waste generation. In this case, some tourist destinations or places have gone on board on serious green or sustainability efforts. This kind of effort is led by The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (COED).
COED is established with the mission to promote polices that will Improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Currently, COED Tourism Committee is completing a report on green innovation in tourism services, which aims to: 0 analyses the role of green innovation in the transition of tourism enterprises to a green economy; ; better understand how green innovation in tourism is supported by government and industry; and ; identify ways to accelerate the diffusion of green innovation In the sector.
Furthermore, a report on Business Model Innovation (IBM) In the Tourism and Experience Economy, developed by Nordic Innovation upon commission from the Nordic Council of Ministers with the co-operation of COED Tourism Committee, is an important element of the Tourism Committee’s activity on green innovation in tourism.
The report provides insights on how businesses work strategically with green business model innovation, focusing on value creation and green innovation on 28 business cases from 10 countries (Austria, Denmark, Finland, just starting level where the COED members involved in signing COED Declaration on Green Growth are about 42 countries as below: Base on the numbers, over two-thirds of COED countries indicated that they have initiatives in place to encourage improved environmental performance and/or sustainability where it”s also encourage innovative practices in the tourism sector.
Several examples of the various approaches taken in those countries include: 0 development of strategies and setting of targets for improved environmental performance; 0 establishment of networks to promote R&D 0 establishment of advisory groups to support green growth; and 0 award schemes to reward innovation. However, there are still too many of the countries are lagging behind. These destinations underpinned in the preservation of their natural assets and trade their long-term health in areas like biodiversity inspiration and waste management for short-term gain.
Others use environmental initiatives simply as a public relations and marketing tool, ignoring the fact that tourists are sophisticated enough to know a green fade when they see it (Shook Mutant, 2006). 1. 1 Definitions Before we move on further in discussing green tourism, lets us look into the definitions of green tourism that have been identified and describe by several scholars all over the world. Base on the findings, there are no specific definition of green tourism.
To make it clear, some scholars stated that green tourism is different room customize or rural tourism though they are usually recognized as equal and interchangeable. Green usually means nature, life, safety, non-pollution, environmental protection, and it is Just a fugue of speech (Shook Maintain, 2006). Furthermore, green tourism is understood able interrelated with sustainable development, environmental protection, biological diversity, human health, (Dido Skibob, 2012). Besides that, green tourism includes a series of ideas, methods and measures.
There are 2 perspectives being derive by this scholar, Dido Skibob 2012 in his paper The Current Situation of Green Tourism In China, he stated that from the respective of tourists, green tourism refers to those activities based on sustainable development, environmental protection, biological diversity and other principles, even green tourism can be one method to achieve goals such as sustainable development. While from the perspective of tourism businesses, green tourism refers to providing services and products by means of advanced technologies and methods such as low carbon, energy saving and circular economy.
So in brief, it is seems that green tourism is environment-friendly to leave a beautiful world to future generations and an inevitable result of human beings” return to nature. Moreover, he also describes that green tourism can be classified into green tourism on the sea, lake, island, hill, grassland, etc. For the organizers, green tourism can be classified into green tourism by tourism businesses, Nags, governmental agencies and green tourists themselves.
As a conclusion to his definitions, green tourism is not limited to rural and unexploited areas and can be organized in the city, such as visiting rubbish or wastewater treatment plants. As for the other author, green tourism is about being an environmentally friendly tourist or providing environmentally friendly tourist services. The idea of green tourism means you should be thinking about what happens when you get there, in any place, it’s important to respect the environment also cover the facilities and services on offer to tourists and how they can affect the environment.
Shook Maintain (2006) mentions that green tourism is a new tourism or closely known as environmentally sound rural tourism where there central features of it are similar to those called customize which is known as a nature-based. Moreover, it is important to note the difference between green tourism and rural tourism. Lane (1994) points out that in addition to the fact that reality is the central eater of rural tourism; green tourism entails small-scaled, individually owned tourism facilities and interactions between visitors and the population of the host community.
Such features are distinct from resort tourism, which is also a form of rural tourism where resort tourism entails large physical developments and modern tourism facilities such as golf courses and ski resorts. Finally, many authors suggest that there is no commonly agreed definition of green tourism (Brawled & Lane, 1994, Yakima,2006). Therefore, the term green tourism in general, could be understood s a form of tourism which places a strong emphasis on practicing tourism in environmentally sound manners (Yakima, 2006). 2. WHY GREEN TOURISM Green Tourism is on demand nowadays from the rest of community all over the world. This demand is based on several drivers underpinning the rapid demand of this kind of tourism where research indicates that (Scottish Enterprise Agrarian, 2002): 0 world-wide societal consciousness about nature protection and appreciation, fuelled largely by the environment”s higher media profile. There is a focus on learning and discovering nature; 0 a growing interest by individuals to “re-connect” tit nature and seek out experiences of a more spiritual, thought provoking and physically challenging kind.
The focus is on personal development; 0 pressure in the workplace and the highly competitive lifestyles many of us now lead. The focus here is on relaxation, well being and the need to “re-charge” both mentally and physically; 0 improved access to the countryside and more free time and disposable income for an increased number of people. The focus here is on recreation. These are among the main reason of rapid demand and vibrant growth of green tourism.
So in order to life the above desire, commonly people that will end up as tourist will try to: 0 exploring more remote and less populated landscapes; 0 experiencing wildlife in its natural surroundings; and 0 experiencing traditional culture first hand (historic, music, arts and crafts). While we can”t deny upon the effect to the environment of the Green House Gas, green tourism comes as the savior of the earth and its creature. This is because the green tourism policy will always consider the well-being of nature and human being from the effect of carbon emission, waste management and other harmful pollutions.
Tourism is the second largest foreign exchange earning sector for the country after the 16th in 2008 capturing around 2% of global market share (EPIC, 2010). Malaysian Government has strong determination in mainstreaming tourism industry to generate its economic growth. This is part of its efforts to achieve high-income developed nation, inclusive and sustainable by 2020. In order to achieved this objective, the Government targets to improve Malaysia”s position to be within top 10 tourism destination in term of tourists” receipts.
The industry provides an important source of income, employment and economic growth to the country and it is rejected that tourism sector will contribute RMI 15 billion in receipts and providing 2 million Jobs in 2020 (EPIC, 2010). In addition, under the Economic Transformation Program, Malaysia Government targets to achieve 36 billion tourist arrivals and REARM billion in tourism receipts (POMADED, 2010). In line with the aspiration, Malaysian government is giving emphasize on several tourism segmentations such as customize, green tourism, rural tourism and nature tourism.
Apart from that, the government has given special attention in Green Tourism development as one of its regional development strategies in the country (Md. Narrow Hosing Bunyan; Chambers Sierra; Shrouding Mohammad Small; Karakul Maim Adam, 2007). In view of this, focus on green tourism destinations is on the eastern region of Malaysia where it has more preserves area such as forest, sea, mountains, traditional culture and other nature-based spot. This is because green tourism in Malaysia in closely interrelated with customize activities.
State like Skeletal, Termagant and Pang is much likely to have these elements. Furthermore, they have several famous island that captured tourist attraction such as Parenting Island, Reading Island, Bangkok Island as well as local produce product like crook looker which has been a trademark for the eastern region. Besides that, the agro-tourism activities including fisheries really make this region the main selection of tourist receipt and the government focus on developing green tourism. The Cut-Cut Malaysia programmer is one of the strategy endorse to help boosting the green tourism campaign.
Furthermore, in year 2010, the Malaysian government, represent by the ministry responsible in tourism activities, Ministry of Tourism (MOTOR) has launched the 1 Malaysia Green Tourism, 1 Malaysia Clean”. The objective of this programmer is to educate the citizen in being responsible and respectful in dealing with nature”s beauty especially in tourist hot spot area or destination. The programmer is hope to increase citizen awareness on public cleanliness so that the country image as a tourist favorite destination will uphold all the time.
Besides that, the ministry already encourage hoteliers and entrepreneurs to go on green” requirement where the effect on that can be seen in year 2010 whereby 5 Malaysian hotels awarded as the new recipients of the Sean Green Hotel Award 2010, adding up the total number of such hotels in he country to 10. The hotels are as below l. The Madman Language in Asked; II. Shanghai-La”s Tan]Eng Are Resort & Spa in Jota Kimball; Ill. Mines Wellness Hotel in Clangor; ‘V. Shanghai-La”s Rasa Aria Resort in Outran; V. Renaissance Koala Lump Hotel; VI. Hotel Amelia Koala Lump; VI’. Nexus Resort Grammarian in Saba; VIII.
Shanghai-La”s Rasa Saying Resort and Spa in Penman; ‘X. Shanghai-La Hotel Koala Lump: and X. The Frangipani Language Resort and Spa. The programmed for operation on environmental management and introduction of waste management techniques such as recycling (the star. Com. My, January 26, 2010). However, despite all the programmed that has been done and still on going, Malaysian Government still have to improve their touch on Green Tourism development all over the country. They government should emphasis more on this kind of tourism because this country has advantages on nature-based destinations.
The only lacking is the master blue print of green tourism as well as establishing firm and clear policy to be endorsed for the public and entrepreneurs. Besides that, the government might think to Join the COED committees under the COED declaration of Green Growth as a way for them to move forward. This to ensure that Malaysia would to be left behind and energetically achieved their objectives to be a favorite tourist destinations as well as developed nation. In order achieved to achieve the objectives stated in previous topic, several steps should be taken.
First, destinations should analyze their current environmental performance across key green dimensions, as compared to global best practices. Tourism governance bodies should take the initiative to launch pilot projects and investigate issues that need urgent attention, in order to avoid a drop in tourism. Taking proactive measures is key. (Dry. J;urge Ringside; Mira El-Ida; Amity Augusta, 006) Second, destinations should not approach green initiatives as a marketing campaign but rather as a serious effort to become an environmentally sustainable destination.
Quality sells, and in a world of virtual travel communities, customers learn fast. (Dry. J;urge Ringside; Mira El-Ida; Amity Augusta, 2006) Third, destinations seeking to become green must make sure they engage all relevant stakeholders. Tourism ministries should reach out within and across sectors to transform their destination. Compliance with international guidelines and rules is critical to capturing funding and support (Dry. J;urge Ringside; Mira El-Ida; Amity Augusta, 2006). Hence, by following these principles, destinations can ensure that their green strategies are indeed sustainable.
Going green allows destinations to tap into a well of potential that will nourish today”s needs while protecting and enhancing those of tomorrow. As a conclusion, Green Tourism ensures environmentally friendly tourism development where it is helpful for sustainable tourism industry as well as enhancing local people well-beings. Malaysian Government is not lagging behind in this aspect as a number of initiatives towards Green Tourism have been put in place. Malaysian government indeed can implement appropriate policies, regulations and guidelines to boost Green Tourism development in the country.
