Sustainable Destination Management
Strategies in the OIC Member Countries
32
In Sweden, several regional initiatives have been undertaken to extend the tourism season to
reduce the vast seasonal variations by focusing on attracting tourists from various markets
targeting their different holiday schedules. In 2012, the Swedish Agency for Economic and
Regional Growth provided financial support to over 40 regional and local organizations to
develop sustainable tourism through various initiatives aiming at extending the tourist season,
developing innovative sustainable products and services, and enhancing accessibility and
destination competitiveness.90 In Italy, the Tourism Strategic Plan aims to better distribute
visitor flows into areas that are not recognized as tourist destinations with the objective of
decongesting saturated areas and improving competitiveness by widening the product offer and
establishing a more sustainable model.91
Managing the Environmental Impacts of Tourism
The negative environmental impacts of tourismhave garnered increasing attention recently andhave
been the focus ofmany governmental andnon-governmental initiatives at international, regional, and
local levels. The tourism industry has launched several efforts at conserving non-renewable
resources, reducing pollution and waste. Governments have employed a number of strategies to
promote best practices in this area, from providing support and financial incentives to tourism
businesses and imposing taxes on non-renewable resources consumption to mandating
environmental impact assessments. In Germany, the federal government has supported many
tourism industry and NGOs, such as the Hotel and Catering Energy Campaign initiated by the
German Hotel and Restaurant Association. This effort identifies specific energy and water
consumption and carbon emissions reduction measures and voluntary audits for the domestic
hospitality industry leading to accreditation. Germany also has a mandatory environmental
impact assessment system aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and monitoring water
and energy usage in the tourism industry.92
In France, the UK, and Japan, many tourism-related businesses are required to carry out
environmental impact assessments. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency
mandates that environmental impact assessments are carried out for all tourism-related
infrastructure projects.93 In New Zealand, several funds are dedicated to the promotion of
sustainability practices and the conservation of the environment, including the “Waste Levy and
Waste Minimization Fund” which supports initiatives to improve resource efficiency and recycle
waste.94 In Italy, a tax credit system was introduced in 2015 for the renovation of tourism
accommodation establishments, with particular focus on energy efficiency and anti-seismic
measures. The tax credit covers between 30% and 65% of the cost.95
Laws and regulations have been the primary tools used to align tourism development planning
and activities with sustainability objectives. Zoning regulations have been used to indicate the
areas suitable for different kinds of tourism development, while building standards and
90 OECD. (2018). OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2018. Paris: OECD Publishing.
91 Please refer to Italy’s case study for further information and sources.
92 The Economist Intelligence Unit. (2017). The sustainable tourism index: Enhancing the global travel environment. Retrieved
from
93 The Economist Intelligence Unit. (2017). The sustainable tourism index: Enhancing the global travel environment. Retrieved
from
94 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. (2013). Sustainable development of tourism destinations. Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation.
95 Please refer to Italy’s case study for further information and sources.