The Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN) along with Chengdu tourism leaders issued the AEN Xiling Snow Mountain Declaration of ‘Climate Change Adaptation and Redefining Ecotourism Seasonality.’ This declaration is hoping to help countries in the Asia-Pacific to adjust to actual or expected climate and seasonal challenges in a sustainable manner.
The travel and tourism industry is still unaware of the complete impact of climate change. Businesses are not adapting sustainable measures and require proper tourism management. “The fact that climate change and its effects are already influencing the patterns and periods of the season, actions need to be taken without any more delay;” said Mr. Masaru Takayama, Chairman of AEN. “The venue at Xiling Snow Mountain is no different from other tourism destinations. In issuing the declaration, we hope to demonstrate to our ecotourism friends that this issue needs to be tackled immediately.”
What does the Declaration state?
According to the Declaration, seven areas will be the focus of climate action in tourism seasonality. These include:
- Understand the dynamism of climate change and seasonality that affect tourism seasonality
- Be aware of credible carbon offset activities that can be undertaken to alleviate the travel-induced impacts;
- Take actions on minimizing carbon footprint through practical tourism design and operation;
- Seek effective strategies to climate and seasonal adaptation that benefit the local people, visitors, and the industry;
- Provide tourism stakeholders and the industry with environmental education opportunities in particular with climate and seasonal adaptations;
- Create favorable conditions for community participation to maintain their sustainable livelihood;
- Encourage Asia Pacific countries to learn from each other, share good practices, and achieve our common Sustainable Development Goals.
The declaration was the outcome of a forum that was attended by more than 40 regional tourism experts and participants in January 2020.
