Sustainable tourism
What we do for Western Pomerania
Sustainable tourism
An intact nature and landscape forms the basis for attractive tourist experiences. Conversely, sustainable tourism can contribute to receiving their conscious travel and leisure behavior. For every tourist destination, this harbors many opportunities, but also challenges and impairments that can have serious consequences for the region.
German companies around 70 million longer trips a year. The tourism industry contributes significantly to the entire gross value added. A total of 2.9 million workers were employed in tourism in 2016 (see: Federal Government's report, 2017 ). Tourism even offers a job worldwide.
Our strategy
What we do in Western Pomerania:
The Vorpommern EV tourism association has imposed a strategy for quality and sustainability as the basis for the next few years.
What does sustainable tourism mean?
Sustainable tourism has been on the tourist agenda in Germany for over 30 years. Often there is also talk of gentle, intelligent tourism or tourism. Sustainable tourism not only meets the demands of tourists and local population, but also uses resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs are satisfied and at the same time maintained cultural integrity, ecological processes and biological diversity.
Political and institutional instances of a destination can create the basis for sustainable development of the tourism region with favorable framework conditions and strategies. Networking within the service providers of the destination also favors the implementation of the corresponding measures. The concept refers to all forms of tourism, niche products and mass tourist offers.
Climate effects
Tourism is a member of the perspective and at the same time affected by the consequences of climate change. Especially when it comes to tourist traffic, carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted, which contributes significantly to climate change. Traveling by car, bus, ship or plane in particular have a significant impact on CO2 emissions.
Landscape change
Buildings, infrastructure, signage, benches - everything near the special nature and attraction. This inevitably leads to a change in the landscape and the townscape, especially if the architectural style is not adapted to the existing traditions.
biodiversity
The upper floor interventions and changes in the environment have a direct impact on biodiversity. Protecting and preserving the biological diversity is the basis for a natural area that can be used for tourism.
Air and water
Air pollution in tourism arises from traffic, heating, campfire and some leisure activities. This leads to pollutant emissions and represents a health risk for the locals. Water shortages and water pollution are also problems: in low -water regions, the increased water consumption of tourists leads to competition with the local population and economy and influences the region's drinking water supply.
Surface consumption
Tourist infrastructure needs plenty of space and affects the natural soil function through floor sealing, which promotes small climate changes and overheating in summer. In addition, tourism tightens the shortage of living space and drives prices in tourist areas, which means that locals often have to dodge into cheaper regions. This move reduces regional authenticity and thus also the attractiveness for guests.
Cultural integrity
A tourist destination is particularly attractive if it can be authentically experienced, for which the preservation of tradition and customs is crucial. However, mass tourism can lead to the devaluation of cultural assets. The support of regional providers and local value creation is also important: Many hosts prefer domestic products and regional services, which creates jobs and promotes socially sustainable conditions.
Further information
Our excellent partners
We would like to thank all partners at the Stettiner Haff, who supported us in the trip of the jury.
