Sustainable Tourism Practices for Tour Operators in Sharjah

This guide is for tour operators, guides, attraction managers, and other tourism businesses who want to understand sustainable tourism. We offer practical tips on how sustainable tourism practices can benefit your business, the environment, and the community in which you operate.

The tourism industry is responsible for nearly ten percent of the world’s total carbon emissions. To mitigate the industry’s negative impacts on the environment, wildlife, and destination communities, and to generate a positive impact instead, ensuring the implementation of sustainable tourism practices has become a vital responsibility of tourism operators.

Benefits

Tourists are becoming more aware of tourism’s environmental impact, shaping their thoughts and travel plans, especially among younger generations. The demand for sustainable tourism is on the rise, with forecasts from Allied Market Research indicating that ecotourism is expected to generate €87.85 billion in 2027. By adopting sustainable tourism practices, operators can seize various opportunities, including enhancing service quality, cutting operational expenses, and tapping into marketing prospects, all while safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Track your Progress

To enhance the sustainability of your business, it is essential to begin by gaining a comprehensive understanding of your current status and making a commitment to monitor your progress. By analysing your present situation, you can identify the positive and negative impacts you generate. Such an analysis then allows you to construct strategic decisions to minimise your negative impact while maximising your positives. To assist you in this progress, we have developed a platform on Sustain Sharjah designed to assess your current impacts and track your sustainability journey.

Time for Action

After gaining insight into the sustainability of your business, the next step is to establish goals and targets. There are numerous ways which a tourism business can promote sustainability. By focusing on these aspects, your business is embarking on its first steps on a sustainability journey.

Climate

The first step involves being mindful of your business’s impact on the climate. An effective approach to gauge this impact is by calculating your carbon footprint. On Sustain Sharjah, you can access a specialised carbon calculator designed for Sharjah businesses to assess their environmental impact. You will then receive advice on how to reduce your carbon emissions, such as enhancing transport efficiency or prioritising local sourcing. Achieving this involves employing local personnel, using locally sourced materials, and favouring locally produced goods - these choices result in fewer emissions generated by transportation. To offset any carbon emissions generated by your tourism activities, you can participate in carbon offsetting programs.

Resources

In areas where resources are scarce, water, energy, food and materials should be utilised effectively. Efficient use of resources can lead to cost savings and reduce the negative impact of tourism, which generates over 35 million tons of waste per year. Managing water efficiently, especially in arid places like Sharjah, involves systems for harvesting and recycling water. As a tour operator, you can promote responsible water usage by encouraging guests to use refillable water bottles and offering convenient refill options. Similarly, when providing food, opt for reusable utensils instead of disposable ones. In terms of energy, reducing energy consumption can be achieved through various practices, ranging from installing solar panels for your office or building to simply choosing energy-efficient light bulbs. It is also advisable to regularly review your energy bills to identify any irregularities and potential areas for further efficient improvements.

Nature

Tourism can have both negative and positive effects on nature. Tourism development may harm natural habitats, place a significant pressure on the environment and wildlife, create demand for wildlife entertainment, and generate carbon emissions and pollution. At the same time it can also raise awareness and foster personal connections with nature and wildlife, while generating funds to support conservation efforts. To support environmental and cultural preservation, it's important to honour a code of conduct and familiarise yourself with local laws and regulations. This may involve incorporating cultural education into your tours and respecting laws safeguarding fragile areas.

Culture and Community

Focus on maximising the positive impact that interactions between local cultures and tourists can bring. Your business serves as the bridge between your customers and the local community. It is important to honour and familiarise the history and norms of Sharjah. Hire and train local people to ensure that the community benefits from tourism economically and develop new skills. By purchasing from and promoting local suppliers, money stays in the destination and reduces your carbon footprint. Connect your customers with the local culture by offering meaningful and authentic experiences, fostering cultural appreciation and preservation.

Education

The tourism industry has a responsibility to educate employees and tourists, foster connections with local communities and nature. Tour operators can provide training and education to employees, including cultural and nature courses offered by the Sharjah Tourism and Commerce Development Authority's training program. Staff should actively engage in sustainability efforts, possess knowledge, and inspire tourists to make sustainable choices. To educate tourists, tour operators can offer educational tours centred on culture and nature instead of purely entertainment-focused options. Furthermore, tour operators can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability for eco-conscious travellers through their website or brochures.

Know your Impact

Now is the time to elevate your sustainability efforts by measuring your business’s impact. A carbon calculator is a valuable tool that can help you gain insight into your business's specific environmental impact and make more sustainable decisions.

Are you ready to measure the impact of your tourism business and learn how to reduce your carbon footprint? Get started on your Sustainability Journey!

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