evolution of the tourism

THE EVOLUTION OF THE TOURISM SECTOR

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The Oxford Handbook of Tourism History

Eric G. E. Zuelow is Professor of History at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. He is author of A History of Modern Tourism (2015) and Making Ireland Irish: Tourism and National Identity since the Irish Civil War (2009), editor of Touring Beyond the Nation: A Transnational Approach to European Tourism History (2011), and editor of the Journal of Tourism History.

Kevin J. James is Professor of History at the University of Guelph in Canada, where he holds the Scottish Studies Foundation Chair and serves as Director of the Centre for Scottish Studies. His research programs have explored the history of the hotel visitors' book, hotels in wartime, and the history of country house hotels.

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By: Bastian Herre , Veronika Samborska and Max Roser

Tourism has massively increased in recent decades. Aviation has opened up travel from domestic to international. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of international visits had more than doubled since 2000.

Tourism can be important for both the travelers and the people in the countries they visit.

For visitors, traveling can increase their understanding of and appreciation for people in other countries and their cultures.

And in many countries, many people rely on tourism for their income. In some, it is one of the largest industries.

But tourism also has externalities: it contributes to global carbon emissions and can encroach on local environments and cultures.

On this page, you can find data and visualizations on the history and current state of tourism across the world.

Interactive Charts on Tourism

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The Future Past of Tourism: Historical Perspectives and Future Evolutions

Journal of Tourism Futures

ISSN : 2055-5911

Article publication date: 23 July 2020

Issue publication date: 23 July 2020

Wong, B.K.M. and Ng, C.H. (2020), "The Future Past of Tourism: Historical Perspectives and Future Evolutions", Journal of Tourism Futures , Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 193-195. https://doi.org/10.1108/JTF-06-2020-150

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Brian Kee Mun Wong and Chin Hooi Ng.

Published in Journal of Tourism Futures . Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode

Tourism is an activity that is well-liked by all walks of life. However, was tourism always as vibrant and easily accessible from the beginning? And how would the tourism industry be in the future? The book The Future Past of Tourism: Historical Perspectives and Future Evolutions by Ian Yeoman and Una McMahon-Beattie explores the turning points that helped shape the tourism industry to what it is today and potential turning points in the future. The book comprises 19 chapters, presented in six parts: globalization, the development of destinations, mobility, the hotel, diversification into niche tourism and evolution. The introductory chapter provides the readers the rationale and the overall structure of the book.

Part 1 on globalization covers two chapters. Chapter 2 provides an insight on the various turning points that led to today’s definition of tourism, such as the Grand Tour of Europe, mass tourism, modern tourism, nature and pilgrimage. The chapter also proposes the factors of future of tourism such as global economy of tourism, cultural capital and family structure. Chapter 3 further examines the development of mass tourism as it is one of the world’s largest industries, comprising 9% of GDP and 6% of world exports. The Industrial Revolution made mass travelling possible through the availability of steam trains and steam ships. While the Western continents have often been the centre of tourism historically, the future of tourism is shifting towards Asia and Africa. The chapter also highlights the risk of over-tourism as travellers continue to visit popular destinations.

Part 2 instils the development of destinations. Chapters 4 and 5 offer case studies on destination development processes in Malta and Ireland. As the Malta tourism industry expanded, issues such as inadequate public infrastructure and over-development of accommodations arose. While a series of proactive policies were in place to improve the overall tourism situation, the digitization of virtual experiences is something the nation is considering for visitation in the future. Ireland is portrayed as a touristic nation through a series of turning points. Its luxurious identity, accommodations that represent the livelihood of the locals, history and culture are among the key tourism development propositions highlighted in Chapter 5. As major cities around the world grew, it began to attract various types of travellers and hence enhanced tourism activities. Thus, Chapter 6 depicts the growth, decline and resurgence of the city-states in the tourism development process. The transition of the city-states into territorial states in the future remains part of the continuous cyclic process of development. As China became a major travel destination, Chapter 7 offers a good glimpse of its coastal tourism development from 1841 to 2017. The future of the Chinese coastal tourism relies on the implementation of controlling bodies with increasing standard setting and personalization through banalization and restrictive access.

Part 3 presents the transportation mobility development in the tourism industry. Chapter 8 discusses the aircraft technology development as one of the significant milestones in shaping the tourism of today, enabling travellers to travel further and faster at a more affordable price, with the potential to exclude stopover(s). Chapter 9 provides another tourism mobility option, cruise ships. As one of the fastest growing sectors, cruise tourism has undergone several innovative changes that have made it into a popular choice. Chapter 10 further elaborates the evolution of energy and transportation options along with its effects on tourism. This is essential as new forms of eco-friendly transportation are required to ensure future tourism sustainability.

Part 4 briefly touches on the hotel sector. Chapter 11 covers the historical and future turning points of the hotel sector. The evolution of hotel as a temporary dwelling for tourists to hotel chains and the current shared-service accommodation concept are articulated. Chapter 12 examines a case study on employment issues and challenges in New Zealand tourism hotel sector. It further elaborates two scenarios of the industry: dystopia and utopia, which perhaps shape the future of the industry.

Part 5 consists of six chapters that dwell into the diversification of niche tourism products. Chapter 13 examines how film influences the travelling behaviour of travellers. Movies such as The Third Man , The Quiet Man , The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones boosted the film tourism market. With the advancement of technology, augmented reality or virtual reality is deemed to be the future mode of such tourism portfolios. Chapter 14 provides an overview of the Grand Tour development in Europe. With new digital tools, travellers continue to desire for knowledge enhancement and self-development, and thus the educational travel or study tours are developed. As Chapter 15 focusses on identifying the factors contributing to tourist retail development in heritage villages, Chapter 16 clarifies the role of religion in influencing its past and current patterns and practices in tourism industry. Chapter 17 covers the development of mountaineering tourism. Despite climate change affecting such niche tourism product, it continues to be popular to the extent of being a global sport. Part 5 ends with an examination on the past incidences and issues and future expectations on tourism sustainability in Scotland.

Part 6 on evolution describes in Chapter 19 how the past shapes the future of tourism industry as a recap of previous chapters and uses the cognitive mapping perspective. While the key historical turning points include mindfulness, mobility, step changes determining mass tourism and leisure class of consumption, the future turning points are proposed to be fluid identity, sustainable futures, ubiquitous future and mass maturity.

Overall, the book is recommended for researchers to obtain inspiration in developing new research themes, as the chapters offer substantial turning points in the past and the future of the tourism industry. Most of the content is relevant, and the flow of the chapters is well planned. Critically, Part 4: The Hotel, can be further enhanced by describing the influence of technology advancement and digital-based content on shaping the future of the hotel sector. The use of cognitive mapping in summarizing the chapters is interesting and useful. The ability of the authors to summarize the historical and to propose the future turning points shall be applauded. In the current disruptive business environment, it is essential to adopt technology in developing smart tourism concept ( Arenasa et al. , 2019 ). However, moving forward to the Industry Revolution 5.0, the future of the tourism industry relies on not only superior usage of technology but also the re-enactment of human element ( Wong, 2016 ) to establish an emotional connection.

Arenasa , A.E. , Goh , J.M. and Urueña , A. ( 2019 ), “ How does IT affect design centricity approaches: evidence from Spain’s smart tourism ecosystem ”, International Journal of Information Management , Vol. 45 , pp. 149 - 162 .

Wong , B.K.M. ( 2016 ), “ The human face of marketing ”, The Financial Daily , p. 24 .

About the authors

Brian Kee Mun Wong is based at KDU University College – Utropolis Glenmarie, Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia. He, Wong holds a Ph.D. in Tourism Management from the University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. He is currently heading the School of Business at UOW Malaysia KDU University College. His main research areas is are in tourism, international retirement migration, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Chin Hooi Ng is based at the School of Business, KDU University College – Utropolis Glenmarie, Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia. He, Ng currently is a DBA candidate and holds an MBA from the from University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He is currently the Deputy Head of School of UOW Malaysia Business at KDU University College. His main research areas is inare fintech, marketing, and management.

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International tourism growth continues to outpace the global economy

• All Regions
• 20 Jan 2020

1.5 billion international tourist arrivals were recorded in 2019, globally. A 4% increase on the previous year which is also forecast for 2020, confirming tourism as a leading and resilient economic sector, especially in view of current uncertainties. By the same token, this calls for such growth to be managed responsibly so as to best seize the opportunities tourism can generate for communities around the world.

According to the first comprehensive report on global tourism numbers and trends of the new decade, the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, this represents the tenth consecutive year of growth.

All regions saw a rise in international arrivals in 2019. However, uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the collapse of Thomas Cook, geopolitical and social tensions and the global economic slowdown all contributed to a slower growth in 2019, when compared to the exceptional rates of 2017 and 2018. This slowdown affected mainly advanced economies and particularly Europe and Asia and the Pacific.

Looking ahead, growth of 3% to 4% is predicted for 2020, an outlook reflected in the latest UNWTO Confidence Index which shows a cautious optimism: 47% of participants believe tourism will perform better and 43% at the same level of 2019. Major sporting events, including the Tokyo Olympics, and cultural events such as Expo 2020 Dubai are expected to have a positive impact on the sector.

Responsible growth

Presenting the results, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stressed that “in these times of uncertainty and volatility, tourism remains a reliable economic sector”. Against the backdrop of recently downgraded global economic perspectives, international trade tensions, social unrest and geopolitical uncertainty, “our sector keeps outpacing the world economy and calling upon us to not only grow but to grow better”, he added.

Given tourism’s position as a top export sector and creator of employment, UNWTO advocates the need for responsible growth. Tourism has, therefore, a place at the heart of global development policies, and the opportunity to gain further political recognition and make a real impact as the Decade of Action gets underway, leaving just ten years to fulfill the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Middle East leads

The Middle East has emerged as the fastest-growing region for international tourism arrivals in 2019, growing at almost double the global average (+8%). Growth in Asia and the Pacific slowed down but still showed above-average growth, with international arrivals up 5%.

Europe where growth was also slower than in previous years (+4%) continues to lead in terms of international arrivals numbers, welcoming 743 million international tourists last year (51% of the global market). The Americas (+2%) showed a mixed picture as many island destinations in the Caribbean consolidated their recovery after the 2017 hurricanes while arrivals fell in South America due partly to ongoing social and political turmoil. Limited data available for Africa (+4%) points to continued strong results in North Africa (+9%) while arrivals in Sub-Saharan Africa grew slower in 2019 (+1.5%).

Tourism spending still strong

Against a backdrop of global economic slowdown, tourism spending continued to grow, most notably among the world’s top ten spenders. France reported the strongest increase in international tourism expenditure among the world’s top ten outbound markets (+11%), while the United States (+6%) led growth in absolute terms, aided by a strong dollar.

However, some large emerging markets such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia reported declines in tourism spending. China, the world’s top source market saw outbound trips increase by 14% in the first half of 2019, though expenditure fell 4%.

Tourism delivering ‘much-needed opportunities’

“The number of destinations earning US$1 billion or more from international tourism has almost doubled since 1998,” adds Mr Pololikashvili. “The challenge we face is to make sure the benefits are shared as widely as possible and that nobody is left behind. In 2020, UNWTO celebrates the Year of Tourism and Rural Development , and we hope to see our sector lead positive change in rural communities, creating jobs and opportunities, driving economic growth and preserving culture.”

This latest evidence of the strength and resilience of the tourism sector comes as the UN celebrates its 75th anniversary . During 2020, through the UN75 initiative the UN is carrying out the largest, most inclusive conversation on the role of global cooperation in building a better future for all, with tourism to be high on the agenda.

Related Links

• Download Excerpt of World Tourism Barometer, January 2020 (PDF)
• UNWTO World Tourism Barometer Nº18 January 2020
• Tourism in the 2030 Agenda
• Presentation (PDF)
• Infographics

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Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to Discuss New Development Agreement with Walt Disney World

A new development agreement has been reached between Walt Disney World and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. It will be discussed in a first reading and public hearing this June.

Disney & CFTOD Development Agreement

Announced by the District Clerk of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) via a legal notice in the May 29, 2024 edition of the Orlando Sentinel , CFTOD will hold a Board of Supervisors meeting on June 5, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. to conduct a first reading and public heading of the proposed development agreement between the CFTOD and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

The subject of the development agreement includes over 17,000 acres of land owned by Disney. The proposed agreement will encompass the development of properties including hotels, motels, offices, retail, restaurants, and theme parks.

Within the agreement specifics on the maximum size, height, and number of properties are listed. This includes a maximum of 53,467 rooms for all hotels on property, no more than five minor theme parks (i.e. water parks), and no more than five major theme parks (leaving room for the development of one additional theme park, though a fifth gate has not been announced).

This new development agreement comes after Disney and the CFTOD reached a settlement in their state lawsuit regarding development agreements Disney had in place with the former Reedy Creek Improvement District. The settlement rendered those previous development agreements null and void.

You can read the full legal notice as it appears in the Orlando Sentinel below:

Notice of Special Meeting & Public Hearing You will please take notice that on June 5, 2024 at 10: 30 a.m., or as soon thereafter as practicable, the Board of Supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District will meet in the board room at 1900 Hotel Plaza Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, Florida to conduct the business of it published agenda posted at www.oversightdistrict.org and to conduct a first reading and public hearing on a proposed development agreement between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. pursuant to the Florida Local Government Agreement Act (sections 163.3220-3241, Fla. Stat.). The land subject to the proposed development agreement is a majority of the land located within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District owned by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc, encompassing approximately 17,370.17 acres. The development uses, include Hotel/Motel, Office, Retail/Restaurant, Major Theme Park, and Minor Theme Park, with Hotel/Resort densities at a maximum of 53,467 keys. Office Building at a maximum of 1,258,564 square feet; Retail/Restaurant building intensities at a maximum of 1,732,887 square feet; Minor Theme Parks at a maximum of 5; and Major Theme Parks at a maximum of 5. The maximum height proposed for development on the properties subject to the development agreement shall be the lesser of the requirements of the EPCOT Code and the FAA regulations.A copy of the proposed development agreement can be obtained upon a request to Katherine Luetzow Email: [email protected], Phone: 407-840-1246, or it can be inspected in person at Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s offices at 1920 East Buena Vista Drive, Suite A, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Interested parties may appear at the public meeting and hearing to be heard with respect to the proposed development agreement. If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board of Supervisors with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a verbatim record of the proceedings, which records inclusive the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. By: Alycia M Mills, District Clerk  Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on  Twitter ,  Facebook , and  Instagram .

The post Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to Discuss New Development Agreement with Walt Disney World appeared first on WDW News Today .

Asheville leaders push for change on how tourism funds are used. Will locals get a bigger cut?

ASHEVILLE - After a 2022 bill altered the way Asheville and Buncombe County's more than $35 million occupancy tax revenues are divided, local leaders continue to push for even greater change. They have called for more of the Tourism Development Authority's millions to be dedicated to addressing the needs of residents rather than going into marketing.

Sen. Julie Mayfield, a former City Council member and former city representative on the Tourism Development Authority board, said she's been advocating for reform for eight years.

“We have a real inequity here that needs addressing and I think putting more of that money to use for the benefit of the residents of Asheville, including and most specifically people who work in the tourism industry, is critical," Mayfield told the Citizen Times on April 4.

“And to me it’s an easy call.”

Mayfield was among the sponsors of the 2022 legislation.

Now, she looks toward the N.C. General Assembly's upcoming short session in late April where she is preparing a bill to change the language of the Legacy Investment From Tourism Fund, or LIFT, the TDA's newest fund created by the recent legislative changes. Her bill would clarify the fund's use to support "the tourism industry more broadly," including money for affordable housing, child care and parking.

The LIFT Fund broadened the scope of potential projects and while many have interpreted it to encompass affordable housing, it's uncharted territory.

City and county weigh in

Further reforms to the local occupancy tax — derived from the lodging tax paid by visitors who stay overnight in Buncombe County's hotels, vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfasts — were supported in both the city and county's recently adopted legislative agendas.

The city advocated for "a more equitable distribution of funds," requesting consideration be given to amending the committee guidelines for a 50%-50% split between marketing and projects.

Currently one-third can be used for community capital projects and the remainder toward marketing. Before the  local bill 's 2022 passage, the occupancy tax dollars, which go to the Buncombe County TDA, were split 75%-25%, favoring tourism promotion.

Mayor Esther Manheimer said the city has "been maintaining pressure" for more reform over the last several years. They'd wanted more in 2022, but the 66%-33% split is where the line was drawn.

“We just continue to try to manage that challenge,” she said. “I think even for folks who have had skepticism in the past, they are looking at (revenues) saying, ‘OK, where is the balance between marketing and investment in a community that is managing this number of tourists and is this now lopsided completely?’”

Of potential investments locally that could benefit from more funding, "the list is endless," she said. Even within the confines of capital projects related to tourism, she pointed to several high-cost projects, including the $11.3 million needed to repair downtown's parking garages or greenway expansion.

The county's legislative agenda prioritized "(continuing) to evaluate methods to modernize N.C. House Occupancy Tax guidelines to meet the evolving visitation and infrastructure needs of Buncombe County."

County lobbyists Whitney Campbell Christensen and Trafton Dinwiddie, from the law firm Ward and Smith, said Buncombe County stands to be the "poster child" for the issue.

“This continues to be a conversation that we’re at the epicenter of that I think is productive, that I think is healthy, not just for you all but for the state," Christensen said.

What about the LIFT Fund?

Since 2001, occupancy tax revenue for local projects was doled out only through the Tourism Product Development Fund, focused on major tourism investments that bring visitors to the city. Now it's divided between both the Tourism Product Development Fund and the Legacy Investment From Tourism Fund.

In its more than two decades, the TPDF has invested $86 million in 41 projects.

The  LIFT Fund, while intended to "increase patronage" of lodging, meeting and convention facilities by attracting tourists and other travelers, also includes projects that "benefit community at large" in Buncombe County.

This includes restoration or rehab of existing locations, maintenance and design of tourism-related capital projects, enhancement of natural resources, expansion of necessary infrastructure and construction of a new location, entirely, according to a TDA guide.

The TDA board will make its first grant awards from LIFT at its April 24 meeting, with about $9.5 million available this cycle, said spokesperson Ashley Greenstein.

The LIFT committee is reviewing 15 "phase II" applications, for a combined ask of $14.25 million. Applications include three housing projects: Project Aspire; Mountain Housing Opportunities' Star Point Affordable Apartments; and Ferry Road, a Buncombe County development that contains affordable housing.

"The LIFT Fund was just established by the Buncombe County occupancy tax legislation changes made in 2022 to increase the amount of occupancy tax funds invested in community capital projects to the maximum one-third allowable by state guidelines," Greenstein said in an emailed statement. "The team at Explore Asheville and the authority is prepared to put these important changes into action on behalf of Asheville and Buncombe County for years to come."

She did not directly respond to questions about the TDA's stance on additional reform.

Mayfield said if the affordable housing projects are funded, she likely wouldn't feel the need to introduce her new legislation.

But if they aren't, “No way. No. I’m not interested in that," she said.

“I think the LIFT Fund should explicitly fund affordable housing and if they don’t feel like the language allows them to do that, I would like to change the language to make it clear that it can be.”

More: Buncombe pursues federal funds for acquisition of Deaverview Mountain as a public park

More: Asheville, Buncombe to make 1st asks of new TDA fund. Is affordable housing on the table?

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email [email protected] or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a  subscription  to the Citizen Times .

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Government of Canada to announce support for the tourism sector in the Niagara region

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Media advisory

The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), will make an important announcement for tourism businesses and organizations in the Niagara region.

May 30, 2024  – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), will make an important announcement for tourism businesses and organizations in the Niagara region. Minister Ferrada will be joined by Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre and Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines.

A media availability will follow the in-person announcement.

Please note that details are subject to change. All times are local.

Date:  Friday, May 31, 2024

Time:  3:30 p.m.

Location:        Byland Estate Winery 834 Line 3 Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S1J0

R.S.V.P:  Please submit your request to [email protected] .

Edward Hutchinson Press Secretary Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario [email protected]

FedDev Ontario Media Relations [email protected]

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National Sustainable Tourism Certification Scheme (NSTCS) awarded to 100 SMEs in the Tourism sector in Sri Lanka

Certification scheme to promote a more sustainable tourism sector

May 29, 2024

Pictured here: Outstanding award category winners receiving their respective awards from the high-level representatives present this morning. Outstanding Sustainable Concept award- Wild Glamping, Gal Oya; Best SDG Compliance Award- Earth Bound Creations, Udaperadeniya; Best Sustainable Tourism Project Award- The Barnhouse Studio, Panadura

29 May 2024, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The National Sustainable Tourism Certification Scheme (NSTCS) is a process that recognizes and promotes destinations that are committed to environmental, social and economic sustainability in Sri Lanka. In line with the overall strategy of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka the certification scheme was established in 2018 in line with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council guidelines. Over 100 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector were awarded their certifications this morning, with the presence of Hon. Minister Harin Fernando Ministry of Tourism, Lands, Youth Affairs and Sports; Mr. H.M.B.P. Herath, Secretary, Minister of Tourism and Lands;  Ms. Azusa Kubota, UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka; Mr. Priantha Fernando, Chairperson – SLTDA; Mr. R. Sariffodeen, Director General – SLTDA; and other high-level dignitaries from the tourism and development sector.  

The certification scheme aims to involve all tourism stakeholders- government agencies and the private sector, working in partnership to move towards a more sustainable tourism sector in Sri Lanka in line with national priorities. Following the successful completion of the pilot phase in 2019 for the accommodation sector, in 2023 a call for applications was opened for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the sector.   

According to the ADB, Small and medium enterprises play a vital role in the country’s economy, contributing more than 50% of the GDP in Sri Lanka. Around 75% of these enterprises belong to the tourism sector. These include hotels and homestays (33%), spas and ayurveda (18%). Souvenirs, handicrafts, cafes, food and beverages make up most of the remaining enterprises.

While tourism growth brings positive outcomes for countries, there could also be negative impacts, with unplanned tourism creating specific challenges. Against this background, the Government of Sri Lanka with its ambitious growth targets of tourist arrivals, is working towards to continue in offering positive tourism experiences ensuring long term sustainability for the country. 

Commenting on the certification scheme, Mr. Priantha Fernando, Chairperson of SLTDA stated, “Our commitment to sustainability is not just about meeting the demands of today’s consumers; it is about securing a better future for our nation and the generations to come. What is good for our nation, our future, and our customers is intrinsically linked thus, let us continue to build a sustainable, prosperous, and vibrant tourism industry in Sri Lanka.”

This programme involves a series of steps to assess and validate a destination's efforts in various sustainability aspects with a special focus on sustainable use of biodiversity including reducing threats to the environment and promoting environmentally friendly practices. 

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) is a UNDP managed global collaboration to develop and implement an evidence-based methodology that improves biodiversity outcomes using finance and economics. In Sri Lanka, working together with the Government of Sri Lanka, BIOFIN works on implementing three (3) finance solutions for the sustainable use and management of biodiversity; the development of a Green Lending framework, a sustainable certification for the tourism industry following the establishment of the Sustainable Tourism Unit (STU), and payment for ecosystem services in the mini-hydro power generation sector.

Highlighting UNDPs role, Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka noted, “Biodiversity must be at the heart of Sri Lanka’s recovery trajectory, from nature-based solutions with investments to let biodiversity flourish, creating jobs and opportunities for communities to secure a sustainable future. Through the success of such certification schemes in the tourism sector, UNDP reaffirms its commitment to working together with all stakeholders in the sector to demonstrate how nature-positive economies can work for people and the planet.”

The national certification scheme will mitigate the negative impacts of tourism but also incentivize tourism businesses to transition toward environmentally and socially responsible business practices. Importantly, generating income, providing skilled employment opportunities, preserving local ecosystems and cultures, and creating positive experiences for local people, tourism companies, and tourists themselves.

High-level attendees at the NSTCS SME Awards Ceremony

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Disney's new development deal with DeSantis could pave the way for a Disney World expansion of mythic proportions

• Central Florida's tourism oversight district will soon vote on a development plan with Disney.
• The plan would greenlight $17 billion in development at Walt Disney World over 10 to 20 years.
• It could herald the arrival of the much-rumored "fifth theme park" in Florida.

Rumors that Walt Disney World might build a fifth theme park in Central Florida have persisted for years. Now, there's some good news for anyone hoping those rumors are true.

A potential new development agreement between Central Florida's tourism board and The Walt Disney Company could usher in the rumored expansion.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District will host a public hearing on Disney's development plan during a meeting next week before finally voting on June 15.

If approved, the agreement would be a major thaw in relations between Disney and the tourism board, which the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis effectively commandeered from Disney in 2023. DeSantis appointed five people to the tourism board, but two have since left their positions.

As now written, the agreement would allow Disney to spend $17 billion to further develop Walt Disney World over the next 10 to 20 years, according to a statement from the tourism board.

"With Walt Disney World's substantial investments, we anticipate economic growth, job creation, and support for local businesses, alongside environmental stewardship and workforce housing initiatives, benefiting Central Florida's community," District Administrator Stephanie Kopelousos said in a statement to Business Insider.

The tourism board said the agreement would require Disney to find local contractors for any construction and award a minimum of 50% of all construction work to Florida-based businesses. It also requires Disney to fund "attainable" housing projects.

Related stories

Disney officials haven't detailed how the billions would be spent, but an industry insider told the Orlando Sentinel that a fifth theme park could join its roster of existing properties.

Magic Kingdom opened to the public in 1971, followed by Epcot in 1982, Disney's Hollywood Studios in 1989, and Animal Kingdom in 1998.

Disney CEO Bob Iger skirted a question about a new Florida theme park during an earnings call in February, according to the Sentinel.

"We're already hard at work at basically determining where we're going to place our new investments and what they will be," Iger said. "You can pretty much conclude that they'll be all over, meaning every single one of our locations will be the beneficiary of increased investment."

Representatives for The Walt Disney Co. and Walt Disney World did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

DeSantis vs. Disney

The pending development agreement between the tourism board and Disney comes after a contentious legal battle — initiated by DeSantis — that began in April 2022.

The legal battle began when Disney publicly opposed DeSantis's so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill . DeSantis lashed out at the entertainment conglomerate and attempted to upend a long-standing arrangement that allowed Disney to self-govern through its Reedy Creek Improvement District.

DeSantis gained control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District in February 2023. His administration renamed it the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and DeSantis appointed its board supervisors, effectively removing Disney's autonomy over development in the area.

The former Reedy Creek Improvement District board members tried to push through a development deal before they were ousted. But after a series of court battles, Disney and the new tourism board finally reached a settlement in March.

That settlement nullified the last-minute deal the former Reedy Creek board members pushed through. The settlement then suggested Disney and the new board work together on a new development deal.

Watch: DeSantis vs. Disney: Who are the winners and losers?

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