Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
RAISING PRODUCER AWARENESS
According to Hall (1995), greater attention has been given to meeting the demands of
different consumer segments than the needs of the supplier of the tourist product. As with
the raising of con-sumer awareness, much attention has been given to the production of
environmental codes of conduct or practice for tourism associations (Hall and Me Arthur
1998). For example, extensive guidelines have been developed for tourism operators in
the Antarctic (Hall and Johnston 1995). However, such guidelines, while undoubtedly
influencing the actions of some tourism operators, may need to be backed up by
government regulation and environmental planning legislation if they are to have any
overall effect on development practices. For example, where such codes of conduct are
voluntary, what practical measures exist to punish operators who do not subscribe to
them?
INSIGHT: International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO)
IAATO (http://www.iaato.org/) was founded in August 1991 by seven charter members
(Enzenbacher 1992) and now includes most of the main cruise lines which operate in the
Antarctic. In 2001 IAATO had fourteen full members, six provisional members, one
probational member, and fourteen associate members. IAATO members meet annually in
conjunction with the National Science Foundation/Antarctic Tour Operators Meeting;
attendance is compulsory as memberships, by-laws and other important issues are
discussed. It is estimated that IAATO members carry approximately 70% of all Antarctic
tourists (Enzenbacher 1995). As Claus (1990, quoted in Enzenbacher 1995) noted,
Over the past few years we have been involved in Antarctic policy
meetings, US Congressional hearings and scientific conferences, not only
in the US but in Australia and New Zealand as well, where we have taken
a leading role in the environmental protection of Antarctica.
(Enzenbacher 1995:188)
IAATO has two sets of guidelines, the first is addressed to Antarctica tour operators
(IAATO 1993a), the second is directed at Antarctica visitors (IAATO 1993b). IAATO
tour operator guidelines are intended for crew and staff members of Antarctic tour
companies. The agreed principles contained within aim at increasing awareness and
establishing a code of behaviour that minimises tourism impacts on the environment. The
willingness of industry members to cooperate with Antarctic Treaty Parties in regulating
tourism is crucial to the protection of the Antarctic environment given that the Antarctic
is transnational space within which domestic laws are complicated in their application
(Keage and Dingwall 1993; Hall and Johnston 1995). Tour operators maintain that
current IAATO guidelines are adequate, noting that tourists often serve as effective
guardians of the wildlife and environment. Yet, as Enzenbacher (1995:188) noted, 'it is
not clear that self-regulation sufficiently addresses all issues arising from tourist activity
as no neutral regulatory authority currently exists to oversee all Antarctic operators'
