Part 5: Water MNGT

Question 1

Importance of water in tourism

Answer 1

No destination, no hotel is possible w/out water (Direct - drinking, pool, showers, Indirect - food)
Facts
>70% of earths surface covered in water
Only 2.5% is fresh water
Only 1% usable by mankind
40% population will live in severe water stress regions by 2050
Future
Today aquifers over exploited and ground water supplies decline
Water stress most significant challenge in industry faces throwing mediterranean regions by mid-century

Close links between water and tourism
Mentioned in 8, 12, 14 of SDG (not in water goal)
Higher consumption than at home
Often takes place in regions of water stress
Travel periods often match lowest rainfall periods

Question 2

Water stress and Tourism examples:

Answer 2

Goa, India - 5 star resort consumes 1,785 L/room/day and nearby population has to manage with 14L/day - springs closed in some cases due to shortage

Bali - 65% available water consumed by tourism. Most hotels have own springs (motor driven in contrast to population’s springs)

Florida - cruise ships refill tanks, paying flare rate no matter the amount. Peak travel season usually on driest month

Question 3

Water stress world wide

Answer 3

17 Countries, mostly in Middle East, face risk of extremely high water stress

Question 4

Types of water

Answer 4

Blue water
Rain water, river/lake water
Useful for anything (not drinking/cooking)
White water
purified/controlled
can/should be used for drinking/cooking
Grey water
Used water that’s not chemically, biologically, physically polluted
Black water
Has come into contact with fecal matter
Needs to be cleaned - can’t be used for irrigation

Question 5

Direct/Indirect water consumption

Answer 5

Direct: used by people everyday, mostly white water (for hygienic/drinking)

Indirect: used to grow/produce goods, mostly white/blue water, difficult to specify/quantify correctly

Question 6

Water ftprint

Answer 6

Direct: = total vol freshwater used immediately
Indirect = total vol freshwater used indirectly/virtually for production
Ftprint = total vol freshwater used dir/indir to run business

Question 7

Products and their water consumption (L/Kg)

Answer 7

Beef (15, 415)
Nuts (9,063)
Sheep/goat (8,763)
Pig (5,988)
Chicken (4,325)
Eggs (3,265)
Cereals (1,644)
Milk (1,020)
Fruit (962)
Veggies (322)

Question 8

Water consumption in tourism: Indirect

Answer 8

Tourist consumes 6,575L/day
Meat consumption: 2,650 L/tourist/day
Most water intense aspect of food use
Carbohydrates (bread/rice), fruit, veggies less water intensive
Food consumption (buffet) requires largest amount of water
1 Kg tomatoes = 130 L
1 Kg beef = 15.500 L

Question 9

Direct/indirect consumption in Hotels (L/guest night)

Answer 9

Direct: accommodations (350L)/activities (20L)
Indirect: Fossil fuels transport (130L), Energy use (75L), Food (6,000L)
Water consumption 1-5 star hotels (higher stars tend to use more water)

Question 10

Method/Tool for water use MNGT

Answer 10

Meter Install
Detecting leaks
Measure flow rates
focus on: towel, linens, garden irrigation, pool water

Question 11

Main risks if water issue not resolved

Answer 11

Operational: operations become difficult (Pools, showers etc)
Regulatory: only use during certain times of day (or only one thing)
Financial: High increase of cost
Reputation: negative media

Question 12

Desalination

Answer 12

Turning seawater into drinking water through osmosis
High operating cost
High emissions
Higher salt level in sea