Sustainable Tourism Law

464 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM LAW Contrary to what, for social and professional reasons, we would like to see happen, one must acknowledge that criticism is partially fair and that not only has tourism not always adopted, by choice or by mere ignorance, the path of the desired sustainability, despite its current positioning, it still has a long way to go in this direction. II – In fact, and beginning with the resources used, let us focus on the paradigmatic example of water. It is indisputable that in many cases tourism uses drinking water for irrigation purposes and always uses that same water for sanitary purposes. How much was it necessary to invest in terms of collection, plumbing and treatment equipment to get that drinking water to the garden sprinkler or to the toilet bowl? It is clear that establishments can and should adopt moderate water use policies and procedures, but there is indeed a degree of waste upstream, inherent to a consumption model that needs to be addressed. And as for another essential element of the activity, like energy, are establishments optimized, that is, equipped with the best heating, cooling and lighting solutions? Simply spending a while in some spaces, rooms or public areas that use heating or cooling systems, whatever the time of year, shows this does not happen and that there are still doors and windows unnecessarily open... Yes, we must acknowledge that there is a waste of resources, and yes we accept that the sector as a whole consumes water and energy at levels which are much higher than those necessary and desirable. And what about the construction of hotels in privileged locations? Or is it not true that tourist properties privatize spaces, which are then withdrawn from eventual public enjoyment? Is it true or not that Tourism initiatives also build enormous golf courses that change the use of vast areas, previously allocated to other activities, especially those linked to agriculture? The answer to both questions is largely affirmative and not acknowledging it would be the same as denying the existing evidence. III – Due to the intensive use of resources previously described, criticism of tourism as causing the accelerated degradation of the material conditions of life for people, animals and nature on our planet, seems justified. Of course, one should strive to do better than those who came before us, but the generalization of the criticism towards Tourism can be unfair and lead us to mistake a cloud for Juno.