NGO says international tourism compromises water rights of poor communities

Published on July 27, 2012 11:22 by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Social

Visitors to Bali, the Gambia and Goa use 16 times as much water as local residents. Such disproportionate use of freshwaterby tourists in developing world destinations is causing local conflict, exacerbating poverty and helping to spread disease, says NGO Tourism Concern in a new report.

The report examined five coastal destinations popular with international tourists - the Gambia, Bali in Indonesia, the islands of Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania, and Goa and Kerala in India.

"While hotels may have the money and resources to ensure their guests enjoy several showers a day, swimming pools, a round of golf, and lush landscaped gardens, neighbouring households, small businesses and agricultural producers can regularly endure severe water scarcity," says the report.

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