Envisioning Environmental Policy as Social Policy: The Case of the International Cruise Line Industry

Abstract

Cruise tourism is the fastest-growing segment of leisure tourism. In many locations, its growth has direct implications for social policy, especially as regards issues of quality of life, economic issues, and the opportunity cost of expenditures for cruise tourism versus more immediate social and community needs. But there are also issues related to environmental policy given the critical impact of cruise ships on air quality, water quality, as well as fisheries and recreation in coastal waters. Through case examples, this chapter looks at the dynamic between environmental policy and social policy. It finds that community-based groups become actively involved in promoting environmental concerns when social policy is pursued at the exclusion or expense of environmental issues. Conversely, industry becomes actively involved in promoting its social/economic agenda when new environmental policies conflict with existing social policy. Because the two policy areas are inextricably linked, it makes sense for broader decision-making processes around policy development and a recognition that environmental policy is social policy and social policy is environmental policy. The chapter suggests the principles of responsible tourism for identifying social and environmental impacts and for identifying stakeholders that need to be included in decision-making.