Strange world we live in

It sounds like a scene from a dystopian novel. In the distance stands a glittering palace with lush grounds and shimmering pools. Outside its walls, water is more precious than gold. Armed men stand guard over a maze of pumps and pipes. Through one set of pipes, the palace pumps dry nearby wells and streams. Another set of pipes discharge sewage downstream where it will sicken the peasants desperate for water for their pots and fields, out of sight and mind of the beautiful people frolicking on the palace grounds. The trouble is this is not some fictional cautionary tale. It is an all too common reality.

Some 884 million people lack sufficient access to water and sanitation globally. In many tourism destinations in the global South, lack of infrastructure, government capacity and resources means that communities struggle to meet their daily water needs. . . Meanwhile, neighbouring resorts and hotels consume vast quantities of water in the servicing of guest rooms, landscaped gardens, swimming pools and golf courses.

Tourism Concern, an advocacy organization that promotes ethical conduct in the tourism industry, has just released a new report that documents water rights abuses by popular resorts in developing countries. The report ("Water Equity in Tourism – A Human Right, A Global Responsibility" pdf) examined the water shortages, conflicts, and negative impacts of resorts on local communities. While the study focused on Indonesia, India, and Tanzania, the problems are not confined to these countries.

"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."

It is the perfect brew for exploitation - corrupt local governments, inexpensive beachfront property, big multinational corporations, and rich tourists with money to burn. Grease the palms of a few politicians and the sky is the limit. Developers promise jobs and prosperity, but all the profits flow to resort owners and the local residents are left with water shortages and pollution. Paraphrasing Tony Soprano, money flows uphill and crap flows down.

"The hotels here all have lush lawns and boreholes. But there is contamination of groundwater and the huge consumption of water by hotels lowers the water table. Wells in the neighbouring village have already become saline and unfit for human consumption. These hotels don't benefit us in any way." 

-- Sheela Gracia, local activist in Goa, India

There are so many ethical failures that it is impossible to doubt the banality of evil. Bribes are just the cost of doing business. Corporations like Hyatt and Hilton are just making money by keeping costs low and profit margins large. And the well-heeled tourists are spending their hard-earned cash. Sure, lots of people get hurt, but no one is really to blame.

Rachel Noble, Tourism Concern's director of policy and research, suggests that governments should put people ahead of profits.

"Governments need to provide and enforce clear regulatory frameworks for tourism and water management that puts the water rights of communities first. If governments are serious about using tourism as a means to alleviate poverty and to support sustainable development, marginalised groups and communities, particularly women who usually bear the greatest burden of fetching water, must be empowered to participate in water and tourism decision-making processes. It's time for the tourism sector to take responsibility for its water use and address the wider impacts of its consumption beyond the hotel walls."

She is quite right. All that is required is for government officials to put its people first, particularly the less fortunate, and for corporations to behave ethically and responsibly. Of course, pigs will sprout wings and fly before that ever happens.

 Here is the description of the Grant Hyatt Bali:

Grand Hyatt Bali Hotel is the crown jewel of resorts in Nusa Dua, the luxury stretch of magnificent beachfront on the island of Bali, offering 636 luxury rooms & suites nested in low-rise Balinese villas, most located in 4 villages. Grand Hyatt Bali resort was conceived as a water palace with lakes, landscape gardens and five lagoon or river pools surrounding low-rise Balinese style buildings. Our Bali resort offers the comfort and luxury services of a world class hotel blended with the relaxing tranquillity of a secluded beach resort. Experience total relaxation at Kriya Spa in Bali designed as an exotic 24-villa water palace amid tropical gardens, with spa treatments focusing on the 4 Balinese healing rituals: harmony, purity, energy and bliss. Play at the 18-hole championship Bali Golf & Country Club 5 minutes away or try the variety of water sports available. Pasar Senggol is the Balinese village and night market of our hotel in Nusa Dua hosting cultural shows, food stalls, a handicraft exhibition and bazaar-style market.

I guess they forgot to mention the costs to the local people, but that might get in the way of the "harmony, purity, energy, and bliss" for the privileged. Funny how paradise and hell can be located so very close together. Good thing you can worship both God and Mammon.