Is Sustainable Tourism
Economically Viable?
CHAPTER 3
Thinking through Sustainable Tourism
Worldwide increase in travel.
Billions of people are travelling: 1.1 billion international
travelers
Developed & developing countries.
◦ Developed: more economically developed country, advanced
technological infrastructure, standards of living.
◦ Developing or less developed: lower standards of living, lower
life expectancy, less education, less income
?? Top 10 biggest spender in international tourism??
Germany, US, UK, China, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, Russia, Netherlands.
Thinking through Sustainable Tourism
Why more tourists/travel??
Shorter working hours (vs. agricultural society)
Greater individual prosperity
Advanced technology (computers & machines)
Making leisure & travel the largest & fastest growing
industry in the world.
Thinking through Sustainable Tourism
More countries recognizing the world’s appetite for
experiencing environments & culture other than their own
is a global economic opportunity.
Tourism is an activity of Global importance.
Growing source of income & employment
(National, regional, state, local)
Thinking through Sustainable Tourism
BUT…the opportunity tourism offers for positive Economic
& Social benefits for TOMORROW depends on decisions
made TODAY.
Choice: Plan tourism development or let happen haphazardly, hoping for the best.
Clear policies are needed now to protect the future, why?
◦ 1 planet, limited environments, more limited natural environments.
◦ Population continues to grow & travel & will only INCREASE
Tragedy of the Commons
Thinking through Sustainable Tourism
Reluctance to accept a sustainable tourism philosophy
o Concern that policies will hurt economic growth.
Is it always true?
In long term, ST has the goal of increasing the quality of life
of the area & lifetime of the tourism product/destination
Higher quality environment = happy visitors = potential for
repeat visitors!
Key to economic growth.
Thinking through Sustainable Tourism:
At the Local Level
When considering expanding tourism in their area
1. Conduct a Tourism Inventory
◦ What attractions are in the area? What may be interesting to
people?
2. Then develop a set of guidelines for ST development.
The Economics of Growth through
Tourism
Tourism Inventory:
◦ May suggest preserving historic sites, buildings, culture,
heritage attractions & natural beauty for long-term economic
& social gain.
Research: travelers willing to stay longer & spend more $$ in
areas that sustain the culture & environment.
Develop a set of guidelines for ST
development
1. Develop strategic marketing plan that includes the
concepts of ST.
◦ make locals aware of benefits of tourism to the area,
◦ make tourists aware of what tourism products use ST practices
2. Develop local guidelines for well-managed tourism
programs
◦ specific to the area
3. Recognize that ST can provide a basis for long-term
growth.
Thinking through Sustainable Tourism:
At the Local Level
Marketing tourism products as “sustainable” benefits local
communities while appealing to tourists.
Through well-designed tourism products, the visitor may
better understand the history, heritage, culture, & arts of
the destination.
Local population can take pride in the tourism products & in
its heritage, environment, & cultural values.
Educate locals about issues & care.
Thinking through Sustainable Tourism:
Working together
Well-managed tourism programs can
◦ help maintain & protect natural & artificial attractions,
◦ allow access by more people to the natural environment & cultural
heritage.
◦ create long-term opportunities via recognizing visitor carrying
capacity, & creating cooperative programs (government &
businesses)
Carrying capacity: the maximum # of people an environment can
support without detrimental effects.
Review…
Plan well for tourism development vs. let it happen haphazardly?
may not have a second chance
Three questions:
1. whether tourism can be economically viable for private companies while
being sensitive to (environmental, social, cultural) needs and meeting
requirements of tourists?
2. whether ST can meet policies aimed at economic growth?
3. whether governments, private sector entities, local communities,
nonprofit organizations, and tourists are ready (accept, plan for, participate
in, lobby for, and manage )for ST program?
Thinking through Sustainable Tourism
Tourism businesses now have the realization that
◦ quality natural & built environments enhance their ability to
keep tourism in the future.
◦ tourists desire more products with a strong environmental,
heritage & cultural component.
Local businesses need to partner with governments
to promote environmental protection policies that
are in their best interest.
Thinking through Sustainable Tourism
Balancing between:
o Local residents & tourists have the right to live and travel
in quality environments.
o Businesses have the right to earn economic benefits from
conducting and marketing quality tourism environments.
The Economics of Growth through
Tourism
Abundant research reveal economic benefits of tourism to
local communities.
However,
tourism is not necessarily a panacea for economic woes.
Before trying to develop tourism in a local community, there
should be a cost-benefit analysis, economic impact study, &
social & environmental impact studies.
The Economics of Growth through
Tourism
Key consideration in overall evaluation of impact of tourism:
The ability of tourism to provide future
benefits to the host community.
Tourism ?=? Improve local economy & enhance QOL of residents
Only well-researched, well-planned, & well-managed
tourism programs that take into account the LOCAL,
CULTURAL, & NATURAL environments have a good chance
The Economics of Growth through
Tourism
Economic Benefits:
New Businesses
International tourists;
Job Growth
rural tourists
Increased Income
New products (tourism)
improved infrastructure
economic diversification
Social Benefit:
Community pride
Strategic Planning for Sustainable
Tourism
If ST programs are going to be successful in providing quality
environments for future generations, tourism development must
involve local people & businesses in decisions that affect their
lives. Local support is crucial. This is key to the success of ST.
o
o
o
o
Surveys
Town Hall Meetings
Special Forums
Focus groups, etc.
Host-tourists relationship
Safaris in Africa
Strategic Planning for Sustainable
Tourism
Reaching the goal of Sustainable Tourism requires
progress be made in 5 dimensions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Economic $$
Human (quality of life)
Environmental
Political (vision & recognition)
Technological (infrastructure)
5 Dimensions are closely related & intertwined.
Actions in 1 dimension can reinforce, expand, or enhance
goals in another dimension.
Request policy change, even major, may worth it
Strategic Planning for
Sustainable Tourism
When planning for ST,
Tourism based on environmental & cultural concerns should
be embraced as part of the economic development process
for the local community.
o Use tourism to help the local community (environment & culture, social)
o Can use natural & artificial tourist attractions to fuel economic growth
(Disney World, historic sites)
Marketing the Sustainable
Tourism Product
Sustainable tourism definitely on the rise
40-60% of international tourists travel to experience &
appreciate nature.
◦ Rainforest tours, Whale watching
◦ Mt climbing, Scuba
ST has been an aspect of more than half of the top ten
activities of U.S. resident travelers
Tourists travelling to experience nature spend more time
& $$$.
Marketing the Sustainable
Tourism Product
Many countries recognize importance of ST and are making
efforts in marketing ST elements.
US: focus on public awareness
◦National Park Service:
◦U.S. Heritage Conservation and recreation Service
Eastern Caribbean: environmental protection
o Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica-good reputation
o Preserving Paradise Project: solid & ship generated waste management
Marketing the Sustainable
Tourism Product
As public’s desire for ST increases, more countries are
making visitors aware of ST practices, increasing marketing
in heritage & cultural sites.
Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica,
United Kingdom, France, Korea, Canada,
Ahead of the world curve in terms of effectively
developing/marketing ST.
Marketing the Sustainable
Tourism Product
As popularity of travel continues, tourism market
competition will increase.
Competition will require greater cooperation between
all levels of government & tourism businesses.
Coopetition
More partnerships will be need to be formed to be
more competitive.
o Conservation $$$
o Bundling attractions.
o Duel marketing campaigns
Wine trails
Marketing the Sustainable
Tourism Product
ST also has to look at economic impact of marketing
old products in new ways.
Educate tourists on conservation measures.
Safari tourism in Africa.
oLet tourists know how to care for flora & fauna.
osave animals from extinction.
If economy benefits (jobs & income) from safaris (tourists), safari
businesses will be more likely to unite with the government.
Locals have strong incentive to preserve animals, habits & prevent
poaching. Safaris save animals!
Sustainable Tourism at Work
Big Cedar Lodge
◦ Use cooperative marketing with Branson, MO
◦ Demonstrate forward-looking view of development. Use ST to
add to economic growth of area.
◦ Philosophy behind development protect the wilderness.
◦ Model can be accomplished successfully/profitably if
principles of ST are followed.
ECOTOURISM
Chapter 4
The importance of natural
experiences
“To the body and mind which have been cramped
by noxious work or company, nature is medicinal
and restores their tone.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
Ecotourism
Intro video
Ecotourism in the Philippines
Costa Rica
Indonesia
Nature Based Tourism was
Never So Good
Many travelers are motivated by opportunities to
experience nature
•
plants: flora, animals: fauna.
The desire to gain a better understanding of how
other people or groups of people currently live or
have lived (past) on the planet appeals to many
people.
religion, military, history, heritage
The Natural Environment
Attracts tourists
pleasant climate
scenic wonders (rock formations, salt deposits)
beautiful coastlines
majestic mountains and valleys
rugged woods
sounds of the sea
Can we enjoy nature & at the
same time leave it unspoiled?
Key to successful tourism in natural
environments is balancing the # of
tourists with the capacities of the
environment in a way that allows for the
greatest interaction with the
environment with the least amount of
destruction & disruption.
• Balance visitation and preservation,
how??
Ecotourism
Term often used rather than sustainable tourism
BUT, NOT the same thing.
Main motivation of Ecotourism: observation and
appreciation of nature, as well as traditional
cultures in natural areas.
Contains “educational & interpretation features.”
interpretation: a communication process, designed
to reveal meanings and relationships of our cultural and
natural heritage, through involvement with objects,
artifacts, landscapes and sites, not simply presenting
information, but a specific communication strategy that is
used to translate that information for people, from the
technical language of the expert, to the everyday
language of the visitor
Ecotourism
Goal: Minimize negative impacts on the natural
& sociocultural environment.
Typically organized for small groups by
specialized and small locally owned businesses,
but not always.
Ecotourist
Typical (profile) of eco-tourists:
older
graduate degree
higher levels of disposable income
travel w/ family or friends
???
Sustainable Tourism
History has proven that unplanned, unmanaged
tourism that exceeds the carrying capacity tends
to be a short-term enterprise.
Promoters of tourism & Promoters of conservation
of nature have the choice of 3 types of
relationships:
???
1. conflict
- Disagreement
2. coexistence - Tolerate each other
3. symbiosis
- working together for common
goals ultimate goal. Both groups
benefit!
ECOTOUORISM: The consciousness
of Sustainable Tourism
More destinations & businesses are aggressively
pursuing ecotourism as a specialized part of their
Sustainable Tourism development strategies.
Exploring options for Ecotourism & how to
incorporate into tourism plan.
Ecotourism emerged in 1980s. Main components:
nature-based attractions & education or
appreciation as motivations.
Now added environmentally & socioculturally
sustainable as criteria.
ECOTOUORISM: The consciousness
of Sustainable Tourism
Definition:
A sustainable form of nature-based
tourism that focuses primarily on
experiencing and learning about nature
which is ethically managed to be lowimpact, non-consumptive & locally
oriented.
Nature-based Attractions
Attractions that are the focus of ecotourism can
range from 2 approaches:
1. Holistic approach: an emphasis on the
entire ecosystem (rainforest, coral reef)
plants & animals are presented as part of the
ecosystem but no species is given more
precedence.
2. Elemental Approach: an emphasis on
selected components of the ecosystem (giant
pandas, gorillas)
more rarely flora (redwoods, flowers)
Educational Interaction
Motivations of education and learning about the
natural environment distinguishes ecotourism
from other nature-based tourism products
(beach resort) where the natural environment
provides a convenient, pretty setting.
Culture associated with the ecosystem is part of
the attraction.
Environmental &
Sociocultural Sustainability
Ecotourism is the only tourism sector where
environmentally & socially sustainable practices
are a requirement for the activity to occur.
Other sectors of tourism-bonus but not
requirement.
(education, outdoor adventure, agri-tourism)
Environmental &
Sociocultural Sustainability
How sustainable the ecotourism endeavor is can
range from a “basic” ecotourism model to a
deeper approach.
Basic: focuses on sustaining the on-site direct
impacts.
Deeper: focus on enhancement of the site and
its surrounding areas, while also taking into
account indirect impacts.
Hard & Soft Ecotourism
Soft Ecotourism:
more conventional (normal standards) tourist market
High comfort
multi-purpose trip
desire unchallenging mentally & physical experiences,
Do not seek out experiences that are troubling or
physically uncomfortable
moderate environmental commitment
Shorter trips,
larger groups
emphasis on interpretation
rely on travel agents or tour operators
Hard & Soft Ecotourism
Hard Ecotoursim:
small groups
longer, specialized trips
mentally & physically challenging
strong desire to improve the environment
strong environmental commitment
few services expected, not comfort driven
emphasis interpretation as a result of personal
experience with environment
tend to make own travel arrangements
*Hard Ecotourism is not better than Soft Ecotourism,
both are needed.
Hard vs. Soft Ecotourism
Mass Ecotourism
Ecotourism can occur as a form of Mass Tourism.
Ex: Safaris & visits to National Parks
Late 1990s ecotourism 20% of global tourism
market.
20% of US travel market.
Current statistics for global market range
30%-60%
Eco Lodge
Small lodges within or adjacent to protected areas
designed to blend into the local natural
environment and using green technologies.
Provide accommodation, food,
interpretation & tour guide service.
Most owned & operated by local
communities. But more begin to be
corporately owned.
Mediating Ecotourism Attractions
A type of attraction on its own but also facilitates
interaction with the natural environment or another
attraction.
Cable Cars
Canopy Walk Ways
Tree Top Walk
Atlantis Submarine Fleet
?What type of tourists, eco-tourists do they cater to?
Tend to cater to large #s & soft eco-tourists
convenient, comfortable access to inaccessible
settings.
Tend to be corporate owned b/c high
construction & operation costs.
Mediating Attractions
Skyrail in rainforest, Australia
Atlantis submarine
Canopy tour
Treetop walkway
Ecotourism “Hot Spots”
Rainforests
Amazon River
What are some typical
ecotourism hot spots??
Antarctica (National Geographic)
Coral Reefs (some debate about SCUBA &
snorkeling qualifying as ecotourism)
Not much ecotourism activity in desert or
grassland settings
All-inclusive ecotourism resorts: Costa Rica
Ecotourism “Hot Spots”
Australia has strongest national reputation as
ecotourism destination.
diverse species
body governing ecotourism
ecotourism certification program
Other countries:
Belize, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Iceland, Peru
*Conventional tourism still dominates tourism market.
Concentration in public
protected areas
Most ecotourism occurs within public
protected areas (e.g., national parks)
Why?
Large areas with natural attractions
multiple natural attractions in one area
Laws & regulations ensuring preservation of flora & fauna
Well-established image (as natural destination, conservation)
*Experience can be delivered by private tourism business or
national park/government employees (park ranger)
Private Protected Areas
Private protected areas are growing.
• Non-profit organization for conservation purposes
may offer tourism product.
• Commercial Nature Reserves and game parks
that aggressively attract tourists.
Western US: hunting for elk & other game.
Urban Ecotourism
Urban areas are extremely modified spaces (vs.
natural state), typically seen unsuited for ecotourism.
BUT now the emerging concept of Urban Ecotourism.
Areas: remnants of natural habitats & reclaimed &
restored sites, river valleys, hills
e.g., colony of 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats that
roost beneath Congress Ave. Bridge, in Austin, TX
attracts 100,000 visitors year, $8 million revenue
Ecotourism: Benefits
1. Greatest benefit: provide a direct financial
incentive for the preservation of natural habitats and
animal species.
2. Provides funds to protect the environment through
tourist expenditures.
e.g., High paying safari tourists provide the means to save lions,
gorillas, cheetahs in Africa from extinction & poaching
3. Encourages locals to take on role of environmental
advocates to maintain the economic benefits of
ecotourism.
4. Encourages rehabilitation of species
5. Increases awareness of the need for conservation
of natural & cultural assets.
Environmental Costs
Environmental problems from ecotourism
incurred by the removal of native plants to
construct Eco lodges, visit attractions & trails.
*Usually small & acceptable b/c of the possibilities
for rehabilitation with the ecotourism endeavor.
Inadvertent costs: mainly associated w/ effects
of wildlife viewing, hiking , driving , boating or
swimming that is carried out in order to access
the wildlife.
Environmental Costs
E.g., whale watching has changed whale’s
behavior patterns
Ecotourism has spread disease to plants &
animals
Dangers from regarding certain wildlife species
as more important than others.
Giant Panda vs. Fungus
If panda is seen as more valuable, then priority
may be given to protect panda, even though
the fungus has an important role in ecosystem.
Quality Control
Problems w/ term “ecotourism” not being used
correctly.
Tourism product may not meet criteria.
Does not adopt a ecotourism approach.
http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/content/ourphilosophy/
Chapter 1
TOURISM TODAY & TOMORROW
TOURISM TODAY & TOMORROW
Properly managed tourism has the potential to improve
the SOCIAL/ CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL
dimensions of future lifestyles.
Now and in the future, one of the most important
purposes of tourism policies and philosophies will be to
integrate the economic, political, cultural, intellectual &
environmental BENEFITS of tourism for people,
destinations & countries, resulting in a HIGHER QUALITY
OF LIFE.
TOURISM TODAY & TOMORROW
What we are going to do this semester…
Explore goals,
objectives,
policies &
strategies
aimed at protecting & enhancing the NATURAL & BUILT environments.
HISTORY
People have always been traveling for one reason or another.
A million years ago: survival, hunting, fishing, gathering food,
following herds of animals, migrating to areas for safety &
security, food, water.
Travelling for trade.
Greeks travelled to learn about other cultures & experience
scenic beauty.
HISTORY
Romans travelled for military conquests, built first
elaborate road system.
NOW: SPACE TRAVEL.
Travel has played a vital role in the development of
civilizations as we know them.
Exchanged culture & knowledge, learning from others.
TODAY
Travel for business, pleasure, sports, artistic endeavors, music,
history, religion.
Tourism continues to take advantage of better transportation
and communication technology.
book flight & hotel on phone
People travelling more. More opportunities. Better informed
This helps people understand natural environment & cultures.
TODAY
Through sustainable tourism policies & philosophies, the
natural & built environments will sustain tourism as a
legacy for future generations.
Legacy? A gift handed down from previous generations
to later generations. Way of making A LIVING.
People are going to travel more & more.
Have you travelled more than your parents?
Grandparents?
TODAY
Resources have to be managed in a way to sustain tourism.
Have you visited a place and thought “they got it right?”
or wrong?
Felt like you were submerged in the culture or did not
interact with the culture?
What makes you want to revisit a place??
TODAY
New & forward thinking policies, concepts & principles &
practices thinking sustainably will direct tourism’s future.
Idea of sustainability is still growing & catching on.
You could be the future of tourism. Career in tourism.
Concept of using sustainable tourism to stimulate
economic growth but still maintain the natural & built
environments is getting more attention from
governments, businesses & academia.
TODAY
1st Center for Sustainable Tourism created in School of
Business in 1988 in CO.
1970s-focus of tourism was almost exclusively economic
growth & financial gain.
1980s-started realizing the impact of tourism on natural
environments, new environmental regulations.
1990s- started realizing the social impacts of tourism,
particularly local communities.
(history, heritage, cultures)
TODAY
Now, strong movement toward management of 3
elements as conditions of sustainable tourism:
ECONOMY
ENVIRONMENT
SOCIAL
In text, environment means natural habitat, built
structures, culture, heritage, history, social interactions.
Pink lake
TODAY
Managing sustainable tourism depends on
forward looking policies,
sound philosophies, and
positive relationships between local communities,
private businesses & governments
working together in a way to protect the natural & built
environment while still allowing for economic benefits of
tourism & growth.
THE WORLD OF TOURISM
Tourism is BIG BUSINESS.
#1 industry in the world.
Travel expenditures are major source of income &
employment for many nations. #2 in US.
Now realization that the future of tourism depends on its
development being in harmony with concerns for the
environment and cultures.
THE WORLD OF TOURISM
Cultural tourism assets, as a part of sustainable tourism:
museums
art galleries
historical theme parks
music events
local cuisine
dance
theater
art festivals
cultural festivals
THE WORLD OF TOURISM
Ecotourism:
tourism based upon an undisturbed natural area, w/ an
emphasis on the protection of the areas flora (plants) &
fauna (wildlife).
Include education & conservation component to the
experience.
TOMORROW
A clean environment is not only good for the planet,
but also for tourism & competitiveness for tourism products.
Consumers are willing to pay more for a clean environment.
Beyond consumers willing to pay more, the environment is tourism
industry’s most important resource.
Environment is the essence of most tourist products.
lying on beach, whale watching, experiencing native social culture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIXIZKTbVhI BP oil spill
HOW?
Choosing a sustainable management approach is a
complex process that requires evaluation of :
economic policies
environmental policies
cultural policies
heritage policies
social policies
HOW?
Design the least intrusive form of intervention that results
in efficient, effective & fair decisions on tourism
development.
Allowing profitable tourism enterprises while preventing
damage to the natural and built environment.
The approach that is chosen is critical in determining
long-term tourism sustainability.
ISSUES
Complex & hard to grasp without education.
Even harder to develop a plan.
Phrase can mean anything to anyone.
Idea is alluring but has little practical application
Businesses and governments may use phrase in
marketing bust give false impression of environmental &
social responsibility to public.
A PHILOSOPHIC APPROACH TO
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
"Tourism in the 21st century will be a major
vehicle for fulfilling people’s aspirations for a
higher quality of life. . .Tourism also has the
potential to be one of the most important
stimulants for global improvement in the social,
cultural, economic, political and ecological
dimensions of future lifestyles.”
David Edgell, 1990
• Achieving growth in a manner that does not deplete the
natural & built environments & preserves the cultural, history,
heritage and arts of the local community.
• Sustainable management of resources will lead to acceptable
conservation and the development of a higher-quality tourism
product, enhancing & enriching the environment.
• Humans have the ability to use & modify environments in both
positive and negative ways. We want to enrich the
environment, not destroy.
1. Meeting the needs of VISITORS.
2. Meeting the needs of HOST COMMUNITIES.
3. PROTECTING & ENHANCING the tourism
attraction/destination area for the future as part of
a national ECONOMIC RESOURCE.
?? Any example ??
• History: 1832 George Catlin, artist concerned about
destruction of Native American Indian civilization, wildlife &
wilderness as settlements spread west.
• 1872: Yellowstone 1st National Park. First time public lands set
aside “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”
• 1916: National Park Service created
• Now: Major economic benefit to U.S. For every $1 in the
budget, generates $4 to public.
• National Parks attract businesses & individuals to local area
resulting in economic growth in areas near parks.
• Within a 50 mile radius, generates $13.3 Billion local businesses
& private sector (food, lodging, transportation), 267,000
private sector jobs (not in U.S. Park Service), #s conservative
•
•
•
•
Paying for sustainable tourism
Political acceptance
Policy acceptance
Developing a plan
BUT in recent years, awareness has grown,
cooperation between groups improved,
improving the achievability of Sustainable
Tourism.
• Example of innovative strategies by governments &
private sector working together:
Admission charges to natural & historic places can
be based upon their uniqueness, that in turn
provides self-funded site maintenance &
improvement & moderation of use.
Ex: Mt Everest & Nepal government
• Adding Environmental Sensitivity awareness to Marketing Campaigns.
• Often incidents where tourists are “insensitive” to surroundings.
• Suggests that tourists & environment may not be compatible.
Trashing Mt. Everest
Harassing Whales
Taking corals, rocks, seashells as souvenirs
Trampling plants
Introducing Invasive Species (major problem, biological damage)
Chipping fragments of Native American Abode
Stealing artifacts
Destroying fabricated objects of historical/artistic significance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZY8Fjd_KZc
• Not just about the interaction of the tourist and the physical
environment.
• Also the interaction of the tourist with the present culture, history
& heritage of the area.
heritage: evidence of the past/history (structures, sites),
customs, traditions, what has been passed down
• Responsible tourists should educate themselves in order to
adapt to societal differences, particularly when travelling
abroad. Customs of the area/culture visiting.
• Natural environment- big reason why people travel to
destinations.
• Organizations finding ways to protect the natural resources
?? Such as ??
o Gathering groups of volunteers with passion for the natural environment
or a specific resource, enlisting these groups to help protect and take
care of the environment. Making standard part of programs. National
and local levels.
“Friends of the river”
National Park Service Volunteer Program VIP.
• 2004: 1ST Index of Destination Stewardship
Stewardship: the responsible overseeing and
protection of something considered worth caring
for and preserving
• Ranked 115 World Destination in Sustainability
• Criteria:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Environmental & Ecological quality
Social & Cultural Integrity (adherence to cultural traditions & customs)
Condition of Historic Buildings & Archaeological sites
Aesthetic Appeal
Quality of Tourism Management
Outlook for the Future
• Ranked “The Good,” “Not So Good,” “Getting Ugly”
• Results surprised many destinations & led to improvements being
taken.
Any guess on best rated places?
•
•
•
•
New Zealand (South Island)
Australia (Kakadu Naitonal Park)
Spain (Medieval Granada)
Chile (Torres del Paine)
Any guess on places with severe problems?
•
•
•
•
Dominican Republic (north coast)
Egypt (Northern Red Sea coast)
Spain (Costa del Sol)
U.S. (Great Smoky Mountain, Everglades)
• Sustainable tourism practice in developed countries?
• Tirol, Austria
• Physical environment:
Eco-efficiency: taking advantage of the benefits &
successes of using minimal resources & putting minimum
pollution into the environment.
• To practice Eco-efficiency, tourism developers have to consider
the environment creatively through product design, construction
& operation.
Protecting the environment, using energy efficient practices,
providing credible environmental information for visitors, using
environmentally sound values in management operations.
http://vimeo.com/76127180 Maldives & water
• Sustainable tourism is both MORALLY right & good for business.
• Now the recognition that tourism’s survival depends on a healthy
environment.
• Governments, countries, businesses, organizations now
developing long-term policies rather than short-term fixes.
• Keeping tourism alive to ensure the Quality of Life for future
generations…not an easy task.
• Modern sustainable tourism policy is a positive approach
seeking to maintain quality tourism products over an extended
period while meeting growing demand.
• Unless the tourism industry is careful, tourism activities can harm
the environment and diminish it attractiveness.
• WORLD CONSERVATION UNION
4 major principles for Sustainable Tourism
1. Ecological Sustainability: Development is compatible w/ the
maintenance of essential ecological processes, biological
diversity & biological resources.
Ecology: the branch of biology dealing with the relations
and interactions between organisms and their environment,
including other organisms
4 major principles for Sustainable Tourism
2. Cultural Sensitivity: Development increases people’s control
over their lives, is compatible w/ the cultural & values of those
affected by the development, maintains & strengthens
COMMUNITY IDENTITY.
3. Economic Sustainability: Development is economically efficient
& resources are managed so they can support future
generations.
4. Local Sustainability: Development is designed to benefit local
communities & sustain profit for local businesses.
• To be successful, the tourism industry, governments (all levels), &
nonprofits must endorse Sustainable Tourism philosophies &
practices.
• If accepted, strategies can be developed that give travel & tourism
the opportunity to be a SOLUTION rather than a contributor to
economic, social, & environmental challenges facing the future.
• Educating ALL partners in tourism will continue the course of
Sustainable Tourism.
http://on.aol.com/video/protecting-the-galapagos-islands517139660
• How the Galapagos is protected from overdevelopment &
exposure.
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