Complexity of the Tourism Industry - Essay Example

Complexity of the Tourism Industry Introduction According to Weaver (2006), the intricacy of tourism system "greatly complicates the planning and management of tourism destinations and businesses and requires the application of new approaches and strategies" to realize sustainable tourism. In understanding the weight of this statement, one requires to understand the meaning of sustainable tourism, which refers to tourism aimed at making little impact on the local culture and the environment whilst creating and sustaining employment for the local people. The main objective of this form of tourism is to ensure the development of results into constructive experience for the local people, tourism firms and the tourists themselves. Alternative tourism is the process that fosters a fair form of tourism through the participation of diverse communities. Alternative tourism aims at attaining a reciprocated perceptive, cohesion and impartiality among members. Mass tourism is the process of visiting a place by a large number of people at the same time, and the research of the impact that people can have on a specific location or destination that has been over-exposed to particular tourists frequenting the destination (Singh, 2008). For number of reasons, alternative tourism in local economies has been much more constrained and less effective than mass tourism. The optional projects in the developing nations are mostly weighed down by the high expenses of international tourism and the insufficient local networks within the tourist destinations. Cultural differences and differences in the living standards of the guests and hosts equally make it difficult to satisfy the needs of the tourists without comprising local norms and cultures (Brent et al., 2011). For instance, in the marginal areas of Thailand, the natives may not be in a position to converse in foreign languages at all, creating a challenge for the tourists to converse with the locals and tour a round. To contain these and other challenges of alternative tourism, various proactive approaches must be taken to ensure its sustainability. These comprise lessening the number of tourists, the varying the type of tourists, creating awareness amongst all participants involved regarding the effects emanating from the new set of operations. Cutting down on the number of tourists can take two dimensions: reduction of the number of places where the concentration is high and putting a limit to the probable visitors to be in line with the ability parameters. It is however difficult to cut on the numbers in a situation of liberal market without interfering with the practicality of the industry. Revenues can be anticipated to deteriorate which can lead to unemployment and lowering of the living standards (Rebecca; et al, 2009). The varying types of tourists are similarly makes it hard to constrain or decrease the number of tourists. Various tourists have varying preferences. When an area is developed, it is most challenging to modify the types of tourists anticipated to a type which flocked in before with an aim of obtaining an ideal tourism structure (Alan, 2008). Besides, if a tourist location targets a particular market such as culture-lovers or photographers, it experiences the actual risk of not being a big enough market, or failing to be a repeat market. Tourists may make decisions that upon visiting the Canadian Arctic, they will travel to the Himalayas and then Antarctica, then Galapagos and so on. Moreover, whilst mass tourists are for the majority sedentary and fritter their money in a constrained number of destinations, most of the expenses of the alternative tourists may initially spend small amounts in a wide range of destinations (Holder IV &William, 2009). Creating awareness amongst the people targeted to be potential tourists is often difficult in the case of mass tourism because of a possibility of failing to meet the expectations of all the members of the various tourist groups (Alan, 2008)). A majority of the people would perhaps accept the rationale of the term ‘sustainable development and creating a relevant and low-effect types of tourism (Alan, 2008). In reality, short-term suitability dictates that an avenue of opportunity is normally constrained and timesca6les of majority of entrepreneurs are limited. And the timescales of a visitor spending a week along the beach are even more limited. It is not idealistic, even if forthrightly sanguine, to anticipate a visitor desiring to lie on the beach in the Caribbean to be more concerned in the effect he or she may have on the communal fabric of the Island visited, particularly when they may not be interested in relating with the local people or shift out of the hotel compound (Holder IV &William, 2009). The reaction is more probably, with some rationalization, to be that tourism is creating job opportunities and investment, and the state of the destinations are obviously in need of the tourists. The main puzzle concerns the fact that one cannot anticipate one’s bread to remain after consuming it. The much desired job opportunities and revenue will not automatically emanate from alternative tourism. Achieving fun at the destinations is an escalating problem as the invention matures and modifies almost autonomous of the influence from the parent. No matter how environmentally compassionate a visitor is, each visitor can be deteriorating to the environment, and few forms of alternative tourism are actually agreeable to a no-change scenario within time (Alan, 2008) Ways of Developing Sustainable Tourism In developing sustainable tourism, alternative forms of tourism can be of great help in clearing the physical environment, safeguarding the surroundings and normally the unique cultural trends of the local communities. It can be a considerable element in preserving the environment. In addition, it might also be of great pride to preserve a destination’s cultural legacy. Archaeological and historical sites, unique architectural designs, native dances, ceremonies, drama, music, traditions, arts and crafts and value systems all constitute a destination’s culture (Weaver, 2006). All these must not be interfered with at all cost given their sensitivity and significance to the local communities. Singh (2008) gives a more systematic assessment of mass tourism and alternative types of tourism. His assessment has four major topics: General features, Basic requirements, and Tourist Behavior and Tourism Development strategies. In regard to the universal characteristics mass tourism is purported by swift growth, with the focus on the fiscal returns and less focus to environmental and social effects. Originally, mass tourism results into unorganized and uninhibited development and growth. Attention is shifted towards rapid growth as opposed to sustainable growth. Alternative tourism is more sluggish to establish because of the involving organization needed to fulfill the desired development. It is much more receptive to domestic needs, particularly ecological and social, and perceives fiscal returns in a long-lasting perception. Secondly, Tourist Behavior: large groups’ objective on gathering sites, mementos, and sustaining the distance amidst the locals and the tourists symbolize tourist conduct in mass tourism. In general, the main aim for touring attractions is fixed with less time spent at one specific location. It can be noted that mass tourism tourists move in and out of the locations more quickly compared to any other form of tourism. The conduct of tourists an alternative type of tourism is demonstrated by smaller number of groups with more time to stay at a specific place, efforts to converse with the host community in their native language and operations in sustaining the standards and the norms of the host community. Thirdly, Fundamental requirements: mass tourism normally arises in impression, leading in conventional vacillations. General promotion and awareness are made use of to improve on the demand. Multinational firms preponderate, and the local people are provided occupations that are low paying with minimal chances of career advancement. Alternative types of tourism can happen any moment and the off-seasons are more attractive to the majority. This is because less number of other tourists will be attracted. Domestic ownership of business which are tourists related is enhanced and the local people to a greater degree gauge level of resource utilization (Holder IV &William, 2009). Finally, Tourism growth tactics: general unorganized development is the standard as opposed to the exemption in mass tourism. Sites with the more scenic resources are mostly developed, normally modifying the character of the location. Much of the growth is assumed by the non-residents. Conventional industries such as agriculture diminish and tourism undertakes the dominant types of tourism. Alternative tourism needs generally early planning with more dependence on domestic labor, and local capital sources in accordance with the domestically propagated controls. Tourism presumes a corresponding industrial duty which stresses the significance to the on-going conventional lifestyle trends. The current resources such as the buildings are made use of and renovated when essentially as opposed to depending on new construction (Weaver, 2006). Sustainable growth is not essentially anti-development, but it supports a type of growth which is more focused with the necessities of conserving environment as opposed to the case hitherto. In developing countries where the environment represents such a significant natural resource for tourism, an obvious disregard for the ecological impact of quick tourism growth in quest of short-lived economic benefits is apparently thoughtless. To enhance the tourism in the developing country’s industry in the long run, there are numerous essential political, distributional, structural and attitudinal matters which must be addressed at forehand. In dealing with such issues, the organizers might be led by the perception that poverty is perhaps the biggest impediment (Rebecca et al., 2009). From the point of views of the author, both mass tourism and alternative types of tourism are required in the developing countries. Owing to the fiscal crisis and the atrocities of unemployment in the developing nations, the revenue from hospitality and tourism industry is very fundamental. Other types of businesses in these developing countries at this particular moment might be in dire loss, breakeven or bankruptcy. The only form of business that can bring more revenues to these countries is the tourism industry. Owing to the exchange of currency in the countries under study, which might be quite low, the intercontinental tourists will discover that it is to their advantage to tour and squander their cash in the countries during the time (Singh, 2008). Furthermore, Rebecca et al (2009) assert some of the importance of creating a sustainable tourism. They claim that it fosters a perspective of the effect of tourism on nature, human and cultural surroundings. It sees to it that a just benefits and costs distribution is enhanced. It also integrates organization and division of the zones that sees to it that appropriate tourism development is enabled for meeting the capacity of the ecosystem. It evaluates monitors and administers the effects of tourism, enhances dependable techniques of environmental responsibility and offsets any pessimistic impact. Moreover, scenery tourism promotes productive utilization of lands which are trivial for agriculture, boosting large tracts to remain enclosed in natural vegetation. Cultural tourism promotes local community admiration and gives the chance for more understanding and network amongst individuals of sundry backgrounds. Environmentally sustainable tourism shows the significance of natural and cultural endowment to a society’s fiscal and communal well being and can assist in conserving them. Creating unsophisticated and idealized assessment of hard or mass and alternative tourism, in such a way that one is visibly detrimental and the other near to perfection is not only insufficient, it is also abhorrently misinforming. Mass tourism need not be hysterical, spontaneous, interim or uneven. Alternative tourism is not constantly and without doubt thoughtful, optimizing, prohibited, intended, and under the control of the local community (Brent et al., 2011). Conclusion From the above discussion, it would look like mass tourism is an intrinsically poor development alternative, and alternative types of tourism are much better; this may not be the case. Majority of censure directed towards mass tourism growth comes about due to the unorganized nature of the growth. Alternative types of tourism are a response to the effects generated by unorganized growth, a type of modification to counter with tourism developments challenges (Brent et al., 2011). Singh (2008) also highlights that the course of growth is at most times focused in one direction. Tourism can progress from an optional form of mass tourism and frequently there is tension in doing so, yet it cannot withdraw from mass tourism to an alternative type of tourism. Preference for alternative types of tourism is on the rise. If this is caused by the root repercussions of the demand in the market, it may be taken into consideration. With the escalating preference for alternative types of tourism and developments of tourism will be focused to giving a different tour experience. The way they are organized and administered will be a vital area of developing tourism studies in the near future. References Holder IV, F. (2009). An Empirical Analysis of the State’s Monopolization of the Legitimate Means of Movement: Evaluating the effects of Required Passport use on International Travel (M.P.A. thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, Docket Applied Research Projects, Paper 308. Lew, A. (2008). Long Tail Tourism: New Geographies for Marketing Niche Tourism Products. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 25 (3-4): 409–419. Ritchie, J. R., Brent, A., Carlos, M. Frechtling, D. (2011). Impacts of the World Recession and Economic Crisis on Tourism: North America. Journal of Travel Research 49 (1): 5-15. Singh, L. K. (2008). Issues in Tourism Industry. Fundamental of Tourism and Travel. Delhi: Isha Books, p. 189 Weaver, D. (2006) Sustainable Tourism: Theory and Practice. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Ltd. Wurzburger, R., et al. (2009), Creative Tourism: A Global Conversation: How to Provide Unique Creative Experiences for Travelers Worldwide: As Presented at the 2008 Santa Fe & UNESCO International Conference on Creative Tourism in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Fe, CA: Sunstone Press. Read More