Mass Tourism and Alternative Tourism - Essay Example

?MASS TOURISM AND ALTERNATIVE TOURISM Tourism results in both positive and negative impacts on the destination region. To remove negative effects, itis essential that policy making and planning should be done effectively. Tourism has the potential to increase the economic, social, cultural and environmental life of a country. The integrated efforts of politicians, planners and developers, as well as citizens are required for creating a responsible and therefore acceptable tourism industry. It should “bring long-term benefits to residents and tourists alike without compromising the physical and cultural environment of the destination region” (Archer, Cooper & Ruhanen 1998: 98). Mass tourism refers to an uncontrolled type of tourism, where tourists use up non-renewable natural resources. The adverse consequences are caused by “overpopulated, inundated resorts, and social problems with tourists confined to their golden ghettos and locals to their impoverished conditions” (Encyclopedia of Tourism 2000: 20). The excesses of mass tourism culminated in the development of alternative tourism based on ethical, ideological and political principles, with dynamic and innovative solutions for situations having dangerous implications for the future. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences between mass and alternative tourism, and whether each can benefit local communities. National resources including culture and heritage are the main assets of tourism; hence social and environmental well-being are considered to be more important than economic well-being. Mass tourism is mainstream, and the authorities have been considering whether alternative forms of tourism would be more sustainable than mass tourism. “Ecotourism, particularly community-based ecotourism, is becoming the mainstay of alternative tourism development in less developed countries (LDCs)” (Hashimoto 2002: 83). The core issues that international tourism development in less developed countries focuses on include the host country’s infrastructure, human resources, state involvement, sustainability, and socio-cultural changes. Sustainable or alternative tourism development is essential for all the advantages it can provide for the economy and development of the host region and its communities. It also sustains indigenous lifestyles, and provides incentives for wildlife conservation besides other natural resources. On the other hand, mass tourism creates environmental havoc, “adulterates and debases indigenous cultures, and brings unsightly development, pollution, and environmental degradation” (Knox and Marston 2003: 321). In the Caribbean, sewage has polluted coastal waters, and poisoned mangrove trees, while boats and divers have damaged coral reefs. In the European Alps, tourists ten times greater in number than the local population have ripped up forests, obliterated pastures, and covered scenic valleys with hotels and other facilities. Cooper, Fletcher, Fyall et al (2008) reiterate that environmental impacts of mass tourism include high-rise hotels on beach frontages, and other constructions. Additionally, tourism activities can overdraw scarce natural resources such as water for swimming pools and other facilities. Environmental impacts of weeding chemicals used in golf courses, besides fertilizers, pesticides and other treatments, are high. Further, transportation networks and leisure activities such as using snowmobiles add to the noise and air pollution. Air transport and local level tour buses and other vehicles add to the environmental pollution. Hence, “greater commitment is required from the tourism industry” (Jenner & Smith 1992: 5) to reduce environmental degradation which reduces tourism profits to host communities, besides causing depletion of natural resources. . A study conducted by Gursoy, Chi and Dyer (2010) examined local residents’ attitudes toward development of mass tourism and alternative tourism, in Sunshine Coast, Australia. Community support for either type of tourism was found to be based on the level of concern the community had for its environment, “community attachment, ecocentric values, use of the tourism resource base, state of the local economy, and the perceived impacts of tourism development” (Gursoy et al 2010: 381). It is argued that although some of the factors are commonly considered for both mass and alternative tourism, attitudes towards each form of tourism develoment are formed on the basis of differing perceptions of the various factors. There are examples of community-based ecotourism in the Caribbean, South Africa, Indonesia, and Fiji. Although ecotourism is very popular, the increasing numbers of small-scale ecotourism operators products is considered to have adverse effects, by transforming ecotourism into another form of mass tourism. The concepts and purposes of ecotourism may not be completely comprehended in less developed countries; but the principles of ecotourism may be interpreted in ways to suit public agencies and private entrepreneurs. “Cruise ships and enclave resorts, which restrict tourists’ activities to within the resort premises, may be less detrimental in terms of environmental degradation and cultural contamination” (Hashimoto 2002: 83). Sustainable or alternative tourism is emphasized on due to the realization that many forms of tourism “may have serious negative impacts on the biophysical environment, the economy and the social and cultural realm of host societies” (Duval 2004: 13). Hence, Eber (1992: 3) argues that the most important principles for sustainable tourism include using practising responsible tourism by using resources sustainably, reducing over-consumption and waste, maintaining social and cultural diversity for increased resilience of the industry, supporting local economies, involving local communities, and integrating sustainable tourism into governmental planning and policies. A study on the economic costs and benefits of tourism in Panama, a country with a dual economy, reveals that the growing tourism industry contributes between 6 and 9 percent of GDP. In addition to business and health tourism in Panama, the main areas of tourism include beach and cruise ship tourism or coastal tourism, environmental such as adventure and ecotourism in protected areas, and retirees’ homes in particular areas and along the coasts. Moreover, tourism has a great benefit for the poor and for the environment in Panama, preserving natural habitats and the country’s biodiversity. Benefits to the poor “depends on where and how supply chains are structured and on the way tourists spend their money” (Klytchnikova & Dorosh 2009: 1). Knox and Marston (2003: 321) add that tourism also helps sustain “indigenous lifestyles, regional cultures, arts and crafts”, besides the conservation of historic buildings and sites. However, it is necessary to enhance the channels through which increased tourism spending reaches the poor and creates employment opportunities in the region. Significantly, tourism revenues and income go beyond tour operators and hotel employees, restaurateurs and shop workers who sell goods and services to tourists. Tourist spending raises output of goods and services, consequently increasing the outputs and incomes. Since the available goods and services are elastic in supply, that is they will increase with price, and expand with growing demand, the multiplier effect of tourism is significantly high (Klytchnikova & Dorosh 2009). It is argued that tourism can cause uncertainty of livelihood, since the jobs it creates are often seasonal. Knox and Marston (2003) reiterate that economic vulnerability results from dependence on tourism, which is often based on style and fashion. Hence, destinations that were once considered high-end, may drop in popularity. Recent examples are Nepal and New Zealand, which have to work hard to continue attracting sufficient numbers of customers. Further, “the vulnerability of tourism to political events and economic trends was demonstrated very emphatically in the wake of the terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Center on September 11, 2001” (Knox & Marston 2003: 319). The immediate effect was an extensive reduction in total worldwide air traffic, caused by loss of faith in airport security. Another fall-out was increase in the economic downturn, which also resulted in decline in tourism and leisure travel. The Caribbean has long been considered to be one of the world’s top travel destinations.Travel patterns, destinations and tourist motivations have changed due to the indefinite nature of global tourism. However, the extent and scope of tourism in the Caribbean has been substantial. Although tourism is an old industry in the Caribbean, the numerous island states in the region have passed through periods of economic instability due to a reliance on world markets for several produced goods. For this reason, the comparative importance of tourism has increased as an alternative economic development strategy. While the Caribbean is economically marginalised, the region is a key vacation destination for several million foreign travellers (Duval 2004). Mass tourism in the Caribbean is believed to cause pollution and damage to marine environments. The social impacts have been taken into consideration, with regard to overall community value gained from tourist expenditures, and in relation to “indigenous cultural environments packaged and commoditised for foreign tourists” (Duval 2004: 5). Numerous island states in the Caribbean are host to conventional mass tourism. However, there has been a growing concern about the unsustainable nature of mass tourism policies, operations and management. As a result, many governments in the region have considered “adopting more sustainable forms of tourism development and management strategies” (Duval 2004: 12). The importance of sustainability in the region has been acknowledged. It forms the basis for protecting biodiversity, culture and the environment with the core concern being the human being. The main purpose is towards an improved distribution of the benefits derived from tourist development. Many of the small island states of the Caribbean experienced an increased interest in alternative products; hence management strategies have been used to incorporate sustainable tourism. However, “this has not come about at the expense of developing traditional mass forms of tourism” (Duval 2004: 12). In the Caribbean, conventional mass tourism and alternative tourism exist side by side very often. For example, visitors to resorts that provide all facilities have opportunities to participate in tours of sensitive natural environments, thus further eliminating the difference between alternative and mass tourism. On the other hand, alternative tourism being ambiguous in nature, has to acknowledge that ‘alternative’ can essentially refer to different forms of investment development, construction materials, and tourist products. There is an increase in nature-based products such as ecotourism in island states such as Dominica and culturally derived tourism products such as the “annual carnival held in many Commonwealth eastern Caribbean states” (Duval 2004: 13). The greater focus on alternative forms of tourism development has not eliminated future problems with the tourist industry. Several of the problems that tourism was beset with in the past, still continue to exist (Duval 2004). Scheyvens (2002) has identified various difficulties in promoting community development through tourism. Communities being heterogenous and composed of families from diverse economic and ethnic backgrounds, all members may not have equal access to decision making regarding local tourism development. Further, communities lack relevant information, power and resources as compared to other stakeholders in tourism development projects. Additionally, lack of experience in the business sector and knowledge about legal and financial processes can prove to be obstacles in community involvement. At the same time, communities can contribute their knowledge about local culture, and about the surrounding areas. For example, Ecuador (Scheyens 2002: 322) has fostered alternative tourism with “six national parks, seven nature reserves and twenty privately protected areas”, thus offering a great variety for tourists. The world’s oldest rainforests and second highest active volcano are found here. Additionally, tourists are enabled to see Amazon tribes, spectacular wildlife in the Galapagos islands, Andean culture, and Spanish colonialism which has been well conserved. To ensure sustainable development through environmental awareness, most of organized travel to Ecuador is conducted by members of the Ecuadorian Ecotourism Association. For enhancing wildlife conservation, Jenner and Smith (1992: 163) emphasize that “there should be no development of virgin areas vital to wildlife”. Where development has already taken place, crucial areas for wildlife display, and their undisturbed nesting and refuge should be closed to tourists seasonally. Further, undeveloped areas alongside tourism development should be used for recreating essential lost habitat. There us a need for international codes for ethical tourism, and an “integrative social contract theory” to be synthesized with tourism practice, argue Fennell and Malloy (2007: 131). Thus, mutual agreement among countries and regions would enhance sustainable tourism across the globe, promoting cultural integration and understanding. This paper has highlighted the differences between mass and alternative tourism. The evidence indicates that mass tourism has detrimental effects on the tourism destination and its surrounding region, whereas alternative tourism optimizes environmental sustainability, replenishes natural resources, and improves the regional economy. The severely adverse impacts of mass tourism on the environment and the economy of local communities, as found in the case studies examined, need to be ended. It is argued that only by implementing sustainable alternative tourism practices as in Panama, the Caribbean, and in Ecuador, can natural resources and the environment be conserved, and the local communities achieve economic prosperity. Bibliography Archer, B., Cooper, C. & Ruhanen, L. (1998). The positive and negative impacts of tourism. Global Tourism. 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