Investigating Sustainable Tourism - Research Paper Example

 Suriname: Investigating 2 Investigating Sustainable Tourism Introduction The country of Suriname is situation in a prime location as a stop for travelers who wish to include an eco-tourism element to their travels. Near both Brazil and the Caribbean, the location of this South American natural paradise allows for a great place for individualized, focused adventure that is designed for unique experiences. Small and tightly organized tour companies allow for safe, but intense activities. It is important, however, that the tourism industry in Suriname be expanded and supported through the building of appropriate systems of support that can service the needs of the tourists that the country wishes to attract. Suriname is located in the northeast of South America, with influences from a variety of cultures, from African and Amerindian, to Asian, Dutch, and Jewish (Turquoise.net 2010). Suriname is not dominated by a many beach areas that can compare to surrounding areas of the Caribbean, but it is lined with rivers that create a great web of travel into the beauty of the interior jungles. This makes the area a great spot for eco-tourists to see the natural wonders of the rainforests and jungle areas that house an enormous array of wildlife. Since there is little in the way of tourism infrastructure, the resources of the country can be exploited to attract the growing number of eco-tourists that are wanting to explore the natural world on their vacations and holidays. Eco-Tourism The concept of eco-tourism is based on the idea that the adventure that is available from the beauty of nature is captured in a single experience, or group of experiences designed for a period of time within a vacation. According to Ziffer (1989), ecotourism is an adventure that is Suriname: Investigating 3 designed around an indigenous culture, takes place in a relatively underdeveloped area, attempts to leave the area having left no mark upon the eco-system that has been visited while contributing to the local economy, an opportunity to gain an appreciation for the natural resources of the visited area, and represents a dedication by the host region to preserve the natural beauty they hold through funding provided by the ecotourism market (p. 6). One of the prime purposes of the availability of the adventure is to help preserve the natural environments that the tour has exploited so that urban development will not spoil the land. There are some problems with developing a sustainable tourist trade through the ecotourism travel tours. The initial problem is that in order to sustain the natural environment, there must be limits placed on the number of tourists allowed into any one area at one time. Without these limits, the area will eventually be subject to transformations that exploit rather than celebrate those areas (Scace, 1993, p. 61). Another issue will be found in the shifting trends within the tourist industry. Ecotourism is popular, but if all of the tourism available in the area is based on this form of tourism, a shifting popularity can affect the level of participants in the tours. As well, travelers who are not interested in the eco-tourist adventure will dismiss the area entirely as a possible destination. There are ten principles developed by the WWF (1992) that should be considered when developing a sustainable ecotourism area. The first concept is that the way in which the resources are used must sustain those resources. If the resources are used in such a way that they are changed or harmed, then in the long run the tourism business will suffer along with the damaged resources. The second principle is that over-consumption and waste will harm the potential of the natural resources. The third principle is that promotion of cultural diversity will inspire travelers Suriname: Investigating 4 to visit the area and spread a sense of global community. The fourth principle of creating sustainable ecotourism in an area has vital importance to a nation. In creating the planning for the tourism, state interests are promoted as well as environmental ones when planning is developed around sustaining natural areas that can promote good environmentalism in addition to creating economic stimulus in the form of tourism. The fifth principle in developing a sustainable ecotourism industry is attached to the fourth principle. The fifth principle is that the tourism should support the local economy, protecting both the economy and the environment. The sixth principle states that the local communities should be brought into involvement along with the national government. The seventh principle brings the local community and the national government together in order to communicate what is needed to promote the welfare of all entities involved. The eight and ninth principles suggest that a well trained staff is crucial to the success of the endeavor, as is a well planned marketing plan. Without the appropriate planning, the success of the tourism will not be realized and the areas will suffer both environmentally and economically. One of the things that will support all of the first nine principles it the tenth principle. On-going research is necessary to ensure that every aspect of the tourism trade as it pertains to the sustainability of the environment has been attended and cared for appropriately. Without this research, the programs will grow stale, the impact on the environment can destroy the natural resources without intervention, and the overall economic success will diminish. Ecotourism in Surname Suriname has resources that can be effectively exploited for ecotourism. Ninety percent of the land mass in Suriname is still covered in forest areas. There are over 185 mammal species, Suriname: Investigating 5 668 species of birds, 152 reptile species, 95 amphibian species, 338 species of fresh fish, 452 species of marine fish, 1750 invertabrata, and 5075 plant species (Baal, 2005). The variety of wildlife and forest areas provide a great number of tourism associated activities for the ecotourism. One of the beautiful experiences that are possible within the country is to see the nesting of four different turtle species nesting during the February to July season in the Galibi Natural Reserve (Turquoise.net 2010). Extraordinary experiences are available in Suriname. Suriname is split between a coastal region and a mountainous region. More than 80% of the country is the mountainous region. The interior of the land is an almost pristine rainforest with the cloud forest resting on the side of the mountainous areas. Various geological forest areas are through the land, responding to the local soil and climate areas (Baal 2005). Two of the special interest groups that can benefit from the variety of wildlife available are, as mentioned, the turtle watchers, and also bird watching enthusiasts. The extreme diversity of the species of birds available to the bird enthusiast includes a wide variety that can lead to a great adventure (Maps of the World, 2010). The Suriname government has committed itself to preserving its natural beauty and ecology and has determined to use tourism as an economic resource to sustain the environment. In 1998, the Central Suriname Nature Reserve was created in order to protect the Amazon rainforests within the country (Nwanna, 2004, p. 68). This organization was created in order to stop the logging industry that was the alternative industry that threatened to destroy the natural environment within the country. Suriname chose to preserve these areas instead and exploit them by sharing them with the travel industry rather than see them logged into oblivion. One of the problems in Suriname in relating to the tourist industry is that there are not Suriname: Investigating 6 enough natural beach areas to appeal broadly to the tourist industry in comparison to the Caribbean. Therefore, beach tourism either must be made exclusive or the resources available must be increased. Palmerlee (2007) recommends Suriname for its interior advantages, listing it as one of the few places that can be explored within the rainforest areas on bicycle (p. 771). If the possibility of increasing the beach tourism can be done without destruction of the natural preservation of the areas through the building of resort areas and exclusive tourism, increased revenues might be seen in those areas. Nature of Tourism in Suriname The cultures that inhabit the lands of Suriname are varied and a fascinating mix of immigrated and indigenous peoples. According to Hudman and Jackson (2009), there are cultural areas of Hindustani, Creole, Javanese, Maroon, Amerindian, and Chinese, each culture tending to cluster together into groups and areas specific to their ethnic traditions of communities. Most of the cultures live in groups along the northern coastal plane (p. 182). The interior forest areas are home to the Maroons and the Amerindians (Apinsa, 2008). These peoples are considered the indigenous cultures of the Amazonian areas within the nation. From cultures that immigrated into the nation one can find plantations of Jewish-Dutch, French, and Portuguese origins that can be visited and appreciated for their beauty (Apinsa, 2008). One of the more interesting statistics available lists a connection of the inhabitants of Suriname to the Netherlands. Therefore, of the 50,000 average tourists that visit the country, 83% are from the Netherlands with the purpose of visiting family and friends. Hudman and Jackson (2009) also list that visitors from Guyana and the United States make up the greatest portion of the remaining visitors. Since this figure represents a group that is not coming because of the Suriname: Investigating 7 tourist attractions, but because of connections to the country, it indicates that a stronger marketing pland and expenditure of resources in order to create a greater identity for the country as a tourist destination will be necessary to increase the tourist market share. Targeting nations with recorded disposable income with increased interest in ecotourism will allow for a branding opportunity that will increase the market share. According to Nwanna (2004), there are a great deal of difficulties in Suriname that make it a less desirable destination for travel. Communications, and transportation, including roads that are not always passable, do not meet the standards of developed nations. The accommodations are not in abundance and the government and private companies have established guest houses that have limited numbers in available housing. In addition to impeded travel issues, if one does become injured or sick, if appropriate insurance is not available that is acceptable to the local hospitals, then a deposit of ten days is required before receiving medical attention (p. 195). This detail may provide some pause to those who wish to go on an adventure, but don’t want to risk not receiving proper medical should the adventure go badly and an injury be the result. Sustainable Tourism in Suriname In order to create a sustainable tourist industry it is important to cast the widest net that will bring in the best possible future for economic growth with sustained environmental relevancy. When choosing to highlight the ecological beauty of an area, the exclusivity combined with the unique activities will provide the best possible future for the area. In a place that hosts a wide variety of natural wonders, targeting a market rich in resources and in search of adventure will have the best possible advantage for the tourist industry within Suriname. Using the following guideline will allow for the best possible opportunity to create a solid industry. Suriname: Investigating 8 Crinion’s Green Stars for Accreditation of Ecotourism Operators. Having a business plan that outlines environmental ethics and practice. Using environmentally friendly products and engaging in recycling practices. Providing good quality pre and post information to the intending visitor. Containing high local/indigenous participation/expertise. Providing high integrity interesting/entertaining, educational/interpretive information. Providing high level of staff training about the natural and cultural environment. Providing high net benefit for the local community. Visitor experiences afer of relatively undisturbed natural environment. Having a management plan (including capacity limits or limits to acceptable change). Involving personalized/guided small group interaction. Using low/medium cost/low impact accommodation and infrastructure. Using facilities that are ecologically designed and operated. Monitoring and responsies put into place up-front. Contributing revenue to or as a part of a conservation program. In order to provide the best possible experience for the ecotourism, 7 stars should be given to any program that a traveler looks into attending (Crinion, 1993, p. 10) Conclusion Providing a sustainable tourist industry in Suriname requires two aspects of the needs of travelers to be met. The first is to cater to an exclusive type of tourist who seeks adventure. Advertising to the tourist who seeks out an adventure that is involved with the natural environment in such a way to take advantage of the wonders that are quiet naturally available within the country will require that the aspects of Crinion’s criteria be examined in regard to the nature of the existing tourism and the unfulfilled aspects of those criteria. The second is to create a stronger infrastructure that can meet the standards of the traveler so that in coming to the country they are not sacrificing travel between the interior destinations, communication with Suriname: Investigating 9 their home, or available resources for emergency situations that can be accessed by any traveler. With the beauty of the country in mind, a marketing plan that emphasizes the advantages of the country will bring in the traveler who is looking for something different. As well, because of the proximity to Brazil and to the Caribbean, trips that are developed with the specific aim at diverting tourists to Suriname from these destinations for trips into the Amazon can also provide an additional resource for tourist economic increase. Looking at ways to use the current resources, as well as planning for future improvements to encourage a wider variety of tourists will create a sustained tourism within Suriname. . Suriname: Investigating 10 References Apinsa, R. (Minister of Transportation, Communication and Tourism). (2008). Destination guide 2008: Suriname. Suriname Tourism Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.suriname- tourism.org/cms/ Baal, F.L.J. (2005). Natural heritage in Suriname. Unesco. Retrieved from http://unesco- suriname.org/natural%20heritage%20in%20suriname.htm Boo, E., (1990). Ecotourism: The Potentials and Pitfalls. Washington D. C.: World Wildlife Fund. Crinion, D., (1993). South Australian Tourism Strategy and the role of ecotourism', in Down to Earth Planning for an Out-Of-The-Ordinary Industry, Paper presented at the South Australian Ecotourism Forum, 19-20. Hudman, L. E. & Jackson, R. H. (2009). Geography of travel and tourism. New York: Cengage. Maps of the World (2010). Suriname ecotourism. Compare Infobase Limited. Retrieved from http://www.mapsofworld.com/surinam/tourism/ecotourism.html Nwanna, G. I. (2004). Americans traveling abroad: What you should know before you go. Baltimore, Md: Frontline. Palmerlee, D. (2007). South America on a shoestring. Lonely Planet. Footscray, Vic: Lonely Planet. Scace, R. (1993). An ecotourism perspective, in Nelson, J., Butler, R., and Wall, G. (eds) Tourism and Sustainable Development: Monitoring, Planning and Managing, Department of Geography, University of Waterloo, Ontario: 59-81. Turquoise.net (2010). Suriname online tourist guide: Welcome to suriname. Top10WorldMedia.com. Retrieved from http://www.surinametourism.com/ WWF/Tourism Concern, 1992. Beyond the Green Horizon: a discussion paper on Principles for Sustainable Tourism. WWF UK. Ziffer, K.A., (1989). Ecotourism: The Uneasy Alliance. New York: Conservation International/Ernst & Young. Read More