A Critical Analysis of the Concepts of Sustainable Tourism and Geotourism - Essay Example

A Critical Analysis of the Concepts of Sustainable Tourism and Geotourism Introduction In the age globalization, modern tourism industry has undergone a lot of changes. Due to the rapid development of communication and transport system, tourism becomes a profitable investment sector. But at the time, it has been more competitive than ever. Now-a-days, tourists seek more and more funs at a tourism destination. As a result, the negative impacts of overwhelming cultural interchanges between different countries and of mass-tourism on environment and ecology of a country cannot be denied. So, the concept of sustainable tourism is very much necessary for fulfilling the modern environmental and eco-friendly commitment. It can be considered as a perfect alternative of economic and social development of the country, since ecotourism is the conscience of sustainable tourism. So, in modern tourism industry, there is an attempt to incorporate the concepts and features of sustainable tourism into conventional mass-tourism products. Indeed, though such eco-friendly attempt, theoretically, sounds good, it is practically self-contradictory. Very often the concept of alternative tourism and sustainable mass-tourism are criticized for a major focus of tourism developers on financial gains and not cultural interchange between the tourists and the local communities. This paper will, necessarily, discuss what ecotourism and mass-tourism are, how they are compatible with each other, possibility of sustainable mass-tourism, possibility of sustainable geotourism, etc. Furthermore, this paper is focused on alternative tourisms, mass tourism and sustainable tourism and the important role that alternative tourism in the development of sustainable tourism and whether the sustainability in conventional mass-tourism is feasible. Ecotourism and Sustainability in Mass Tourism Industry Scholars have explained the concept tourism in various ways. But it is remarkable that these definitions are stitched together with a common approach to nature and environment. As a result, the idea of ecotourism comes into focus of modern environmental discourse and commitments. It necessarily focuses on the mitigation of negative impacts mass tourism on Environment and nature. Therefore, the concept of ecotourism is intertwined with the definitions of mass tourism and other forms of tourisms. In this regard, Fennel (2003, 30) says, “Ecotourism has grown as a consequence of the dissatisfaction with conventional forms of tourism”. Also, the concept of ‘sustainable tourism’ includes the idea of ecotourism to a great extent. Indeed, ‘sustainable tourism’ differs from ‘mass tourism’. Whereas ecotourism lies at the center of ‘sustainable tourism’, mass-tourism is more profit-oriented and focuses on increasing the number of tourists at a target-destination. ‘Mass tourism’ advocates tourism at such destinations where a large number of tourists can enjoy their leisure-time together. But alternative tourism is more fragmentized according to different interests of the tourists. Some of the alternative tourisms are: ecotourism, adventure tourism, cultural tourism, heritage tourism, religious tourism, etc. In a sense, ‘adventure tourisms’ can be considered as the subdivisions of ‘mass tourism’. For Fennell (2003, 16), “ecotourism is distinct from mass tourism and various other forms of AT [alternative tourism]”. Indeed, the definition of ecotourism advocates against the negative and harmful impact mass tourism on the ecology and the nature of the tourist destinations. In this regard, Mowforth and Munt (1998, 139) note that ecotourism is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people” (Mowforth & Munt 1998, 139). Weaver (2001, 103) likes to view ecotourism as a complementary element of the modern mass tourism industry. Yet he never ignores the self contradiction within the conceptual framework of ecotourism. Weaver (2001, 104) comments on the complementary function of ecotourism: “Ecotourism is widely perceived as a nature-based form of alternative tourism that embodies the virtuous traits that mass tourism supposedly lacks”. However, David Weaver (2001, 102-103) has described ecotourism from a holistic perspective. His definition of ecotourism includes the concept of sustainability both in environmental and socio-cultural and economic sectors, as he says, “Ecotourism is a form of nature-based tourism that strives to be ecologically, socio-culturally, and economically sustainable while providing opportunities for appreciating and learning about the natural environment or specific elements thereof” (Weaver 2001, 105). The essential characteristics of ecotourism are as following: a. Nature based and Eco-cultural activities of the tourists b. Eco-cultural sustainability of the tourism industry c. Ecological awareness of the tourists about the conservation natural and cultural assets d. Inclusion Pro-environmental elements within the tourism industry e. Concern of the tourism professional within the industry to reduce the negative impacts of tourism on both environment and cultures f. Reservation and safeguarding the natural properties of the tourist spots g. Employing the community based economic activities in order for the development of socio economic status of any cultural communities. Possibility of Sustainable Mass Tourism The idea of ecologically sustainable mass tourism essentially envisages such a tourism-system that contributes to the economic development of all the parties who are involved in it and to the enhanced compliance with the modern environmental commitment. Referring to this ecological dimension in mass tourism, David Weaver (2001, 56) notes, “While some definitions emphasize this notion of ecological sustainability, most also include an economic or socio-cultural dimension, on the assumption that these can neither be easily divorced from each other nor from ecological sustainability”. If concerns about environmental commitment are taken into consideration, mass tourism seems to be conceptually sound. But a close analysis of the negative impacts of mass tourism on nature and environment will necessarily reveal that mass-tourism, like geotourism, is, to great extent, a fundamentally flawed and paradoxical concept. In the face of growing awareness about the negative environmental changes all over the world, the environmental commitments which are included in mass-tourism are quite praiseworthy, since mass-tourism is supposed to raise environmental awareness among the tourists. (“National Geography” 2012, 1-2) Modern attempt to incorporate the ideas of ecological and cultural sustainability in mass-tourism industry has been able to draw a popular attention of those involved in this industry. Consequently, more fragmentized but more eco-culturally aware forms of mass tourisms such as adventure tourism, geotourism, heritage tourism, cultural tourism, etc have emerged. In order to fulfill the environment-friendly commitments of sustainable ecotourism, these forms of mass-tourisms have, recently, adopted attempts to incorporate the idea that the environment as a source of pleasure and enjoyment. It supposes that a sound environment is the prerequisite of human survival on earth. Finally, it deals with the concept of sustainability. The concept of sustainable mass-tourism seems to be self-contradictory because of the discrepancy between the theoretical expectations and what happens in reality. Sustainable mass-tourism is self-contradictory in the sense that even though it is supposed to grow awareness about nature and environment among the tourists, it itself seems to violate the sanctity of nature and the ecological order by corrupting presence of man in ecology. According to various researches and studies in this field, geotourism cannot always be sustainable, as in this regard, Singh (2008, 120) says, “Socio-cultural and natural environments are likely to be affected due to the very nature of the activity – where the outside world interacts with the natural environment and the socio-cultural setting, leaving its footprints in both”. Possibility of Sustainable Geotourism Sustainability is a buzz word in recent tourism studies (House 1997, 97). The concept of ‘sustainability’ appears to be a key factor in ecotourism as well as geotourism industry. Indeed, ecotourism appears to be the conscience of any sustainable tourism. The terms, ‘ecotourism’ and ‘geotourism’ often seem to be synonymous for each other. Whereas ecotourism demands the commitment to environment-friendliness more than geotourism does. Yet both of these two terms are more or less related to the modern environmental commitments. Hose (2012) defines geotourism as a “provision of interpretative and service facilities for geosites and geomorphosites and their encompassing topography…constituency-build for their conservation by generating appreciation, learning and research by and for current and future generations” (p. 23). Indeed, geotourism is, to a great extent, interconnected with the possibility of viewing nature and geography. In this regard, Newsome and Dowling (2010, 45) define geotourism as a “form of natural area tourism that specifically focuses on landscape and geology”. It advocates visits to conservation of geographical, ecological and biological diversities. It also promotes an understanding of Earth sciences and natural science among the tourists. In an article, “Ecotourism and Geotourism”, Sly L Quintos (2011, 1) points out the difference between geotourism and ecotourism as following: “What is the difference between geotourism and ecotourism, or sustainable tourism? That’s easy: Ecotourism focuses only on nature; it’s a niche market. Geotourism is about everything that goes into making a place distinctive, unique.” A positive and friendly tourist-environment relationship lies at the center of geotourism, as it is said in an article by the National Geography Chanel (2012, 1), “Geotourism is sustainable tourism energized. It sustains, but it can also enhance—by means of restorative and constructive forms of tourism that fit the nature of the destination.” In geotourism-literatures and studies, several types of sustainability are supposed to be the themes of tourist-environment relationship, such as cultural sustainability, environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. Indeed, economic sustainability is related with the community-based geotourism. Regarding the sustainability of ecotourism and geotourism, Jeremy House (1997, 93) comments that, “Sustainability can be described as a contemporary buzz word which reflects concern, but not necessarily action to analyze and address the problem of human impacts on environments”. Indeed, the concept of sustainable tourism can be viewed from several perspectives. First, theoretically, geotourism includes the idea of sustainable ecotourism. Secondly, it incorporates the idea of ecologically sustainable tourism. Though these two terms of sustainability in tourism industry appear to be synonymous, they are subtly different from each other. Sustainable geotourism essentially incorporates the ideas of sustainability and feasibility in the entire tourism industry including the low-impact visits to the tourism-destinations, sustainable development local people, and the tourism-organizers. Indeed, the concept of ‘sustainable geotourism’ advocates for the longevity and stability of the entire industry, as an article by the National Geography (2012, 2) defines “geotourism” as a “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents”. Analysis of the Flaws of Geotourism If the term ‘sustainability’ is taken away from geotourism, it seems to be a set of some self-pleasing, often irresponsible and harmful activities of the tourists performed at the geosites. Therefore, sustainable tourisms like geotourism, ecotourism, etc also are supposed to have some negative effects on the environment and economy. Since proper sustainable tourism requires the impositions of strict restriction on tourists’ activities, it is often disheartening for the customers. Therefore, tourists who love to enjoy unlimited freedom are supposed to be discouraged by these restrictions of geotourism (Singh 2008, 32-34). Without proper monitoring and supervision, geotourism may provoke irresponsible activities of the tourists. Singh (2008) has defined the responsibility level of the tourists. He notes that the responsibility level of the tourists and the plausibility of geotourism are related to each other in inverse ratio. So, the idea of a completely sustainable geotourism is impossible and, to a significant extent, geotourism must have negative impacts on environment. The negative impacts of geotourism are as following: a. Environment pollution and disturbance of natural orders b. Threat to the rare species of flora and fauna, soil erosion and soil compaction and extreme change in population c. Changes of cultural and religious values of the native people, spread of HIV/AIDS and health problems for local people d. Increasing Crimes scopes for international criminal gang, insecure economic condition due to the seasonality of jobs (Singh, 2008, pp.45-48) Conclusion The self contradiction of ecotourism lies within the definition of Ecotourism itself. The contradiction is that the idea of ecotourism advocates for increasing ecological awareness of the tourists through the tourism in close contact of nature of nature but on the other hand the awareness itself complains the violation of the ecological balance of the environment and nature induced by the tourists. Also the concept of ecotourism does not comply with the reality what it advocates for. Therefore, the paradox is that while sustainable mass-tourism advocates for growing environmental awareness among the tourists by bringing them close to nature, it itself creates the scopes to violate the ecological balance. Also geotourism cannot fully comply with what it advocates for. In the competitive market of tourism and travel, geotourism and sustainable mass-tourism seem to sound good as something novel, adventurous and appealing to the tourists. It seems to grow awareness among the tourists about the drastic environmental changes caused by global warming. But if the concept of geotourism is compared with its consequences, it appears, to a great extent, to be the manipulation of the consumerism of the industrial society to trap the foreign currency at home and abroad. References Cater, E. 1995. “Environmental Contradictions in Sustainable Sourism.” The Geographical Journal, 161(1): 21-28. Fennel, A. D. 2003 Ecotourism: An Introduction. London: Routledge House, J. 1997. “Redefining Sustainability: A Structural Approach to Sustainable Tourism.” In M.J. Stabler (ed.), Tourism and Sustainability. Principles to Practice. CAB International, Oxon and New York, 89-107. Hose, T. A. 2012. “3G’s for Modern Geotourism ”, Geoheritage Journal, 4: 7-24 Mowforth, M. and I. Munt. 1998. Tourism and Sustainability – new tourism in the Third World, Routledge: London. National Geography. 2012. “About Geotourism.” Retrieved March 12, 2013 from http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/pdf/about-geotourism.pdf Newsome,D. and R.K. Dowling. 2010. Geotourism: The Tourism of Geology and Landscape. Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers Orams, M.B. 1995. “Towards a more desirable form of ecotourism.” Tourism Management, 16(1): 3-8 Quintos, S. L. 2011. “Ecotourism and Geotourism”, Cordillera Voice. Retrieved March 12, 2013 from http://www.cordilleravoice.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1317:ecotourism-and-geotourism&catid=75:features&Itemid=38 Singh, L. K. 2008. “Issues in Tourism Industry”. Fundamental of Tourism and Travel. Delhi: Isha Books. Weaver, D. B. 2001. “Ecotourism as Mass Tourism: Contradiction or Reality?” Cornel Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly. 42(104): 104-112 Read More