Problems Faced in Establishing Sustainable Tourism Projects on Islands - Report Example

Problems faced in establishing sustainable tourism projects on islands and Challenges faced in establishing sustainable tourism projects on islands Balearic Islands, Glapagos islands, Okney islands, Isles of Scilly, Carribean islands, name it! All islands have a mystique characteristic attached to them, with each island having special and different features that make them major tourist attractions. (Moscorado, 2008). The value of tourism in any nation cannot be undermined or understated. It is not only a source of income that results to a growth in economy but it also plays a great role of employment creation, fostering national interrelations, promoting society and overall country development among others (Sharpley, 2009). Different countries, as shown in the diagram below experience different volumes of tourist, hence the tourist spending and the generated income is different. Figure 1: Tourist volumes in different places A close look at the tourism arrivals and income generated in U.K shows that there is a declining trend (Euromonitor, 2013). The diagram below shows the aforementioned declining trend in U.K tourism. The trend is similar for the earnings from tourism and for the number of tourists visiting U.K. Figure 2: Trend in U.K tourism Island categorization It is important to understand that there are different ways in which islands can be classified, mostly based on their characteristics and hence the challenges are all different (Sheldon, 2005; Dodds and Graci, 2012). One characteristic that distinguishes islands is how close or far they located to or from the mainland. Those located into more remote and far areas from the mainland have greater degree of challenges compared to those located close to the mainland (Sharpley, 2009). The advantageous difference between the two those in the interior have a higher number of tourists who stay for longer as compared to those in the mainland and which register one or two days visitors. Cousin Islands located in the Seychelles are an example located near the mainland and which does not have many stay-over visitors (Sheldon, 2005). Another differential characteristic is based on the climate of the islands. Some such as Hawaii and French Polynesia experience tropical and cold climate whereas others such as Shetland Islands have temperate climates (Aguilo, Alegre and Sard, 2005). The other categorization is based on the homogeneity and composition of the population in the islands. Islands with an aboriginal populace are vulnerable to tourism effects as they are not accustomed to foreign values. Those with a more heterogeneous populace are usually pliant to socio-cultural impacts (Sheldon, 2005; Harris, Williams and Griffin, 2012). Other distinguishing characteristics include the population of the islands, whether the island is located solely or as archipelago and the governance of the different islands. All these characteristics and features contribute to the degree and nature of challenges that environmental bodies, tour operators, developers and the government face in a bid to promote sustainable tourism policies (Weaver, 2007). The challenges faced in implementing sustainable tourism policies can be categorized into three which include environmental, socio-cultural and economic factors. Environmental challenges Islands have different features, characteristics and formations and hence, the environmental challenges are multifaceted. Even though tourism is a major contribution to the income and GDP of a country, Costelanni and Sara (2009) note that it can also lead to environmental pollution. One environmental challenge is on the use of energy. The islands are usually susceptible to power shortages (Day, 2012). Some islands are home to ecosystems that are enriched in biodiversity and this is destroyed by erosion which is mainly caused by the removal of mangroves. The coral reefs in the islands are also susceptible to destruction. In addition, there is poor waste disposal in the islands and this makes the challenges more adverse (Favros and Brebbia, 2012). Preservation and conservation in many islands has not been observed and hence the environmental conditions in most of them are wanting To address the issue of waste disposal and management, awareness on the need for recycling should be enhanced in the islands. Some waste, due to insufficient landfills can be taken for disposal in the mainland as Carlsen and Butler (2012). Substitute sources of fuel and energy should also be developed. This may include the use of wind and solar energy. A good example of an island which has succeeded in this is Chumbe Island in Tanzania (Africa). The bungalows are beautiful, comfortable and secure yet they are constructed using local materials and they use solar energy for heating and lighting (Chumbe Island, 2014). The map below shows the location of Chumbe island, an island where tourists find themselves for their holidays and vacations. Figure 3: Map showing location of Chumbe Island, Tanzania. Visitor management and management of disasters can further correct the environmental challenges (McCool and Moisey, 2008). The South West Tourism in the United Kingdom has also been recognized and awarded for the sustainable suitable plan where all residents and visitors are educated on the importance of making informed choices to improve the environment in the islands (Tripadvisor, 2014; Euromonitor, 2013). The diagram below shows the certification that the South West Tourism was awarded in 2011-2012, which was preceded by many others. Economic challenges One of the major challenges in islands is the rise in land prices, shutting out the residents from the housing business. Instead, the foreigners are the ones who purchase the land and develop their own businesses and establish their own residential houses, and this directly promotes a mix-up of cultures (Day, 2012: Sheldon, 2005). Another economical challenge is the seasonality that is experienced in the tourism in the islands. This further hinders the developers’ and tour promoters’ ability to implement sustainable tourism in islands. The income and level of tourism spending thus keeps on fluctuating (Nadal and Rosello, 2009). To address these challenges, economic leakages must be controlled by the governance in charge of the islands. Local purchases by the local residents and the tourists should be greatly campaigned for. Promoting support sectors is another way. This can be done through incentives, entrepreneurial subsidies, guarantee of security, favorable taxation policies among others (Castellani and SRA, 2009; McCool and Moissey, 2008). Education should also be promoted in the islands and will help people in gaining skills necessary in carrying out businesses, investing and even developing skills which are necessary for the growth and expansion of the community. Socio-cultural challenges There are many socio-cultural challenges that the project implementers and developers face in islands. As they (islands) are major tourist attractions, some of the residents establish very strong and close links with the foreigners. This situation compromises the small island as it is more predisposed to social interference. With such having been established, crime becomes rampant among the islands and hence security becomes an issue of great concern (UN.org, 2012). Secondly, the people at the interior islands are more likely to have their moral standards corrupt as compared to those at the main land and are also more susceptible to vices such as drugs and prostitution which when established in the islands are hard to get rid of (Carlsen aand Butler, 2011). Another problem is that instead of promoting tourism in an island as a single product, some have broken it down and end up commercializing different products and services. The currently advanced use of the internet has further promoted tourist overflow (overflow in a sense of when the resources are too little/few to accommodate all the visitors, hence lead to more environmental pollution and such) due to the option of last minute booking (Day, 2012). Community integration is paramount for growth in any society, whether in the island or in the mainland. The island community should be greatly empowered to reduce the level and rate of young girls and women involved in prostitution and drug abuse (Dodds and Graci, 2012). Research shows that this happens due to poverty and insufficiency in ones needs. The empowerment can also be fostered by encouraging the local together to stick to their traditions by organizing frequent come-together. In such gatherings, games, song and dances, stories and folklores can all be told to remind people of their belonging (McCool and Moisey, 2008). The tourists and the residents should also be educated on the value of education and the need for self sustaining careers. In addition, any opportunity available for distance learning through scholarships and sponsorships should be embraced and well utilized. In conclusion, for all the above measures to be implemented, Moscardo (2008) advises that the stakeholders and the leaders in the island community must be involved as they know the island more than any foreign person or tourist, or even the developers and tour directors form far and wide. Such measures have been implemented elsewhere and the results are wonderful. An example is the life environment project, which provides strategies and tools through which tourism is made sustainable in coastal areas (UN.org, 2012). It is centered on Italy, Rimini and other places, and is aimed at preserving their beaches. Awareness is raised to people on the importance of a clean, healthy environment and the need to conserve the islands for sustainable project policies. References Aguilo, E., Alegre, J., and Sard, M., 2005. The persistence of the sun and sand tourism model. Tourism management, 26 (2), pp 219-232. Carlsen, J., and Butler, R., 2011. Island Tourism: Towards a sustainable perspective. 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Island sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities for Okinawa and other pacific islands in a globalized world. Oxford: Trafford Publishers. McCool, S., and Moisey, N., 2008. Tourism, recreation and sustainability: linking culture and the environment. Oxford: Chicago. Morscado. G., 2008. Building community capacity for tourism development. London: CABI., Nadal, F., and Rosello, A., 2009. The economic determinants of seasonal patterns. Annals of Tourism Research, 31(3), 697-7111. Sharpley, R., 2009. Tourism development and the environment: Beyond sustainability? London: Routledge. Sheldon, p., 2005. The challenges to sustainability in Island tourism. [Online] Available at [Accessed 15th March 2014]. Tripadvisor., 2014. United Kingdom vacations. Tripadvisor.com. Available at [Accessed 15th March 2014] UN.ORG., 2012. The future we want: Sustainable tourism. WWW. UN.ORG.[Online] Available at [Accessed 16th March 2014]. Weaver, D., 2007. Sustainable tourism. London: Routledge. Read More