The Development of Sustainable Tourism - Assignment Example

Running head: The dеvеlopmеnt of the sustainable tourism The dеvеlopmеnt of the sustainable tourism Name Instructors Name Subject Date 1. Briefly describe the emergence of sustainable tourism and why principles of sustainability now pervade all forms of tourism development. (Approx 300 words). Tourism is an activity that has an inclusion of a wide range of activities that play an important impact to the environment as well as to the local populations of that particular destination. Sustainable tourism emergence is attributed to the popularization of the concept of sustainable development. Since its emergence, the paradigm of sustainable development is still evolving and this a result of both internal and external developments to the tourism sector over the past half century (Harris and Leiper 1995). It is believed that the post World War II has seen the global tourism sector being influenced as well as being described by the appearance of the advocacy, cautionary, adaptancy, and the knowledge based platforms or what is referred to as tourism perspectives. Towards the end of the 20th century, the emergence of global advocacy of sustainable was seen and is believed that it came from the realization that the negative impacts that came with tourism development were hindering the tourism industry's sustainability (Holden, 2003). Sustainable tourism can therefore be defined as that which meets the present tourist's needs as well as that of the host regions while at the same time protecting and also enhancing the future opportunities (UNWTO, 1995). Other definitions that were coined mostly emphasize that sustainable tourism is that which incorporates economic viability with the environmental care and the preservation of the capacity of resources in the future. From this meaning is the reason sustainability pervades all forms of tourism development. There has to be negative impacts on the present situations as well to that of the future (Harris, B, 2002). There are four basic principles that are crucial to the sustainability and the first one is about the idea of planning holistically together with making a strategy. The second principle touches on the importance of preserving ecological processes that are essential, the third principle touches on the need to protect both biodiversity and human heritage, the other principle talks about the key requirement which the development being one that has a sustainable production; a production that can be sustained over a long period of time and one that has the future generations in mind (Jafari, 2001). 2. Briefly describe current approaches to tourism development and the extent to which these approaches do or do not achieve the ideals of sustainable tourism development. Note: here you think in terms of ecological, environmental, and social sustainability. You also need to consider the natural and cultural factors external to the tourism system that impede or promote the implementation of sustainable tourism strategies. (Approx 400 words). After the Second World War, there have been notable evolution on the tourism sector and this has been found to be influenced by the sequential appearance of the advocacy, cautionary, adaptancy, and knowledge-based platforms or approaches to tourism. The approaches have been found to provide a useful framework for the understanding the development and emergence of sustainable tourism. This is bearing in mind that each of the approaches builds on its predecessor. The emergence of a given platform does not necessarily mean that the previous approach disappears rather they get into a coexistence with the sector of contemporary tourism (Muller, H., 1994). The prior ideas of sustainable development focused on the enforcement of public policy and today it is suggested to a new relationship based paradigm when it comes to sustainable tourism. This is where the private sector gets involved in the industry, the non-governmental agencies, as well as the public sector all come together and bud partnerships that are all aimed at promoting environmental initiatives. The 1990s saw awareness and environmental protection becoming the major issues. It meant that the consumers became more and more aware of the issues of the environment well as becoming conscious of the existing pollution that is caused by mass tourism (Muller, H., 1994). This is in line with the ideas of sustainable tourism. This is what consequently brought in a new segment of demand that desires of sustainable tourism products coming into being. Among some of the barriers that impede the promotion as well as the implementation of the sustainable tourism strategies is inadequate resources. These are the barriers that are associated with lack of information, high costs, skills, knowledge, time, expertise not forgetting the reluctance by the various agencies to acquire assistance from consultants outside. They barriers were found to be most significant and the often experience (Muller, H., 1994). As per the key informants, they indicated that despite there being numerous ideas for initiatives of sustainable tourism the factor of inadequate resources the plans are bound to fail. There is on the other hand the lack of momentum from business owners. They lack momentum to take action that is in regards t the sustainability initiatives. The barrier touches on the bar and restaurant operator, not forgetting the dive operators. In most cases, the business owners shared a common belief that the current practices were inadequate while on the other hand the issue of momentum lacking among the business owners to move forward in the implementation of the sustainable initiatives. Many of business owners in the areas where the environment was highly affected by activities refused to take responsibility for the management as well as implementing of initiatives that would help in the sustainability initiatives. The culture of the corporate agencies in a region is also another barrier that impedes sustainable tourism strategies. The experiences, attitudes, beliefs, and values of an organization that exists in the area where a strategy is expected are what are referred to as corporate culture. The organization which in this case is a given destination has its own behavioral quirk as well as interactions which can highly affect the implementation as well as the development of the projects and the strategies. 3. Identify 2 (two) sustainable tourism developments/products/or approaches to destination management. Analyze ways in which they have adhered to or departed from the ideals of sustainability. What are the factors that have contributed to the success or failure of these two tourism case studies? (Approx 1600 words). Again, you need to consider your analyses from the triple-bottom-line of sustainable tourism practices. Destination management as an approach is not a static framework but an approach that follows a cycle; it is therefore a continuous process that for its effectiveness requires an ongoing management, monitoring, and improvement. With the tourism sector being complex and for its dynamism, there is the likelihood of becoming increasingly competitive over time. This is because of the ever changing trends in both the global and national operational environment impact on both the needs as well as the consumer preferences. Factors such as the government policy as well as investment attraction happen to also play a significant role. These trends aside, a destination's approach in the management of tourism may also have its influences from the regional changes, operating environment, resourcing of the stakeholders involved in destination management. Like mentioned in this analysis, many countries and regions have come to the realization of the impact that tourism has to the growth of their economies therefore found the need to undertake sustainable tourism. This is due to the fact that sustainable tourism makes optimal use of the resources from the environment while at the same time maintaining essential ecosystems and again conserving biodiversity (Hawkins, D.E., Lamoureux, K., 2001). The approach to sustainable tourism has also been built upon the respecting of socio-cultural authenticity. It is conserve built and on living cultural heritage thereby contributing to cross-cultural tolerance and understanding. Ecotourism As an activity, the ecotourism year offers an ideal opportunity to review its experiences around the world as well as promote a worldwide recognition of the important role that sustainable tourism plays in the broader sustainable development agenda. Despite being a relative smaller segment of the tourism sector, ecotourism is one of the fastest growing segments whore is rapid growth is also expected in the future. It includes all forms of nature tourism which is aimed at the appreciation of both the traditional cultures as well as the natural world. It is also involved in deliberate efforts to minimize the harmful human impact that is found on the natural as well as the social cultural environment not forgetting that it supports the protection of both the cultural and the natural assets as well as the well being of the communities playing host to forms of tourism (Hawkins, D.E., Lamoureux, K., 2001). Besides the developments in ecotourism such as attracting private investment where we have seen an increase in the number of the privately owned parks, there have been an environmental responsibility that comes with ecotourism. With this, tourism has helped in the protection and the rehabilitation of the natural assets and this means that it contributes to the preservation of an ecological balance biological diversity (Hawkins, D.E., Lamoureux, K., 2001). As the ecotourism activities are carried out in a responsible manner they by all means strive to give priority to the protection of the environment by ensuring that there are incentives for the conservation of the environment and they do this by the involvement of the local community thereby adhering to the ideals of sustainability. As a holistic approach and a best practice destination management process that strives to ensure that tourism adds value to the economy, ecology as well as to the social fabric of the communities, ecotourism can be an economic driver by the virtue of generating jobs and also contributing benefits to the communities involved. Nevertheless, the management of tourism is important so as to ensure that it leaves a positive legacy for the present as well as generations to come. Of much importance is that the tourism sector needs to be put into consideration in the development of the regions and also given recognition due to its contribution as well as the economic value to the region. Ecotourism embraces by all strides the principles of sustainable tourism in the social, economic, and environmental impacts that are known to be brought by tourism (Hawkins, D.E., Lamoureux, K., 2001). One important thing that is worth noting on ecotourism is the fact that if ecotourism is not well managed or planned, it can be distorted for purely commercial purposes as well as for the promotion of ecologically damaging activities through the large number of tourists in one natural area. Ecotourism should be made to retain its value; that of environmentally responsible travel and also visitation to the relatively undisturbed areas of the natural world. This is in order to have full enjoyment as well as appreciate nature that entails the any accompanying features of a given culture of both present cultures as well as the future ones. This should be able to promote conservation keeping a low negative impact of visitors. And be able to provide for the beneficially who are the locals an active social economic involvement. Pro-poor approach Besides the responsible ecotourism as well as other sustainable tourism strategies bringing socio-economic benefits to the host communities, they may in most times fail to alleviate poverty. Sustainable tourism should be able to go beyond the promotion of the socio-economic development giving a greater priority to the reduction of poverty. The pro-poor approach is different from the conventional sustainable tourism strategies in that the main goal is to deliver most of the benefits to the poor. The approach shares most of its objectives with ecotourism but as mentioned, its key difference is the virtue of poverty reduction being its core focus not just a secondary component of seeing that there is environmental sustainability (Barnes et al., 2002). This in essence means that despite the fact that the environmental sustainability is an important goal, the environmental quality of where the target groups dwell in is a broader part of the strategy of poverty reduction (Barnes et al., 2002). The pro-poor tourism adheres in length to the ideals of sustainability from the fact that they show greater concern to e issues of environment as well as to the issues that directly and indirectly affecting the host communities. The reason why tourism development can be an effective tool in the poverty reduction in particular is that it offers employment considerably for the unskilled labor where the rural to urban migrants as well as the lower income women get employment and an improved livelihood as a result (Ashley et al., 2001). Secondly, it is able to bring about a linkage with the informal sector and this could generate a positive multiplier effect to the poorer groups. Those are the groups that highly rely on that sector for their livelihoods. Thirdly, tourism is heavily based upon the natural capital preservation things like the environment which include the scenery, and cultural heritage not forgetting natural capital. An increased participation of the communities in the tourism development and management is something that this approach upholds. This is because it is found that it does not only provide stronger incentives to the conservation of the natural capital which makes the entire aspect of a destination but it can also lead to an equitable way of sharing the benefits thereby creating greater poverty alleviation opportunities. The key component of the PPT approach is providing measures that help in dealing with the social and the environmental impact involved in tourism development (Ashley et al., 2001). The approach adheres to the ideals of sustainable development in that it endeavors to ensure that there is economic development, social improvement and that there is social improvement. The approach through ensuring that the benefits trickle down to the grassroots to be able to alleviate poverty among the host communities works in light to the concept of sustainability. The way it promotes a controlled growth through the maximum preservation of the destinations and also in the rational exploitation of resources can only mean that there is a long-term social and economic development, a development that is bound to last in terms of in the long run. A development that would result to a disruption of the social, economic, and ecological basis cannot be regarded to as a development that is based on the principles of sustainability. Factors that have influenced success The success in the tourism destination management approach is found to be influenced by a wide range of factors. As the industry adapts to the dynamism and complexities the destination managers are required to be continually reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating the performance of tourism. This is to ensure that there is continuous improvement as well as success of a tourism destination making strategic planning an integral part of destination management. This is according to a wide range of research that has been undertaken in regards to the best practice of organizations of tourism as well as destinations around the world. Innovation in tourism is another factor that is highly linked to the success of destination management and sustainability of the same. It is again linked to the destination's ability together with its stakeholders to foster innovation in their destination management approach. On the other hand, the a destinations performance is influenced significantly by its ability to adopt to changing market conditions and the efficient use of resources helps deliver development strategies and on innovative planning. 4. Reflecting on what you addressed in the three tasks above, summarise the potential of tourism to deliver on principles of sustainable development and identify constraints that will present the greatest challenges in realising the ideals of sustainable tourism practices. What processes would you suggest to best overcome these challenges, and why? (Approx 600 words). Sustainable tourism is fundamentally linked to the sustainable development idea. It addresses the social, economic, and environmental issues. Looking at many businesses today, you notice that they have included the social and environmental factors as being part of their measurement. This is what is sometimes referred to as the triple bottom line measurement and reporting. This is an approach that focuses on the transparency, accountability, and commitment to the community, the stakeholder engagement and also the systematic reporting and measurement (WTO, 2001). According to Harris and Leiper (1995), potential of tourism delivering on the principles of sustainable development is high. As long as the idea of sustainable tourism being put close to various tourism initiatives, the tourism potential of delivering on the principles of sustainable development remains alive. With many countries realizing how much tourism is to the growth of their economy, they have puts measures in place to ensure that the sector delivers to their expectation. For this reason, most countries have made sure that there is a high level team that is efficient and accountable to every tourism initiative. And while doing this, there is the seeking of ways to support the growth of the industry while at the same time ensuring that the conservation needs are met. The expectation that many countries have from tourism is that it resumes its rapid growth over time. The growth on the other hand can be harnessed for not only enjoyment of those who tour but at a more important perspective which is that of maximizing the economic benefits this will in return translate to the increasing of the living standards of the communities that play host. Despite these gains/benefits however, there is bound to be negative social cultural and also environmental impacts to those communities (Harris and Leiper (1995). Nevertheless, ecotourism together with other sustainable tourism strategies have gone a long way in ensuring that these negative impacts are minimized and that the economic benefits that comes with tourism contribute to environmental protection not forgetting the use of natural resources sustainably. Tourism has the potential of ensuring that there is environmental sustainability and this must remain being a key component tourism strategy that is sustainable. One of the constraints that will pose the greatest challenge in the realization of sustainable tourism is the devising ways and means that place poverty reduction at the core of tourism planning, its management, and development. This is because it will require amongst other things a participation of the community that will be genuine, the availability of financial assistance as well as greater technical assistance, not forgetting institutional capacity building in most of the development countries Harris and Leiper (1995). Given tourism activities potential importance on the national as well as the international efforts of poverty reduction, there is a strong case for there to be the promotion of a pro-poor tourism (PPT) approach particularly in the development countries. The pro-poor tourism approach will mean an improved access to the economic benefits that are associated with tourism through the expansion of employment as well as business opportunities for those regarded as poor. On the other hand, it provides measures that help deal with the environmental and social impacts that are associated with tourism development things such as social exploitation and also excessive pressure on natural resources, damage on the ecosystems and the pollution generation. The participation of the poor in planning tourism activities will help remove the barriers thereby creating a greater participation between the governments and the private sector not forgetting the rural poor; as a result there is the development of new tourism goods and services. This approach will at the end shows its difference from conventional tourism in that it the members of the local communities take charge by owning as well as managing the tourism enterprises considering that this is where the economic benefits flow to the community funds directly, the financial returns change the community's livelihood from their being poor status to being better off. Conclusion The greatest attractiveness in the tourists' destinations is in many cases the natural resources. Contemporary tourists have their greatest interest for the areas of natural beauty as well as the uniqueness which implicates the obligation for the mangers to ensure that they put into use all the available methods that will result in the minimization of the negative impact brought to the environment by tourism. There is need for a continue acquiring of knowledge which is a basic element that will help in continuously improving the destination competitiveness. This will mean that the mangers will require good knowledge so as to achieve sustainability. References Hawkins, D.E., Lamoureux, K. (2001) Global Growth and Magnitude of Ecotourism, In: Weaver, D. (ed.) (2001) The Encyclopedia of cotourism, Oxon: CABI Publishing, 63-83. Jafari, J. (ed.) (2000) Encyclopedia of Tourism, London: Routledge. J. I. Barnes, J. MacGregor and L. Chris Weaver, 2002. “Economic Efficiency and Incentives for Change within Namibia’s Community Wildlife Use Initiatives”, World Development 30, no. 4, pp. 667-681. Muller, H. (1994) The Thorny Path to Sustainable Tourism Development, in Proceedings of the Conference Prema odrzivom razvitku turizma u Hrvatskoj, Zagreb: Institut za turizam, pp. 9-16. Harris, B., Griffin.T, Williamy, P. (2002) Sustainable Tourism: A Global Perspective, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. N. Nicanor, 2001. Practical strategies for pro-poor tourism: NACOBTA, the Namibian case study, PPT Working Paper No. 4, ODI, London. Read More