Is Sustainable Tourism Achievable - Literature review Example

Critical Assessment of the Claim; “Sustainable Tourism is Achievable”. Name: Tutor: Course: Date: Critical Assessment of the Claim; “Sustainable Tourism is Achievable”. Introduction In the recent years, tourism has been considered as an option for sustainable development. Sustainable development implies satisfaction of the current needs without compromising the capacity of upcoming generation to achieve their individual needs. Tourism plays a vital role in trade and liberalization and enhancing the economies of the respective countries. Despite the positive effect that tourism imposes it also has negative impacts. Unrestrained tourism expansion can inflict unfavorable force on the physical and social settings. Thus poorly controlled tourism leads to deforestation and wearing down; dilapidation and weakening of organic multiplicity; interference of natural environment and over-consumption of natural resources for instance fresh water and energy. According to Harris et.al (2002) social impacts of tourism consist of commoditization of cultures; interference of traditional financial activities in the course of wage labour and slightly privileged earnings in tourism; rising prices of land and food for locals; spread of illness and prostitution and other social ills. The range and distinctive feature of the tourism industry has repercussions for globalization, poverty mitigation and biodiversity preservation. Tourism is regarded as a major source of economic contribution in many countries thus beyond other traditional economic activities like agriculture and mining. However despite this huge prospective the industry faces sustainability concerns hence restricting its contribution to sustainable development (Harris et. al 2002). Sustainable Tourism It is essential to develop a responsible sustainable tourism industry that will cater for the needs of the present and future generations adequately. Policies should be formulated and emphasis laid on environmental management, sensitivity to cultural and social dynamics, sustainable management, training and customer service, sound financial and business planning, consideration for stakeholders among other issues. Hence these policies will enable the tourism industry to enhance its sustainability. Sustainable tourism intention is to have a small impact on the surroundings and culture of the human race at the same time endeavor to earn income through employment opportunities and maintaining the ecosystem harmless for human and animal survival. As the tourism trade increases in growth it greatly affects the natural resources, exploitation patterns, pollution and communal organizations. Hence for a tourism industry to continue to exist, it is fundamental for proper ecological and economic planning since some of the environmental consequences can be everlasting and hazardous (Swarbrooke 1999). Thus sustainable tourism is an endeavor to generate a minute impact on the environment and local ways of life whilst at the same time creating job prospects for the local people. Hence the objective of sustainability in tourism is to ascertain that development conveys an optimistic knowledge for the local people, tourism industry and the tourists themselves. Sustainable tourism is an accepted practice in flourishing ecotourism business. In order to attain an ecotourism certification ecological sustainability is one of the fundamental ideologies that must be fully accomplished. Stakeholders of sustainable tourism that comprise of the respective state governments, non governmental organizations as well as individuals play a major role in the sustainability process of tourism (Dodds, 2010). Impacts of Tourism In regards to economic perception, tourism sector has been extensively approved for generating economic growth and development. The industry creates a substantial involvement to the global economy through exports and investments. Furthermore tourism input in employment cannot be ignored. Due to its labour demanding nature, funds from tourism have a tendency to produce a superior and quicker amplification in payment than investment in other economic activities. Apart from its economic involvement, tourism impact directly to environmental and socially sustainable development (Dodds, 2010). It is argued that tourism operates as a mechanism for protection and environmental fortification due to the following reasons: it is non-consumptive hence has less force on natural resources; it has its foundation on approval of natural and cultural resources thus inspiration to safe guards its reserve base; it supplies important returns and economic enticement. However despite the positive gains of tourism industry, quick development in the sector creates a serious risk to the natural habitat. This is ignited by the large number of tourists travelling to various destinations. Hence this leads to over consumption of natural resources such as freshwater, energy, land and marine resources which eventually leads to their eventual depletion and degradation (Swarbrooke, 1999). Tourism’s impact on local populations is another major sustainability problem. While it is often argued that tourism has been influential in advocating for global peace and cooperation, the negatives effects of the industry is the main source of conflict. Commodification of cultures whereby substances such as rites, ceremonies, past narration and traditions are regarded as commodities thus marketed to the industry is another significant impact. For that reason it leads to loss of cultural distinctiveness whereby the native community views their culture as inadequate. In addition tourism can impose many other socio cultural impacts on the host community. It also contributes to the increase in the spread of illnesses, prostitution, drug abuse, human rights mistreatment and misuse of vulnerable groups. Hence in order to enhance and achieve sustainability of the tourism sector policies and strategies need to enacted so as to create a balance between the positive impacts and the negative impacts of tourism (Dodds, 2010). How Tourism sustainability is achieved Sustainable tourism implies a development which strives at achieving the current satisfaction and needs without necessarily compromising the capability of the needs of a future generation. Hence in order to make attempts at enhancing sustainability in a destination, the main aim of sustainability should be emphasized. Thus it entails conservation of forests and priority of locals over tourists so as to minimize any possible conflict. According to Dodds (2010), this strategy can be applied especially when enacting the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (Dodds 2010). This can be practical through the identification of the necessity to guard the natural atmosphere and its resources for the benefit of the upcoming generation across the country. Hence without any outline of limitations there are threats of sustainable tourism transforming into a structure of a mass tourism will all its evils. For that reason the entire standard of sustainability is to contest the outcomes that have transpired due to tourism fame. The principles executed should therefore include restraining transport facility or even absolutely restricting admission to some destinations of attractions. Thus according to the words of Swarbrooke (1999), sustainable tourism is an unattainable myth and we should not treat sustainable tourism as an absolute but rather as a relative term. He further argues that sustainable tourism is a continuous journey to a destination that is not reachable since the entire tourism sustainability is unattainable. He adds that the idea that constitutes sustainable tourism is dynamic in nature. However, unless tourism organizations implement sustainable practices so as to achieve a sustainable tourism approach. According to Swarbrooke (1999), as more countries through out the world expand their tourism industry, it generates considerable force on natural resources, utilization patterns, effluence and social systems. Hence the requirement for conscientious planning and organization is crucial for the tourism industry to endure as an entity. Sustainable tourism entails refocusing and re-adapting. Thus equilibrium must be created between restrictions and utilization for constant alterations, screening and planning that ensures that tourism is well handled. This involves a long tenure process of acknowledging that transformation is a collective, steady and irretrievable process. For that reason economic, social and environmental aspect of sustainable development must comprise the wellbeing of all stakeholders in the industry including the native people, local communities, guests, tourism industry as well as the government. The negative impacts of environmental and social should therefore be dealt with through strategies, practices and inventiveness (Swarbrooke 1999). Sharpley (2009) argues that sustainability in tourism is greatly influenced by ethical concerns in business and marketing. Hence ethical marketing is a mechanism in marketing that distinguishes an organization’s social conscientiousness and at the same time seek out to decrease the negative forces while enhancing the positive outcomes of tourism. Thus for sustainability in tourism to be realized several ethical issues should be considered and policies put in place so as to ensure compliance. Green principles and procedures are a new but increasing segment and marketing point. More environmentally conscious associations, conglomerates and government organizations should seek further sustainable event practices in order to achieve sustainable tourism. Sustainability in tourism also involves monitoring systems and measurable performance indicator in regards to the set strategies and policies (Sharpley, 2009). Conclusion There is no inclusive resolution to attain an objective of sustainable tourism. However, this can be realized through the protection of ecosystem hence a safer living surroundings. Thus this is achievable through such ways as reuse of available resources, saving water and environmental conservation strategies. Tourism will by no means be absolutely sustainable as each sector has impacts but it can exert more efforts towards being supplementary sustainable through enacting and implementation of strategies and policies that will further enhance its sustainability. Whether or not tourism sustainability is achievable greatly depends on each person as an individual. Every individual is a potential tourist who needs to change their behavior. Thus sustainable tourism should begin with each person as an individual. Everyone should therefore strive to improve their own behavior in regards to conservation of the available natural resource hence sustainable tourism. The more the tourism industry exercises secure or sheltered tourism through the protection of the environment the more enhanced is their potentials. Therefore, the chances of achieving sustainable tourism are improved. Bibliography Sharpley, R., 2009, Tourism Development and the Environment: Beyond Sustainability? London: Earthscan. Swarbrooke, J., 1999, Sustainable Tourism Management. Oxon: CABI Publishing. Dodds, R., 2010, Is Sustainable Tourism Achievable? Sustainable Tourism, Retrieved on 13 May, 2011 from Harris, R., Griffin, T., and Williams. P., 2002, Sustainable Tourism: a Global Perspective. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann 2nd Edition. Read More