Defining Sustainable Tourism - Literature review Example

Sustainable Tourism Name Institution Date Introduction World Tourism organization define sustainable tourism as tourism which bring about the management of the various resources in a manner that aesthetic, social and economic needs are able to be satisfied while at the same time cultural integrity, life support systems, biological diversity, and essential ecological processes are maintained. According to Weaver (2006), sustainable tourism development is a process that meets the needs of host communities and present tourists while enhancing and protecting needs in the future. Sustainable tourism ensures that no damage is done to cultures, economy and environment of the location where it takes place. The goal is to make sure development registers a positive experience for tourism companies, tourist themselves and the local people (Edgell, 2006). Tourism cannot become sustainable unless the consumers, who are the tourists on consistent basis, go for destinations that are more sustainable in their decisions on purchasing. Consumers play an indirect and direct role in enhancing goals of environmental conservation and connecting tourism to alleviation of poverty. A demand which is growing for sustainable tourism facilities and services has an impact of the private sector performance. In this context, communication campaigns on sustainable holidays target create awareness on behaviors that are responsible in choices concerning holiday-making by means of a global campaign. The project is being steered by UNEP in conjunction with Brazilian Ministries of Tourism and Environment with the aid of Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Spatial Planning (Hall & Richards, 2003). According to Hall and Richards (2003) various tourism demand patterns are characterized by unsustainable lifestyles of industrialized consumer societies. Tourism play the role of being an agent in the exportation of these consumerist attitudes and lifestyles to societies that are less industrialized through modeling and demonstration effects. Tourism cause increase in demand for imported consumer goods in various destinations, these goods have adverse effects on the environment owing to ecological transport costs and great amounts of waste generated. Increase in imports lead to reduced national gains owing to foreign exchange leakages. Resources overconsumption by tourism infrastructure and tourists is not compatible with sustainable development. The natural environment carrying capacity is often overwhelmed with the upsurge in tourism demands. Tourist resources demand may compete directly with local people needs and lead to increase in gender inequality, injustice and social inequality (Noble & Costa, 1999). Transport of tourist particular air transport, is energy intensive to a great extent and result in emissions of pollutants. Many activities by tourists such as boating, mountain hiking, water sport, trekking and skiing cause stress to ecosystems that are fragile. Many times tourists lack awareness and information concerning the impact they cause to the environment and different culture. Whereas they may be willing to learn, they are usually not aware of behavior that is inappropriate and possess little guidance on the way of improving. According to Edgell (2006), others adamantly refuse to adapt to local lifestyles regardless of being told. They emphasize their freedom on behaving according to their whims. Whereas the tourism industry may try to modify their services and products, there is an existing conflict between the pursuit of the economic gains by the industry and environmental and social responsibility. Sustainability concerning corporate practices is self-regulated. Conflict of interest in the industry and low awareness of the consumers on the impact of tourism, have occasioned escalating abuse of ‘green’ labeling. The mass media by means of television through reports of sights and events and films, are very influential in shaping travel decisions and behavior of the consumer in the destinations. The programs are only as advertisements that paint the destinations images as opposed to providing to potential travelers relevant information (Carrigan, 2010). There is absence of appropriate and reliable research data on tourists demand determinants, behavior and motivation. Very few countries collect such data which is vey important for sustainable criteria development. Carrigan (2010) majority of studies of behavior of tourist emphasize on market segments or mainstream market without modeling or assessing sustainable alternatives. Governments in most local communities and tourists’ destinations, have scanty or no information concerning what they are to expect from incoming tourists and tourism and how to control and influence tourism and direct the behavior of tourists. They are influenced by global or international institutions, consumers and the industry. Governments are yet adequately aware of their responsibility and methods of influencing the behavior of tourists by legal and political guidelines and appropriate policies and planning. Trade unions have successfully advocated for more vacation and shorter working hour but are yet to get involved in advocating for more sustainability in the tourism industry (Eagles, Bowman, & Teresa, 2005). Tourism and the Environment Natural environment is a very crucial resource for tourism. Due increase in urbanization, destinations in developing and industrialized countries with relevant natural features, cultural heritage, biodiversity and scenery, are becoming very popular as tourists destinations. All efforts to enhance and preserve the natural environment are supposed to be a priority for the governments and the industry. In reality this is not too obvious. According to Carrigan (2010), the environments where man’s activities have been little are usually fragile. Small islands, wetlands, coastal areas, deserts and mountains which are famous tourism destinations are among five of the six ecosystems that are fragile as highlighted by Agenda 21that need specific action by international donors and the government. These habitats biophysical characteristics usually make them prone to damage particularly due to activities of man (Miller, 1993). With increase in tourism, the use of resource threatens to be unsustainable. With a physical environment that is degraded the destination faces the danger of having its original attraction disappear therefore making the levels of cheaper mass tourism to increase and compelling tourism that is more nature-based to shift to new destinations, which in many occasions are even more fragile and inaccessible. Eagles et al (2005) note that mainstream ‘ecotourism’ as enhanced following Rio Earth Summit, has not often enjoyed a reputation that is good. Tour operators have utilized the concept as merely a ‘green-wash’ tool of marketing. In practice it often translated to the introduction of levels of tourism that are unsustainable into areas that are fragile, having little consideration for the residents or the environment of the destination areas. According to Weaver et al. (2009) different kinds of effects that tourism operational and development activities can have comprise of: Threats to biodiversity and ecosystems like loss rare species and wildlife, degradation and loss of habitat; deforestation-which has an impact on water and soil quality and reduction by local communities of forest products; over use of water due to tourism recreational activities like swimming pools, golf courses and consumptions in hotels; urban problem which include overcrowding and congestion, increased traffic of vehicle with its effect like noise and air pollution; climate change from fossil fuel and recreational requirements; inequitable and unsustainable use of resources-water and energy overuse, excessive wastes production, garbage and litter are other impacts that are common. Economics and Tourism Economic advantages have been a main driving force for tourism growth in many countries that are developing. The initial period of immense growth occurred in the late 1970s and 1960s when tourism was seen as the activity that was depended on for the generation of employment and foreign exchange by governments and development organizations such as the World Bank. In spite of tourism negative economic impact (like outsider dominance in property and land markets, inflation, inward-migration jeopardizing economic opportunities for domestic industries) the demand for tourism and travel continues to post immense growth. From 1990 to 200 there was about 40% tourism cumulative growth. The demand was propelled by economic gains at all levels including communities found in remote and isolated destinations. In many tourist destinations in the countries that are developing the livelihood impacts of tourism come in various forms. Wages and jobs are but a portion of livelihood advantages and usually not the significant ones. Tourism is responsible for generation of local income that involves: wages from formal employment, earnings of sale of casual labor, services and goods, profits and dividends emanating from locally owned enterprises, and collective income from enterprises that are run by the community, dividends from land rental paid by an investor and private sector partnership. Waged employment is enough to change a household from footing that is insecure to secure, but unfortunately it may only be available to a few people who may not be even poor. Casual earnings might be very little but greatly spread, and may be adequate to cover school fees needs for one or few children. Participation by the local in the industry can be grouped into; informal sector (like vending), formal sector (like restaurants) and secondary enterprise that can be traced to be linked to tourism such as telecommunication and food retail. Strategies for sustainable tourism The key priority for regional and national government is to integrate tourism development and planning adequately into overall strategies of sustainable development. Government policies of promoting domestic tourism industry and attract foreign direct investment should make sure tourism is properly managed and planned in order to reduce adverse impacts to the environment and its natural resources use. Owing to the fact that the environmental effects of development of tourism is initially felt at the regional and local levels, national governments are required to promote public environmental management decentralization to the municipal and regional levels (Swarbrooke & Horner, 2004). Given that in most countries, regional and local governments already are vested with responsibilities that are important for development of tourism, central governments are supposed to support programs for capacity building at lower levels in order to facilitate regional and local authorities to respond to challenges better in relation to development of sustainable tourism in areas falling in their jurisdiction. Carrigan (2010) notes that local and national governments also are required to come up with clear methods of monitoring progress towards sustainable tourism. Governments can benefit immensely by working alongside all the stakeholders, even the local communities, to make sure that their active participation in tourism management, development and planning (Carrigan, 2010). Integration of local communities in sharing of benefits and decision making assist in generation of better awareness of tourism environmental costs and consequently providing adequate incentives for natural resource conservation and protection of local environmental assets. Governments with the support of the tourism industry and other stakeholders need to support and promote various alternatives to raise public awareness concerning tourists’ impact on destinations, to enhance respect for local communities and their respective cultures and to protect the environment significantly. Such awareness can lead to positive behavior change for host communities, tourism workers and tourists themselves (Brebbia & Pineda, 2006). Tourism that is sustainable can be enhanced by carefully mixing government policies comprising market-based and direct regulation instruments. Whereas financial incentives that promote activities that are environmental damaging like energy subsidies should be minimized or eliminated. The challenge to the governments is to come up and apply effectively an appropriate mix of economic and regulatory instruments for both environmental protection and management of sustainable natural resources. The effective direct tool for enhancing sustainable tourism comprise the use of regulatory mechanisms like coastal zone management and land-use planning that is integrated (Weaver, 2006). Batta (2000) argues that it is essential to protect coastlines through rigid restriction on building. This has been applied in island nation of Maldives where there is a restriction on how far from the coast does an investor has to put up a restaurant and there are some islands where building of any form is prohibited. Mass tourism should be carefully monitored, regulated and some instances prohibited in areas that are ecologically fragile. Apart from regulation, the governments should opt to use economic instruments to enhance sustainable tourism even in areas that are remote where institutional capacity for environmental regulation may be very limited (Batta, 2000). One way of dealing with externalities is internalizing them through taxes in order to make sure the full production costs are reflected in the prices. One famous example of charging user fees to enhance conservation of the environment is the Netherlands Antilles Bonaire marine protected areas. It was the first marine parks to be protected in the Caribbean and become fully self-financing by means of levying fees for admission on scuba divers. This fee was initially opposed to sighting negative impact on future demand. This is a clear message that sustainable tourism can be enhanced through such means (Weaver, Hall & Gössling, 2009). Conclusion There is anticipation in rapid growth of tourism owing to rising incomes and improved living standards and efficiency in transport especially due to competition among the airlines. This expansion has to be tapped for raising the standards of the local communities in the host nations and also maximum enjoyment of the tourists. On the negative side it is expected it will have an adverse impact on the community’s socio-cultural settings and the environment. In order to promote sustainable tourism it calls for the participation of all stakeholders and increased awareness of the impact of tourism on the ecosystem and biodiversity. In this paper sustainable tourism has been discussed narrowing down to economic and environmental impact of tourism and the various strategies that can be applied to foster sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism should be the goal and passion of every government looking forward to expansion in tourism. References Weaver, B. D. (2006). Sustainable tourism: theory and practice. Oxford: Butterworth- Heinemann. Edgell, L.D. (2006). Managing sustainable tourism: a legacy for the future. New York: Routledge. Weaver, B.D, Hall, C.M. & Gössling, S. (2009). Sustainable Tourism Futures: Perspectives on Systems, Restructuring and Innovations. New Jersey: Taylor & Francis. Hall, D. & Richards, G. (2003). Tourism and sustainable community development. New York: Routledge. Batta, R.N. (2000). Tourism and the environment: a quest for sustainability : with special reference to developing countries, and policy analysis on Himachal Pradesh. New Delhi: Indus Publishing. Eagles, F.J.P., Bowman, E.M. & Teresa, C. (2005). Guidelines for Tourism in Parks and Protected Areas of East Asia. Doha: IUCN. Noble, G.A. & Costa, F.J. (1999). Preserving the legacy: concepts in support of sustainability. Manhattan Lexington Books. Carrigan, A. (2010). Postcolonial Tourism: Literature, Culture, and Environment. New Jersey: Taylor & Francis. Miller, M. (1993). The Rise of Coastal and Marine Tourism. Special Issue on Ecotourism in Marine and Coastal Areas, Ocean and Coastal Management, 21 (1-3): 183-199. Swarbrooke, J. & Horner, S. (2004). International cases in tourism management. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Crabtree, A. & Black, R. (2007). Quality assurance and certification in ecotourism. London: CABI. Brebbia, C.A & Pineda, F.D. (2006). Sustainable tourism II. Philadelphia: WIT Press. Hall, M.C. & Lew, A.A. (1998). Sustainable tourism: a geographical perspective. Osaka: Longman. Read More

There is absence of appropriate and reliable research data on tourists demand determinants, behavior and motivation. Very few countries collect such data which is vey important for sustainable criteria development. Carrigan (2010) majority of studies of behavior of tourist emphasize on market segments or mainstream market without modeling or assessing sustainable alternatives. Governments in most local communities and tourists’ destinations, have scanty or no information concerning what they are to expect from incoming tourists and tourism and how to control and influence tourism and direct the behavior of tourists.

They are influenced by global or international institutions, consumers and the industry. Governments are yet adequately aware of their responsibility and methods of influencing the behavior of tourists by legal and political guidelines and appropriate policies and planning. Trade unions have successfully advocated for more vacation and shorter working hour but are yet to get involved in advocating for more sustainability in the tourism industry (Eagles, Bowman, & Teresa, 2005). Tourism and the Environment Natural environment is a very crucial resource for tourism.

Due increase in urbanization, destinations in developing and industrialized countries with relevant natural features, cultural heritage, biodiversity and scenery, are becoming very popular as tourists destinations. All efforts to enhance and preserve the natural environment are supposed to be a priority for the governments and the industry. In reality this is not too obvious. According to Carrigan (2010), the environments where man’s activities have been little are usually fragile. Small islands, wetlands, coastal areas, deserts and mountains which are famous tourism destinations are among five of the six ecosystems that are fragile as highlighted by Agenda 21that need specific action by international donors and the government.

These habitats biophysical characteristics usually make them prone to damage particularly due to activities of man (Miller, 1993). With increase in tourism, the use of resource threatens to be unsustainable. With a physical environment that is degraded the destination faces the danger of having its original attraction disappear therefore making the levels of cheaper mass tourism to increase and compelling tourism that is more nature-based to shift to new destinations, which in many occasions are even more fragile and inaccessible.

Eagles et al (2005) note that mainstream ‘ecotourism’ as enhanced following Rio Earth Summit, has not often enjoyed a reputation that is good. Tour operators have utilized the concept as merely a ‘green-wash’ tool of marketing. In practice it often translated to the introduction of levels of tourism that are unsustainable into areas that are fragile, having little consideration for the residents or the environment of the destination areas. According to Weaver et al. (2009) different kinds of effects that tourism operational and development activities can have comprise of: Threats to biodiversity and ecosystems like loss rare species and wildlife, degradation and loss of habitat; deforestation-which has an impact on water and soil quality and reduction by local communities of forest products; over use of water due to tourism recreational activities like swimming pools, golf courses and consumptions in hotels; urban problem which include overcrowding and congestion, increased traffic of vehicle with its effect like noise and air pollution; climate change from fossil fuel and recreational requirements; inequitable and unsustainable use of resources-water and energy overuse, excessive wastes production, garbage and litter are other impacts that are common.

Economics and Tourism Economic advantages have been a main driving force for tourism growth in many countries that are developing. The initial period of immense growth occurred in the late 1970s and 1960s when tourism was seen as the activity that was depended on for the generation of employment and foreign exchange by governments and development organizations such as the World Bank.

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