Sustainable tourism



ECC14Sustainable tourismresearchBy Candine GarriquesHospitality Day School 10T10456IntroductionOne does not have to be an optimist to believe that tourism will grow substantially over the next century. Apparently, however, one does from time to time become an optimist to regard this as positive development as tourism as been accused of being a destroyer of natural environment, a destroyer of valued lifestyle and age old cultures and an exploiter of poor nations.This research proves that those accusation can be avoided and that tourism can be sustained if we follow strict practices and adhere to government rules and regulation as well as to create awareness, among other reason, in order for the successful sustainability of tourism for the economy, environment and cultural tourism attractions.Thesis StatementIs the idea that tourism could be sustainable a reality or is it an impossibility? Discuss your thoughts on whether it is possible to balance the environment, economy, and culture of tourist destinations to achieve sustainability. According to Macintosh and Goeldner (1986) tourism is “A collection of activities, services and industries that delivers a travel experience, including transportation, accommodations, eating and drinking establishments, retail shops, entertainment businesses, activity facilities and other hospitality services provided for individuals or groups traveling away from home”. Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability. And as such I strongly believe that the environment, economy and culture of tourist destinations can be sustainable by:Making the best use of environmental resources that represent key elements in tourism development, maintaining vital ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity. Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires constant monitoring of impacts, introducing the necessary preventive and/or corrective measures whenever necessary and maintaining a high level of tourist satisfaction to ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them.The EconomyTourism is an important part of Jamaica’s economy. Because of the island’s warm climate and year-round sunshine, its beaches and beautiful landscape, many thousands of people from all over the world come here each year for a holiday.According to World Commission on Environment and Development 1987 “the idea of sustainable development is that economic growth and environmental conservation are not only compatible, they are necessary partners. One cannot live without the other”. And as such economic tourism is tourism that is developed and maintained in a manner, and at such a scale, that it remains economically viable over an unlimited period and does not undermine the physical and human environment that sustains and nurtures it. The country then needs to be economically sustainable, because if tourism is not profitable then the country’s economy will operate at a loss. In order to achieve economical sustainability we can first satisfy customer demand, and second, by creating local employment.Another factor to address in order for the economy to become sustainable is leakages. Leakage is a concept within the study of tourism that refers to the way in which revenue generated by tourism is lost to other countries' economies. Leakage may be so significant in some developing countries that it partially neutralizes the money generated by tourism, this can be done in ways such as:Goods and services- Many countries must purchase goods and services to satisfy their visitors. This includes the cost of raw materials used to make tourism-related goods, such as souvenirs. For starting tourism industries, this is a significant problem, as some countries must import as much as 50% of tourism-related products.Infrastructure- Some less economically developed countries do not have the domestic ability to build tourism-related infrastructure (hotels, airports, etc.). The cost of such infrastructure is then leaked out of the country.Foreign factors of production- Smaller countries often require foreign investment to start their tourism industry. Thus, profits from tourism may be lost to foreign investors. In addition, travel agents outside of the destination country remove money from that market as well.Promotional expenditures- Many countries spend considerable sums of money for advertisements and publicity. Maintaining a presence abroad may increase the volume of tourists to a country but also represent a considerable loss of money to foreign markets.Transfer pricing- Many foreign companies manipulate their pricing to reduce taxes and other duties. In smaller or less developed countries, where many tourism-related companies may be foreign owned, this can represent a substantial loss of income.Tax exemptions- Countries with a small tourism industry may have to give tax exemptions or other offers to increase foreign investment. While this may enlarge the tourism industry there, it must be taken into account as an instrument of income loss.For many countries, some sources of leakage are unavoidable. Foreign-owned hotels and airlines are necessary for all but the most established of tourism industries. However, encouragement of domestic involvement in a country's tourism industry may reduce leakage in the long run. Currently, the most popular measure is restrictions on spending. Countries may limit the use of foreign currency within their borders, reducing the effect of transfer pricing . Many countries require visitors to have a certain amount of money before entering, as well.The environmentWith increased awareness of the fragile nature of our country and its beauty, it is not surprising that there has also been an increased demand for travel to unique and remarkable environments around the world, known as environmental tourism. This is the occurrence of increasing travel to places of environmental interest. It is travel that focuses on the ecological surroundings of the destination, which is generally a place overflowing with natural beauty and wonder. The concept of environmental tourism is that people will become more engaged with the ecological and sociocultural concerns of the a country through firsthand experience, and thus be more active in conservation and making change. I therefore believe that environmental tourism can be sustained by:Deforestation Deforestation refers to the cutting, clearing, and removal of rainforest or related ecosystems into less bio-diverse ecosystems such as pasture, cropland, or plantations (Kricher, 1997). In order to maintain deforestation the clear cutting of forests must be banned. This will curb total depletion of the forest cover. It is a practical solution and is very feasible. Land skinned of its tree cover for urban settlements should be urged to plant trees in the vicinity and replace the cut trees. Also the cutting must be replaced by planting young trees to replace the older ones that were cut. PollutionPollution occurs when pollutants contaminate the natural surroundings; which brings about changes that affect our normal lifestyles adversely. Pollution occurs in many ways but the four main ways are land, water,air and noise and as such a country should educate its citizens on the cause and effect of each pollution identified and measures to prevent them.Take step to achieve sustainable production and consumption pattern while ensuring people’s livelihoods and access to resources-In manufacturing, promote technologies for eco-efficiency, recycling, remanufacturing and product durability, Promote education and awareness rising on environmental issues within government and in school, communities and workplacesEnsure that a country’s resources and indigenous species such as flora and fauna both land and sea are protected.Adhere to strict environmental practices to ensure the surrounding is clean attractive and healthy for tourist enjoyment. Culture of tourist destinationsA tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure, adventure, and amusement. Natural beauty such as beaches, tropical island resorts with coral reefs, hiking and camping in national parks, mountains and forests, are examples of traditional tourist attractions.In order for the successful sustainability of a country’s culture in their tourist destinations one should:Ensure that the country’s resources and indigenous species such as flora and fauna both land and sea are protected.Adhere to strict environmental practices to ensure the surrounding is clean attractive and healthy for tourist enjoyment. Make optimal use of environmental resources that compose a key element in tourism destinations development Maintain essential conservation processes to natural resources and biodiversity.Conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.Conclusion Tourism represents an acknowledgement of the value of resource in a country and the desire to experience them, and learn from them. And as such sustainable tourism development guidelines and management practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations in the Caribbean, ranging from traditional package forms of tourism to the various niche market segments. They should make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintain essential ecological processes and help to conserve natural resources and biodiversity. Sustainable forms of tourism should respect the socio-cultural authenticity, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance, also contribute to improving the quality of life enjoyed by citizens and cause meaningful local participation in the sector, bringing about lasting beneficial effects to communities to ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits that are fairly distributed to all stakeholders. This includes stable employment and income earning opportunities in addition to social services which contribute to poverty and unemployment.There is no single model for the implementation of sustainable tourism. Instead, a mix of the right management practices, legislative instruments and forms of partnership is needed, depending on the given situation. While the growth of tourism will inevitably present challenge over the next century, partially in less developed nations, on balance there is enough reason not to be reversibly optimistic about its ultimate sustainability, therefore, the evidence presented in this research has highlighted ways of sustaining tourism in the economy, environment and culture of tourist destinations.ReferencesMaking Tourism More Sustainable - A Guide for Policy Makers, UNEP and UNWTO, 2005, p.11-12 Retrieved October 15, 2014Butcher ,J. (1997) Sustainable Development or Development? In M. Sabler (ed.) Tourism and Sustainability : Principles to practice pp.27-38 Wellingtonford; CAD International. Retrieved October 15, 2014Dowling, R. (1993) an environmental based planning model for regional tourism development. Journal of sustainable tourism 1(1) 17-36 Retrieved October 15, 2014Ko, J. (2001) assessing progress of tourism sustainability. Annals of tourism research 28 (3) 817-820 Retrieved October 15, 2014Lane, B. (1994) sustainable rural tourism strategies: a tool for development and conservation. Journal of sustainable tourism 2 102-111 Retrieved October 15, 2014Hughes, J. (1996) Tourism and the Environment: a sustainable pattern-ship? Scottish geographic magazine 112 (2) 107 Retrieved October 15, 2014Henry,I. sand Jackson G (1996) Sustainability of Management Processes and tourism product and context: journal of sustainable tourism 7 (2) 97-107 Retrieved October 15, 2014WWWF-UK (2000) Tourism certification: an analysis of green globe 21 and other tourism certification programmes, a report by Synergy for WWW-F UK London Retrieved October 15, 2014Weiler, B and Ham,S. (2002) Tour guide training: a model for Sustainable Capacity Building in developing countries Retrieved October 15, 2014WWW.gleaner (2014). Retrieved October 17, 2014 ................
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