Sustainable tourism: Difference between revisions
86.54.74.80 (talk) |
cleaned up intro and eco, deleted examples and criticism |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Sustainability|Sustainable]] tourism in its purest sense, is an industry committed to making a low impact on the [[natural environment]] and local [[culture]], while helping to generate income and employment for locals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/eco-tour.html|title=Urban Environmental Management Sustainable Tourism|publisher=Global Development Research Center|accessdate=2007-12-06}}</ref> |
|||
Global economists forecast continuing international [[tourism]] growth, ranging between three and six percent annually, depending on the location. As one of the world's largest and fastest growing industries, this continuous growth will place great stress on remaining biologically diverse habitats, which are often used to support mass tourism. Tourists who promote sustainable tourism are |
Global economists forecast continuing international [[tourism]] growth, ranging between three and six percent annually, depending on the location. As one of the world's largest and fastest growing industries, this continuous growth will place great stress on remaining biologically diverse habitats and indigenous cultures, which are often used to support mass tourism. Tourists who promote sustainable tourism are sensitive to these dangers and seek to protect tourist destinations, and to protect tourism as an industry. Sustainable tourists can reduce the impact of tourism in many ways, including: |
||
*informing themselves of the [[culture]], [[politics]], and [[economy]] of the communities |
*informing themselves of the [[culture]], [[politics]], and [[economy]] of the communities visited |
||
*anticipating and respecting local cultures' expectations and assumptions |
*anticipating and respecting local cultures' expectations and assumptions |
||
*contributing to intercultural understanding and tolerance |
*contributing to intercultural understanding and tolerance |
||
*supporting the integrity of local cultures by favoring businesses which conserve cultural heritage |
*supporting the integrity of local cultures by favoring businesses which conserve cultural heritage and traditional values |
||
*supporting local economies by purchasing local goods and participating with small, local businesses |
*supporting local economies by purchasing local goods and participating with small, local businesses |
||
*conserving resources by seeking out businesses that are environmentally conscious, and by using the least possible amount of [[non-renewable resource]]s |
*conserving resources by seeking out businesses that are environmentally conscious, and by using the least possible amount of [[non-renewable resource]]s |
||
The locals have major roles to play in sustainable tourism too. Sustainable tourism involves locals participating actively and taking responsibility in this industry. For example, they could sell local handicrafts or simply talk with tourists to give them an authentic image of the local culture. The Multilateral Investment Fund MIF tries to help in this aspect. It aims to boost the competitiveness of locally owned small and medium enterprises, helping them to organize themselves and work toward the shared goals of increasing income, employment and economic development. See the Sustainable Tourism Action Plan and project proposal Guidelines{{Fact|date=February 2008}} |
|||
{{Original research|date=March 2008}} |
|||
Increasingly, destinations and tourism operations are endorsing and following "responsible tourism" as a pathway towards sustainable tourism. Responsible tourism and sustainable tourism have an identical goal, that of [[sustainable development]]. The pillars of responsible tourism are therefore the same as those of sustainable tourism – environmental integrity, social justice and economic development. The major difference between the two is that, in responsible tourism, individuals, organisations and businesses are asked to take responsibility for their actions and the impacts of their actions. This shift in emphasis has taken place because some stakeholders feel that insufficient progress towards realising sustainable tourism has been made since the [[Earth Summit]] in Rio. This is partly because everyone has been expecting others to behave in a sustainable manner. The emphasis on responsibility in responsible tourism means that everyone involved in tourism – government, product owners and operators, transport operators, community services, NGO’s and CBO’s, tourists, local communities, industry associations – are responsible for achieving the goals of responsible tourism. {{Fact|date=March 2008}} |
Increasingly, destinations and tourism operations are endorsing and following "responsible tourism" as a pathway towards sustainable tourism. Responsible tourism and sustainable tourism have an identical goal, that of [[sustainable development]]. The pillars of responsible tourism are therefore the same as those of sustainable tourism – environmental integrity, social justice and economic development. The major difference between the two is that, in responsible tourism, individuals, organisations and businesses are asked to take responsibility for their actions and the impacts of their actions. This shift in emphasis has taken place because some stakeholders feel that insufficient progress towards realising sustainable tourism has been made since the [[Earth Summit]] in Rio. This is partly because everyone has been expecting others to behave in a sustainable manner. The emphasis on responsibility in responsible tourism means that everyone involved in tourism – government, product owners and operators, transport operators, community services, NGO’s and CBO’s, tourists, local communities, industry associations – are responsible for achieving the goals of responsible tourism. {{Fact|date=March 2008}} |
||
==Ecotourism== |
==Ecotourism== |
||
{{Further|[[Ecotourism]]}} |
{{Further|[[Ecotourism]]}} |
||
'''Ecotourism''', also known as '''ecological tourism''', is a form of [[Sustinable Tourism]], differing by its focus on ecology. Ecotourism focuses on volunteering, personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet; typically involving travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. |
|||
Ecotourism, according to Heather Robinson (2006), is a subset of sustainable tourism, differing by its focus on [[ecology]]. Ecotourism is sustainable tourism that "contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage; includes local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation, contributing to their well-being; interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitors; and lends itself better to independent travellers, as well as to organized tours for small size groups".{{Fact|date=February 2008}} In simple words ecotourism means while practicing any kind of tourism, one should not harm nature. For today's fast changing world, ecotourism is an effective means through which humans can save nature from the ever growing tourism industry, an extremely polluting one. Through respecting Nature and her rules,<!-- What, the laws of physics? Survival of the fittest? --> it is hoped that the ecology can be maintained, allowing for future tourism without natural resources being exhausted as quickly. |
|||
Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is in the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities.<ref name="Randall">{{cite book |last= Randall |first=A. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Resource economics, Second Edition |origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |date= |year=1987|month= |publisher=John Wiley and Sons |location=New York, USA |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= }}</ref> Such changes have become a statement affirming one's social identity, educational sophistication, and disposable income as it has about preserving the Amazon rainforest or the Caribbean reef for posterity.<ref name="Kamauro">{{cite book |last= Kamauro |first=O. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Ecotourism: Suicide or Development? Voices from Africa #6: Sustainable Development, UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service |origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |date= |year=1996 |month= |publisher=United Nations News Service |location= |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Vivanco">{{cite book |last= Vivanco |first=L. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Ecotourism, Paradise lost - A Thai case study |origdate= |origyear= |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |date= |year=2002 |month= |publisher=The Ecologist |location= |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages='''32'''(2):28-30 |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= }}</ref> |
|||
Popular destinations for ecotourism are [[Bonito]], a small city located in [[Brazil]], [[Hawaii]], [[Sri Lanka]] and certain parts of [[East Malaysia]]. |
|||
==Coastal tourism== |
==Coastal tourism== |
||
Many [[coastal]] areas are experiencing particular pressure from [[seachange (demography)|seachange]] growth in lifestyles and growing numbers of tourists. Coastal environments are limited in extent consisting of only a narrow strip along the edge of the [[ocean]]. Coastal areas are often the first environments to experience the detrimental impacts of tourism. [[Planning]] and [[management]] controls can reduce the impact on coastal environments <ref>[http://www.yoto98.noaa.gov/yoto/meeting/tour_rec_316.html Sustainable Coastal Tourism Paper]</ref> and ensure that investment into tourism products supports sustainable coastal tourism. <ref>[http://www.deh.gov.au/coasts/publications/coastal-tourism/index.html Australian Sustainable Coastal Tourism Policy]</ref> |
Many [[coastal]] areas are experiencing particular pressure from [[seachange (demography)|seachange]] growth in lifestyles and growing numbers of tourists. Coastal environments are limited in extent consisting of only a narrow strip along the edge of the [[ocean]]. Coastal areas are often the first environments to experience the detrimental impacts of tourism. [[Planning]] and [[management]] controls can reduce the impact on coastal environments <ref>[http://www.yoto98.noaa.gov/yoto/meeting/tour_rec_316.html Sustainable Coastal Tourism Paper]</ref> and ensure that investment into tourism products supports sustainable coastal tourism. <ref>[http://www.deh.gov.au/coasts/publications/coastal-tourism/index.html Australian Sustainable Coastal Tourism Policy]</ref> |
||
Investment into appropriate coastal tourism [[infrastructure]] can also assist coastal environments support larger numbers of residents and tourists. Examples include paved [[esplanade]]s that support large numbers of coastal visitors. The same number of visitors visiting an undeveloped coastline would feel much more crowded and damage sensitive coastal environments. [[Beach nourishment]] is an example of infrastructure that supports the natural capacity of the environment [IENCE] to support tourist and resident [[lifestyle]]s. |
|||
==Community-based management== |
==Community-based management== |
||
| Line 33: | Line 29: | ||
Community-based sustainable tourism (CBST) associates the success of the sustainability of the ecotourism location to the management practices of the communities who are directly or indirectly dependent on the location for their livelihoods. |
Community-based sustainable tourism (CBST) associates the success of the sustainability of the ecotourism location to the management practices of the communities who are directly or indirectly dependent on the location for their livelihoods. |
||
A salient feature of CBST is that local knowledge is usually utilised alongside wide general frameworks of ecotourism business models. This allows the participation of locals at the management level and typically allows a more intimate understanding of the environment. The use of local knowledge also means an easier entry level into a tourism industry for locals whose jobs or livelihoods are affected by the use of their environment as tourism locations. The involvement of locals restores the ownership of the environment to the local community and allows an alternative sustainable form of development for communities and their environments that are typically unable to support other forms of development. |
A salient feature of CBST is that local knowledge is usually utilised alongside wide general frameworks of ecotourism business models. This allows the participation of locals at the management level and typically allows a more intimate understanding of the environment. The use of local knowledge also means an easier entry level into a tourism industry for locals whose jobs or livelihoods are affected by the use of their environment as tourism locations. The involvement of locals restores the ownership of the environment to the local community and allows an alternative sustainable form of development for communities and their environments that are typically unable to support other forms of development.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} |
||
==Stakeholders== |
==Stakeholders== |
||
| Line 57: | Line 53: | ||
[[Air travel]] is perhaps the worst offender in this regard, contributing to between 2 and 3% of global carbon emissions <ref>[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc/aviation/069.htm IPCC]</ref>. Given a business-as-usual approach, this could be expected to rise to 5% by 2015 and 10% by 2050. Car travel is the next worst offender. |
[[Air travel]] is perhaps the worst offender in this regard, contributing to between 2 and 3% of global carbon emissions <ref>[http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc/aviation/069.htm IPCC]</ref>. Given a business-as-usual approach, this could be expected to rise to 5% by 2015 and 10% by 2050. Car travel is the next worst offender. |
||
Mass transport is the most climate friendly method of travel, and generally the rule is "the bigger the better" - compared to cars, buses are relatively more sustainable, and trains and ships are even more so. Human energy and [[renewable energy]] are the most efficient, and hence, sustainable. Travel by [[bicycle]], [[solar power]]ed car, or [[sailing boat]] produces no carbon emissions (although the [[embodied energy]] in these vehicles generally comes at the expense of carbon emission). |
Mass transport is the most climate friendly method of travel, and generally the rule is "the bigger the better" - compared to cars, buses are relatively more sustainable, and trains and ships are even more so. Human energy and [[renewable energy]] are the most efficient, and hence, sustainable. Travel by [[bicycle]], [[solar power]]ed car, or [[sailing boat]] produces no carbon emissions (although the [[embodied energy]] in these vehicles generally comes at the expense of carbon emission).{{Fact|date=April 2008}} |
||
==Examples== |
|||
Sustainable tourism is encouraged especially in areas dependent on tourism, more specifically, ecotourism. There is a desire to prolong the tourist attraction's lifespan, in order to ensure a positive effect on the economy. |
|||
Sustainable tourism only allows for a few tourists at a time to minimise the impacts done to the ecology. |
|||
An example will include the [[Komodo National Park]] in [[Indonesia]] where the attraction is the lush nature and the exotic wildlife, including the endomic Komodo Park. The goals for Komodo National Park are to protect its biodiversity (particularly the [[Komodo dragon]]) and the breeding stocks of commercial fishes for replenishment of surrounding fishing grounds. The main challenge is to reduce both threats to the terrestrial and coastal marine resources and while avoiding conflicts between stakeholders. A comprehensive 25 year management plan completed in 2000 provides the basis for adaptive management to regulate all uses in the park and address threats while maximizing benefits for local communities in a sustainable way. |
|||
Another example is [[Ujung Kulon]], also found in Indonesia. It is home to lush rainforest and the rare Javan rhinoceros and is also Indonesia's first national park. It is also home to [[Krakatoa]], one of the more famous range of volcanoes in the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]]. |
|||
The [[Great Barrier Reef]], in [[Australia]], is inscribed on the [[World Heritage List]] in recognition of its outstanding natural sights. The [[Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority]], together with the [[Queensland]] Government as well as other non-governmental agencies, work together to manage the area, preventing further environmental degradation due to tourism. |
|||
==Criticism== |
|||
Ecotourism has been criticised by academics, especially in third-world countries.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} |
|||
In order to establish the necessary infrastructure to serve tourist demands, third-world countries take loans from economically stronger countries, adding to the already overwhelming financial burden. The financial profit earned from this venture goes towards repaying loans, rather than improving public services, or promote natural conservation. |
|||
Ecotourism often also tends to threaten the ecosystems that it strives to preserve. Increasing tourism in an area can negatively impact [[soil structure]] and will increase the likelihood of introducing non-biodegradable wastes or [[invasive species]]. |
|||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
* [[Green conventions]] |
* [[Green conventions]] |
||
* [[Volunteer vacation]] |
* [[Volunteer vacation]] |
||
* [[ |
* [[Sustainable Tourism CRC]] |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Revision as of 20:51, 18 April 2008
Sustainable tourism in its purest sense, is an industry committed to making a low impact on the natural environment and local culture, while helping to generate income and employment for locals.[1]
Global economists forecast continuing international tourism growth, ranging between three and six percent annually, depending on the location. As one of the world's largest and fastest growing industries, this continuous growth will place great stress on remaining biologically diverse habitats and indigenous cultures, which are often used to support mass tourism. Tourists who promote sustainable tourism are sensitive to these dangers and seek to protect tourist destinations, and to protect tourism as an industry. Sustainable tourists can reduce the impact of tourism in many ways, including:
- informing themselves of the culture, politics, and economy of the communities visited
- anticipating and respecting local cultures' expectations and assumptions
- contributing to intercultural understanding and tolerance
- supporting the integrity of local cultures by favoring businesses which conserve cultural heritage and traditional values
- supporting local economies by purchasing local goods and participating with small, local businesses
- conserving resources by seeking out businesses that are environmentally conscious, and by using the least possible amount of non-renewable resources
Increasingly, destinations and tourism operations are endorsing and following "responsible tourism" as a pathway towards sustainable tourism. Responsible tourism and sustainable tourism have an identical goal, that of sustainable development. The pillars of responsible tourism are therefore the same as those of sustainable tourism – environmental integrity, social justice and economic development. The major difference between the two is that, in responsible tourism, individuals, organisations and businesses are asked to take responsibility for their actions and the impacts of their actions. This shift in emphasis has taken place because some stakeholders feel that insufficient progress towards realising sustainable tourism has been made since the Earth Summit in Rio. This is partly because everyone has been expecting others to behave in a sustainable manner. The emphasis on responsibility in responsible tourism means that everyone involved in tourism – government, product owners and operators, transport operators, community services, NGO’s and CBO’s, tourists, local communities, industry associations – are responsible for achieving the goals of responsible tourism. [citation needed]
Ecotourism
Ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, is a form of Sustinable Tourism, differing by its focus on ecology. Ecotourism focuses on volunteering, personal growth, and learning new ways to live on the planet; typically involving travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.
Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is in the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities.[2] Such changes have become a statement affirming one's social identity, educational sophistication, and disposable income as it has about preserving the Amazon rainforest or the Caribbean reef for posterity.[3][4]
Coastal tourism
Many coastal areas are experiencing particular pressure from seachange growth in lifestyles and growing numbers of tourists. Coastal environments are limited in extent consisting of only a narrow strip along the edge of the ocean. Coastal areas are often the first environments to experience the detrimental impacts of tourism. Planning and management controls can reduce the impact on coastal environments [5] and ensure that investment into tourism products supports sustainable coastal tourism. [6]
Community-based management
There has been the promotion of sustainable tourism practices surrounding the management of tourist locations by locals or more concisely, the community. This form of tourism is based on the premise that the people living next to a resource are the ones best suited to protecting it. This means that the tourism activities and businesses are developed and operated by local community members, and certainly with their consent and support.
Sustainable tourism typically involves the conservation of resources that are capitalized upon for tourism purposes, such as coral reefs and pristine forests. Locals run the businesses and are responsible for promoting the conservation messages to protect their environment.
Community-based sustainable tourism (CBST) associates the success of the sustainability of the ecotourism location to the management practices of the communities who are directly or indirectly dependent on the location for their livelihoods.
A salient feature of CBST is that local knowledge is usually utilised alongside wide general frameworks of ecotourism business models. This allows the participation of locals at the management level and typically allows a more intimate understanding of the environment. The use of local knowledge also means an easier entry level into a tourism industry for locals whose jobs or livelihoods are affected by the use of their environment as tourism locations. The involvement of locals restores the ownership of the environment to the local community and allows an alternative sustainable form of development for communities and their environments that are typically unable to support other forms of development.[citation needed]
Stakeholders
Stakeholders of sustainable tourism play a role in continuing this form of tourism. This can include organizations as well as individuals.
Non-governmental organizations
Non-governmental organizations are one of the stakeholders in advocating sustainable tourism. Their roles can range from spearheading sustainable tourism practices to simply doing research. University research teams and scientists can be roped in to aid in the process of planning. Such solicitation of research can be observed in the planning of Cat Ba National Park in Vietnam.
Dive resort operators in Bunaken National Park, Indonesia, play a crucial role but developing exclusive zones for diving and fishing respectively, such that both tourists and locals can benefit from the venture
Large conventions, meetings and other major organized events drive the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Cities and convention centers compete to attract such commerce, commerce which has heavy impacts on resource use and the environment. Major sporting events, such as the Olympic Games, present special problems regarding environmental burdens and degradation. But burdens imposed by the regular convention industry can be vastly more significant.
Green conventions and events are a new but growing sector and marketing point within the convention and hospitality industry. More environmentally aware organizations, corporations and government agencies are now seeking more sustainable event practices, greener hotels, restaurants and convention venues, and more energy efficient or climate neutral travel and ground transportation.
Additionally, some convention centers have begun to take direct action in reducing the impact of the conventions they host. One example is the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, which has a very aggressive recycling program, a large solar power system, and other programs aimed at reducing impact and increasing efficiency.
Tourists
With the advent of the internet, some traditional conventions are being replaced with virtual conventions, where the attendees remain in their home physical location and "attend" the convention by use of a web-based interface programmed for the task. This sort of "virtual" meeting eliminates all of the impacts associated with travel, accommodation, food wastage, and other necessary impacts of traditional, physical conventions.
Travel over long distances requires a large amount of time and/or energy. Generally this involves burning fossil fuels, a largely unsustainable practice and one that contributes to climate change, via CO2 emissions.
Air travel is perhaps the worst offender in this regard, contributing to between 2 and 3% of global carbon emissions [7]. Given a business-as-usual approach, this could be expected to rise to 5% by 2015 and 10% by 2050. Car travel is the next worst offender.
Mass transport is the most climate friendly method of travel, and generally the rule is "the bigger the better" - compared to cars, buses are relatively more sustainable, and trains and ships are even more so. Human energy and renewable energy are the most efficient, and hence, sustainable. Travel by bicycle, solar powered car, or sailing boat produces no carbon emissions (although the embodied energy in these vehicles generally comes at the expense of carbon emission).[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ "Urban Environmental Management Sustainable Tourism". Global Development Research Center. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
- ^ Randall, A. (1987). Resource economics, Second Edition. New York, USA: John Wiley and Sons.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|accessyear=,|origmonth=,|accessmonth=,|month=,|chapterurl=,|origdate=, and|coauthors=(help) - ^ Kamauro, O. (1996). Ecotourism: Suicide or Development? Voices from Africa #6: Sustainable Development, UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service. United Nations News Service.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|accessyear=,|origmonth=,|accessmonth=,|month=,|chapterurl=,|origdate=, and|coauthors=(help) - ^ Vivanco, L. (2002). Ecotourism, Paradise lost - A Thai case study. The Ecologist. pp. 32(2):28-30.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|accessyear=,|origmonth=,|accessmonth=,|month=,|chapterurl=,|origdate=, and|coauthors=(help) - ^ Sustainable Coastal Tourism Paper
- ^ Australian Sustainable Coastal Tourism Policy
- ^ IPCC
External links
- The Global Development Research Center
- United Nations Environment Programme
- UNEP Tourism - United Nations Environment Programme, Tourism
- Linking Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Tourism at World Heritage Sites
- UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development
- Sustainable Tourism Lab
- DestiNet Sustainable Tourism Information Portal
- Voluntary sustainable tourism certificates world wide
- World Tourism Organisation - Sustainable Development of Tourism
- Bales Worldwide- Dedicated Responsible Travel Company