3.4 Ways to continue developing sustainably Flashcards
How can tourism continue to develop sustainably
- Sustainable tourism production
- Sustainable tourism consumption
- Equitable distribution of tourism benefits
Sustainable tourism production
Achieved when:
1. The demands on ecosystem services do not exceed the supply of resources.
2. Different stakeholders adopt a long-term responsible and coordinated approach instead of prioritising short-term profit.
Demands on ecosystem services do not exceed supply of resources
- Tourism is heavily dependent on ecosystem services.
- if demand exceeds supply, the ecosystem services will be negatively affected, affecting the tourism industry.
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Example: - In Bali, Indonesia, many hotels and resorts were developed and they use a lot of water.
- In the long run, water supply may be depleted, negatively impacting the tourism industry, and rice farming which requires a lot of water.
- These farms are also tourist attractions, and if affected, tourists may be less keen to visit Bali.
- Hence, this may hinder sustainable tourism development.
Different stakeholders work together and adopt responsible long-term approaches
- If stakeholders ensure energy and water conservation, demands on ecosystem services will not exceed the supply of resources available.
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Example: - In Sentosa, Singapore, the authorities bring together different stakeholders, comprising businesses, the authorities and locals to develop a series of long-term plans to enable the island to become more sustainable.
- To achieve carbon-neutral status, the authorities are working together with businesses and locals to increase the use of locally-sourced produce, as well as adopting renewable energy solutions.
Sustainable tourism consumption
Achieved when:
1. Destination regions manage demand and when tourism is consumed responsibly by tourists.
2. Policies give local communities primary attention while considering the needs of tourists.
Destination regions manage demand and when tourism is consumed responsibly by tourists.
Tourists can ensure that tourism is consumed sustainably by making responsible choices about where they visit and stay and the resources they use.
- choose to stay in hotels that embrace sustainability.
- choose to purchase tour services from tour operators that have a low carbon footprint and prioritise local communities when employing staff.
- make responsible decisions about their use of energy, water and food.
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Example:
- The Inkaterra Hotel chain in Peru is built with local materials.
- The company invests in environmental conservation and education efforts, and trains locals in hospitality and environmental care.
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- Destination regions should also manage demand.
- By controlling access to or limiting the number of tourists to the destination region.
- Ensure that the carrying capacity of the destination region is not exceeded, and therefore damage to environments is minimised
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Example:
- Maya Bay, Thailand is very popular with tourists, which led to destruction of the coral reef ecosystem due to pollution from boat engines and trampling by tourists.
- In 2018, the beach was closed completely to allow it to recover.
- When it was reopened in 2022, the environment had recovered and corals were able to grow and thrive.
Policies give local communities primary attention while considering the needs of tourists.
- local communities need to be involved in planning and implementing tourism policies.
- enables tourism policies to address the needs of the local communities while balancing the need to meet the demands of tourists.
- done by implementing rules and regulations to protect the needs and practices of local communities.
- Ex: By enforcing a strict dress code for tourists when entering sacred places, tourists fulfill their need to learn more about other cultures, while ensuring locals customs are not disrespected.
Achieving equitable distribution of tourism benefits
- Implementing effective tourism management to ensure the tourism benefits are enjoyed by all stakeholders.
- Minimising negative trade-offs within or between economic, social and environmental dimensions.
Implementing effective tourism management
- Tourism development may not always benefit all the stakeholders involved.
- When tourism does not benefit one or a few stakeholders, it may lead to tensions, resulting in these stakeholders not being supportive of future tourism policies and regulations.
- For example, while pro-poor tourism aims to reduce poverty and improve the livelihoods of the poor communities, it can be difficult to channel the benefits to the poor.
- This may widen the income gap between the poor and non-poor.
- Hence, implementation of effective tourism management is important to ensure the benefits of tourism are enjoyed by all stakeholders.
Minimising negative trade-Offs within or belween economic, social and environmental dimensions.
- Due to conficting priorities and differing understandings of sustainability, negotiations between stakeholders on developing tourist sites may be challenging.
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Example: - In Maya Bay, Thailand locals and tourism businesses may have to accept the trade-off of a decrease in economic activity in exchange for a healthier environment brought about by the implementation of a quota on visitor numbers.
- Therefore, stakeholders may often have to compromise to minimise the negative impacts, and accept the economic, social, and environmental trade-offs.
Minimising negative trade-offs within or between economic, social and environmental dimensions.
- Due to conficting priorities and differing understandings of sustainability, negotiations between stakeholders on developing tourist sites may be challenging.
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Example: - In Maya Bay, Thailand locals and tourism businesses may have to accept the trade-off of a decrease in economic activity in exchange for a healthier environment brought about by the implementation of a quota on visitor numbers.
- Therefore, stakeholders may often have to compromise to minimise the negative impacts, and accept the economic, social, and environmental trade-offs.
