AC3.2

Question 1

Designation

Answer 1

This is the choosing of a place for a special purpose or giving it a special status.
Examples include: National Parks, UNESCO sites, AONBs and SSSIs. The actual choosing of a place to be a National Park or UNESCO site gives that place a special status and recognition. Such places need to be managed in order to conserve them for future generations.

Question 2

Carrying capacity

Answer 2

“Tourism Carrying Capacity” is defined by the World Tourism Organisation as “The maximum number of people that may visit a tourist destination at the same time, without causing destruction of the physical, economic, socio-cultural environment and an unacceptable decrease in the quality of visitors’ satisfaction”.

This is a contentious topic for the tourism industry as more destinations and attractions are talking about placing limits on the number of tourists that visit each year. While some critics argue that putting a cap on the number of tourists will hurt local economies, others argue that we are quickly destroying natural environments and overcrowding urban estinations.

Question 3

Zoning

Answer 3

Zoning means that the given area is divided into clearly designated zones listing the types of tourism activities and infrastructure that would be acceptable and should be developed.
A  zoning system can ensure that tourism activities take place at a sustainable level that maximises benefits and limits negative impacts. In addition, zones can be used to separate different incompatible uses and to minimise user conflicts – tourist activities versus traditional local activities.

Question 4

Restricting access

Answer 4

Signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, including the UK, agreed to impose restrictions on the size of cruise ships that land passengers and the number of people they can bring ashore at any one time. The agreement makes current voluntary limits mandatory under international law.

Question 5

Sustainability indicators

Answer 5

Sustainability indicatorsThere are a number of indicators that are applicable to different sensitive tourism destinations. However, they can broadly be categorised as:
Environmental – preservation of nature, water quality, waste management, pollution
Social/cultural – visitor numbers, overcrowding, seasonality, quality of life, prices, traffic congestion, westernisation, authenticity, crime, local community views
Economic – job creation, seasonality, wage levels, leakage, local business profits/involvement, GDP, investment.