3.4 Ways for Tourism to Continue Developing Sustainably

How might tourism continue to develop sustainably?

How might tourism continue to develop sustainably?

May continue when there is

• Sustainable tourism production

• Sustainable tourism consumption

• Equitable distribution of tourism benefits

How is sustainable tourism production achieved? (1/2)

1) Demands on Ecosystem Services do not Exceed the Supply of Resources

• tourism is heavily dependent on ecosystem services

• to ensure sustainable tourism development

  • demands on ecosystem services

    → should not exceed the supply of resources available

  • if not, ecosystem services will be negatively impacted

    ∴ affects the tourism industry

e.g., Indonesia, Bali

• many hotels and resorts 

  • use a lot of water

  • in the long run, water supply may deplete

    → negatively impacting the tourism industry and
    → rice farming (requires a lot of water)

  • such farms are also tourist attractions 

    → if affected, tourist arrivals may drop

    ∴ hindering sustainable tourism development

How is sustainable tourism production achieved? (2/2)

2) Different Stakeholders Work Together and Adopt Responsible Long-Term Approaches

• to ensure sustainable tourism development

  • stakeholders need to work together and

    • adopt long-term approaches

• if stakeholders can ensure water conservation, demands on ecosystem services will not exceed the supply of water available (fyi)

e.g., Singapore, Sentosa

• different stakeholders comprising

  • authorities 

  • locals

  • businesses

    are brought together to develop a series of long-term plans that

    • make Sentosa more sustainable

  • to achieve carbon-neutral status, stakeholders plan to

    → increase the use of locally-sourced produce

    → adopt renewable energy solutions

How is sustainable tourism consumption achieved? (1/2)

1) when Destination Regions Manage Demand and when Tourism is Consumed Responsibly by Tourists

• tourists can ensure that tourism is consumed sustainably by making responsible choices 

  • staying in hotels that embrace sustainability 

  • purchase tours from tour operators that

    • have a low carbon footprint

    • employ local staff 

  • responsible decisions in using essentials

    • purchase locally-sourced produce

      → not imported ones

    • switch off air-conditioning and lights 

      → when not in their hotel rooms

• destination regions should manage demands

  • limiting the no. of tourists to the destination region

    → ensures carrying capacity of the destination region is not exceeded
    ∴ damage to the environment is minimised 

e.g., Thailand, Maya Bay 

• very popular with tourists 

  • pollution from boat engines + trampling by tourists

    → destruction of the coral reef ecosystem

• in 2018, the beach was closed completely

  • enabling it to recover 

• in 2022, it was reopened

  • environment has recovered

  • corals grew and thrived 

How is sustainable tourism consumption achieved? (2/2)

2) Policies Give Local Communities Primary Attention while Considering the Needs of Tourists

• local communities need to be involved in 

  • planning

  • implementing

    → tourism policies 

    ∴ such policies can address the needs of the local communities while balancing the need to meet the demands of tourists

• done via implementing rules and regulations to protect the needs and practices of local communities, e.g.,

  • enforcement of a strict dress code for tourists entering sacred places

    • tourists fulfill their need, learning about other cultures

    • local customs aren’t disrespected

How can equitable distribution of tourism benefits be achieved? (1/2)

1) Implementing Effective Tourism Management to Ensure the Tourism Benefits are Enjoyed by All Stakeholders

• tourism development does not always benefit all stakeholders 

  • tension potentially arises

    → affected stakeholders may not be supportive of future tourism policies + regulations

∴ implementation of effective tourism management is vital to

• ensure the benefits of tourism are enjoyed by all stakeholders

How can equitable distribution of tourism benefits be achieved? (2/2)

2) Minimising Negative Trade-Offs within or between Economic, Social, and Environmental Dimensions

• due to conflicting priorities and different understandings of tourism sustainability 

  • negotiations between stakeholders may be challenging

e.g., Thailand, Maya Bay

• locals and tourism businesses may have to accept the trade-off of a 

  • decrease in revenue (economic activity)

                        in exchange for

  • a healthier environment 
    → via implementation of a quota on tourist arrivals

∴ stakeholders often have to compromise to

• minimise the negative impacts

• accept the economic/social/environmental trade-offs