Tourism Topic 3.3 (effectiveness of different approaches in achieving sustainable tourism development)

ecotourism

a form of sustainable tourism that often takes place in natural areas which are scenic and allows for tourists to experience nature

ecotourism aims to ….

conserve the natural environment while benefiting the local community, thus ensuring environmental economic and social sustainability

strategies of ecotourism

1. educate and increase tourists’ appreciation of nature

2. put in place measures to minimize the negative impacts on the environment

ecotourism strategy : educate and increase tourists’ appreciation of nature

• tours take place within natural areas for tourists to experience and interact with nature

• increases tourists’ knowledge and appreciation of nature, which encourages tourists to take action to conserve and minimize damage to environment, ensuring environmental sustainability

ecotourism strategy : put in place measures to minimisew the negative impacts on the environemnt

• tourism revenue is channeled into the conservation of natural environment such as park rangers

• park rangers ensure laws set up to protect the environment are adhered to

• damaged to environment in minimized, ensuring environmental sustainability

ecotourism example

• The Galapagos Islands in Ecuador attract many tourists for their unique flora and fauna

• to conserve this unique biodiversity, 97% of the islands’ total area was declare a national park, with only 3% for humans to live on

• authorities implemented some rules and regulations to protect the environment, such as :

  • only a limited number of visitors is allowed in the park on any given day to minimize disturbance to wildlife

  • tourists are required to pay an entrance fee of USD$100 when visiting the park, and the revenue is used to fund conservation projects

  • tourists are not allowed to explore the islands on their own. A guide, who educates tourists, is required at each site

• locals are also involved in the ecotourism industry by offering day tours and homestays to small groups of tourists

hard ecotourism

• stronger commitment to environmental conservation

• smaller number of tourists

• few to no services provided, making experience more physically challenging

• supplied by specialist tour operators in the from of niche travel or tourists making their own travel arrangements

• example : A study found that hard ecotourists in the Galapagos Islands have a higher preference for challenging activities such as camping and hiking. Often they plan their own tour schedule with an accompanying guide and their accommodation includes staying in locals’ homes.

soft ecotourism

• moderate commitment to environmental conservation

• larger number of tourists

• services are often provided, making experience more physically comfortable

• supplied by mass-market tour operators

• example : Soft ecotourists in Galapagos Islands have a higher preference for less challenging activities such as guided trail walks. Most often rely on travel agencies to plan their entire tour schedule and prefer to stay in high-quality accommodation including yachts and cruises.

ecotourism limitations :

1. uncertainty over the continuity of efforts in conserving nature

2. uncertainty over involving local communities

ecotourism limitations : uncertainty over the continuity of efforts in conserving nature

• ecotourism does not work when it is overwhelmingly popular

• presence of many tourists interacting with nature may destroy the environment they seek to protect

• may be a strong desire to earn profits from ecotourism which may lead to some aims of ecotourism being compromised and nature may not be conserved

• example : In the Galapagos Islands, where ecotourism is practiced, the large increase in the number of tourists has resulted in erosion along some trail, and also caused disturbance to wildlife and plants. Oil spills from many boats have resulted in serious water pollution.

ecotourism limitations : uncertainty over involving local communities

• demand for manpower to meet the needs of tourists may cause some tourism-related businesses to hire non-locals

• this is especially so when locals are not sufficiently equipped with the skills and knowledge required, and authorities or businesses do not put in place measures to train locals, hence benefits to local communities are not maximised

• example : In Kufri, India, it wad found that economic leakages occur when locals do not have the necessary skills, resulting in jobs going to non-locals.

community based tourism

a type of innovative small-scale tourism experience that is managed by local tourism

community based tourism aims to

maximize local communities involvement in tourism and the benefits to them, ensuring economic and social

community based tourism strategies :

1. encourage the local community to participate in decision-making on tourism development in their community

2. put in place measures to increase economic and social benefits to local communities

3. educate and increase tourists’ appreciation of local cultures and protection of the environment

CBT strategy : encourage the local community to participate in decision-making on tourism development in their community

• local communities have greater knowledge of their economic, social and environmental needs

• their decisions can help to ensure these needs are met in a sustainable way

• example : local communities can suggest cultural and nature based experiences that can be developed without disrespecting their heritage and damaging the local environment

• ensures that locals continue to support and be involved in the tourism industry, and the environment continues to thrive and attract tourists, ensuring sustainable tourism development

CBT strategy : put in place measures to increase economic and social benefits to local communities

Social benefits 

•  Revenue generated from tourism can be directed to community projects such a funding schools and clinics

• Improves social wellbeing of the local community as they receive better education and healthcare

Economic benefits 

• Locals are encouraged to innovate, set up businesses and offer tourism experiences such as home stay to cater to the needs of tourists 

• Businesses and tourism experiences provide employment to locals, minimises leakages and benefits locals economically 

• Agricultural tourism → tourists visit local farms to purchase local produce and to participate in activities for education and enjoyment purposes

• Local farmers can benefit economically from higher incomes generated 

CBT strategy : educate and increase tourists appreciation of local cultures and protection of environment

• Promote interactions to develop respect for local cultures and environments 

• Example : Through traditional homestays in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, tourists can live with a local host family, participate in daily activities related  to local cultures and traditions

  • Helps them appreciate the local cultures and environments more → motivates locals to preserve heritage and environment, ensuring cultural and environmental sustainability 

community based tourism limitations

1. loss of culture

2. competition with large scale tourism developments

CBT limitations : loss of culture

• Without sufficient measures, when local communities offer tourism experiences outside their culture, may result in commodification , resulting in loss of authenticity  

• Example : In cbt projects in Kyrgyzstan, the commodification of local traditions to suit tourists preferences has been observed. Traditional yurts have been modified, such as the inclusion of beds and modern furniture → meant to increase tourists comfort and meet the standards they expect. 

CBT limitations : competition with large scale tourism developments

• Local communities lack necessary skills and finances to  further develop local tourism industry

• Many face difficulties communicating with tourists and are ill-equipped to undertake marketing campaigns in order to compete with other tourism developments

• Lack finances to start new experiences

• Large scale tourism developments have greater finances to undertake marketing campaigns and attract more tourists 

• Example : Thanh Ha pottery village in Vietnam has been successful in attracting tourists who are keen to learn more about the local culture and pottery practices. However it faces competition from other more established pottery villages in central Vietnam in attracting tourists, especially because they do not have enough highly skilled pottery artisans. 

pro-poor tourism

an approach to tourism development that focuses on improving the livelihoods of the poor through training anc access to micro-finance

pro-poor tourism aims to

generate net benefits and improving the livelihoods and well-being of the poor

pro-poor tourism strategies

1. training

2. increasing access to micro finance

PPT strategies : training

• With training provided, locals will be able to learn new skills which they can use to gain employment 

PPT strategy : increasing access to micro-finance

• Enables poor to set up businesses such as homestays and restaurants, benefiting economically 

• Communication materials may be designed so the locals are able to understand how they can go about applying for micro-finance 

PPT example :

• Pro-poor tourism can be found in the villages around China’s Three Parallel Rivers Rgeion, a UNESCO world natural heritage site.

• Tourist are attracted to visit to enjoy the scenic views offered by the mountains and rivers as well as to experience village life

• Financial assistance by authorities → many locals set up tourism businesses such as homestays and restaurants / put up cultural performances

• Increased income and standard of living 

pro-poor tourism limitations

1. the inability of significantly reduce poverty as compared to direct investment to social services

2. the economic benefits may be highly unevenly distributed, with most of the benefits being channeled to non-poor locals

PPT limitation : the inability of significantly reduce poverty as compared to direct investment to social services

• Many be difficult to channel benefits to the poor as compared to if there were some direct investment in social services

• Poor may be reluctant to participate or lack the skills, finances and knowledge to establish and sustain business

• Example : 

  • In the tourist destination village of Abr, Iran, PPT has not resulted in significant economic benefits as many lack self confidence to undergo training provided by authorities. 

  • Some training classes require participants to pay a small fee which causes many to refrain from paying as the don't see a bright future for themselves 

  • Many continue to lack the necessary skills → low participation among poor 

  • Non-poor locals are dominating the training and employment in the local tourism industry 

PPT limitation : the economic benefits may be highly unevenly distributed, with most of the benefits being channeled to non-poor locals

• Non poor locals have greater access to micro-financing or financial grants used to support the industry as they seem more reliable by banks, donors and authorities

• Non-poor become wealthier while poor benefit marginally, widening income gap 

• Benefits of PPT may not be substantial enough to significantly improve lives of the poor

• More effective if authorities and ngo choose to prioritise directly providing social services such as healthcare and education