Module 3 topic 7:Assessment of Tools for Managing, Monitoring, and Measuring Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable tourism requires effective management, monitoring, and measurement to ensure that tourism activities do not harm the environment, economy, or local communities. Various tools are used to regulate tourism practices, set sustainability standards, and measure environmental and social impacts. While these tools offer many benefits, they also come with challenges that must be addressed for them to be fully effective.
(a) Codes of Conduct
Definition: Codes of conduct are guidelines that outline ethical and responsible tourism practices for businesses, tourists, and local communities. These codes promote sustainable behavior and encourage conservation efforts.
Strengths:
✔ Easy to implement, as they can be created by organizations or destinations without complex regulations.
✔ Helps businesses and tourists understand sustainable tourism principles.
✔ Ensures a quality experience for visitors by promoting responsible behavior.
Weaknesses:
✖ Voluntary, meaning businesses or tourists may choose not to follow them.
✖ Lack of enforcement makes them ineffective without strong regulatory backing.
✖ May be too general and not always relevant to specific tourism activities or destinations.
Example: The "Responsible Tourist and Traveller" code by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) encourages travelers to respect cultural and environmental values while visiting destinations.
(b) Ecolabels
Definition: Ecolabels are certifications given to tourism businesses or destinations that meet specific sustainability standards. They help consumers identify environmentally friendly options.
Strengths:
✔ Shows that a business or destination has achieved a recognized sustainability standard.
✔ Helps attract eco-conscious travelers, boosting market competitiveness.
✔ Encourages businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
Weaknesses:
✖ Costly for businesses to obtain and maintain certification.
✖ Calculation issues, as sustainability measurements can be complex.
✖ Some ecolabels lack credibility or have weak standards, reducing their effectiveness.
Example: Green Globe Certification is a globally recognized ecolabel for sustainable tourism businesses.
(c) Eco-Costs
Definition: Eco-costs refer to the environmental costs associated with tourism activities, such as pollution, resource depletion, and carbon emissions. These costs are used to evaluate the true impact of tourism and help in decision-making.
Strengths:
✔ Provides a clear measurement of environmental impacts, helping businesses reduce their footprint.
✔ Ensures better resource management by accounting for environmental costs.
Weaknesses:
✖ Complex to calculate, requiring detailed environmental data.
✖ Lack of data in some regions makes eco-cost assessments difficult.
✖ Not always relevant to all types of tourism businesses.
Example: The Carbon Footprint Calculator is used by tourism businesses to measure their carbon emissions and implement reduction strategies.
(d) Certification Schemes/Indicators
Definition: Certification schemes and sustainability indicators measure how well businesses or destinations adhere to environmental, economic, and social sustainability criteria.
Strengths:
✔ Ensures quality of experience by setting recognized standards.
✔ Provides credibility to businesses, helping them attract more customers.
✔ Encourages continuous improvement in sustainability practices.
Weaknesses:
✖ Expensive to obtain and maintain certifications.
✖ Not always relevant for small businesses or informal tourism sectors.
✖ Lack of enforcement can lead to greenwashing (misleading sustainability claims).
Example: The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification program provides guidelines and indicators for sustainable tourism worldwide.
(e) Carrying Capacity Studies (Types of Carrying Capacity)
Definition: Carrying capacity studies assess the maximum number of visitors a site can accommodate without causing environmental or social harm. Types include:
Physical Carrying Capacity (limits based on space and infrastructure).
Ecological Carrying Capacity (limits based on ecosystem resilience).
Social Carrying Capacity (limits based on local community tolerance and visitor experience).
Strengths:
✔ Helps prevent over-tourism and environmental degradation.
✔ Ensures visitors have a quality experience by avoiding overcrowding.
✔ Useful for destination planning and management.
Weaknesses:
✖ Requires continuous monitoring, which can be costly.
✖ Data collection can be challenging in remote or less-developed areas.
✖ Can be difficult to enforce, especially in high-demand tourist destinations.
Example: The Galápagos Islands use carrying capacity studies to regulate visitor numbers and protect fragile ecosystems.
(f) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Definition: An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a formal process used to evaluate the potential environmental effects of a tourism project before it is approved.
Strengths:
✔ Helps identify and mitigate negative environmental impacts before they occur.
✔ Ensures that tourism development follows sustainability principles.
✔ Encourages businesses to adopt eco-friendly infrastructure and operations.
Weaknesses:
✖ Time-consuming and costly to conduct.
✖ Requires specialized expertise and extensive data collection.
✖ Enforcement may be weak, leading to ignored recommendations.
Example: The Jamaican government requires EIAs for large-scale tourism developments to assess their impact on coastal and marine environments.
(g) Energy-Efficient Buildings
Definition: Energy-efficient buildings use sustainable design, renewable energy sources, and energy-saving technologies to minimize their environmental impact.
Strengths:
✔ Reduces operational costs for tourism businesses in the long run.
✔ Decreases carbon footprint and reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
✔ Enhances brand reputation and attracts environmentally conscious travelers.
Weaknesses:
✖ High initial costs for design and construction.
✖ Requires specialized knowledge and technology.
✖ Implementation can be slow in areas with limited resources.
Example: The Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean incorporate energy-efficient designs, including solar water heating and LED lighting, to reduce environmental impact.
Conclusion
The tools used for managing, monitoring, and measuring sustainable tourism are essential for ensuring long-term sustainability. While each tool has its strengths—such as improving standards, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing visitor experiences—they also come with challenges related to cost, enforcement, and relevance. A combination of these tools, supported by strong policies and enforcement mechanisms, is necessary to achieve truly sustainable tourism development.