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ECC
Sustainable tourism
research
By Candine Garriques
Hospitality Day School
10T10456
14
sustainability of tourism
Introduction
One does not have to be an optimist to believe that tourism will grow substantially over the next
century. Apparently, however, one does from time to time become an optimist to regard this as
positive development as tourism as been accused of being a destroyer of natural environment, a
destroyer of valued lifestyle and age old cultures and an exploiter of poor nations.
This research proves that those accusation can be avoided and that tourism can be sustained if we
follow strict practices and adhere to government rules and regulation as well as to create
awareness, among other reason, in order for the successful sustainability of tourism for the
economy, environment and cultural tourism attractions.
sustainability of tourism
Thesis Statement
Is the idea that tourism could be sustainable a reality or is it an impossibility? Discuss your
thoughts on whether it is possible to balance the environment, economy, and culture of tourist
destinations to achieve sustainability.
sustainability of tourism
According to Macintosh and Goeldner (1986) tourism is “A collection of activities, services and
industries that delivers a travel experience, including transportation, accommodations, eating and
drinking establishments, retail shops, entertainment businesses, activity facilities and other
hospitality services provided for individuals or groups traveling away from home”. Sustainability
principles refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism
development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to
guarantee its long-term sustainability. And as such I strongly believe that the environment,
economy and culture of tourist destinations can be sustainable by:

Making the best use of environmental resources that represent key elements in tourism
development, maintaining vital ecological processes and helping to conserve natural
heritage and biodiversity.

Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and
living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural
understanding and tolerance.

Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all
stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning
opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty
alleviation.
Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires constant monitoring of
impacts, introducing the necessary preventive and/or corrective measures whenever necessary
and maintaining a high level of tourist satisfaction to ensure a meaningful experience to the
sustainability of tourism
tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism
practices amongst them.
The Economy
Tourism is an important part of Jamaica’s economy. Because of the island’s warm climate and
year-round sunshine, its beaches and beautiful landscape, many thousands of people from all
over the world come here each year for a holiday.
According to World Commission on Environment and Development 1987 “the idea of
sustainable development is that economic growth and environmental conservation are not only
compatible, they are necessary partners. One cannot live without the other”. And as such
economic tourism is tourism that is developed and maintained in a manner, and at such a scale,
that it remains economically viable over an unlimited period and does not undermine the
physical and human environment that sustains and nurtures it. The country then needs to be
economically sustainable, because if tourism is not profitable then the country’s economy will
operate at a loss. In order to achieve economical sustainability we can first satisfy customer
demand, and second, by creating local employment.
Another factor to address in order for the economy to become sustainable is leakages. Leakage is
a concept within the study of tourism that refers to the way in which revenue generated by
tourism is lost to other countries' economies. Leakage may be so significant in some developing
countries that it partially neutralizes the money generated by tourism, this can be done in ways
such as:
sustainability of tourism
Goods and services- Many countries must purchase goods and services to satisfy their visitors.
This includes the cost of raw materials used to make tourism-related goods, such as souvenirs.
For starting tourism industries, this is a significant problem, as some countries must import as
much as 50% of tourism-related products.
Infrastructure- Some less economically developed countries do not have the domestic ability to
build tourism-related infrastructure (hotels, airports, etc.). The cost of such infrastructure is then
leaked out of the country.
Foreign factors of production- Smaller countries often require foreign investment to start their
tourism industry. Thus, profits from tourism may be lost to foreign investors. In addition, travel
agents outside of the destination country remove money from that market as well.
Promotional expenditures- Many countries spend considerable sums of money for
advertisements and publicity. Maintaining a presence abroad may increase the volume of tourists
to a country but also represent a considerable loss of money to foreign markets.
Transfer pricing- Many foreign companies manipulate their pricing to reduce taxes and other
duties. In smaller or less developed countries, where many tourism-related companies may be
foreign owned, this can represent a substantial loss of income.
Tax exemptions- Countries with a small tourism industry may have to give tax exemptions or
other offers to increase foreign investment. While this may enlarge the tourism industry there, it
must be taken into account as an instrument of income loss.
For many countries, some sources of leakage are unavoidable. Foreign-owned hotels and airlines
are necessary for all but the most established of tourism industries. However, encouragement of
sustainability of tourism
domestic involvement in a country's tourism industry may reduce leakage in the long run.
Currently, the most popular measure is restrictions on spending. Countries may limit the use of
foreign currency within their borders, reducing the effect of transfer pricing . Many countries
require visitors to have a certain amount of money before entering, as well.
The environment
With increased awareness of the fragile nature of our country and its beauty, it is not surprising
that there has also been an increased demand for travel to unique and remarkable environments
around the world, known as environmental tourism. This is the occurrence of increasing travel to
places of environmental interest. It is travel that focuses on the ecological surroundings of the
destination, which is generally a place overflowing with natural beauty and wonder. The concept
of environmental tourism is that people will become more engaged with the ecological and
sociocultural concerns of the a country through firsthand experience, and thus be more active in
conservation and making change. I therefore believe that environmental tourism can be sustained
by:

Deforestation
Deforestation refers to the cutting, clearing, and removal of rainforest or related
ecosystems into less bio-diverse ecosystems such as pasture, cropland, or plantations
(Kricher, 1997). In order to maintain deforestation the clear cutting of forests must be
banned. This will curb total depletion of the forest cover. It is a practical solution and is
very feasible. Land skinned of its tree cover for urban settlements should be urged to
plant trees in the vicinity and replace the cut trees. Also the cutting must be replaced by
planting young trees to replace the older ones that were cut.
sustainability of tourism

Pollution
Pollution occurs when pollutants contaminate the natural surroundings; which brings
about changes that affect our normal lifestyles adversely. Pollution occurs in many ways
but the four main ways are land, water,air and noise and as such a country should educate
its citizens on the cause and effect of each pollution identified and measures to prevent
them.

Take step to achieve sustainable production and consumption pattern while ensuring
people’s livelihoods and access to resources-
In manufacturing, promote technologies for eco-efficiency, recycling, remanufacturing
and product durability, Promote education and awareness rising on environmental issues
within government and in school, communities and workplaces

Ensure that a country’s resources and indigenous species such as flora and fauna both
land and sea are protected.

Adhere to strict environmental practices to ensure the surrounding is clean attractive and
healthy for tourist enjoyment.
Culture of tourist destinations
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited
natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure,
sustainability of tourism
adventure, and amusement. Natural beauty such as beaches, tropical island resorts with coral
reefs, hiking and camping in national parks, mountains and forests, are examples of traditional
tourist attractions.
In order for the successful sustainability of a country’s culture in their tourist destinations one
should:

Ensure that the country’s resources and indigenous species such as flora and fauna both
land and sea are protected.

Adhere to strict environmental practices to ensure the surrounding is clean attractive and
healthy for tourist enjoyment.

Make optimal use of environmental resources that compose a key element in tourism
destinations development

Maintain essential conservation processes to natural resources and biodiversity.

Conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to
inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.
sustainability of tourism
Conclusion
Tourism represents an acknowledgement of the value of resource in a country and the desire to
experience them, and learn from them. And as such sustainable tourism development guidelines
and management practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations in the
Caribbean, ranging from traditional package forms of tourism to the various niche market
segments. They should make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key
element in tourism development, maintain essential ecological processes and help to conserve
natural resources and biodiversity. Sustainable forms of tourism should respect the socio-cultural
authenticity, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and
contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance, also contribute to improving the quality
of life enjoyed by citizens and cause meaningful local participation in the sector, bringing about
lasting beneficial effects to communities to ensure viable, long-term economic operations,
providing socio-economic benefits that are fairly distributed to all stakeholders. This includes
stable employment and income earning opportunities in addition to social services which
contribute to poverty and unemployment.
There is no single model for the implementation of sustainable tourism. Instead, a mix of the
right management practices, legislative instruments and forms of partnership is needed,
depending on the given situation. While the growth of tourism will inevitably present challenge
over the next century, partially in less developed nations, on balance there is enough reason not
to be reversibly optimistic about its ultimate sustainability, therefore, the evidence presented in
this research has highlighted ways of sustaining tourism in the economy, environment and
culture of tourist destinations.
sustainability of tourism
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