×
Home
2024 Conference
All Conferences
Instructions
TSVC | Tourism Students Virtual Conference

Sustainable Tourism Development?

Sustainable Tourism Development?
Author: Melissa Gunter
1 Commentries
Author: Melissa Gunter University: University of Wolverhampton


Keywords:
Tourism development, sustainable, myth

Discussion Paper
Sustainable Tourism Development?
Strand 4:

For a long period of time now, theorists and practitioners have debated on whether tourism development is or can be sustainable. The meaning of sustainable tourism as never had a clear definition. Berno and Brocker, (2001) feel that is isn't easy to define too they say despite the the attention given, sustainable tourism development has proven difficult to define and operationalise. So therefore how can you achieve sustainable tourism development you have no understanding of what it means. It has been said that in order for sustainable tourism development to be achieved then all 3 components (social, economic and environmental) must work together. However these 3 components often collide rather than work together, so the question still remains can development be sustainable? Critical decisions about tourism are made at local, national, regional and international levels. Despite the apparent vertical integration of these levels, decisions are often made in a mutually exclusive fashion, with little or no consultation or collaboration. (Berno and Bricker, 2001). This proves that not always are the 3 sections collaborating, this isn't surprising, there as been many cases where local people have been against a development in their area, but because the developed will contribute in helping the local economy their opinions and concerns have been cast aside and development as taken place. A prime example of conflict within tourism development is Anguilla known for its beautiful beaches and coast. They depend on the coast and because of this it is impossible to allocate the use of the coast or beach to a single economic sector for development or to give one sector priority over another. Hence, there always arise conflicts and struggles amongst private and quasi-private property-based operations on the shore, and public (common) property-based activities on the beach and in the coastal waters. There are also conflicts between regulatory agencies and developers wanting to do as they wish in coastal areas; and between regulatory agencies and elected members of government, who may wish to ignore various regulations and policies in the name of development and short-term economic gain. (UNESCO, 2002). While development can have a great impact on the local economy by bringing money into a destination and creating jobs opportunities, better working conditions for the locals that are employed and bringing tourism to the destination, it also as it negative effects. Tourism isn't all fun and games, many tourism aren't aware about the effect they have on the environment, this may be due to lack of knowledge or for the simple fact that they do not care. Statistics from sustainabletourism.net (2012) shows that over 1 billions people travelled internationally in 2012 and is expected to is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2020, the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas recycles its water - it still uses 12 million litres of water per year in a water scarce region, luxury hotel room guest uses 1800 litres of water per person per night, while a village of 700 people in a developing country uses only 500 litres per month and as stated. With internationally travel predicted to keep on increases can tourism handle it? Although different countries and difference companies have different policies to try and make their products and services sustainable, is there enough being done to create sustainable tourism development for the long term. In conclusion collaboration plays a huge part in the way that tourism is developed, so it is extremely important that all sectors private, voluntary and public work together and do what is best for both host community and tourism, whole making products and services sustainable.

References:


- Berno, T and Bricker, K. (2001). Sustainable Tourism Development: The Long Road from Theory to Practice . International Journal of Economic Development . 3 (3), P1-18.
-Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands. (2002). CONFLICTS OVER BEACH RESOURCES AND VALUES. Available: http://www.unesco.org/csi/pub/papers2/domr7.htm. Last accessed 30 Apr 2014.
-SustainableTourism.net. (2013). Is sustainable tourism achievable?. Available: http://www.sustainabletourism.net. Last accessed 30 Apr 2014
Commentary for 'Sustainable Tourism Development?'
Author: Rosie Grimwood
The reason for choosing to comment on this paper is that I recently chose a similar topic for my dissertation; therefore I find this paper very interesting and also have some background knowledge on this topic.

Firstly, this paper shows a clear understanding of sustainable tourism and the difficulty in defining it. As a clear definition is hard to find when discussing this area, although the most widely recognised and relatable definition of sustainable development is taken from the World Commission on Environment and Development’s (1987: p8) Report ‘Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ However it is hard to define with one simple definition.

The author of this paper also stated that sustainable tourism should work using all 3 dimensions, which are the environment, economy and social, however stated that the 3 dimensions do not work well together. I also found this myself when researching sustainable tourism, as the environment and economy do not work well together, the author stated this using the example of Anguilla and the conflicts.

The author also clearly stated that sustainable tourism is finding difficulties in the long-term due to the increasing number of tourists which is set to keep rising, I also found this was an issue for the tourism industry and sustainable tourism has been doubted as being successful in the long-term due to the increasing number of tourists, Liu (2003:461) stated that sustainable tourism will not be able to be relied on due to the growing number of tourists therefore sustainable tourism and niche markets will not succeed. The author of this paper highlights this point well and clearly states this is an issue for sustainable tourism.

The author also highlights the point of high water consumption within luxury hotels, this point is very important as it is a huge issue within environmental sustainability. Water conservation is a very important part of sustainable tourism therefore the author has made a very good point by including this.
Overall this paper highlights the most important parts of sustainable tourism and has succeeded in ensuring the most relevant points are covered. The paper covers all of the dimensions involved in sustainable tourism development (environment, economy and social), which is highly important. Also the author has a good perspective of sustainable tourism by stating that all sectors, private, public and voluntary should work together. The author has clearly stated all the necessary points especially about the difficulty of defining the term ‘sustainable tourism development’ and the importance of collaboration. This paper is well thought through and researched and the author has a clear understanding of sustainable tourism development and the issues that are involved within this market.

References

Liu, Z. (2003). Sustainable Tourism: A Critique. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. Vol: 11, P.461-471.

World Commission on Environment and Developments Report
(the Brundtland Commission) (1987) Our Common Future 
(Oxford: Oxford University Press) P.8.