Sustainable Tourism

Essay: A Critical Analysis

By Joseph Cesar ADHM Yr 3

5-6 Pages

The Tourism industry is internationally large and employs various large and small businesses
alike. It employs a great number of people; it uses products and services of many other
industries directly and indirectly. The substantial volume of this industry has a significant
impact on the environment, social and economic aspects of a destination. If its management
is not based on yielding profits and benefits on a long term basis, future generations would
not enjoy these benefits. During the past, and in the early days of industrial revolution
sustainability was unknown and thus not given attention. This has resulted in what the world
is today; high pollution rate, degrading environment, climate change and global warming,
high unemployment rate, etc. Today people are more conscious and more sensitive to their
environment and wellbeing of their children. The urge to harmonise the earth with the global
development is imperatively rising. This is why sustainable practices have found its way into
the Tourism and Community developments. Sustainable Tourism is therefore one important
factor and it is vital for sustainable development.

Sustainable tourism is nowadays an essential science in the general development of the

world. We have learned from our past failures and are now more sensitive to the many
dangers of the past tourism‟s over exploitation for making immediate profits. In doing so,
stakeholders tend to forget the negative impacts. Today they have realised the dangers it
generated, and, proponents are trying to reverse this trend by designing and applying
sustainable practices so that the benefits could be enjoyed at the present and by future
generation alike. There are many different definitions of sustainable tourism. It has been
defined by the World Tourism Organization as “satisfying current tourist and host community
needs, while protecting and improving future opportunities. It is seen as a guide in managing
all resources, in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic needs may be met, while
maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life
support systems”, www.world_tourism.org (2010). Making sustainable tourism a reality
entails adopting sustainable practices, namely, corrective or improved measures implemented
in every area of tourist business management and operation. These practices are aimed at
ensuring that the least possible impact is caused, that tourist product quality and image are
improved, that business development becomes more efficient and effective, and not
forgetting social and economic development as well.

The most commonly cited definition of sustainable development comes from the Brundtland
Report, (1987). This says that „sustainable development is development that meets the need
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs‟.
There is a similarity in all sustainable sciences and practices. It is not only meant at
protecting or conserving the environment and its ecological system, but also considers the
human factor and their social wellbeing, and the economy that fuels all trades and
transactions. Because of all the failures from the past, civilisation must adopt sustainable
practices in order to prolong its very existence. Because if we destroy the earth which is our
only habitat, where would our future generation reside? If we over exploit our resources
(which are provided by this same earth), what would our future generation uses? These are a
few among many questions that have to be analysed and considered in mankind‟s dealings.
On that research and analysis by academics and sceptics have dominated various perceptions
and strategies of this subject. It has been argued on the question of if S.D. is a science or
fiction? Academics share both views, as Pim Martens (2006) argued from his contribution
(in the communityessay.martens sus dev.pdf) that it is both a science and a fiction depending
on the situation and how it is implemented. From the same case study, Richard Feynman
(one of the greatest physicist) believed that whoever says he knows sustainability, does not,
because „sustainability is a fiction‟, he said. Giampietro (2003) thus described sustainability
as the „capacity of a society to move itself, in a certain time period, between satisfactory,
adaptable, and viable conditions‟.

On the positive side, tourism can generate funds for investment in many aspects such as
health, education and other assets, provide infrastructure, stimulate development of social
capital, strengthen sustainable management of natural resources, and create a demand for
improved assets (especially education). The benefits would be achieved through serious
implementation of good practices which are further categorised into environmental, socio-
cultural and economic.

Economic Benefits: Tourism generates local employment especially in the tourism sector.
As a multiplier effect, it stimulates other domestic industries like hotels and other lodging
facilities, restaurants et al, transportation systems, handicrafts, guide services, farmers, etc.
Tourism generates foreign exchange for the country and injects capital and new money into
the local economy. Tourism diversifies the local economy and increased tax revenues from
tourists. Employment opportunities are created in the business communities due to the influx
of tourists who uses goods and services. Increased entrepreneurial opportunities provide
goods and services not already available in the community and create new tourist products.
Improved road systems and infrastructure can be financed through tourism attractions. The
multiplier effect is how many times money spent by a tourist circulates through a country's
economy. Money spent in a hotel helps to create jobs directly in the hotel, but it also creates
jobs indirectly elsewhere in the economy. The hotel, for example, has to buy food from local
farmers, who may spend some of this money on fertiliser or clothes. The demand for local
products increases as tourists often buy souvenirs, which increases secondary employment.

Social Benefits: The quality of life is enhanced by economic diversification through tourism,
following the principles of sustainable development. Tourism creates recreational and
cultural facilities that are used by local communities as well as domestic and international
visitors. Likewise public spaces are developed and enhanced. Tourism provides the
opportunity for greater understanding and communication among peoples of diverse
backgrounds.

Cultural Benefits: Tourism enhances local cultural awareness even if eventually might distort
it. Tourism generates income to help pay for preservation of heritage sites, historic buildings,
and districts. Despite many criticisms about alteration of cultures, the sharing of cultural
knowledge and experience can be beneficial for tourists and hosts at destinations, thus revive
local traditions and crafts.

Environmental Benefits: Sustainable tourism encourages productive use of lands that are
marginal for agriculture, enabling large tracts to remain covered in natural vegetation. Parks
and nature conservation may be created, and ecological preservation supported as a necessity
for nature-based tourism, an excellent example can be read from the first case study in the
Appendices about the treasures of Mindo in Ecuador. Improved waste management can be
achieved. Increased awareness and concern for the environment may develop.

Ecotourism has been criticised by academics, especially in third-world countries. In order to

establish the necessary infrastructure to serve tourist demands, third-world countries take
loans from economically stronger countries, adding to the already overwhelming financial
burden. The financial profit earned from this venture goes towards repaying loans, rather than
improving public services, or promote natural conservation. Ecotourism often also tends to
threaten the ecosystems that it strives to preserve. Increasing tourism in an area can
negatively impact soil structure and will increase the likelihood of introducing non-
biodegradable wastes or invasive species, www.world_tourism.org (2010).

Economic Costs: The jobs created through tourism may be low paying and require few skills.
Inflated prices may result from local businesses attempting to raise profits or cover the cost of
extra employees. If tourism is seasonal at a destination, so too will be the injection of income
into the community. Health service provision and police services can increase during the
tourist season at the expense of the local tax base. Affordability and availability of staff
housing can be problematic.

Social Costs: Rapid tourism growth can result in the inability to meet the capacities of local
amenities and institutions; quality of amenity services can be diminished by over-use. Litter,
vandalism, and crime are concerns associated with tourism development that is the
responsibility of the community. Tourism can bring overcrowding and traffic congestion
which is interpreted as a negative impact on their quality of life. Foreigners bring with them
material wealth and apparent freedom. Young indigenous are particularly susceptible to
these economic expectations that tourists bring thus, resulting as a complete disruption of the
traditional way of life. Increase in prostitution, as is a current issue in Seychelles; more
young people are selling themselves as sex toys to the potential increasing number of tourists,
SBC, (2010). The authenticity of the social and cultural environment can change. Lifestyles
thus are disrupted.

Cultural Costs: Youth in the community could imitate the speech and attire of tourists. Loss
and damage to historic sites may occur through tourism development and pressures. There
may be long-term damage to cultural traditions, and loss of cultural values.
Environmental Costs: Negative changes in the physical integrity of the area occur. Rapid
and over development and overcrowding can forever change the physical environment and
ecosystem of an area by exceeding its carrying capacity. Litter, erosion, overtaxed sewage,
and waste management systems may occur. Sensitive areas and habitat may be lost.
Degradation of parks and preserves through over-use and poor management may result.
Excessive waste may be generated. Water and air pollution may occur.

As a small island developing state, Seychelles is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of

development be it sustainable or not. These impacts can be enjoyed as benefits or drawbacks.
It is therefore critical that practices are designed and implemented so as to minimise the
negative impacts and maximise the positive impacts. It has been identified that the key
strategies the country can use to achieve this is through education, awareness and training.
Seychelles has at present more than enough NGOs and Governmental agencies alike that are
working towards that direction. Sustainability for Seychelles, Mangroves for the Future,
Wildlife Club of Seychelles, Sea Level Rise Foundation, Nature Seychelles, Bird Life
Seychelles, are just a few of the many. So it can be concluded that there are many
sensitisation and educational programs available for the population. The question of; if these
programs are being put into practice, is still to be researched and analysed. On a personal
view, it is believed that Seychelles is trying to apply sustainable practices, but there are many
things still need to be done starting by increasing the efforts of every stakeholders involved,
and they should consider the future significant factor as stated by an academic‟s critical view,
Liu, Z. (2003); “tourism will grow, sometimes rapidly, as at present only about one tenth of
the world population travels internationally. Our main task is not to limit growth but to
manage growth in a way that is appropriate to the tourists, the destination environment and
the host population”. Take it note that Tourism is a main pillar of the Seychelles economy.

In addition to the four Issues of Critical Importance for further research on sustainable
tourism development, Liu, Z. (2003) which states as 1-Balanced view of nature &
development; 2-Develop theoretically sound and practically feasible policies and measures;
3-Adopt an interdisciplinary approach; and 4-Improve our understanding of the
characteristics and change patterns of tourism and its dynamic interaction with nature,
technology, social, economies and the environment; it would be concluded to optimize the
contribution of tourism to economic development and prosperity, full employment and
improved international balance of payments. It is essential to contribute to the personal
growth and education of the population and encourage their 'appreciation of the local
geography, history, and ethnic diversity. Social policy should also seek to avoid activities
that have the potential to undermine the social and cultural values and resources of the area
and its traditions and lifestyles. Policies must encourage the controlled entry of foreign
visitors and the monitoring of people and goods entering the country with laws protecting
public health. Policies must protect and preserve the historical and cultural foundations as a
living part of community life and development and to ensure future generations an
opportunity to enjoy the rich heritage of the area. These policies must also ensure the
compatibility of tourism, recreational, and activity policies with other broader interests in
energy development and conservation, environmental protection, and judicious use of natural
resources. It is important to ensure that tourism has an adequate supply of professionally-
trained skilled and managerial staff to meet future needs. Human resource policies should
also ensure that the education and training programmes and materials are available to meet
the needs of tourism.

In today‟s world, environmental protection and sustainable development are not taken for
granted, nor are they concepts that doom us to a dull vision of the future. Rather, they
present business leaders with opportunities for positive change. As companies begin to
embrace this goldmine, they are discovering that good business sense must also comprise
good social and environmental sense, and that environmental awareness can bring with it
economic advantages.
 References

-Sustainable Tourism [Online] Available from: www.unep.fr/sustanable_tourism [Accessed

30th May 2010]

-Bruntland Report, 1987 [Online] Available from: www.exxcellentdevelopment.com

[Accessed 30th May]

-Sustainable Tourism Criticism [Online] Available from:

www.world_tourism.org/frameset/frame_sustainable.html [Accessed 31st May 2010]

-Definition of Sustainable Tourism [Online] Available from:

www.world_tourism.org/sustainable/esp/concepts.htm [Accessed 31st May 2010]

-Sustainable Living, 2010 [Online] Available from:

www.geographyfieldwork.com/sustainableliving_Asia.html [Accessed 02nd June, 2010]

-Liu, Z. (2003) Sustainable tourism development: a critique, Journal of Sustainable Tourism,

pg. 472. ISSN 0966-9582 [Online] Available from: www.eprints.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/4105/

-An Direk (2010). SBC, 05th May. 21.00hrs

-Liu, Z. (2003) Sustainable tourism development: a critique, Journal of Sustainable Tourism,

Conclusion, pgs. 471-473. ISSN 0966-9582 [Online] Available from:
www.eprints.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/4105/

-Pim Marten, 2006. Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy, community Essay [Online]
Available from: www.ejournal.nbii.org