Management of Tourism (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography)

Management of Tourism

• Tourism is so widespread that it needs to be managed

• Key tourist locations seek sustainability to maintain their economies and landscapes

• Not all sustainable tourism schemes work, and some have been more successful than others

Sustainable tourism

• Designed to sustain environmental, social, and economic standards without affecting current regions

• With finite resources, tourism's impact is becoming an issue

• People and environmental groups are becoming more aware of the destination footprint and urge people to:

  • Fly less and stay longer

  • Consider slow travel

  • Stay local

  • Avoid international chain hotels and inclusive holidays

  • Carbon-offset their flight

Ecotourism

• The most easily recognised of sustainable tourism

• This speciality tourism takes small groups to coral reefs, tropical rainforests, remote mountain locations, Antarctica, and other protected areas

• Community-based tourism is growing in fragile LEDCs, benefiting the local community and creating jobs

Ecotourism in Bhutan

• Ecotourism involves minimising visitors' carbon footprint to benefit the community and environment

• Despite being one of the poorest developing nations, Bhutan has one of the most sustainable tourism sectors

• Bhutan is one of the world's most exclusive tourist destinations due to its stunning natural environment, authenticity, remoteness, and well-protected cultural legacy

• Unlike commercial ecotourism companies, Bhutan's government has adopted 'high value but low volume' tourism, generating exclusivity

• Bhutan opened its gates to tourists in 1974 after 300 years of isolation

• It was realised that hotels built for the King's coronation might be used to house paying guests, raising foreign exchange and providing much-needed cash for the country's development

  • Initial foreign visits were limited to 2500; presently they've increased, increasing exclusivity

  • All tourists must go on approved tour companies in groups to certain places and a $200 (£167) daily 'Sustainable Development Fee' is required

• The sustainable development fee offsets tourists' carbon footprint, upskills workers, and protects Bhutan's heritage and mountain splendour

• Some say it only attracts wealthy tourists and promotes Bhutan as a speciality destination; however, Bhutan's strategy manages tourist volume and impact

Protected areas

• This involves protecting vast areas from development

• National Parks: Yellowstone was the first to be established in 1872 and now there are more than 4000 worldwide

• Many countries have National Forests, Country Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World Heritage Sites and other areas considered important to protect

Tourist hubs

• Concentration of tourism into one particular area of a country or region

• Impacts are seen to be kept to one place

• However, it is difficult to keep tourism within boundaries and overspill occurs

• Any benefits are kept within that area and not spread throughout the community

• Creates division within the area

Quotas

• The number of tourists would not be allowed to exceed a sustainable level

• Based on a lottery system of so many places being available 

• This can be difficult to administer and causes tension

• Conservation areas have permits allowing visitors to see unique areas or animals—coral reefs, mountain gorillas, Galapagos Islands, etc

Case Study: Importance of Tourism to Cyprus

• Tourism is important to Cyprus as it provides thousands of jobs and contributes an average of 20% to the country's GDP

• Cyprus island is partitioned into the Turkish Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus

• This case study will focus on the southern Greek island area

• Cyprus' Mediterranean climate offers hot, dry summers (average 28°C) and rainy winters (10°C)

• Annual demand for water exceeds supply, making Cyprus 'water poor'

• Desalination facilities are used more, which increases energy consumption but only meets 45% of demand and harms the environment

• The Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI) was founded in 2006 to promote sustainable tourism in Cyprus

• The initiative:

  • Helps tourism-disadvantaged communities live better

  • Conserve and safeguard Cyprus's environment while exploiting its natural resources sustainably

  • Reduces tourism-related carbon emissions

  • Promote sustainability education and research

  • Some projects include:

    • Water, energy, and water management

    • Hotels use up to 22% of their water on gardens and landscaping

    • Use less grass and exotic plants, which need frequent watering

    • Native flora are representative of Cyprus and respond to less rainfall; thus, hotels should utilise them

    • Fewer swimming pools

• Increased use of renewable energy;

  • Cyprus relies on solar power

  • Energy-saving technologies in hotels and public spaces

  • Plastic use and waste should be reduced

• Enhanced beach conditions with coordinated cleaning events

  • Working with tourism to minimise single-use plastics in Ayia Napa and other tourist destinations

  • Conduct turtle watches during hatching to ensure hatchlings reach the sea and not hotel establishments

• Encourage rural tourism to support disadvantaged areas through art, history, accommodation, and local events

• Most tourists arrive by plane and explore Cyprus by car or coach, making it difficult to reduce Cyprus's carbon impact