Management of Tourism (Cambridge (CIE) O Level Geography)

Management of Tourism

• Tourism has become so large-scale in so many parts of the world that it needs to be managed

• Key tourist destinations are looking to sustainability to protect their incomes but also their environments

• Some areas of sustainable tourism have been more successful than others, and it's important to remember that not all schemes work

Sustainable tourism

• Organised so that environmental, social and economic levels can be maintained in the future without compromising the present areas

• Tourism operates in a world of finite resources where its 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 locally

  • Avoid international chain hotels and inclusive holidays

  • Carbon-offset their flight

Ecotourism

• The most easily recognised of sustainable tourism

• This is a specialised form of tourism in which small numbers of people experience unusual or niche environments such as coral reefs, tropical rainforests, remote mountain areas, Antarctica, and other conservation areas

• Community based tourism are becoming more popular in fragile environments of LEDCs, bringing larger benefits to the local community and employment

Ecotourism in Bhutan

• Ecotourism is all about visitors leaving as small a carbon footprint as possible to the benefit of the community and environment

• As one of the poorest developing nations, Bhutan can claim to have one of the most sustainable tourist industries in the world 

• Bhutan's tourist sector is one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world with a reputation for a spectacular natural environment, authenticity, remoteness and a well-protected cultural heritage 

• Ecotourism is usually run by private enterprises; however, Bhutan's government has adopted a different approach of 'high value but low volume' tourism creating a sense of exclusivity

• After 300 years of self-isolation, Bhutan opened its borders to tourists in 1974

• Due in part to the realisation that hotels built for the King's coronation could be used to accommodate paying guests so boosting foreign exchange and providing much-needed revenue for the country's development

• Initially only 2500 foreign visits were allowed, today that number has doubled reinforcing the exclusivity

• All tourists are escorted in groups to specific locations and must travel on officially approved tour operators

• All are expected to pay a 'Sustainable Development Fee' or surcharge of $200 (£167) per day

• The surcharge goes towards offsetting tourist's carbon footprint and upskilling workers along with protecting Bhutan's unique heritage and spectacular mountain scenery

• However, some argue that all it does is attract wealthier visitors and promote Bhutan as a niche destination

• Ultimately, Bhutan's strategy does control the volume and impact of tourism

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

• Concentratin 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

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

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

• 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 be focusing on the southern Greek part of the island

• Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (average 28°C) and rainy winters (average 10°C)

• Due to a series of water shortages, annual demand now outstrips supply and Cyprus is classified as 'water poor'

• There is an increasing reliance on desalinisation plants which increases energy consumption but only provides 45% of the increased demand and is harmful to the environment

• In 2006 the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI) was launched to develop a sustainable approach to tourism in Cyprus through:

  • Improve the quality of life in poorer communities disadvantaged by tourism

  • Promote the preservation, conservation and protection of Cyprus's environment, whilst sustainably using its natural resources

  • Reduce its carbon footprint due to tourism

  • Promote research and education in sustainability

• Some of the projects undertaken are:

• Managing water, energy and water -

  • Gardens and landscaping account for up to 22% of a hotel's water consumption

  • Limit the use of grass and exotic vegetation which require frequent watering

  • Encourage hotels to use native plants as they naturally adapt to less rainfall and are representative of Cyprus

  • Reduce the number of swimming pools

  • Increase the use of renewable energy - solar power is a major source of energy for Cyprus 

  • Use of energy saving devices in hotels and public spaces

  • Reduce the use of plastic and plastic waste

• Improve conditions on beaches through organised beach cleaning events

• Working with the tourism sector to reduce demand and consumption of single use plastics in tourist hotspots such as Ayia Napa 

• Organise turtle watches during hatching time to ensure the hatchlings get to the sea and not into hotel resorts

• Encourage rural tourism to spread the benefits among poorer communities through art and history projects, accommodation and local events

• The reduction of Cyprus's carbon footprint in a significant manner is difficult as most tourists arrive by air and tour the island either by car or coach