Managing Impact of Tourism: Sustainable Ecotourism & Conservation (Lecture 7) PDF

1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 Lecture 7 MANAGING IMPACT OF TOURISM: SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM & CONSERVATION Thinesh Thangadurai 1 Marine Tourism: Rapid Growth, Mixed Impacts Rapid Growth: Expanding quickly, with both po...

1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 Lecture 7 MANAGING IMPACT OF TOURISM: SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM & CONSERVATION Thinesh Thangadurai 1 Marine Tourism: Rapid Growth, Mixed Impacts Rapid Growth: Expanding quickly, with both positives and negatives. Positive Impacts: Boosts local businesses, creates jobs, supports communities. Negative Impacts: Puts pressure on marine ecosystems, risks environmental damage. 1 Perspective Matters: Different stakeholders (locals, tourists, conservationists) view impacts differently. Balancing Act: Weighing costs vs. benefits remains complex and challenging. …? 2  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 Marine Tourism: Balancing Costs and Benefits Challenges in Measurement: Difficult to quantify costs vs. benefits precisely. Effective Management Approach: Maximize positive impacts Minimize negative impacts Strategies for Success: Embrace a range of sustainable practices Focus on ecotourism principles Key Questions: What does sustainability mean in this context? How can ecotourism be effectively implemented? 3 Sustainable tourism Sustainable tourism is tourism attempting to make as low an impact on the environment and local culture as possible while helping to generate future employment for local people. Example: Though enormous effort for sustainable tourism 2 development in the sultanate of Oman are in place and the government is investing heavily on improving the present infrastructure in all spheres to woo more tourists to the country, the number of tour guides is the drastically low compared to the number of tourist inflow. [http://www.eturbonews.com/39168/oman-needs-more-tourist-guides]. 4  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 Triple Bottom Line of Sustainable Tourism Planet: Minimize environmental impact, support biodiversity, and conserve natural and cultural heritage. People: Respect local culture, foster authentic interactions, and enhance understanding between travelers and hosts. Profit: Ensure economic benefits for local communities, operating with principles of fair trade. 5 CONVENTIONAL TOURISM SUSTAINABLE TOURISM 1. Has one goal: profit 1. Planned with three goals: profit, environment, 2. Often not planned in advance; “it just and community (triple bottom line) happens” 2. Usually planned in advance with involvement of 3. Tourist oriented all stakeholders 4. Controlled by outside parties 3. Locally oriented 3 5. Focus on entertainment for tourists 4. Locally controlled, at least in part 6. Conservation not a priority 5. Focus on educational experiences 7. Communities not a priority 6. Conservation of natural resources a priority 8. Much revenue goes to outside 7. Appreciation for local culture a priority operators & investors 8. More revenue stays with local community and MPA 6  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 Sustainable Tourism Development (STD) – Three Key Principles 1.Support Local Communities: Improve residents' quality of life and provide economic benefits. 2.Meet Tourist Needs: Satisfy tourists while respecting local culture. 3.Protect the Environment: Preserve natural and cultural resources for future generations. 7 EU 12 Principles of Sustainable Tourism 1.Ensure Economic Viability Maintain the competitiveness of tourism destinations and businesses to secure long-term prosperity and benefits. 2.Promote Local Prosperity Maximize tourism’s economic contributions to the host destination by retaining more visitor spending locally. 3.Enhance Employment Quality Increase the quantity and quality of local jobs created through tourism, ensuring fair pay, good working conditions, and equal opportunities for all. 4 4.Achieve Social Equity Distribute economic and social benefits of tourism fairly across the community, improving access to income and services for disadvantaged groups. 5.Fulfill Visitor Expectations Provide safe, satisfying, and inclusive experiences for all visitors, ensuring accessibility and enjoyment. 6.Empower Local Control Involve and empower local communities in tourism planning and decision-making to manage and shape the development of tourism in their area. 8  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 EU 12 Principles of Sustainable Tourism Promote Community Wellbeing Strengthen the quality of life in local communities by enhancing access to resources, amenities, and support systems, while avoiding social exploitation. Enhance Cultural Richness Respect and celebrate local heritage, authentic culture, and unique traditions of host communities. Protect Physical Integrity Preserve and improve the quality of urban and rural landscapes, preventing environmental degradation. Conserve Biological Diversity Support the conservation of natural areas, habitats, and wildlife, minimizing tourism-related harm. Optimize Resource Efficiency Reduce the use of scarce and non-renewable resources in tourism development and operations. Ensure Environmental Purity Minimize pollution of air, water, and land, and reduce waste generated by tourism activities. 9 Marine Tourism Management Strategies Range of Strategies: From minimal intervention to complex, integrated approaches. Combining Elements: Uses structures, technology, economic incentives, regulations, and education to manage tourism impact. Four Main Categories of Management Strategies: 1) Economic Measures (Newest Approach) Incentives and pricing to influence sustainable tourism practices. 5 2) Education and Awareness (Modern Strategy) Engages tourists and communities through information, promoting responsible behavior in parks and protected areas. 3) Regulatory Controls Sets rules and restrictions to manage tourism activities and protect the environment. 4) Physical Controls (Traditional Approach) Direct measures like barriers and designated zones to control tourist behavior and minimize impact. 10  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 MANAGING TOURISM Types of tourists (interested in environment) 11 REGULATORY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES Traditional/most common management method Rules and regulations that restrict behaviour of tourists, times, numbers, actions etc. Enforcement = police, rangers etc. Examples: Visitor number restrictions Limits on times/locations 6 Types of visitor activity permitted Spatial/temporal zoning Types of equipment permitted restricted Noise levels Speed limits Lease/licence/permit requirements Codes of practice 12  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 Economic Measures (Newest Approach) Economic Measures (Newest Approach)" refers to using financial strategies to promote sustainable behavior in tourism. This can include: Incentives: Offering discounts, rewards, or benefits to tourists and businesses that follow eco-friendly practices. For example, a tour operator might get a tax break for reducing their environmental impact. Pricing Strategies: Setting prices in a way that encourages sustainable choices. For example, charging higher fees for access to sensitive natural areas, or offering lower prices for low-impact activities. 13 Education and Awareness (Modern Strategy) 7 14  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 REGULATORY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES Punishment system (progressively harsher) 1st offence = warning 2nd offence =ban 3rd offence = fine/jail Purpose: Protect safety of tourists Reduce conflicts between tourists Protect environment Problems: Restrict freedom/enjoyment of tourists Difficulties of regulations in remote locations Involve money and people – high cost 15 PHYSICAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES Human-made structures Restriction of physical movement or activity (tourist walkway through the marshes or dunes) Glass bottom boats (see environments without touching it) 8 Marinas, observation platforms, mooring buoys 16  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE TOURISM  Conservation and efficient use of natural resources  Management of wastes and chemical products  Environmental education and best practice training  Reduce impact of tourism operations on ecosystems  Extend programs to nearby communities, suppliers, vendors, and contractors 17 ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES Modify peoples behaviour Penalties for littering, illegal activities Entrance fees or permits Discounts for cleaning or protection projects 9 18  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT  Reduce inappropriate tourist behaviour  Not common  “Win to win” scenario  Different to different size of tourist groups, age and education  Problems:  Program located to time and place  Tourists are free to go anytime  Lack of suitable trained personal  Lack of environmental knowledge 19 Challenges  Climate change  World poverty  Biodiversity loss 10  Support for conservation  Health, safety and security 20  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 TOURISM IN THE 2030 AGENDA The year 2015 has been a milestone for global development as governments have adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The bold agenda sets out a global framework to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change until 2030. Building on the historic Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the ambitious set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 associated targets is people-centred, transformative, universal and integrated. 21 11 22  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 Harnessing tourism's benefits will be critical to achieving the sustainable development goals and implementing the post-2015 development agenda In particular, it has been included as targets in Goals 8, 12 and 14 on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and the sustainable use of oceans and marine resources, respectively. Sustainable tourism is firmly positioned in the 2030 Agenda. Achieving this agenda, however, requires a clear implementation framework, adequate financing and investment in technology, infrastructure and human resources. 23 GOAL 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION A tourism sector that adopts sustainable consumption and production (SCP) practices can play a significant role in accelerating the global shift towards sustainability. To do so, as set in Target 12.b of Goal 12, it is imperative to “Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable 12 development impacts for sustainable tourism which creates jobs, promotes local culture and products”. The Sustainable Tourism Programme (STP) of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP) aims at developing such SCP practices, including resource efficient initiatives that result in enhanced economic, social and environmental outcomes. 24  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 TOURISM 4 SDGS The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a United Nations specialized agency, is the leading international organization in the field of tourism. UNWTO is responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism geared towards the achievement of the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNWTO offers leadership and support to the tourism sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide, advocating for responsible tourism and promoting tourism as a driving force towards economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability. With a current membership of 156 countries, UNWTO encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics in Tourism, in order to maximize tourism´s socio-economic contribution while minimizing its possible negative impacts. 25 13 Theme - “Tourism and Rural Development” September 27 https://youtu.be/cK8jHuk3ozE 26  1 1 /3 0 /2 0 2 4 ‘Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.’ -World Tourism Organisation 27 14