PLM Sustainable Tourism Module 1 PDF

Module 1: Introduction to Sustainability Mr. Adrian Jasper C. Cruz, MBA-TQM, PH.D.-Mgt. (Cand.) Doctor of Philosophy major in Management (Candidate) De La Salle Araneta University Master of Business Administration major in Total Quality Management...

Module 1: Introduction to Sustainability Mr. Adrian Jasper C. Cruz, MBA-TQM, PH.D.-Mgt. (Cand.) Doctor of Philosophy major in Management (Candidate) De La Salle Araneta University Master of Business Administration major in Total Quality Management Centro Escolar University College Instructor, Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Maynila (PLM) College Instructor, Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) Introduction There is no shortage of popular culture articles and blogs on the importance of travelling sustainably in the new age of tourism. The titles of these articles include ‘Open road, clear conscience’ (Bures, 2006) and ‘The conscientious tourist’ (Wagner, 2005). Introduction Because of the multitude of problems with innumerable people travelling and the inequitable relationship that exists between the haves and the have-nots, it is natural for some – in fact many – to speculate, as Bures (2006) does, on questions such as: How do we travel ethically? How do we know if we are doing any harm? Are we destroying the coral reefs, ancient ruins and natural wonders in a rush to see them? Are we supporting corrupt regimes by spending our money? Does the massive global warming effect of airline travel outweigh even the greenest ecotour? Introduction Consumers are starting to demand greener products (Weeden & Boluk, 2014; Wight, 1994a); these demands have become a key challenge for the tourism industry now and into the future, with many arguing that this is our most important challenge. How can we accommodate demand for more sustainable, greener or more ethical products and experiences, while at the same time being commercially successful? At what expense do we strive for commercial success given the degree and magnitude of impacts? Introduction These questions, and many more, rest at the heart of tourism and sustainability. We can argue that sustainable development (SD) continues to be such a global force because it takes an intermediary position on a continuum between a strict anthropocentric approach to human agency and more radical or deeper ecological views. Introduction SD appears to be the more rational and functional form of change, given the challenge that lies ahead in meeting present needs while taking into consideration the needs of future generations. As such, SD and sustainable tourism (ST) are important because they represent our best chance to move forward in manner that reconciles often competing entities and interests along economic, sociocultural and ecological lines. Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale Sustainable development is not an idea that emerged instantaneously. It is the product of several years of questions around the impacts that development had on both planetary resources and human groups. Stabler (1996) argues that the new conservation movement of the 1950s and early 1960s was the precursor to the principles and practices that we recognize as SD today. Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale Other important catalysts include three watershed meetings, all in 1972, which tabled issues tied to human use and damage to the natural world. Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale These meetings included: (1) The United Nations (UN) Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm (UNEP, 1972); (2) Publication of the Club of Rome’s report, The Limits of Growth (Meadows et al., 1972); (3) UNESCO’s (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Dangi & Jamal, 2016). Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale These meetings translated into an expanding ecodevelopment literature which was central in terms of defining the basic structure of SD. Two early advocates that helped build this structure were Jeffrey S. Miller (1976, 1978) and Robert Riddell (1981), both of whom captured the essence of the dissatisfaction taking place from sociocultural, economic and ecological perspectives. Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale Ecodevelopment was premised on: 1. Enlarging the capacity of individuals to fulfil the desire to be useful and wanted, thereby dignifying labor-intensive and socially directed efforts of environmentally non degrading kinds; 2. Expanding the capacity of communities to be self-sufficient, thereby leading to the replenishment of renewable resources and the careful use of non-renewable resources; and 3. Enhancing the fairness and justice of society, in environmental terms, avoiding wasteful consumption. Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale The term ‘sustainable development’ was coined in 1980 by the NGO, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, through its publication World Conservation Strategy (Crabbé, 1998; Krueger, 2017) The Brandt Report, also of 1980, stressed the need for development to include ‘care for the environment’. Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale The World Commission on Environment and Development’s (WCED, 1987) Our Common Future helped the term ‘sustainability’ gain more common usage and acceptance (Archer, 1996), by characterizing SD….. …. as a process of change in which the (1) exploitation of resources, (2) the direction of investments, (3) the orientation of technological development and (4) institutional changes are made consistent with present as well as future needs. Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale Sustainable Development (SD) refers to development that meets the needs of present populations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (WCED, 1987). It is based on the idea that economic growth should occur in a more ecologically responsible and socially equitable manner. Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale While there were only a few definitions of sustainable development in the 1980s, by the mid-1990s there were over 300 (Dobson, 1996), attesting to how firmly academics, government and industry embraced SD during that period of time. Some of the earliest scholarly papers on SD often used terms interchangeably. For example, Barbier’s (1987) comprehensive treatment of ‘sustainable economic development’ (SED) also included use of the term ‘sustainability’ to make reference to the same set of themes. He argued that the primary aim of SED is ‘to provide lasting and secure livelihoods that minimize resource depletion, environmental degradation, cultural disruption, and social stability’ (Barbier, 1987) Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale An important addition to Barbier’s stance is maximizing goals across biological, economic and social systems through dynamic and adaptive processes of trade-offs, and that…. …. sustainability needs to be applied across all types of economic and social activities, including forestry, agriculture and fisheries. Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale Other scholars argued that SD ought to be grounded in pre-established knowledge domains. For example, JG Nelson (1992) suggested that the theoretical basis of SD fits within heritage and human ecology. Heritage refers to all the objects that come to us from the past, including culture, flora, fauna, language and institutions. Human ecology comprises all ‘economic, technical, social and cultural ways in which human beings in different societies and places have been influenced by and have influenced the world around them’ (Nelson, 1992). Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale Porter (1978) characterizes human ecology as the use of ecological systems that emphasize equilibrium, balance, homeostasis and feedbacks, to explain the interconnectedness between people and environments. It is more effectively applied at scales that are small and in situations that are not overly complex. It is therefore more appropriate for small systems and cultures which are more manageable. Sustainable Development: Origins and Rationale Human ecology is a reflection of the belief that human actions are an expression of culture, and this includes…. …… human cultural actions that transform the natural world (Leighly, 1987). Weak and Strong Categories of Sustainability Weak and Strong Categories of Sustainability Themes, Principles and Goals of Sustainable Tourism Mitchell (1994: 190) provides a concise set of fundamental themes that he used to define the parameters around SD. These include the need to: (1) satisfy basic human needs; (2) achieve equity and social justice; (3) provide for social self-determination and cultural diversity; (4) maintain ecological integrity and biodiversity; and (5) integrate environmental and economic considerations.  Four Characteristics of Sustainable Development Forman (1990) illustrates that SD has four key characteristics. These include: (1) a time period of several generations; (2) adaptability and change in ecological and human systems; (3) slowly changing foundation variables that are marked by irregular cycles; and (4) mosaic stability, which permits ongoing rapid fluctuations within spatial units. Explanation of 4 Characteristics of SD Slowly changing foundation variables that regulate SD….... soil, biological diversity, biological productivity, freshwater and marine water from the ecological side of things, while human variables include basic human requirements of food, water, health and housing as well as fuel, and cultural cohesion and diversity. Explanation of 4 Characteristics of SD Mosaic stability refers to the fact that each landscape is a mosaic where ecosystems and human uses are fairly consistent throughout. The Principles of Quebec’s SD Act The UN Sustainable Development Goals Responsible Tourism McLaren (2006) offers a much more detailed definition, stating that responsible tourism: generates greater economic benefits for local people, enhances the wellbeing of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry; involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world’s diversity; Responsible Tourism provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues; minimizes negative economic, environmental and social impacts; and is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence. Framework of Approaches to Sustainable Tourism THANK YOU!