Sustainable Tourism Development

Kavindu JayawardanaDepartment of Interdesciplinary Studies, Faculty of

Information Technology,University of Moratuwa,

Katubedda, Moratuwa, Sri Lankamail.kavindu@gmail.com

Abstract

Tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing industries and is a major source of income for many countries. It can have both positive and negative impacts towards the image of the particular destinations tourism image. Sustainable tourism development attempts to find the balance between Environment, Economic and Culture to create an improved quality of life for the host community. The paper analyses about the practices, theories and trends of Sustainable Tourism Development

Key Words: Sustainable development, tourism, Tourism development

I. INTRODUCTION

Over the past few decades, tourism experienced continued expansion and diversification, becoming one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world. Many new destinations have emerged apart from the traditional favorites of Europe and North America. Tourism has affected directly and indirectly for 9% of the GDP globally and every single employee of 11 employees engage in a tourism related job. According to the Statistics of World Tourism Organization (WTO), they predict 1.8 billion of international tourists in 2030. [1]

According to the definition of World Tourism Organization (WTO) Sustainable Tourism Development is "Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, and the environment and host communities" [3]

“Sustainable tourism development guidelines and management practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations, including mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments. Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be

established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability.”[3] Also it includes a positive, and integrated approach to tourism development, which involves resource management and working together with stakeholders for the long-term viability and quality of the social, economic and environmental resources.

Even though attempts have been taken to develop tourism in a sustainable manner, they have issues in lack of quality, reliability, technical content, maturity, equity, and effectiveness.

II. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

A specific definition for sustainable tourism is not yet defined. But the definitions share some common attributes such as quality, continuity, and balance. Quality expect providing a quality experience for visitors while improving the quality of life of the host community and protecting the quality of the environment. Continuity means ensuring the continuity of natural resources upon which it is based and the continuity of the culture of the host community with satisfying experience for visitors. Balance expects the needs of the tourism industry, supporters of the environment, and the local community and the destinations. These goals include the following

To improve the quality of host community To preserve the environment and natural

resources for future To protect the quality of the environment by

maintaining biological diversity and ecological systems.

To ensure the cultural integrity and social cohesion of communities

To provide a high quality experience for visitors.

Also tourism planning, development, and operation should be part of sustainable development strategies. They should incorporate several sectors, involving different government, private corporations, citizen groups and individuals. Those corporations should follow ethical and other principles that respect the culture and environment of the area, the traditional way of life, the community and traditional behavior, and political patterns.

A. Socio-cultural Impact

Most of the tourist attractions and activities are related to both the natural environment and historic and cultural heritage of a particular area. If these resources are destroyed tourism cannot thrive. Maintaining the cultural traditions and ethnic identities is another important element of conserving cultural heritage of an area. Below factors can consider as pillars of sustainable tourism in the aspect of socio-cultural background.

a) Community involvement

Community should be encourage to become involved in the development involved in the development process. Even though the community participation may have limitations depending on the destination. Especially in developing countries.

b) Cultural exchange

Culture plays a major role in attracting tourists to a destination. Tourism demand can also affect cultural festivals and ceremonies. Tourist interest in cultural activities can also result in invasions of residents’ privacy.

c) Cultural interpretation

One of the main objectives of cultural interpretation is to assist visitors in developing a keener awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the area and culture of the people they are visiting. Goal of community interpretation is to link people with sites, stories and info ration about an area. Also this provides a more enriching experience for visitors and helps them to differentiate one destination from another.

B. Environmental Impact

Although it is recognized that tourism can be beneficial to the natural environment by promoting environment conservation, tourism also has a negative impact on the environment. Governments should pay more attention to environment protection. Most tourists wish to visit attractive areas which are clean and not polluted. A high level of environmental quality is needed for the local residents as well. Tourism can make local residents more aware of the quality of their environment and support maintenance where necessary.

C. Carrying Capacity

It represents the intensity of the use a certain environment can stand over a determined period of time without damaging its sustainable potential for the respective use. Actually it is a method to establish critical or maximum values acceptable to use which, once exceeded, have a negative influence and damage normal development. There are types of carrying capacity

a) Environmental/Ecological capacityNumber of visitors that can be accommodate before damage to be caused to the environment or ecosystem.

b) Economic CapacityThe number of tourists that can be welcomed before the local community start to suffer economic problems.

c) Social CapacityThe number of people beyond which social disruption damage will occur

d) Infrastructure CapacityThe number of tourists that can be accommodate by the destination infrastructure.

III. SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES IN TOURISM

Sustainability practices are becoming increasingly common. Individuals and corporations have started to think about it and debate it more frequently. Sustainability issues have become an essential part of the social and political sector in most countries. Corporate and professional ethics should emphasized. All stakeholders including local communities should get together and discuss this in an open discussion. A special concern should pay on educating the young people on the environmental issues and instilling the values in their minds seems an essential factor. Also some issues have been identified as some common issues related to sustainable tourism development.

- Exclusive nature of tourism is a major issue. Nature of tourism is different from a destination to another destination and opportunities should uniquely identified to implement better strategies. Investment activities in accessing the product has been limited.

- Also there is an issue between policy and the practices. Sustainable tourism development policies should align with community participation and benefits arising from tourism.

- Narrow definition of tourism is another issue. There are many aspects of tourism related to a particular destination and those aspects should identified well. For an example concerning only on hotels should not be the tourism should not be the policy.

- Resource management is also an important issue. Resources are different from destination to destination. Countries do not identify their unique resources in tourism planning which benefit in attracting more visitors.

- Most of the participants do not have a clear vision in sustainable tourism development

- Also there is not a visible intellectual leadership. The concept have to deal with fundamentals when it comes to the industry. Even the researchers are focus on this industry. Even most of the researches are historical. [2]

IV. TREENDS IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Now destination wise sustainable tourism is becoming a popular topic with the issue of over development and under development in some destinations. Now public sector is more corporate with the private sector and the combination and coordination leads sustainable tourism in many destinations.

Indigenous and community tourism is becoming a trend in many countries. By strengthening community based tourism enterprises and support the creation of new ones, try to find new ventures marketing their unique resources in the destination. Prepare and implement instruments and methodologies for territorial tourism management is another trend. Some countries prepare and implement strategies to market and promote national tourism supply in the internal market in the context of an intercultural and economic coordination.

V. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I am depply grateful to my supervisor Mrs. M.B. Mufitha for giving her guidance and support for carrying out my research on this topic. Her Guidance always motivate to do this research effectively.

VI. REFERENCES

[1] http://mkt.unwto.org/publication/unwto-tourism-highlights-2013-editionUNWTO Tourism Highlights 2013

[2] Sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean: Practical challengesLynn C. Harrison, School of Tourism and Tourism Management, Ryersin University, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaChandana Jayawardana, The university of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies

[3] http://sdt.unwto.org/content/about-us-5, The World Tourism Organization powered by United Nations

[4] Sustainable tourism development in Canada: Practical Challenges,Chandana Jayawardana, Canadian School of Management, St Catharines, Ontario, Canada

[5] Strategies for the development of sustainable tourism in the Amazon rainforest of BoliviaSandra Lima Cortez, Vice-Ministry of Tourism,La Paz, Bolivia

[6] The development of sustainable tourism in the GuianasDonald Sinclair, University of Guyana, East Coast Demeran, GuyanaChandana Jayawardana, The University of the West Indies, Jamaica