Tourism, Development and Growth

The Challenge of Sustainability

John J. Pigram, Salah Wahab, John J. Pigram, Salah Wahab

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2005
• eBook ISBN: 9781134721528
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Geography
• Index: Geography

Distinguishing between sustainable development and sustainable tourism, the authors examine whether, and in what form, tourism can contribute to sustainable development and growth. Focusing on different types of tourism appropriate to particular situations, the team of leading contributors draws on examples from around the world - Canada, USA, Spain, Belgium, UK, Australia - to explore tourism's contribution to the economic, social, political and environmental advancement of developing countries and the importance of tourism in industrialised nations. This book examines the new policies and initiatives established by both the private sector and the state to pursue sustainable tourism growth and identifies the opportunities and challenges inherent in achieving it.

Part I
INTRODUCTION

1
THE CHALLENGE OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM GROWTH

John J.Pigram and Salah Wahab

Concern for sustainability, and for the environmental management processes which contribute to it, is of critical importance in the future growth of tourism. Environmental issues are becoming of increasing significance in the world of tourism, and resolution of these issues will demand far-reaching changes in the way the industry operates. So much so that sustainable tourism has become the focus of widespread attention and research.

This book arose out of the perceived need for a thorough assessment of the parameters of sustainability and its implications in relation to tourism development. Much has already been written in this subject area and the concept of sustainable tourism attracts both critics and advocates. The purpose of this exercise is to harness and bring together a range of views on the theme of sustainability in the context of the growth of tourism as a global phenomenon. The contributions are neither reviews nor case studies, but more, a presentation of provocative points of view which need to be addressed if the ideal of sustainable tourism growth is to be realized.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The notion of sustainable tourism has its roots in the concept of sustainable development generally, defined by the Brundtland Commission as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (World Commission on Environment and Development 1987:4). Since then it has been adopted and applied in a wide range of human contexts, in an attempt to address simultaneously both developmental and environmental imperatives.

Although sustainable development has become the catchcry of the 1990s, at the same time the expression has been questioned as a contradiction in terms. This book challenges that point of view, maintaining that conditions can be created so that real development, in terms of human betterment and enhanced life opportunities, is nurtured to be handed on to future generations for their growth and prosperity.

Contributing authors were asked to consider the concept of sustainable development in the context of tourism, addressing the question: can tourism grow in a sustainable manner? Thus an underlying theme in the book is the essential element of sustainability of tourism and whether it is reality or myth. The theme is taken further to explore the limits of sustainability, the relationship between sustainability and the growth of tourism, and the differences, if any, between growth and development.

This is not to say that sustainable tourism has been the experience on the world scene to date. Any number of examples can be quoted of the expansion of tourism in a fashion which is clearly unsustainable. The nature and rate of tourism growth and the environments affected by expanding tourism activity can add to the potential for their own destruction. When degradation of the resource base proceeds to a point where the character and attraction of a tourist destination decline, tourism numbers recede, shortcomings appear in the biophysical infrastructure, and the socioeconomic impact of tourism takes on negative overtones.

The question posed in this book is whether tourism growth must inevitably lead to resource degradation and alienation of participants and host communities. For the tourism sector, the concept of sustainability implies meeting current uses and demands of tourism without impairing the natural and cultural heritage, or opportunities for collective enjoyment of tourists of the future (Hawkes and Williams 1993). Is it possible to foster types and rates of tourism which contribute to enhancement of the host environment, both natural features and in human terms? The thrust of this book is that this can be achieved; tourism growth is inevitable, but it can be managed sustainably and compatibly within environmental constraints.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

While sustainability is an integrative concept, most interpretations recognize, in the main, the environmental and socioeconomic dimensions. Compatible human use of environments, and resource management practices that minimize human disturbance of ecosystems and avoid actions with irreversible consequences, are often overlooked.

Moreover, the effect of changes in community views and shifts in attitudes over time towards tourism as an instrument of economic growth and development are almost always disregarded. Again, few interpretations of sustainability clearly set out any spatial context or boundaries. A clear message of this book is that these shortcomings must be offset if sustainability is to have any managerial and developmental relevance to tourism.

The book seeks to contribute to the clarification and systematic appraisal of sustainable tourism and its relationship to socioeconomic growth and environmentally viable resource development. These aims are addressed by way of:

• reference to the problems of delivering sustainable forms of tourism against a background of growth and change in contemporary tourism and world trends
• consideration of the contribution of sustainable tourism to overall growth and development of socioeconomic and environmentally significant resources, including the character and evaluation of tourism destinations
• examination of the task of balancing tourism growth with sustainability in particular contexts
• identification of the opportunities and challenges inherent in achieving sustainable tourism while accommodating growth, and
• examination of the policy initiatives necessary to pursue sustainable tourism growth in an uncertain world.

The book presents a comprehensive and penetrating treatment of the concept of sustainability as related to tourism growth. A positive and coherent thesis is put forward: that tourism can continue to expand globally in keeping with environmental constraints, given a commitment by all stakeholders to ensuring a balance between short-term returns and longer-term viability and sustainability.

STRUCTURE

The book comprises groups of chapters orientated towards the objectives of examining and exemplifying evidence for the growth of tourism in a sustainable manner. Following this introductory chapter, the book opens with a consideration of ‘Sustainable tourism in a changing world’, and the task of achieving sustainable tourism growth in a world influenced by an array of new and largely unpredictable forces. In such a context, the challenge is to pursue tourism growth in a manner resilient enough to respond positively to a changing global environment and societal structure, yet remaining compatible with the principles and practice of ecologically sustainable development.

The theme of tourism growth with sustainability is explored and then related to the geopolitical, socioeconomic, technological, and environmental changes influencing global tourism. The world is at the threshold of a predictably different age, politically, economically, socially, culturally and environmentally. It is therefore opportune for tourism to be revisited as a significant socioeconomic force and peace-promoting phenomenon. This becomes even more warranted in the light of tourism’s elastic and responsive nature and its potential contribution to sustainable development.

The emerging endorsement of growing sections of the tourism industry for more responsible and socially compatible tourism development is recognized, in partnership with community interests and the public sector.

TRENDS IN TOURISM—LIMITS TO GROWTH?

The theme of sustainable tourism growth is continued in a group of chapters which considers some of the current trends in world tourism, and the questions which arise in regard to possible synergistic relationships between commercial expectations and environmental objectives.

In the second chapter of this section, ‘Sustainable tourism—unsustainable development’, a distinction is made between sustainable development and sustainable tourism, and the question addressed is whether and in what form tourism might contribute to sustainable development and growth. The focus is not on tourism as an undifferentiated phenomenon, but on types of tourism which are appropriate to particular situations, and the means for assessing and ensuring that they are sustainable.

Sustainable tourism implies a balance between tourism and other existing and potential activities in the interests of multisectoral sustainable development. Despite small steps in the direction of sustainability, the author warns against the endorsement of sustainable tourism by the industry as a marketing gimmick, and questions whether tourism can in fact contribute to sustainable development. Whereas most would agree that it is in the long-term interests of the tourism industry to assure the longevity of the resources on which it depends, relatively little appears to be directed towards maintenance of that natural and cultural heritage.

The following chapter, ‘Mass tourism: benefits and costs’, begins with definition and documentation of mass tourism and recent trends in participation, both domestic and international. The question is then posed: can these trends be expected to continue? Evidence presented suggests that participation in mass tourism will grow, and the chapter then examines economic impact in terms of benefits and costs.

Economic benefits for a nation, region or local community are described and exemplified, including derived impacts and multiplier effects, income and employment generation, and advantages for less developed countries. Social costs are considered, with a distinction being made between private costs and external diseconomies or incidental costs. Indirect costs, e.g. import substitution, and opportunity costs are also treated.

Overdependence on the growth of tourism is seen as a danger because of its sensitivity and susceptibility to external forces beyond its control. Making tourism sustainable means putting the environment first and encouraging ‘new tourism’, or the packaging and marketing of non-standardized leisure services, alongside mass tourism.

Concern for sustainability is identified as central to the management of tourism growth in the chapter, ‘The contribution of life cycle analysis and strategic planning to sustainable tourism’. The integration of these two mutually compatible approaches to planning provides an organizing framework within which to manage the growth of tourism in a sustainable manner. The adoption of the disciplined, longer-term perspective provided by strategic planning for both destinations and markets ensures that tourism becomes a renewable resource at each stage of its life cycle.

In terms of sustainable tourism, a strategic planning perspective offers an integrated approach to the management of tourist destinations, marked by a common sense of ownership and direction, clear identification of roles and responsibilities, and an agreed set of performance indicators. However, the strategic planning process can be marred by the fragmented, seasonal characteristics of tourism business dominated typically by short-term operating horizons.

When strategic planning is linked with life cycle analysis it is possible to define sustainable options available for destinations according to their competitive position and their stage in the tourism area life cycle. Strategic responses for each stage are identified and the possibilities of new product development are considered in the interests of achieving sustainable tourism outcomes.

Tourism destinations are the focus of the chapter, ‘Selective tourism growth: targeted tourism destinations’, which explores in some depth, and exemplifies the various meanings of the term ‘destination’, and the relationship of the evolution of this concept to the objective of sustainable tourism. Reference is made to particular tourism destinations to demonstrate how clarification of the concept relates to sustainable tourism growth. New planning approaches are needed to conserve the intrinsic qualities of selected tourism destinations. Management and marketing must also be sensitive to particular indigenous characteristics of tourism communities and surrounding areas.

The chapter demonstrates the importance of discussing sustainability of tourism specifically in the context of a particular destination and its inhabitants. Seen through the concept of sustainability, the development of a tourism destination emphasizes better use of space, better terms of presentation, a greater number of more complex tourist activities and services, and the expectation that tourists will enjoy a fulfilling stay.

The section concludes with a chapter entitled ‘Modelling tourism development: evolution, growth and decline’. This chapter focuses on the patterns and processes of tourism development with particular reference to the theme of sustainability. A number of general principles of sustainable development are recognized, among them change in the nature, scale and rate of development, the assumption of management to attain long-term goals, and responsibility for avoiding or minimizing impacts on the environment. The challenge to sustainability presented by the emergence of artificial, contrived attractions catering primarily for mass tourism is seen of particular significance.

Understanding the nature of growth and development and explaining its importance in the evolution of tourist destinations are recurring themes in this wide-ranging review. The implications are explored of the author’s destination life cycle concept for modelling development of tourism destinations in the context of sustainability. The relationship between the tourism life cycle and carrying capacity suggests that levels of development at each stage should not exceed elements of capacity, however imprecise or measured. To achieve this, some level of control and perhaps regulation are seen as likely to be necessary.

Economies of scale and pressures for development only add to the need for monitoring the manner in which destinations seek to grow in pursuit of marketing advantage. In the words of the contributor, ‘The trick is to achieve one of two things: unlimited and indefinite growth, or sustainability. The latter is difficult, and perhaps unattainable; the former is impossible’.

BALANCING TOURISM GROWTH WITH SUSTAINABILITY

The chapters in this section are concerned with process—the task of achieving tourism growth in harmony with sustainability considerations—and in particular spatial and cultural contexts.

‘Sustainable tourism in the developing world’ is the focus of the opening chapter. The relatively unspoiled nature of many developing countries and their attractive, less sophisticated lifestyle are seen as part of the comparative advantage they enjoy for tourism. Whereas the economic benefits which tourism can bring are undeniable, costs are also likely to be incurred in distortion of value systems, loss of heritage and changes to ways of life.

The chapter traces the contribution which tourism can make to the economic, social, political and even environmental advancement of developing countries. The challenge is to maximize the benefits and minimize the disadvantages, and one way to help the process is through international cooperation and bilateral assistance programmes. The process also requires coherent policy formulation and implementation, and these are typically not well developed in the Third World.

Goals and strategies for effective tourism policies for less developed countries are identified, and the key issues of carrying capacity and community participation are stressed. Tourism in Egypt is used as a case study to illustrate the elements of a successful development strategy for pursuing tourism growth in a sustainable manner.

The chapter ‘Challenges to tourism in the industrialized nations’ notes the importance of tourism to industrialized countries, both as a domestic industry and an export industry, and its continued growth in the foreseeable future. Some nations such as Australia, Canada and Spain have identified the tourism industry as of strategic importance in their economic future, and have initiated policies to promote the growth of tourism.

Whereas tourism presents challenges to societies, the focus here is on challenges to tourism. Thus the orientation might be described as supply-side in that the chapter examines challenges faced by firms, organizations and the industry at large. Most challenges represent a combination of conceptual, analytical and delivery issues. Each challenge is summarized and the implications briefly described, and the beginnings of a solution to each are outlined.

As tourism growth continues, strategies to deal with these challenges become more urgent, in that they inhibit policy attention from government, limit the ability of tourism businesses to make informed management decisions, and affect the availability and quality of tourism products for consumers. The degree to which tourism can meet these challenges will determine to a significant degree whether it can function as a sustainable industry.

Evaluating a community’s sensitivity to tourism development is the first step in planning towards sustainability. The following chapter, ‘Implementing sustainable tourism development through citizen participation in the planning process’, argues that sustainable tourism cannot be successfully implemented without the direct support and involvement of those who are affected by it. Devising effective means for allowing citizens’ involvement in the tourism planning process and encouragi...

Table of contents

• COVER PAGE
• TITLE PAGE
• COPYRIGHT PAGE
• ILLUSTRATIONS
• CONTRIBUTORS
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• PART I: INTRODUCTION
• PART II: TRENDS IN TOURISM—LIMITS TO GROWTH?
• PART III: BALANCING TOURISM GROWTH WITH SUSTAINABILITY
• PART IV OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
• PART V: PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM