SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SOLUTION

Sustainable Tourism Solution

Sustainable Tourism Solution

Introduction

In the 20th century, globalization of capitalism, movement of populations, and advances in transportation and communication technology have helped to develop tourism into one of the world's largest industries. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (2004), world tourism receipts will reach approximately $727.9 billion by the end of 2004, with tourism generating more than 214 million jobs and contributing about $5.5 trillion of gross domestic product (GDP), 10.4% of the world's total. Because of its ability to create income, taxes, hard currency and jobs, tourism has made a significant contribution to the economics of many communities around the world (Sirakaya, Jamal, & Choi, 2001).

Discussion

However, although tourism has brought economic benefits, it has significantly contributed to environmental degradation, negative social and cultural impacts and habitat fragmentation. Tourism's unplanned growth has damaged the natural and socio-cultural environments of many tourism destinations (Domet, 1991; Frueh, 1986; Hall & Lew, 1998; Hidinger, 1996; Mowforth & Munt, 1998; Murphy, 1985; Singh, 1989). These undesirable side-effects have led to the growing concern for the conservation and preservation of natural resources, human well-being and the long-term economic viability of communities (Akis, Peristianis, & Warner, 1996; Butler & Boyd, 2000; Cater, 1993; Hall & McArthur, 1998; Haralambopoulos & Pizam, 1996; Healy, 1994; Mowforth & Munt, 1998; Place, 1995; Richard & Hall, 2000). As decision-makers became increasingly aware of the drawbacks of mass tourism, they searched for alternative tourism planning, management and development options. As a result, the notion of sustainable development (sustainability) emerged as an alternative to the traditional neo-classical model of economic development.

The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) issued the first report on sustainability, entitled “Our Common Future” which was supported by several international organizations (United Nations Conference on Environment & Development (UNCED) (1992) and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)/UNCED (1992); World Conservation Strategy, 1980; WCED, 1987; WTTC/WTTC/ECC, 1995). The WCED defined sustainable development as development that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WCED, 1987, p. 43). Following this report, “ sustainable development” became an internationally known term and the subject of thousands of books and papers. This concept of sustainable development, although not supported by international agreements and strategies and with much uncertainty as to its underlying theories and processes, became everyone's idea of a universal solution (Redcrift, 1999). It has turned into a “catch-all” term, equally embraced by those whose economic and environmental views are otherwise contradictory (Gowdy, 1999; Hall & Lew, 1998).

It should come as no surprise, then, that sustainable community tourism (SCT) has had limited practical application in the areas of management, planning and monitoring systems at the local level (Butler, 1999). Berry and Ladkin (1997) have argued that the relatively small size of most tourist businesses and the dramatic rise of the sustainability issue have raised serious questions about implementing and monitoring sustainable tourism at local levels. Consequently, individual countries have no clearly defined national policies and strategic reports ...