There is no such thing as a totally sustainable tourism (0)

Adventure Tourism Project Management
Madli Tuvike
There is no such thing as a totally sustainable tourism (Swarbrooke, 1999).
Tourism as one of the leading industries in the world is contributing to sustainable development (Mintel, 2005). Tourism needs to cope with changing world and world order , also trends that are occurring. Sustainable tourism is one rising industry in tourism market . Swarbroke (1999) and David (2011) are suggesting that sustainable tourism and sustainability is taking wider part in tourism industry. Moreover , Mintel (2005) states that tourism contribution to sustainable development is being recognised increasingly by governments and international organisations. In addition , United Nations World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO , a.i.) states that tourism nowadays takes full responsibility of impacts that it is making , such as current and future economic, social and environmental. Therefore , this essay will identify opportunities of achieving sustainable tourism. The essay will compare different definitions of sustainable tourism, create a new one and apply it with chosen destination. This essay will focus on sustainable tourism in Belize .
Sustainable tourism has several definitions, depending on point of view. However , first it is essential to establish what sustainability is. Probably, one of the first definitions for sustainability from tourism point of view is given by World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) that sustainability is certain progress that will satisfy the needs of present without damaging the future needs. Sustainable tourism (ST) has several definitions, to create a new one, some of main definitions are required to discuss at first. All these definitions have some parts common and other parts vary ; nevertheless they all can offer solutions for themes .
Butler (1999) suggests that key problem in ST is incapacity to define ST to all parties to meet their needs. Hunter (1997) suggests that it would be extremely useful to see ST as an example of flexible and an adaptive arrangement, where different tourism methods are chosen by suitability to local conditions. Swarbrooke (1999) adds to Hunter (1997) that sustainable tourism is not only preserving physical , environmental and host community resources for the future, it is about meeting the needs of all parties such as tourists, the industry itself and community. Faulkner et al. (2003) defines ST as something that takes care of and develops the natural and cultural sides of the destination, protects local’s prospects to life. Meet the needs between the tourism market and host community. Also, from economical point of view ST is enduring and transfers money back to the community, it will achieve an equal distribution of money in between different segments of the community, such as village people and tourism company owners, moreover ST distributes money between the current and future generations. Mowforth and Munt (2009) add on that ST is focused mainly on environmental issues , authors agree that reducing poverty in society is important , however it will more likely happen on consequence of ST. Sustainable Development of Tourism UNWTO (2011) explains ST to be more likely focused on tourism activities that can be conserved. ST stands for demand and supply side, where demand side is policies, practices and plans that take into account not only the expectations of tourists about responsible natural resource management and where supply side fights for the needs and quality of life, environment and communities that support tourist projects .
All above mentioned ST definitions have similarities, but they are also different at one point or another . For example, Hunter (1999) definition of ST is more likely to be one-sided; author suggests that sustainability can be reached only if there is enough flexible arrangement of resources. This definition does not give any answers to how reach ST it also does not give any examples or role models. Swarbrooke (1999) is more specific about defining ST, it can be more likely to use as a definition of ST, and author suggests that there is several sides to consider in order reaching ST.
First hand , Faulkner et al. (2003) definition of ST is probably one of the most specific ones , however, it has it’s minuses , for instance , definition should be shorter, it has gone to wide, certainly , it is essential to cover all the aspects while defining something, especially ST, however, definitions should be more specific and sorter. One the other hand, Mowforth and Munt (2009) definition to ST is focused mainly only environmental concerns , authors do not think about society, future or does it only limited amount like with local community. This definition is rather ill defined and focuses only one small part of ST, which makes this definition practically useless when it comes to defining whole ST. Probably the best definition to ST is given by Sustainable Development of Tourism UNWTO (2011), where ST has two sides, supply and demand, yes this definition is more likely to be defined from business side of view but ST is one part of tourism business, so this definition is on its right place . UNWTO (2011) is focused on local community as well as stakeholders and tourism activities, that other authors does not mention at all, therefore this definition is more usable in many concepts, it is wide, however focused.
Although , these definitions are different from their point of view, there are some similarities and common areas to discuss. Most widely used themes of defining ST are environmental and benefit to local communities. Benefit to local communities is appearing on four and a half times out of five , this means that all above mentioned authors weigh up interests of local people and community, who are in fact one of the most important parts of sustaining destination, through its people. Second best theme is environmental issues, four authors out of five are mentioning that preserving and monitoring of environment is very important part of sustainable tourism management. In third place all will come equally - economic, cultural and benefits to stakeholders. These themes are mentioned three times out of five; it makes them also highly important in order to defining ST and making it happening . On the fourth place, it is thinking about future in present and preserving present values for the future, it has two mentions out of five, surprisingly so less, however it has high importance on ST development and it’s preserving. On the last place, comes manner of thought that sustainability can be achieved on long term process , surprisingly only one source (UNWTO, 2011) briefly mentions it. Although, all these themes are mentioned differently, some less than others , they all are extremely important parts of developing sustainable tourism, these definitions can be used in creating a new sustainable tourism definition.
After discussing different definitions of Sustainable tourism and comparing them with each other it is easier to start putting together new advanced definition of ST. Also arguments that have been discussed in previous paragraphs are not complete in some ways or another, furthermore , neither of them is full definitions of ST. Therefore, this paragraph will give a new definition of sustainable tourism. Sustaining Tourism (2013) states three main characteristics in order to achieve sustainability in tourism.
Firstly, to guarantee sustainable tourism, usage of goods and services and limits how much is reasonable to use, must be in balance , in other words it requires to thinking in long term, 10 till 20 years ahead (Sustaining Tourism, 2013). For example, in Australia, some parts of The Great Barrier Reef is starting to bleach , these sites are closed to divers in order to improve reefs health ( Coral Reefs, 2012).
Secondly, tourism cannot be totally sustainable, because all kind of tourism has impacts, including sustainable tourism; however, it can work toward sustainability and making difference in destination (Sustaining Tourism, 2013). For instance, Lake District National Park is doing a relatively good job maintaining park natural beauty and keeping it tidy and clean , however, if groups will take walks in footpaths during bad weather , it can be seen that footpaths are going wider and wider with every step that someone is making. Park can only encourage hikers to go off the tracks, to maintain footpaths.
Thirdly, Sustainable tourism must support local community and ensure that money that comes from tourism will go to local communities and businesses (About Sustainable Tourism, 2013; Ritchie and Crouch, 2003). AITO (2013) and Bramwell and Lane (1993) are suggesting that local culture must treat with respect , tourists as well as tourism companies must respect their traditions , religion and built heritage. For example, building museums and new infrastructure in host country , will help to promote communication in between tourists and local people; museums also will generate money back to society and will give jobs to local people. AITO (2013) and Bramwell and Lane (1993) are adding that minimizing pollution, such as noise, waste , disposal and congestion, is one important goal of ST.
Therefore, the purpose of this literature review, new definition of sustainable tourism is: a small- scale type of tourism, that will consider and preserve host country, as well as its people, culture; flora and fauna , it will monitor usage of resources, whether they are natural or manmade – sustainable tourism is balance in between people and tourism, however it can be hard to reach. This case study is applied to Belize.
In order to analyse weather Belize is using sustainable management in tourism, it is essential to give a brief overview of Belize and identify factors why this country is suitable for adventure travel . According to CIA World Factbook (2013) Belize is located at Central America, between Guatemala and Mexico , bordering the Caribbean Sea. Belize is relatively small country (22,966 sq km), it has marine , land and culture based activities to offer, it makes this relatively small country a perfect adventure destination. According to State of Belize’s protected areas (2009) Belize is one of the leader countries in sustainability within the Mesoamerican region . Country has 36% of its land under protection and 13 protected marine areas. Moreover, Belize High Commission (2004) states that Belize’s vision is to develop primary responsible tourism that will be aimed at marine activities, adventure markets and natural history.
After establishing, that Belize can be considered as a sustainable and adventure destination. A comparison , with sustainability checklist must be conducted. Sustainability checklist comes from previous paragraphs, where it has been established that sustainable tourism is a type of tourism, that will consider and preserve host country, as well as its people, culture; flora and fauna, it will monitories usage of resources, whether they are natural or manmade – sustainable tourism is balance in between people and tourism, however it can never be reached. Criteria ’s to reach positive sustainability are as follows:
Firstly, usage of goods and services must be limited, long term thinking towards future 10 till 20 years ahead (Sustaining Tourism, 2013). For example, Mowforth and Munt (2009) are suggesting that, Belize agreed to avoid the negative outside impacts, foreign mass tourism industry impacts and large scale tourism development under control . This shows that Belize is thinking ahead, because it is a new destination to mass tourism.
Secondly, Ritchie and Crouch (2003) and About Sustainable Tourism (2013) are suggesting that one key parts of sustainable tourism is supporting local communities, ensuring that money that comes from tourism, will go to local businesses. Belize has a good reputation as a destination for new forms of tourism; also Belize is contributing to community tourism (Mowforth and Munt, 2009). Moreover, according to Mowforth and Munt (2009) Belizean government is supporting community-based sustainable tourism. Which means that there has been built couple of guesthouses in thirteen local villages, in each guesthouse can sleep eight visitors. Houses have been built with using local style and materials. This example coincides with preserving local community and local people values.
Thirdly, local culture is high priority, tourists and tourism companies should respect local culture (AITO, 2013; Bramwell and Lane, 1993). According to Belize High Commission (2004) Belize’s vision is to develop the tourism sector as a natural priority, also to preserve and protect local habitants, also focus on responsible tourism and aim its tourism at marine activities, adventure markets and country’s history. Unfortunately , Belize has only three positive qualities out of five.
To agree with Swarbrooke (1999) and Sustaining Tourism (2013) that there is no such thing as totally sustainable tourism. Belize has some negative examples at sustainable tourism to offer. Bramwell and Lane (1993) are suggesting that development must be under control, productivity can be sustained. Unfortunately, there is always impact; it can be either - positive or negative. Sustaining Tourism (2013) also suggest that destination can work towards sustainability, Belize is doing the same . Country is using good reputation of sustainable tourism, to attract tourists; it can be seen as a negative side, because with large scale of mass tourism, sustainability is hard to reach or preserve (Mowforth and Munt, 2009). It can be considered even as a “greenwashing”. According to Sobotta, et al. (2009) greenwashing is seen as any attempt to persuade customers that company or government promotes green -based environmental enterprises or images but actually operates in a way that is damaging to the environment. Belize is using its good reputation to host different sustainability congresses, and this action is good promotion to country as sustainable destination. Moreover, Higinio and Munt (1993) suggests that Belize has hosted many sustainable tourism conferences in new luxury hotels, where big scale entrepreneurs were arguing that sustainable tourism is like any other marketing tool . Entrepreneurs were promising money, big investments and masses of Americans to visit Belize. According to Trading Economics (2012) international arrivals in 2010 was 239,000. Moreover, tourism revenue in 2011 was amounted to $345.7 million (Doing Business in Belize, 2012). These number are not exactly enormous, however, Belize is relatively small country.
In here, it is a big misinterpretation of meaning of sustainable tourism. Secondly, minimizing noise, waste, and disposal and congestion pollution is important part of ST (AITO, 2013; Bramwell and Lane, 1993). For example, Tropical Conservation Science (2012) outlines main environmental problems occurring in Belize: improper solid -waste management, high deforestation rate, rapid costal development and discovery of sweet crude oil. Tropical Conservation Science (2012) also suggests that Belize should involve more local people to conservation progress. Therefore, Belize should consider maintaining its goals as they are: small-scale tourism, balance between tourists and local people and environmentally friendly politics should be under consideration.
To sum up, as said before , sustainable tourism is about re-focusing and adapting. Harris and Williams (2002) are suggesting that the challenge of future is to satisfy market requirements with choosing a right direction, maintaining the natural balance and meet the needs of communities. Belize is on right track with its sustainable tourism programme , however it is hard to reach sustainability when there is more than one environmental problem occurring. Moreover, Wall (1997) states that sustainable tourism should be able to balance between business and environmental interests, unfortunately it fails to acknowledge the intersectional competition for resources, which apparently is crucial for sustainable development. Unfortunately, sustainable development is seen more likely to be a huge scale business in Belize (Higinio and Munt, 1993). Therefore, there is no such thing as totally sustainable tourism (Swarbrooke, 1999), even the best examples are failing in one criteria or another.
To recommend, Belize should follow example of Burma, where each tourist is obligated to spend 200 dollars a day, it would minimize mass tourism and would give money to local people.
Also, Belize should consider to rearranging ones promotion as sustainable destination, when it is not doing so well. Country should look after its nature more carefully, because one cannot be sustainable tourism destination when it is polluting.
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