Management of Tourism | Geography for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Introduction

• Tourism has expanded to such a large scale globally that effective management is essential.
• Popular tourist destinations are increasingly focusing on sustainability to safeguard not only their revenues but also their natural surroundings.
• While some sustainable tourism initiatives have shown success, it's crucial to acknowledge that not all approaches yield positive results.

Sustainable Tourism

• Structured to ensure the preservation of environmental, social, and economic aspects for the future while safeguarding current conditions.
• Tourism operates within the constraints of finite resources, raising concerns about its impact.
• Increased awareness among individuals and environmental organizations regarding destination footprints prompts advocacy for:
  • Reducing air travel frequency and prolonging stays.
  • Embracing slow travel approaches.
  • Opting for local accommodations.
  • Avoiding international chain hotels and all-inclusive holiday packages.
  • Offsetting carbon emissions from flights.

Ecotourism

• One of the most readily identifiable aspects of sustainable tourism.
• It entails a specialized approach where limited numbers of individuals explore unique or specialized environments like coral reefs, tropical rainforests, remote mountain regions, Antarctica, and conservation zones.
• Community-based tourism is gaining traction, particularly in vulnerable environments of less economically developed countries (LEDCs), offering substantial advantages to local communities in terms of employment and overall benefits.

Understanding Ecotourism in Bhutan

• Ecotourism revolves around visitors minimizing their environmental impact for the community and nature's benefit.
• Bhutan, despite being a poorer developing nation, boasts one of the most sustainable tourist industries globally.
• Bhutan's tourism sector stands out as an exclusive travel choice, renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, cultural authenticity, and remote appeal.
• While ecotourism is typically managed by private entities, Bhutan's government has embraced a 'high value, low volume' tourism model to maintain exclusivity.
• After 300 years of seclusion, Bhutan welcomed tourists in 1974, utilizing existing infrastructure like hotels to support its economy.
• Initially restricting foreign visits to 2500, Bhutan now allows a doubled number, emphasizing exclusivity.
• All tourists are guided in groups to specific sites and are required to use officially sanctioned tour operators.
• Each visitor must pay a 'Sustainable Development Fee' of $200 per day, contributing to offsetting their carbon footprint and preserving Bhutan's heritage and landscapes.
• The fee aids in mitigating tourists' environmental impact, enhancing worker skills, and safeguarding Bhutan's unique cultural and natural assets.
• However, critics argue that the fee mainly attracts affluent tourists, positioning Bhutan as a niche destination.
• Ultimately, Bhutan's tourism strategy effectively manages the volume and influence of tourism.

Environmental Protection Strategies

• Preservation of Natural Areas
• National Parks - Yellowstone, established in 1872, serve as key examples of over 4000 parks globally.
• Diverse Protective Measures: Many countries safeguard their lands through National Forests, Country Parks, and World Heritage Sites.

Tourist hubs

• The clustering of tourism activities within a specific zone of a country or region.
• This strategy aims to contain the impacts within a designated area.
• Nevertheless, maintaining strict boundaries proves challenging, resulting in spill-over effects.
• Benefits remain localized within the designated area and fail to disperse across the broader community.
• Such concentration fosters division within the region.

Quotas

• Tourism quotas are enforced to ensure the number of visitors remains within sustainable limits.
• Implementation often involves a lottery system where a limited number of slots are available.
• However, administration challenges arise, leading to tensions.
• Conservation areas issue permits to regulate access for visitors to witness unique environments or wildlife, such as coral reefs, mountain gorillas, and the Galapagos Islands.

Case Study - Importance of Tourism to Cyprus

• Tourism plays a significant role in Cyprus by generating numerous employment opportunities and contributing around 20% to the nation's GDP.
• Cyprus is geographically divided into two main regions: the Turkish Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus.
• Cyprus experiences a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, arid summers with an average temperature of 28°C and rainy winters averaging 10°C.
• Cyprus faces water shortages, leading to an annual demand surpassing its supply, earning the classification of being 'water poor'.
• To address this issue, there is a growing dependency on desalination plants. However, this solution raises energy consumption levels, meets only 45% of the heightened demand, and poses environmental risks.

Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI)

• In 2006, the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI) was established with the aim of fostering a sustainable approach to tourism in Cyprus.
• The key objectives of CSTI include enhancing the quality of life in underprivileged communities affected by tourism, advocating for the preservation and protection of Cyprus's environment, reducing the carbon footprint from tourism, and promoting research and education in sustainability.

Projects Undertaken

Managing Water, Energy, and Landscaping:

• Gardens and landscaping contribute to about 22% of a hotel's water usage
• Encouragement of native plants over grass and exotic species due to better adaptation to lower rainfall levels
• Advocacy for reducing the number of swimming pools
• Increasing the utilization of renewable energy sources such as solar power
• Implementation of energy-saving devices in hotels and public areas
• Reduction in the use of plastic and management of plastic waste

Additional Sustainable Tourism Initiatives

• Enhancing beach conditions through organized clean-up activities can preserve the coastal ecosystem.
• Collaborating with the tourism industry to decrease the usage of single-use plastics in popular tourist destinations like Ayia Napa is essential.
• Conducting turtle watch programs during hatching seasons ensures the safe journey of hatchlings to the sea, preventing interference with hotel resorts.
• Promoting rural tourism can help distribute economic benefits to underprivileged communities through various projects, accommodations, and local events.
• Addressing Cyprus's carbon footprint poses challenges due to the transportation habits of tourists, such as air travel and car/coach tours around the island.