CH 4 - Tools of Sustainability

CH 10 : TOOLS OF SUSTAINABILITY
Three main principles of sustainability are:
1. Ecological Sustainability – development is compatible with

the maintenance of essential ecological processes,
biological diversity and biological resources.
2. Social and Cultural Sustainability – development increases
people’s control over their lives and it is compatible with
the culture and values of people
3. Economic Sustainability – development is economically
efficient and that resources are managed so that they can
support future generations.
The Physical Environment
A Core Component of Tourism
 The physical environment is an important tourism resource.
 Historical examples include holidays at Mediterranean coastal centers and visits
to natural attractions.
 Human-environment interaction can be classified into three categories:
 Environment as setting: Environment serves merely as a setting for an activity -
the physical environment can influence the activity.
 Environment as pleasant backdrop: Qualities of the environment exert a
general affect on the activity – activities, such as shopping, relaxing, playing
tennis or golf are particularly enjoyable in the presence of a pleasant or exotic
backdrop.
 Environment as focus : Activities, such as walking, viewing wildlife, and touring
scenic areas.
The Impacts of Tourism on the Physical Environment
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
 Environmental Damage – Loss of or damage to physical environments.
 Pollution – Transportation is a major source of both air and noise pollution
 Air and noise pollution -
 Water pollution – untreated sewage
 Tourist waste -
 Tourist Activities – Boating, diving, walking and skiing can have negative
impacts on the physical environment.
POSITIVE IMPACTS
 Development of tourist attractions – conservation,
restoration and protection of natural and historic buildings
can result from the perceived need to develop attractions
for tourists and from the revenue provided by tourism.
 Development of Infrastructure – Improvements to roads,
water supply, and treatment and waste management
systems can result from increased revenue from tourism.
Factors Which Influence Tourism Impacts
 The amount or volume of tourism
 Impacts usually depend on when and where the tourism is
concentrated.
 The type of use or tourist activity that takes place at a destination.
 Certain tourist activities
 The type of environment being impacted
 Environments differ in terms of their sensitivity and fragility
 The management and planning of tourism
 The types of planning and tourism management
Strategies for Managing Impacts
Policy/Planning Development plans
Development/Construction of Choice of sites, and site design to ensure minimal impact
Facilities
Management of Resources Conduct environmental audits, develop and use recycling, waste minimization
and energy efficiency programs.
Management of Visitors Design systems which control visitor flows
Adapting the environment Harden sites for protection
Marketing and Promotion Provide accurate information in advertising to ensure that visitors have
appropriate expectations
Education Use effective interpretation services to encourage visitors to engage in more
sustainable behaviors.
Research and Monitoring Support research which seeks to improve understanding of the tourism-
environment relationship.
Planning Strategies
 Carrying Capacity
 “The maximum use of any site without causing negative affects on the
tourism resources, reducing visitor satisfaction, or adverse impact upon the
society, economy and culture of the area”
 Limits to Acceptable Change (LAC)
 The process involve using local residents’ perspectives and scientific
knowledge to design a set of environmental conditions which are
appropriate for a place.
 Zoning
 Zoning refers to a process where planners connect types of development or
activity to specific areas.
Planning Strategies
 Permits and Licenses – a tour operator may be required to have a permit to
take visitors to a site in a national park.
 Enforcing control with permit
 Fees as funds
 Environmental Quality Standards – Regulations and legislation
 Maximum heights for buildings
 Restrictions on the use of construction materials
 Controls over architectural style and placement of buildings
 Ex. Mauritius
Planning Strategies
 Design Standards
 The English Tourist Board (ETB) suggestions
 Use local styles of architecture and regional building materials
 Use existing vegetation and land forms
 Use construction techniques which will have minimal impact on the environment
 Use recycle materials
 Visitor Management Systems
 To keep visitors away from sensitive sites (ex: stay away from sea turtles)
 Control the number and flows of visitors as well as their activities.
 Adapting the Environment
 Addition of protective structures, such as rock walls, boardwalks, steps, formed
pathways and visitor facilities.
Marketing & Education Strategies
 Suitability
Development of tourism products or concepts which are
suitable for the environmental resources that their
destination region has available.
 Educating Staff
Education of staff can provide both information which can
help staff appreciate
Tourism and the Physical Environment: Three Case Studies
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Great Barrier Reef Problems:
Coral damage from infrastructure and tourist activity
Collection of coral, shells and plants
Accumulation of litter
Disruption to habitats and changes in animal behavior as a result
of feeding
Water pollution from sediment disturbance
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
a) Operators with permits
• - Commercial tour operations are allowed in several of the zones with
a permit.
b) Education and Research
• - Emphasis on education as a management strategy
• - Offers both training packages for reef operators and their staff but
also numerous forms of interpretation for both staff and tourists.
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA
Venice, Italy
 Italy’s top destination:
 48 % of international tourists
 In 1992 more than 1.2 million tourist spent at least 1 night
 6 million people took a day trip-89 times of residents
 Physical Impacts, e.g. Water pollution
 Sewage from hotels, litter and air pollution from buses and boats
 Dealing with visitor flow
 A series of actions have been undertaken to encourage tourists to use alternative
means of transportation to access the city.
 Encouraging tourists to come at less crowded times
VENICE, ITALY
Mount Huangshan Scenic Area, China
 Environmental Problems
 A major local and international tourism destination
 From 282.000 (1979) visitors to 1.3 million (1990)
 Reduction of animal and vegetation resources, urbanization of scenic areas, loss of
balance of water distribution, pollution
 1.000 tons of rubbish and 3.000 tons of sewage into rivers
 The following actions have been suggested
 Develop a plan includes regulations
 Controlling the construction of tourist facilities
 Provide better infrastructure
 Develop itineraries or routes
 Establish a monitoring program
MOUNT HUANGSHAN, CHINA

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CH 10 : TOOLS OF SUSTAINABILITY

Three main principles of sustainability are:

1. Ecological Sustainability – development is compatible with

Adapting the environment Harden sites for protection

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