AUTHORS

1. Mrs. B. KALAISELVI, M.Sc., M.Phil., B.Ed., PGDCA,

Lecturer(SS) in Mathematics,
Sri G.V.G. Visalakshi College for Women,
UDUMALPET – 642 128.

2. B.THAYUMANAVAR, B.Sc., MA., MBA. M.Phil, PGDCA, NET, (Ph.D),

Lecturer, PG Department of Management Science,
Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College,
Thippampatti, POLLACHI – 642 107.

ISSUES & TRENDS IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

INTRODUCTION:-

The concept of sustainable tourism development is applicable to all forms of

tourism in all types of destinations, including mass tourism and the various niche
tourism segments. Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic, and
socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established
between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability.

FACTORS AFFECTING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM:-

 Tourism industry represents a long and complex value chain.

 The concept of sustainability is not clear to the majority of the stakeholders in the
tourism value chain.
 The majority of SMEs in the tourism sector have low technical expertise and
financial opportunities to invest towards more sustainable business
 Fragmented responsibilities of the public authorities.
 Non-efficient decentralisation of tourism development related policies.
  Sustainability is not considered by consumers as an aspect of the tourism service’s
quality or tourists’ right.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF NON – SUSTAINABLE

TOURIST PRACTICES:-

 Degradation of ecosystems and reductions of ecosystems’ service value

 Depletion of natural resources
 Pollution
 Degradation of landscape
 Aesthetic pollution
 Unequal development in the local level (due to financial leakages of the tourism
value chain)
 Cultural and social degradation of local communities
 Transportation
 Water and energy use
 Waste management
 Consumer life-styles

TRENDS REGARDING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT:-

 Continuing increase of the tourism market

 Yearly fluctuations of tourism demand on relation with:
o Price of the destinations
o Global political events
 Increased demand for new tourism products
o “Life-style”; adventure; custom made tourism
 Demand for new destinations
 Tourism industry (especially big hotel chains) is closer to social and
environmental responsibility issues
  Countries with a strong tourism sector that dominates the national economy are
facing a strong competition from emerging tourism markets. They can respond
with the following two main strategies
o Cost minimisation strategies
o Diversification strategies
 The emerging destinations are living the “cash-cow” period and they are usually
responding with the two main strategies:
o Increasing investments with no sustainability impacts assessment
o Positive, environmentally and socially conscious investments (only few
cases).

STEPS NEEDED TO ATTAIN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM:-

 Tourism development (mainly in developing countries) should be based on an

integrated development strategy that will make tourism contribute to:
o Community-based development
o Well-being of the society
o Conservation of biodiversity
o Industry growth
o Poverty alleviation
 The countries should also be more proactive and provide innovative solutions for
tackling environmental problems caused by tourism (mainly regarding resource
planning and management).
 Case studies and good practices on sustainable tourism development should be
widely conveyed to development and planning agencies on the local and national
level.
 There is a strong need for pilot integrated projects in national and regional level
addressing inter-alia environmental economic and social aspects of tourism
development.
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP) & UNITED
NATIONS WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION (UNWTO)’S WORK ON
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM:-

UNEP, in partnership with UNWTO, developed a set of principles, after an extensive

research and consultation in international forums, which can be used as a framework to
develop policies for more sustainable tourism, with focus on:
 minimizing the negative impacts of tourism on society and the environment; and
 maximizing tourism's positive and creative contribution to local economies, the
conservation of natural and cultural heritage, and the quality of life of hosts and
visitors.

These twelve principles are briefly the following:

 ECONOMIC VIABILITY. Ensure the viability and competitiveness of tourism

destinations and enterprises, so that they are able to continue to prosper and
deliver benefits in the long term.
 LOCAL PROSPERITY. Maximize the contribution of tourism to the prosperity
of the host destination including the proportion of visitor spending that is retained
locally.
 EMPLOYMENT QUALITY. Strengthen the number and quality of local jobs
created and supported by tourism, including the level of pay, conditions of service
and availability to all without discrimination by gender, race, disability or in other
ways.
 SOCIAL EQUITY. Seek a widespread distribution of economic and social
benefits from tourism throughout the recipient community, including improving
opportunities, income and services available to the poor.
 VISITOR FULFILMENT. Provide a safe, satisfying and fulfilling experience
for visitors, available to all without discrimination by gender, race, disability or in
other ways.
 LOCAL CONTROL. Engage and empower local communities in planning and
decision making about the management and future development of tourism in
their area, in consultation with other stakeholders.
 COMMUNITY WELLBEING. Maintain and strengthen the quality of life in
local communities, including social structures and access to resources, amenities
and life support systems, avoiding any form of social degradation or exploitation.
 CULTURAL RICHNESS. Respect and enhance the historic heritage, authentic
culture, traditions and distinctiveness of host communities.
  PHYSICAL INTEGRITY. Maintain and enhance the quality of landscapes, both
urban and rural, and avoid the physical and visual degradation of the environment
 BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY. Support the conservation of natural areas, habitats
and wildlife, and minimize damage to them.
 RESOURCE EFFICIENCY. Minimize the use of scarce and non-renewable
resources in the development and operation of tourism facilities and services.
 ENVIRONMENTAL PURITY. Minimize the pollution of air, water and land
and the generation of waste by tourism enterprises and visitors.

The order in which these twelve principles are listed does not imply any order of
priority. Each one is equally important and many of the principles’ aims relate to a
combination of environmental, economic and social issues and impacts.

CONCLUSION:-

Sustainable tourism needs more support. On the whole, developing countries are
the principal beneficiaries of international tourism trade and they own a 40% share of the
tourism market. In the recent decade, tourism in the 50 least developed countries
increased by 110%, compared to 20% in developed nations.
Thus, sustainable tourism includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of
traditional tourism on the natural environment and enhance the cultural integrity of the
local people. Initiatives by hospitality providers to promote recycling, energy efficiency,
water re-use and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities would
help sustainable tourism.
Tourism has an annual growth rate of 5% worldwide and representing 6% of the
world GDP and 11.4% of all consumer spending – not a market to be taken lightly. So, let
us all join together and help in sustainability of the tourism industry.