Sustainable tourism management in Spain, Benidorm - Literature review Example

Sustainable Tourism in Benidorm, Spain Literature Review The ment of the dissertation is sustainable tourism management in Spain, Benidrom. For this purpose, Benidorm will be studied and analysed as a case study. There are various elements of the literature that has been used in this regard, as follows: Sustainable development: definition, elements, and important aspects in terms of the thesis statement. Elements of sustainable development that will benefit the south of Spain area where Benidorm lies. The positive and negative aspects of tourism in Spain. The impact of tourism, and sustainable tourism on the socio economic and physical environment of Spain. Tourism Life Cycle of the region of South of Spain. Identification of opportunities for sustainable planning in the South of Spain. Impact of Supra – National (European Union) and national or regional governmental intervention on tourism planning. Impact of various legislations on the private organisations within the tourism industry like hotels, transportation, and others. Future direction of planning in the arena of sustainable tourism in the south of Spain region. Identification of a suitable research design structure for the dissertation’s elements. Before delving deeper into the nuances of sustainable development in the region of South of Spain, there is the question of an appropriate research design that will fit the criteria of the thesis statement. For relevant research and evaluation techniques, it is imperative to study the means and methods of the formulation of sustainable tourism aids through a purely business point of view. For this purpose, the two basic research design methods chosen were epistemology and ontology. Let us first define the concepts of epistemology and ontology, individually. Epistemology: This is a field of study that is closely related to philosophy. Epistemology, through the definition of theories and concepts, seeks to study a body of knowledge by applying the relevant definitions. It is a field of study that uses tools like analysis and interpretation. For the application of epistemology, it is important to have a body of ready to use or analyze factual data. This field combines the study of data with the application of philosophical tools, so as to garner broad generalizations. These generalizations adhere to various truths and beliefs, as may be depicted in the overall perception of the philosophical dimensions of the knowledge being studied. There is a strong scope for the use of logic and reasoning in this area. Justification of findings through various mathematical and statistical modes is also an important part of the field of epistemology. (Lango, 1972; P 12 to 23) Ontology: Ontology is a vast field of study. Its scope is greater than that of epistemology. This can be demonstrated by the fact that epistemology simply seeks to derive various findings through a study of the facts. Ontology on the other, seeks to find all the relevant knowledge that can contribute to a more systematic study of facts for more accurate findings. In the field of ontology, there is a focus on the defining of various parameters from varied perspectives. This helps the researcher reach certain generalizations so as to arrive on the common features of the parameter being studied. These common features can be summarized to form an accurate depiction of the issue at hand. (Lango, 1972; P 14 to 31) There are two sides to the study of sustainable tourism in the South of Spain. These are as follows: Globalisation: This is a phenomenon that has made sustainable development a world wide solution to various issues. The basic issue in this regard is to link theories of sustainable theories with the scope available in Benidorm, Spain, for a relevant strategy. This can be done through a proper and systematic research design. Knowledge on Benidorm’s tourism aspects – this has a direct bearing on the various aspects that are presented for better sustainable tourism management in the area. Knowledge management of all the aspects of Benidorm’s tourism industry is an integral part of the research design owing to the fact that there is a need to link facts with strategies and theories as well as legislations by various organisations. Owing to the fact that the basic issue in the case of studying the South of Spain region in terms of scope for sustainable development with an eye on positive and negative impact of such a strategy on the physical environment as well as the socio economic structure of the region in context of legislations of the regional, national and supra national organisations, there has been a use of ontology. This is a concept supported by ontology, as epistemology simply seeks to study the existing data. (Lango, 1972; P 26 to 47) Ontology is a field that is capable of delivering a wider knowledge base as compared to epistemology. The researcher’s preference for ontology is one that springs from the fact that ontology will be better able to integrate and prioritise the data into a coherent whole. The definition of the research areas is supported by the use ontology owing to the fact that the data needs to customise in order to suit and have context to the specific area of reaching out to tourists and other organisations through an effective sustainable tourism management strategy. Owing to the various set parameters, it is imperative to use a research design that will help garner various perspectives. This can be done most effectively by ontology. (Davies et al, 2003; P 27 to 54) Epistemology is not the best course of action to take as regards the research design owing to the fact that it needs the existence of data that will be presented along the lines of the research areas. Epistemology offers less scope to study and analyse various perspectives. Thus, with the use of epistemology, there will be a less wholesome appeal to the final conclusions of the research. (Davies et al, 2003; P 27 to 54) Sustainable Tourism is the most important element of the dissertation. The most important piece of literature used in this regard is the book titled Sustainable Tourism Management. (Swarbrooke, 1999). This book has important notes on globalisation and a perspective on tourism management that can be applied to various parts of the world. It has developed a case in favour of sustainable tourism development through the conception of sustainable cultural tourism. This is in direct context with the model that will be developed for the South of Spain region on which the dissertation is based. The book also has relevant information on the European Union legislations as well as tourism behaviour and planning in context of foreign tourist operators and other smaller details. Another important piece of literature that has helped draw a more globally acceptable model for the South of Spain region of Benidorm is the paper titled Sustainable Tourism, Environmental Protection, and Natural resource Management: Paradise on Earth? (Neto, 2002). In this paper for the UN, the author has criteria for a sustainable tourism management model that will take the pressure off resources besides putting cultures in perspective. This paper is in strong context of globalisation, which makes it relevant for the dissertation, and analysis of the subject. The recent and future trends depicted in the paper also provide a strong basis upon which the analysis has been carried out in the dissertation as well as the construction of the recommended model for sustainable tourism management in the South of Spain region. In context of the impact of sustainable tourism on the physical environment and socio economic structure in the South of Spain region, an important book that has helped in setting the criteria for analysis is Mediterranean Tourism: Facets of Socio Economic Development and Cultural Changes. This book has covered 13 countries and has relevant factual information upon which the analysis was based in the dissertation. The chapter titled Towards a Sustained Competitiveness in Spanish Tourism, is of special relevance to this dissertation as it creates a nexus between sustainable tourism management and competitive advantage in the tourism industry. Through a study of this chapter, the researcher was able to find the relevant elements that would fit the model for sustainable tourism management in the South of Spain in context of criteria like impact on the physical environment as well as the socio economic structure of the region. (Apostolopoulos et al, 2000; P 17 – 39) Further, the paper titled Ecological Orientation of Tourists: An Empirical Investigation fit in with the tourist behaviour element that has been adopted in this dissertation. The findings in this paper have helped create a connection between consumerism and sustainable tourism development that will fit the South of Spain region. (Uriely et al, 2007; P 161 - 175). This paper also has important observations on the various legislations and how they affect various areas in terms of tourism apart from the effects of sustainable tourism on the socio economic fabric of various regions. Titled Responsible Tourism in the Mediterranean, this paper is also important in context of the thesis purpose and analysis. It has vital information on the impact of tourism on the Mediterranean as well factual data on the following: Land Use Freshwater Management Wildlife Trade Pollution (Borelli et al, 2000) The various statistics as provided in this paper have been helpful in studying and analysing for the qualitative research section of this dissertation which has been further used in the construction of a relevant strategy based on the statistics. The tourism market has also been studied in context of tourist behaviour as well as private organisations like the hotel industry, etc. This has helped in carrying out analysis and creating relevant recommendations accordingly. (Borelli et al, 2000) The above elements have important implications for the planning area in the sustainable tourism management strategy for the South of Spain region. As an important element, planning spearheads the various smaller elements that have been enumerated above to give a more wholesome picture of the strategy as analysed and put forward in this dissertation. The book titled The Tourism Area Life Cycle is another relevant work that helped gain an insight into specific areas and the tourism life cycles enjoyed by the same. (Butler, 2006). In context of tourism life cycles, this book has important and relevant information on the various legislations by the various supra national, national and regional organisations in case of the tourism industry. This helped the researcher in setting the criteria upon which the recommended model would be constructed for sustainable tourism management in the South of Spain region in context of the impact of such legislations on the tourism industries and private organisations within it. In order to create a relevant model and putting forward appropriate recommendations based on factual analysis, it is important to study the success of sustainable tourism development as enjoyed by other countries in this area. This will help garner an approach that can be best applied to the region studied in this dissertation and give authenticity to the recommendations as well as the analysis that has been put forward. A Travel Balance Approach for Examining Tourism Area Life Cycles: The Case of Singapore, is also a relevant piece of literature. Based on the findings and recommendations in this paper, the researcher was able to carry out analysis as Singapore’s tourism industry is hailed as one of the best examples in sustainable tourism management where there has been optimum utilisation and preservation of resources through the building of its tourism industry as the foremost contributor to the economy. (Toh et al, 2001; P 426 - 432) The approach studied and used in this paper has served as a relevant base upon which the model in this dissertation has been recommended. Apart from these papers, other relevant works include The Economic Effects of Tourism in Spain, which has latest factual data on the tourism industry in Spain. (Blake, 2000). The ‘multiplier effect’ as described in this paper has been applied to the model for sustainable tourism management recommended in this dissertation. (Blake, 2000). This paper helped derive important elements for the structuring of the model for sustainable tourism development for the South of Spain region like welfare services, economic analysis, demand, and taxes. While on Benidorm’s tourism industry, it is important to study the area as a case study. In the 1950s, Benidorm was a small fishing village that became a popular tourist spot. The case of sustainable tourism has been studied by the website www.benidorm-spotlight.com. This website has factual data like 5 million visitors a year that the region enjoys. Also, it links sustainable tourism with the operational areas of tourism like legislations, private organisations and others. Also, the book titled Sustainable Tourism: A Global Perspective, has important notes linking globalisation with Benidorm as it describes Benidorm as “a small coastal village”. (Harris et al, 2002; Pp 58 – 69) Globalisation is an important perspective here as it affects legislations and the operational sphere of sustainable tourism. The book Tourism and Sustainability: Development and New Tourism in the Third World, also has important case studies in terms of pitching the cases of Bangkok against that of Benidorm in order to find a basis for the focus on sustainable tourism. (Mowforth, 2003; Pp 6 – 15) Another important paper in this regard is Tourism and Economic Development: Western European Experiences (Williams et al, 1988). Also, the paper by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) titled Tourism Economic Report has provided a variety of factual data in terms of statistics and other such relevant information that has been linked with legislations and various organisations. This has helped in more relevant and accurate analysis. (WTO, 1998) The approaches and models discussed in the above literature has helped study the thesis elements in terms of set criteria like impact, legislation and organisations within and outside the tourism industry. This has helped in gaining valuable insights into the possibilities for sustainable tourism management in the Benidorm area in the South of Spain. In turn, there has been a movement towards creating a fitting model for this particular area. (Lavery, 2002). Also, the impact of legislation plans has been studied in close context of preparing a relevant model for sustainable tourism management in the South of Spain. (Tilson et al, 2003; P 125 - 143). In context of a relevant model and analysis for the South of Spain region where Benidorm lies, there is a movement towards understanding the tourism environment and how it will support the cause of sustainable tourism management. (Pridham, 1999; P 91 - 116) In this dissertation, sustainable tourism and management has been studied as a part of sustainable development. This has various economic and socio economic implications. The literature used supports these requirements in a wholesome way through an addressal of various issues that are met and tackled within the sphere of sustainable tourism management. In this regard, the broad elements of the sustainable tourism management model include planning and creating opportunities for economic gain in the South of Spain region. This has been studied in context of the literature above with an eye on legislation and various other factors that play up on sustainable tourism development within a particular region. The literature used in this dissertation has helped the researched visualise the capacity and scope for planning within the South of Spain region for an effective sustainable tourism management strategy, and its implementation that will accordingly impact its socio economic sphere as well as its physical environment. References 1. Lango, John W (1972) Whitehead’s Ontology. SUNY Press. 2. Davies, John; Fensel, Dieter; Harmelen; Frank V (2003) Towards the Semantic Web: Ontology Driven Knowledge Management. Wiley Publishers. 3. Swarbrooke, John (1999). Sustainable Tourism Management. CABI. 4. Neto, Fredrico (2002). Sustainable Tourism, Environmental Protection, and Natural resource Management: Paradise on Earth? The International Colloquium on Regional Governance and Sustainable Development in Tourism Driven Economies. The United Nations. 5. Apostolopoulos, Yiorgos (Author, Editor), Leontidou, Lila (Editor), Loukissas, Philippos (Editor). (2000) Mediterranean Tourism: Facets of Socio Economic Development and Cultural Changes. Routledge. 6. Uriely, N; Reichel, A; Shani, A (2007). Ecological Orientation of Tourists: An Empirical Investigation. Tourism and Hospitality Research. No. 7 (Pp 161 – 175) 7. Borelli, Simone; Brogna, Marco (2000). Responsible Tourism in the Mediterranean. World Wide Fund for Nature – WWF. 8. Butler, Richard. (2006) The Tourism Area Life Cycle: Applications and Modifications. Channel View Publications. 9. Toh, et al (2001). A Travel Balance Approach for Examining Tourism Area Life Cycles: The Case of Singapore. Journal of Travel Research. No. 39 (Pp 426 – 432) 10. Blake, Adam (2000). The Economic Effects of Tourism in Spain. Intute: Social Sciences. 11. Williams, A. M; Shaw, G (1988). Tourism and Economic Development: Western European Experiences. Belhaven Press. 12. World Tourism Organisation. (1998) Tourism Economic Report. 13. Lavery, Patrick (2002). Tourism Planning. ELM Publications. 14. Tilson, D. J; Perez, P S (2003). Public relations and the new golden age of Spain: a confluence of democracy, economic development and the media. Public Relations Review. Vol 29 (No. 2; Pp 125 – 143) 15. Pridham, G (1999). Towards sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean? Policy and practice in Italy, Spain and Greece. Environmental Politics. Volume 8 (No. 2; Pp 97 – 116) 16. Polo, C; Sancho, F (1993). An Analysis of Spain’s Integration into the EEC. Journal of Policy Modelling. Volume 15 (No. 2; Pp 157 – 178) 17. Ginsburgh, V; Keyzer, M (1997). The Structure of Applied General Equilibrium Models. The MIT Press. 18. Born Again Benidorm. URL: www.benidorm-spotlight.com. (Accessed during: February, 2008). 19. Harris, R; William, P (Ed); Griffin, T (Ed). Sustainable Tourism: A Global Perspective. Butterworth-Heinemann. 20. Mowforth, M (2003). Tourism and Sustainability: Development and New Tourism in the Third World. Routledge. 2nd Edition. Read More