Tourism and the environment: a symbiotic relationships - Dissertation Example

? Tourism and the Environment: A symbiotic Relationships Introduction Modern world is full of opportunities. Tourism opens the doors tothe global world. Environment is another crucial issue of the modernity. Modern people depend on nature. There is no doubt about that and further development of tourism will be even more successful in case it does not violate environment, but develops it. Destination’s popularity is always determined by the sea, the sand, the forest and many other picturesque beauties of nature. Unfortunately, people’s desire to have a good rest on the beautiful land is often dangerous for the landscapes. A constant and overall building of hotels and other types of recreation buildings causes a negative impact on nature. There are many other underlying aspects in the relationship between tourism and environment. Modern economies of many countries depend on their ability to develop a sphere of tourism. For the majority of developing countries being a good tourist operator is one of the basic means of existence. Moreover, the quality of the environment of a certain place is another great interest for the developers of tourism in any country. Environmental quality of a place for tourism is of high importance as well. Objectives: This dissertation is focused on identification of negative impacts of tourism of environment; analysis of tourism impact exerted on the environment; management of tourism in symbiotic relationship with environment. Research Methodology: A choice of appropriate methodology is one of the first and foremost concerns. It is better to focus on the problems locally and consider, for example, the specific elements of the ecosystem of the tourist locale. Methodology of ANOVA data collection is appropriate for sociological studies. In the selected region, a popular place for tourism, tour operators and managers will show their awareness of tourism impact on the environment. On the basis of economic data provided in documentary reports of the place for discussion, these data will be correlated and a real negative impact of tourism on environment will be reached at. Theoretical background On the basis of recent researches and studies, it is evident that environment is positioned as a beneficial option to the environment. It is even claimed that it is necessary to create a favorable and a powerful symbiosis. Tourism in comparison with many other industries exerts the same negative influence on the environment. Tourism in many cases has restored numerous historical places. Moreover, conservation of African national parks and reserves is a perfect example of a possibility of a favorable symbiosis creation. To support this tendency, it is relevant to make essential contributions to the economies and infrastructures of the countries. Therefore, it is relevant to focus on relationships between tourism and the environment. Both benefits and dependencies between tourism and environment are considered in details. It is appropriate to conduct an objective research, because environment can "be damaged or destroyed for a long time, if not forever" (Hall 2010). Currently, relationship between tourism and environment is more conflicting than symbiotic. There is a lacking of researches and studies focused on appropriate strategies for symbiotic relationship development. First of all, air pollution and water pollution should be considered. Industry of tourism exerts a negative impact on these two basic parts of the environment: large quantities of waste material and sewage from tourist facilities, oil spills etc. Human health is in danger in case of water/air pollution (Chen, Wu and Chen, 2010). Such diseases as typhoid, cholera or hepatitis can destroy health of tourists. “The relationship between tourism and the environment is site and culture dependent and will likely change through time and in relation to broader economic, environmental and social concerns” (Hall, p. 152). Moreover, numerous researches and studies are focused on the impact of tourism on wildlife. It should be noted that different aspects of tourism impact on environment should be considered by different types of methodology. There are a growing number of wildlife souvenirs and tourists cause much harm to the local economies of different countries (Scott, Selwyn, 2012). The international society is focused on the programs protecting the interests of different countries, where the environment can be in danger. Thus, Weaver (2001) came to the conclusion that: “The tourism industry is dependent on the environment for its sustainability and makes extensive use of the natural and cultural resources in its area of operation. The industry's prosperity is thus dependent on the conservation and responsible use of the environment. Several organisations, including government organizations, not-for profit industry organisations and nongovernmental organisations, have addressed the issue  pertaining to environmental conservation and best practices within the tourism industry by introducing ecolabelling and green certification schemes” (Weaver 2001, p. 71). The main scope of the modern researches and studies is based on considerations not about tourism in general, but rather on opposition of alternative tourism vs mass tourism. Alternative tourism is much focused on environmental protection and preservation of a cultural and a national heritage. Moreover, alternative tourism is an option of a cultural interaction and interchange with the local population (Furqan, Hussin, Rosazman, 2010). This dissertation will be focused not only on mass tourism, but on alternative tourism too. The latter type of tourism will be considered in the following context: of “national resources, including culture and heritage”, because these are decisive factors in the industry of tourism (Copeland, 2011). Mass tourism is more destructing for the environment. There is no doubt that social and environmental well-being of the country should be in a perfect balance with environmentally friendly condition of the country. Region to be explored can be chosen from the Caribbean, Fiji, South Africa or Indonesia (Crabbe, 2010). There is a need to focus on the following issues: Quantity and quality of tourism services provided in a chosen region; Measure positive and negative impact exerted on the environment; Focus on tourism policies of small-scale ecotourism operators. Another type of tourism or ecotourism is considered in the opposition to traditional tourism in following context: “[mass tourism] frequently led to resource depletion and negative impacts on the values of local people and their cultural heritage. Pollution and over use, which degraded the beauty of many of the sites, became common occurrences” (Parks and Allen 2009, p. 90). Therefore, indigenous nature and unique lands are preserved better under conditions of ecotourism. To focus on positive and negative aspects of ecotourism, it is relevant to take into account: Current recycling programs; Emissions reduction laws; Local and global regulations and laws on environmental preservation. On the one hand, if to consider current researches and studies in the field of tourism, it is evident that ecotourism is not considered as a separate field of tourism. Ecotourism is often correlated with alternative tourism, because these two types of tourism are focused on preservation of nature. Therefore, it is relevant to conduct a research, which differs between different concepts of tourism. For example, it is relevant to identify ecotourism, alternative tourism, conventional and mass tourism. It is possible to do so, when referring to the types of tour operators, functioning in different niches of tourism and find similarities and differences between the services provided by them. Ecotour operator’s sector has many places for new businesses. Different areas and regions, which cannot be reached by means of traditional transport, can be reached with the help of cableways or submarines (Chen, Wu and Chen, 2010). There is a need to pay attention to both private small businesses and large transnational companies. In accordance with some recent studies, a popular model of ecotourism is a community-based model. Hall underlines that it is of great importance to provide remote places for tourism with appropriate architectural strategies: “Tourism and recreation can have an adverse impact on the physical environment innumerous ways; for example, the construction of facilities that are aestheticallyunsympathetic to the landscape in which they are situated, what D.G. Pearce (1978:152) has described as 'architectural pollution', and through the release of air- and water-bornepollutants” (Hall, p. 153). Thus, Donohoe & Needham (2006) on the basis of South African ecotourism example illustrate a friendly relationship between ecotourism operators and small communities. On the one hand, the scientists make an emphasis on economic benefits of ecotourism development and pay no attention to environmental preservation. There is no doubt about the fact that in the process of mutual trust and understanding operators and managers can work out a reliable program in terms of tourism services provided by them. In this framework, in cooperation between tourism operators and managers we can see a perfect basis for environmental issues solutions. With respect to the modern scientific researches and studies in the field of ecotourism and environment, it is claimed that natural areas are properly protected in case of symbiotic relationship with tourism. Charnley (2005) found out that: “In theory, by distributing some of the benefits of tourism to local people, they will have incentive to protect those natural areas that draw tourists, be more likely to support the presence of protected areas in their midst that otherwise restrict their access to land and resources, and embrace behaviors and attitudes that support conservation” (Charnley 2005, p. 79). Nature conservation and preservation is one of the main advantages of ecotourism. There are many opponents of beneficial influence of ecotourism on the environment. Moreover, these people often do not support a separate branch of mass tourism, which is ecotourism. A concept of “nature enjoinment” cannot be underestimated too, because it means the main goal of ecotourism. These are: visits of natural areas, effective contribution to conservation; political and economic benefits and community-centered approach for ecotourism development; cultural heritage of community and its protection in terms of ecotourism; information support of ecotourism etc (Charnley 2005, p. 79). It is also important to focus on benefits of ecotourism at the governmental level. There is no doubt that tourism is lacking of governmental investments. There is a need to consider relationship between mass tourism and ecotourism both on the micro- and macro-levels. In that case it is possible to evaluate, for example, a hazardous impact of fishing or hunting in some regions or areas. On the basis of statistical data it is relevant to analyze impact of ecotourism exerted on different wildlife species, or to focus on socio-economic or socio-cultural impacts of ecotourism on the environment (Scott, Selwyn, 2012). Actually, there are many ethical issues, which are relevant to ecotourism, but in the majority of cases, these are often neglected by the researchers. Our dissertation intends to fill in the gaps of scientific and research paradigm of tourism and environment symbiotic relationship. We think that it is appropriate to correlate tourism issues with the environmental concerns at the governmental level. It is relevant to appeal for the local governments and think about appropriate measures taking for improvement of tourism marketing aspect and industrial aspect as well. On the example of case study, which deals with Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, it was found out by Charnley (2005) that mass tourism has turned into ecotourism in this area. On the basis of a conducted research, it is evident that a local community worked hard in the name of beneficial influence on the environment. Ecotourism should be positioned as a recreational and a nature recreational activity. In this case different tourists will play a role of decisive players in the area of tourism development and the savers of environmental and cultural resources preservation. Therefore, we consider ecotourism as the closest way to symbiotic relationship development with the environment. Ecotourism positions itself as a perfect alternative for short-time rest, when tourists have many opportunities for preserving sites and cultures of different regions (Murova and Hanagriff, 2011). Interaction of ecosystems and tourism development can be considered from the following perspective. Very often it is necessary to clear territories for new resorts thus intimidating preservation of wildlife species (Golja, Nizic, 2010). The dunes and beaches are often destroyed because of construction of hotels and roads. In the result of these activities, such negative consequences as land erosion, littering or scaring away birds can occur. Therefore, we develop the following strategic decisions, which determine the way tourism development can contribute much to environment preservation. Financial contributions can be considered as direct investments into development and protection of tourism. For example, it is possible to introduce special fees and direct payments for park operations or conservation activities. Governmental contributions cannot be associated with specific parks or conservation areas directly. Tourists’ fees, income taxes, license fees or any other expenses can be directed by the government for natural resources management. For example, “In Belize, a US$ 3.75 departure tax goes directly to the Protected Area Conservation Trust, a Belizean fund dedicated to the conservation of the barrier reef and rainforest” (The International Ecotourism Society). These are not too high expenses, but they are favorable for tourism development and advancement. Tourism management and improved practices in this industry will lead to improvement in the sphere of environment. Of course, it is relevant to work at certain theoretical and practical developments in this field and promote this symbiotic relationship at different levels. We have suggested the following outline for relevant symbiotic practices at different levels. In relationship of tourism and industry, it can be claimed that cleaner production techniques are important for tourism planning and operations. Energy-efficient materials usage in construction of buildings, environmentally efficient sewage systems and energy sources are possible ways to correlate tourism industry with the environment safety and protection (Hudson and Lee, 2010). It is also relevant to prevent pollution and introduce techniques for waste minimization in the tourism industry. Tourism is further positioned as the industry, which brings closer an individual to nature and cultures of different countries. Tourism requires a large quantity of different goods and it is appropriate to develop goods in the sound and healthy environment. Tourism as a global phenomenon of the modernity is on the way of contributing much to the environmental protection (Lord, Mensah, and Putrevu, 2011). Wildlife preservation is especially relevant to remote places and corners of the world. Regulatory measures directed on the environment preservation, such as control measures and preservations of ecosystem, integral activities, directed on animal rights protection, natural resources preservations and protection etc should comprise the framework for this study. A provisional time-line: (3 years: Jan 2013 - Dec 2015) Stages of work: theoretical data collection: Statistical data collection: Data processing: Making conclusions: Data of completion: References Charnley, S. (2005). From Nature Tourism to Ecotourism? The Case of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania. Human Organization 64 (1), p. 75+. 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