Key Challenges Faced in the Management of Leisure and Tourism Impacts on the Environment - Research Paper Example

Key Challenges Faced in the Management of Leisure and Tourism Impacts on the Environment Introduction A tourist destination is not only a geographical place, it is an integration of products, services, natural resources, built environment, artificial elements and information that attracts a number of visitors to a place (Bieger, 1998). The stakeholders are: actual and potential tourists, public administration, tourism operators, managers and conductors of local private tourism activities, operators of non-local tourism activities and the host community. The main objective of tourism managers is the integration of different resources to provide facilities and activities based on policy. Tourism should meet the needs of different categories of visitors, ensure sustainable growth, and combine private profit and local economic development with the preservation of the host community’s identity and quality of life (Pechlaner, 2000), supported by Swarbrooke (2001). Thesis Statement: The purpose of this report is to summarise some of the key challenges that managers have to confront while managing leisure and tourism impacts on the environment. Different dimensions of the challenges will be investigated and the report will include specific recommendations to better manage leisure and tourism’s impacts on the environment. Ecological Issues and Recommendations In developing tourist attractions and destinations, some positive outcomes are that new holiday and entertainment venues are created for the public’s benefit, employment opportunities are generated for the surrounding community, the land is put to profitable use, and foreign travel is encouraged. On the other hand, tourism can have several negative impacts on the ecological environment of the tourist destination. Due to influx of visitors and demands on the natural, built and human resources, the possible impacts are: deterioration of water quality, disappearance of natural wetlands, collapse of local waste management, loss of biodiversity, destruction of customs, traditions and social relations of indigenous communities, and rapid economic decline of destination’s surrounding community (Schianetz, 2005). Tourism’s Ecological Impacts Sustainable tourism is defined as “a partnership that satisfies both tourism as well and cultural heritage management objectives” and is mutually beneficial (McKercher & Du Cros, 2002: 11). Ethical challenges pertaining to environmental issues and sustainability are common to all tourist attractions. These, as well as challenges that are unique to each tourist destination such as infrastructure and employment of local labour form some of the important issues that tourism managers have to resolve through adequate planning, policies and procedures (Swarbrooke, 2001). Tourism’s physical-ecological impacts on the environment are numerous. They include pollution phenomena, loss of biodiversity causing impacts on the ecological equilibrium, loss of landscape as well as impacts related to facilities, accommodation and other overburdened infrastructure problems like increased traffic and congestion. Tourism is responsible for extensive energy consumption through air and road travel. For example, in France, 5-7 percent of green house gas emissions are due to tourism mainly because eighty percent of domestic tourist travel is by private car (EEA, 2001). Global climate change is attributed to increased greenhouse gas emissions which is caused by growing consumption of fossil fuels for travelling, heating, air-connditioning, and other purposes. Emission of acidifying substances from the consumption of fossil fuels leads to the outcome of acid rain (Mexa & Collivini, 2004). “Additionally, tourism is a large consumer of natural resources and a producer of a significant load of waste, often exceeding the capacity of the ecosystems” (Mexa & Collovini, 2004: 253). Besides the high consumption of energy, tourists use several other local non-renewable resources like water. The construction of hotels, swimming pools, golf courses, and other facilities leads to significant pressures on water resources, particularly in regions such as the Mediterranean where resources are scarce. On an average, tourists typically consume about 300 litres of water and generate 180 litres of waste water per day, which in most cases is higher than the consumption patterns of the local population. In Majorca, water consumption in rural areas is 140 lires per person per day, in urban areas 250 litres per person per day; while the average tourist consumption is 440 litres per person per day, or even double that quantity in the case of a luxury tourism establishment (EEA, 2001). Increased waste production and sewage output during the tourist season lead to increased water pollution. Environmental hazards such as erosion, land slippage, flooding, etc. and land-use conflicts resulting from poor planning, silting and inappropriate construction of tourist facilities may become major issues. Many tourist localities often suffer from increased traffic, congestion of the city centre, and parking problems during the tourist season due to the extensive influx of tourists using private cars or buses. Noise pollution from tourist activities and vehicles also need to be considered. Additionally, infrastructure systems such as water supply, telecommunications, and energy supply become excessively burdened. More-over, uncontrolled tourism developments lead to overurbanization which may cause the alteration of historical settlements and landscape, and create conflicts with other land uses (Mexa & Collivini, 2004). Countering Tourism’s Ecological Impacts with Effective Management Practices One of the important challenges faced by tourism managers, especially those associated with indigenous, cultural or historic destinations is attracting international tourists to divert from traditional destinations in major cities, to the less-known regions. An example of a cultural and historic tourist destination is Sovereign Hill, that depicts the Australian town of Ballarat during the gold-rush, around the mid-nineteenth century, about ten years after the discovery of gold in 1851 (Buhalis & Costa, 2005). The tourist destination of Sovereign Hill is using cutting edge technology to enhance its exhibits. At a high cost, the popular sound and light show Blood on the Southern Cross which tells the story of the 1854 Eureka stockade, has been modified to include a six-language narration and hearing impairment service using a leading communications system based on radio signals. The new additions have resulted in increasing numbers of foreign tourists attending the nightly show (AusIndustry, 2006). In recreating history, the calculated construction of reality and the staging of authenticity can potentially create depletions from the natural environment and issues with the local community. Hence, tourism management needs to be made more sustainable in different management functions covering planning of environmental issues, human resource management, operations, financial management and marketing. Management of Environmental Issues A proactive approach to environmental and ecological issues by the tourism manager is recommended (Swarbrooke, 2001). Starting from the initial stage of selecting the site, conducting an ecological survey of the site, and designing the complex, detailed discussions with local planners as well as specialist environmental agencies are essential. Roads and other services have to be blended into the landscape to cause minimum disturbance to the environment. Creation of lakes, streams and waterfalls provide appropriate habitats for natural flora. Planting of trees, shrubs and establishment of grassy areas, creating reserves for conservation of existing wildlife in the area, and restoring areas of unproductive land are essential. By sensitive designing of the complex, the area’s wildlife can be enhanced. However, ethical issues regarding the extent of artificial creation of new wildlife habitats, need to be considered. Tourism related development has caused extensive damage to coral reefs in coastal areas. The results have been a decreased capacity to regenerate or the death of entire coral colonies. In Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and in the coastal areas of the Red Sea, reef walking, snorkelling, diving, pollution caused by fertilizer run-offs from golf courses, the presence of septic tanks or inadequate sewage systems at resorts, land clearing for construction and infrastructure development related to tourism have been the reason for degradation and demolishment of the coral reefs. Moreover, sedimentation leading to silting and water cloudiness cuts off sunlight to the coral reef, thus adding to the adverse causes (Hall & Page, 2002). Multidisciplinary approaches including Geographic Information System (GIS) enhancing the initiatives taken by the Environmental Agency (EA), and the scientific methods involved in unhindered growth of the coral reefs, are required to be undertaken for resolving environmental problems. Another example is the optimal route for a tourist transport infrastructure project based on the United Kingdom’s high-speed rail link between London and the Channel Tunnel. Political changes directly altered the geographical routing and distribution of the impacts of the high speed rail link. Using multidisciplinary approaches is found to be essential in the development of more sustainable tourism (Hall & Page, 2002). The need for a multidisciplinary approach is supported by research conducted by Farrell & Twining-Ward (2004), who state that the scientific study of sustainability includes new knowledge about complex systems which are vital aspects of change. Both social and natural systems are considered complex and tightly integrated together and evolving as socio-ecological systems. To make tourism sustainable and progressive, the complex systems have to be confronted through multidisciplinary approaches involving “ecosystem ecology, ecological economics, global change science, and complexity theory. The emergence of sustainability science is of great relevance to tourism study” (Farrell & Twining-Ward, 2004: 274). These disciplines provide new knowledge about complex adaptive systems, diverting away from reductionism, high level of integration of human and natural systems and new interpretations of sustainability. Human Resource Management If community involvement is sought in the development of a project, tourism managers may face a couple of challenges. This is because many people may not be interested in getting involved due to their other priorities, and also it is possible that a few people will take up the decision making and not represent the entire community. Also, most regions are made up of a number of communities based on age, sex, race or religion, with differing views on any issue. Hence, tourism managers will need to decide which community they will listen to when planning the project (Swarbrooke, 2001). For the purpose of generating employment in the local community, the creation of tourist attractions is found to play a beneficial role. The challenge of increasing the sustainability of human resource management can be met by the following measures: Though greater amount of training may be required to raise service quality to the required levels, it is advisable to recruit local people wherever possible. Further, adopting human resource policies that are in line with the local culture and employment practices, even if this means that contentious and controversial problems such as that of unequal remuneration for men and women have to be dealt with. Training local managers to lead the project, and training staff to understand the importance of green issues and observe environmental sustainability, are essential (Swarbrooke, 2001). . Operations Management More sustainable operations management can be undertaken by reducing energy consumption through insulation, and by switching off heating and lighting; while not compromising on visitors’ quality of experience. This can be facilitated by asking visitors to cooperate in conserving the earth’s energy resources. Further, setting up collection points for recyclable items such as bottles, cans and paper, recycling products, reducing waste and ensuring the use of recyclable materials are essential (Swarbrooke, 2001). Pollution related to water, air and noise need to be addressed, and actions implemented to reduce pollution. For enhancing sustainability of the local community, purchasing should be from local suppliers as far as possible. It is also important to minimize inconveniences caused to the residents who are neighbours of the tourist destination. This can be done by such precautions as not operating noisy machines at night or on Sundays, and ensuring that delivery lorries do not make deliveries during the times when local roads are already congested, thus preventing additional congestion and air pollution. Swarbrooke (2001) believes that controls need to be placed to prevent environmental damage such as erosion of footpaths and increased water pollution, which may occur due to unlimited visitor access to certain parts of the destination. The need to impose some kind of limits on the number of visitors, the uses of the various tourist attractions, and related activities is supported by Mexa & Collovini (2004). The authors emphasize the importance of assessing tourism carrying capacity, implementing policy measures to control tourist flows and undertaking zoning, The environmental quality of the tourist attraction should not be allowed to deteriorate, due to financial constraints. It needs to be high priority that the environment should be improved and enhanced through regular cleaning and refurbishment of buildings, and the replacement of plants and trees that die, to ensure plenty of greenery and flora. It is essential that all sectors of visitors, including the disabled and the elderly are able to access the various parts of tourist destinations. Safety issues in all respects also need to be ensured (Swarbrooke, 2001). Financial Management The various parts of a tourist attraction as well as the activities and events should be managed in a way that is sustainable and not exploitative. Short term and high rates of returns on investment should not be the target, in spite of the high costs of funding and maintaining the project. A practical way of ensuring financial sustainability is through ensuring the prompt payment of small local suppliers which will help them to stay solvent and also increase goodwill towards the tourist destination among the local community (Swarbrooke, 2001). Marketing Management Marketing can contribute greatly in making tourist destinations more sustainable. It is important to be honest in the brochures and advertisements, and using the literature to make potential visitors aware of how they can help to make the attraction “greener” through their own behaviour. Trying to market the attraction with a view to reducing seasonal increase or decrease of visitors, will help reduce the overuse of infrastructure and instalments that can occur during peak seasons. To prevent overcrowding and congestion and to achieve financial objectives from a smaller number of visitors, the marketing should attract higher-spending visitors. Pricing policies should be in favour of local people, and provide concessions for particular groups such as the unemployed and school children. The product should be acceptable to local culture, and it is necessary to ensure that special events at the tourist destination are not offensive to the opinions of the local community. Further, visitors should be encouraged to use public transport rather than private vehicles, in order to reduce congestion on the roads and air pollution (Swarbrooke, 2001). Tourism deals with the social aspect of the region, as much as with the ecological spheres. The adverse impacts caused to the indigenous people in an area whose history is being replayed, may require the glossing over of actual historical facts. For example, while marketing the re-creation of history at Sovereign Hill, though the Chinese labour experience in the mines is represented in the exhibits in the tourist destination, there is almost no mention of the earlier Aboriginal presence in the area, and no discussion of how mining may have affected the lives of these people. The overall idea is that of a fun and educational experience in the theme park, with Anglo miners being central to the concept; and avoidance of any controversial or unsettling topic. Thus, the actual narrative of the indigenous people whose lives were impacted by the onset of the gold rush, is either distorted, suppressed or omitted (Pretes, 2002). McKercher & Du Cros (2002: 40) agree that “assets cannot be presented in an intimidating or accusatory manner” that blames the visitor as being the cause of the problem. It is important to remember that most tourists are pleasure travelers whose purpose is to escape and have some fun-filled experiences which contribute to an enjoyable vacation. Hence, the tourism manager’s priority is to asertain that the theme park provides entertainment and enjoyment for the visitors, keeping in mind the ethical aspects of tourism impacts and sustainability of the environment. A ladder of sustainable development can be conceptualized, moving upward from a technocentric approach at the bottom with little concern for the environment, to an ecocentric position at the top in which environmental protection is a pre-condition of economic development in all forms including tourism development. The middle rung of the ladder recognizes that the environment’s capacity to assimilate waste is not limitless. The top rung is the ideal model, with “an ethical dimension that nature and non-human life have an intrinsic value, which extends beyond their usefulness to humans” (Holden, 2008: 156). According to Saarinen (2006), sustainability in tourism is underscored by three traditions: The resource-based tradition emphasizes conservation and the need to protect nature and culture from adverse changes caused by tourism activities. In this tradition, the concept of carrying capacity is taken into consideration. The second tradition is activity-base, and accepts that tourism development can contribute to sustainability, and this position is strongly advocated by the tourism industry in order to sustain capital investment in tourism. The third community-based tradition challenges the political economy by advocating the wider involvement of various stakeholders especially the host communities. Tourism management is required to be effective as well as efficient. Besides facing the key challenges of tourism impacts on the environment, managers are required to create opportunities for people to experience leisure in ways satisfying to them. Measures of effectiveness include not only output, income and expenditure, but also the range of people who are provided with leisure activities, the scope of the activities and the quality of the experiences. Meeting the needs of the public, as well as of sustainable ecological goals have to be successfully integrated (Torkildsen, 2005). Conclusion Tourism can have both positive and adverse effects on the environment and the surrounding community. The desirable outcomes include the profitable use of land, creation of leisure and holiday venues for the public’s benefit, employment opportunities for people in the surrounding area, and the encouragement of foreign travel. The tourism manager is required to build on initiatives that have beneficial outcomes, while confronting the challenges presented by the negative ecological impacts. The numerous physical-ecological impacts caused by tourism development need to be tackled with the help of good planning and management practices. These would involve a range of practices: investigating environmental issues, planning and implementing human resource management, appropriate operations management, financial management and improved marketing. Appropriate initiatives in the above areas would lead to desirable outcomes such as the conservation of natural areas, wildlife and their habitats, of archaelogical and historic sites since they are major tourist attractions, improvement in overall environmental quality of tourist areas, and enhanced quality of life for the local communities as a direct result of improvements of tourism infrastructure. The tourism manager’s initiatives to strengthen beneficial results, and counteract the challenges lead to increased financial profits as well as the provision of optimal leisure and tourism experiences for tourists. Appropriate use of management practices as discussed above, are required for reduction of the extent of environmental damage, higher economic benefits, and greater popularity and success of the tourist destinations. --------------------------------- References AusIndustry. (2006). Sovereign Hill: Success Story. An Australian Government Initiative. Retrieved on 10th May, 2009 from: http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/library/SovereignHillforweb20060523041030.pdf Bieger, T. (1998). Reengineering destination marketing organizations – the case of Switzerland. Tourist Review, 53 (3): 4-17. Buhalis, Dimitrios & Costa, Carlos. (2005). Tourism business frontiers: consumers, products and industry. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. EEA (European Environmental Agency). 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