Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The idea of sustainable tourism has been derived from sustainable devel-
opment, although most definitions of sustainable tourism reflect a business
perspective and include some reference to economic development. A com-
monly cited definition is that of the World Tourism Organization (2009):
sustainable tourism should:
1
Make optimal use of environmental resources
that constitute
a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential
ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage
and biodiversity.
2
Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities
,
conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional
values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and
tolerance.
3 Ensure viable, long-term economic operations,
providing
socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders
that are fairly dis-
tributed, including stable employment and income-earning
opportunities and social services to host communities, and con-
tributing to poverty alleviation.
This differs somewhat from the key concepts of sustainable development out-
lined above. Firstly, there is a strong focus on economic development. Sharpley
(2009) points out that the UNWTO ST-EP scheme, with its focus on economic
development and absence of environmental concerns, contrasts with sustain-
able tourism development. Is this an admission by the UNWTO that 'within
the context of least developed countries, sustainable tourism development is
unachievable' (Sharpley, 2009, p76)? Secondly, the inter- and intra-genera-
tional equity is absent. Pearce et al (1996) also observe that while community
well-being is a priority consideration, the early emphasis on physical environ-
ment and biological aspects persists. This has also been a source of criticism
of the concept of sustainable development.
Many authors express doubts about the viability of sustainable tourism.
Wheeller (1993) was the first to signal concerns regarding the utility of the
concept. His early work has been developed by numerous authors (see, for
example, Becken and Simmons, 2002; Roberts and Hall, 2001; Sharpley,
1999; Sharpley, 2009). They argue that it is widely misused as a business con-
cept, with an emphasis on long-term economic sustainability. Furthermore,
Sharpley (1999, p93) argues that 'much of the environmental concern sur-
rounding tourism is motivated not by the need to protect the environment
per
se
, but to sustain it as the resource upon which tourism depends. In short, the
ultimate purpose is to sustain tourism itself.'
Until recently, transport, beyond the immediate destination area, has
rarely been considered in studies of sustainable tourism. It has certainly
been poorly understood (Hall, cited in Becken, 2002). It is now more widely
