Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sustainable development
Tourism compatibility
Holistic approach
:
development and
environmental issues
integrated within a global
social, economic and ecological
context.
Futurity
: focus on long-term
capacity for continuance of the
global ecosystem, including the
human sub-system.
Equity
: development that is
fair and equitable and which
provides opportunities for
access to and use of resources
for all members of all societies,
both in the present and future.
Tourism is a diverse, multi-
sectoral and fragmented sector,
comprising innumerable small
business and organisations.
Hence, limited possibilities for
a holistic approach.
Tourism businesses typically focus
on short-term profi t objectives.
Fundamental
principles:
Access to tourism as a social
activity and an economic
sector remains inequitable.
Development
objectives:
Millennium Development Goals.
Improvement of the quality of
life for all people: education,
life expectancy, opportunities
to fulfi l potential.
Satisfaction of basic needs;
concentration on the nature of
what is provided rather than
income.
Self-reliance: political freedom
and local decision-making for
local needs.
Endogenous development
Tourism brings potential
economic benefi ts;
broader developmental
benefi ts are not an inevitable
outcome of tourism, and are
dependent on local socio-
cultural and political-economic
conditions.
Ecotourism projects may
contribute to basic needs and
cultural sustainability.
Low compatibility between
tourism and development goals.
Specifi c programmes (pro-poor
tourism) may be targeted at
specifi c groups.
Local projects may minimise
resource depletion and
enhance environmental
conservation.
Tourism (i.e. travel) will inevitably
be a major contributor of
greenhouse gases.
Figure 15.3
Sustainable development and tourism: Principles and objectives
Source: Adapted from Telfer and Sharpley (2008: 36).
Sustainability
objectives:
Poverty reduction.
Sustainable population
levels.
Minimal depletion of non-
renewable natural resources.
Sustainable use of renewable
resources.
Pollution emissions within the
assimilative capacity of the
environment.
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