The Creation Of Previously Inaccessible And Undeveloped Destinations Tourism Essay Example

industry growth, and removing barriers like physical, bureaucratic, and financial obstacles (Mowforth & Munt, 2003). According to Duffy (2002:156), ecotourism, like other neoliberal policies, both reinforces and is reinforced by Western dominance, leading to various issues.

It is important to note that tourism was not considered appropriate for development finance until the early 1990s. Mowforth and Munt (2003:60) acknowledge the connection between preservation and development but argue that western loans and grants come with conditions that can transform social relations, forcing Third World countries to conform to First World beliefs.Webster (2003) illustrates this phenomenon through Russia's zapovedniks, which were opened to ecotourism after receiving a $20 million grant from the GEF in 1996. He criticizes both the World Bank and Russian government for assuming that nature can be protected solely through free market mechanisms. In 1994, Lowe (2005) discusses how Euro-American decision makers primarily staffed the offices of Conservation International, WWF, and TNC in Jakarta. Although Indonesian managers now oversee domestic programs, there may still be lingering western political orientation disguised as global 'conservation' wisdom. The rise of mass tourism coincided with the environmental movement during the second half of the twentieth century. As more tourists visited natural areas, it became evident that the environmental movement would eventually clash with tourism development and oppose any adverse impacts caused by mass tourists. This clash became a focal point for disillusioned conservationists in the 1980s as they fought against rapid growth-induced environmental destruction. Sustainability, policy, and planning issues are closely interconnected. A key aspect of sustainability is ecotourism's role in improving or enhancing the environmental surroundings. Many definitions implicitly endorse maintaining rather than exacerbating conditions at a given

time and place.Policy and planning are closely connected, as plans involve the strategies used to implement policies. Planning requires forecasting and an estimation of the future. In tourism planning, observation, research decisions, and values play a role. The goal is to provide informed decision-making in an overall planning-decision-action process. Uncontrolled tourism growth can harm the resource it relies on. Tourism planning aims to optimize contributions to human welfare and environmental quality through research and evaluation. There are four approaches to tourism planning: boosterism, economic, physical/spatial, and community-oriented. These approaches consider various aspects such as economic integration, social factors, environmental components, and spatial/temporal considerations.
The need for environmentally sensitive practices in tourism emerged in the 80s due to interconnected processes within Western societies. The concept of sustainability originated from sustainable development ideology following the release of the Brundtland Commission's report "Our Common Future" in 1987 (WCED 1987). Discussions on sustainability and growth limitations in tourism were already happening among academics and policymakers prior to this studySince the Brundtland study, sustainability has become a central topic in academic discourse and policy-making on tourism management. The demand for sustainability is driven by increased awareness of tourism's environmental impact. Forest fires caused by summer tourism pose a significant threat to global forest ecosystems. Some experts argue that conservation efforts and tourism preservation strategies are related. Governments cannot reject ecotourism as a development tool due to the need for foreign exchange and economic benefits from tourism. While there is controversy surrounding its definition, sustainable tourism generally includes preservation, education, economic viability, and local engagement. Preservation is seen as wise resource use and conservation according to Pearce (1997).The primary goal is to

safeguard culture and natural resources (Timothy & Boyd, 2003). However, the challenge lies in the lack of adequate support for resource conservation. Some authorities may not have enough funds to preserve their resources even though they see tourism as an opportunity for economic improvement. To address this issue, certain governments depend on tourism as a source of funding for initiatives aimed at protecting the environment. Unfortunately, it appears that in their efforts to protect the environment, tourism often ends up causing significant harm to the very areas it intends to safeguard. Poorly planned development, marketing, and promotion of tourism have had irreversible negative consequences both socio-culturally and environmentally (Bushell & McCool, 2007). This has been particularly problematic in popular destinations where mass tourism has grown and impacted both the industry's future and the environment. These negative effects were evident early on along the Mediterranean coast in mass destinations during the 1980s, jeopardizing the industry's viability and reputation (Robinson 1996; Wolfe 1983). On a different note, carrying capacity offers more specific solutions at a local level compared to sustainable tourism which focuses on global or long-term solutions. Geographers studying tourism and recreation heavily research carrying capacity as a solution at a local scale.McMurray (1930:19) highlighted the significance of transportation capacity in leisure and tourism research, with extensive studies conducted in forest sciences on this topic (McCool and Lime 2001; Stankey and McCool 1984; Wagar 1964). The concept of transportation capacity is crucial for sustainable tourism and serves as the foundation for various principles and research traditions (Tribe et al. 2000:44-45). It is often seen as an application of sustainable tourism, suggesting that both concepts can coexist

and provide frameworks for analyzing development impacts and limitations (Butler 1999:9; Butler 1996).

However, both transportation capacity and sustainable tourism have encountered challenges in the past, such as unrealistic expectations and a lack of conceptual understanding (McCool and Lime 2001; Wall 1982). For example, attempts to determine the maximum acceptable number of tourists at a destination have failed because transportation capacity relies not only on specific resources or tourist numbers (McCool and Lime 2001; Wall 1982), but also on human values and evolving perceptions regarding resources, indicators, criteria, and impacts (Hughes & Furley 1996; Lindberg, McCool & Stankey 1997; Odell 1975).Both sustainability and carrying capacity pertain to the level of tourism activity that can take place in a specific area without causing significant harm to its natural, economic, and sociocultural aspects. The concept of community-based tourism involves involving stakeholders and groups, such as environmentalists and local heritage societies, to advocate for the interests of destination areas (Selin 1999). This approach, known as community approaches in literature (Murphy 1983, 1988; Timothy and White 1999), focuses on negotiating growth limits and establishing a tradition of sustainable tourism where the host community plays a central role (Robinson and Hall 2000; Scheyvens 1999). However, it is important to note that community-based sustainability does not ensure equal status for all members involved in planning and development processes. The term "community" encompasses both hosts and other groups involved in tourism. It should be acknowledged that the host community itself is diverse, with varying preferences regarding tourism expansion. Not all these groups are equally represented or engaged in participatory processes. Essentially, the community-based approach suggests that sustainability is determined through dialogue.

Community-based Tourism: A

Dialogue for Sustainable Growth

The text highlights that the boundaries of growth in a destination are socially constructed through ongoing engagement between different actors. The community-based approach aims to empower hosts in development discussions and practices, which relates to power relations within a specific context. Empowering communities helps define tourism boundaries in a fairer way for the local population. Involving local residents in industries beyond tourism can also assist in stewardship, research, and decision-making within protected areas. Ecotourism represents social functions occurring within a wider socio-ecological community. This farming culture extends to peripheral actors like schoolchildren and local Chambers of Commerce who view the protected area as an asset rather than an obstacle to development and social governance. The debate on utilizing tourism for conservation remains contentious as some believe it exacerbates environmental damage and negative socio-cultural effects due to the Earth's fragile environment. Conversely, conservation advocates argue that preservation is crucial as resources are depleting rapidly and addressing environmental degradation effectively requires support from tourism, despite its costliness.Governments and tourism promoters need to strike a balance between safeguarding the environment and promoting economic growth through tourism. When individuals engage with nature, tourism can increase awareness of environmental issues, foster a deeper appreciation for nature, and promote environmentally conscious behaviors. For instance, eco-tourism plays a role in funding the L Tigra cloud forest visitor center in Honduras, where schoolchildren learn about the complexities of rainforests. In order to be sustainable, tourism must adopt principles and practices that encourage cleaner production methods and offer environmentally friendly services. By educating tourists about the environmental impact of their actions and encouraging eco-friendly behavior, tourism can play a vital role

in conservation efforts. Additionally, when tourists consume goods and services produced sustainably, it has a significant positive impact on the environment. While low-impact tourism can benefit the environment, it is crucial to prioritize visitor education and involve local communities in decision-making processes. Effective management of natural resources requires collaboration among governments, NGOs, and other groups to achieve a harmonious balance. It is rare for all these elements to align simultaneously.However, it is important for tourism directors to strive for financial sustainability and resource conservation in order to contribute effectively to preservation. Strategic planning techniques should be employed to address these challenges, rather than adopting an individualistic mindset as described in "The tragedy of parks" (Hardin, 1968). Instead, a collaborative and holistic approach involving all stakeholders is crucial.