What is sustainable tourism

1. What is sustainable tourism Ecuador and the Galapagos as a case study in sustainable tourism

2. Problem • As tourism continues to grow globally a range of problems such as land degradation, destruction of habitats e.g. coral reefs and rainforests will occur unless they are carefully planned managed and monitored in a sustainable way.

3. Sustainable tourism • S/T is a concept where the tourists’ ‘footprint’ leave little or no impact on the areas visited. • But it is also a concept where tourism can be developed and enjoyed by all those that participate.

4. Methods of S/T • S/T encourages people to fly less and stay longer. • Some areas are protected. Parts of the R/F in Ecuador are protected (‘fenced off’).

5. Ecotourism • Ecotourism is another strand of S/T. • It is a form of tourism where people experience relatively untouched natural environments e.g. rainforests and coral reefs but ensure their visit does no damage to these environments.

6. Activity • What is the difference between PRESERVATION and CONSERVATION?

7. Preservation maintains a location exactly as it is and not allowing development. • Conservation allows for developments that do not damage the character of the destination. • Which is implemented in the Lake District?

8. Another method for sustainability is tourist hubs or clusters where people are encouraged to visit some areas through more accommodation and a better infrastructure e.g. wider and tarmaced roads leaving other areas to be relatively free of tourism • Examples: Benidorm in Spain and Bowness in the Eastern Lake District.

9. A third idea is that of quotas where only a certain amount of tourists are allowed to travel. • For example small groups of under 20 only are allowed in certain parts of the Ecuadorian R/F.

10. A problem faced however is that there is not one organisation that regulates and plans tourism with a view to sustainability. • Some governments are better than others at implementing S/T. • After all, governments are often keen to exploit socio-economic gains such as employment and increased tax revenues. • So a balance needs to be struck between environmental and socio economic needs. This requires detailed planning and management.

11. Butler’s model • Where saturation point is reached on Butler’s model, unsustainability can occur where almost more tourists than the environment and infrastructure can cope with happens. For example, Benidorm in Spain in the early 1990s.