...UNIQUE TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY IN THE CAT BA BIOSPHERE RESERVE OF VIETNAM Thanh Van Mai Bosch O.J.H School of Integrative Systems, The University of Queensland, QLD 4343, Australia Corresponding author (thanh.mai@uqconnect.edu.au) ABSTRACT Tourism is not simply an industry, but is an open, dynamic and complex system. The system consists of many interacting components and involves many different stakeholders. The development of tourism in a sustainable way impinges on and is subject to many factors. The limitation of traditional approaches to tourism research has become evidently in many cases. These approaches have usually looked at a particular issue or issues of the whole tourism picture. As a result, it has become difficult to manage tourism toward sustainability. This paper provides an overview of the systems thinking approach and its application in the study of the tourism system in the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve of Vietnam. This study shows that systems thinking has proved to be an effective and powerful tool to explain the complexities of the tourism system. It has helped to simplify, clarify and integrate isolated problems associated with the industry, and provided a mechanism for group learning and decision making to achieve desirable outcomes. The paper proposes systems thinking be used as an appropriate tool for sustainable tourism development. Key words: complexity, dynamics, sustainability, systems thinking, sustainable tourism development...
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...“Islands are fragile” (O’Riodan, 2009). The delicate and sensitive entities of islands need to be managed by the stakeholders in a sustainable way in order to maintain the natural and cultural environment. Sustainable tourism is defined as “tourism that is economically viable but does not destroy the resources on which the future of tourism will depend, notably the physical environment, and the social fabric of the host community.” (Brent, R., 2003). Islands suffer from special problems such as their limited carrying capacity, their lack of product diversity, their history, their peripheral and isolated nature, as well as having large endemism in regard to species. These problems can have diverse and wide ranging effects on stakeholders’ abilities to set up sustainable tourism projects. Space or carrying capacity is a major constraint on the creation of sustainable tourism projects. There is, as Bramwell (2004) suggests, an absolute restricted resource base which should act as a restrictive band on development and prevent sprawling unsustainable development. Developers and tour operators are at loggerheads with environmental agencies over this, as they are seeking quick short term profits with disregard for the future of the islands. This is shown in Bali, Indonesia on ‘Rama Beach’ the sea is littered with dead fish, oil and litter from the Rama beach hotel (personal obvs., 2010). This detracts from the selling points of an island resort (sun, sea and sand). Butler’s (1980)...
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...Sustainable Tourism thrive destinations by Sabah, Malaysia – Did you know? Natural heritage destruction by human made is the highest rate compare to the scourge. If you ever travel, you are either wittingly or unwittingly part of a delicate and complicated morass facing today’s tourism destinations: How do we attract and service the greatest number of tourists without causing irreparable change or damage to the destination’s resources? This is followed by a question that is still begging for an answer: Is the notion of sustainable tourism one that can truly be achieved in a practical, capitalist-minded world? Most of us would agree in our travels we want to enjoy ourselves and do it in a way that causes “the least harm.” We want to maintain precious resources such as air, water, marine habitats and species, animal populations and indigenous peoples. However, in certain cases, tourism has been an actor in a tableau vivant of lost resources in various places around the world. In most development scenarios, sustainable tourism is thought of in terms of whether the tourism itself is sustainable (economically viable over a long period of time) not whether the tourism is doing the least amount of harm to resources. This is not to say development impacts are not considered through required regulations but clearly the facteur principal of development is capitalism. “Purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the environment, taking care...
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...Sustainable Tourism; Myth or Reality? Sustainable Tourism is a term derived from the 1978 Rio Summit United Nations Report on the Environment which can be defined as; “Tourism development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability for future generations to meet their own needs.” In the following agenda 21 process, travel and tourism was one of the industries identified as having the potential to make a positive contribution to a healthier planet. The diagrams above shows that if tourist destination is to be sustainable, it must aim to be a balance between social, environmental and economic factors to ensure that no damage is done which has the potential to be detrimental in the future. Ecotourism is a sub-component of the field of sustainable tourism. Eco-tourism's perceived potential as an effective tool for sustainable development is the main reason why developing countries are now embracing it and including it in their economic development and conservation strategies. Eco-tourism, as an alternative tourism, involves visiting natural areas in order to learn, to study, or to carry out activities environmentally friendly, that is; a tourism based on the nature experience, which enables the economic and social development of local communities. Eco-tourism destinations such as the Palau Conservation Society encourages sustainable development to protect...
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...Assignment: TLE *Choose your desired topic to research on the internet Topic #1 Puerto Prinsesa subterranean river #2 Tubataha Reef #3 Coron Island Visit websites associated to the chosen topic & complete information of the following areas: 1.Unique description of the tourist destinations. 2. Government and NGO environmental programs. 3. Role of the public in the reservation of the environmental and heritage sites. Coron Island Coron Island or Calis as the Tagbanuas called it, is the third largest island among the Calamianes group Islands. Coron is a part of the ancestral domain of the Tagbanuas. Meaning, some of the places here in Coron are exclusive and are not open for the public. The Government of the Philippines gave the right to them due to these following reasons: Many Tagbanuas spend their lives protecting and maintaining the beauty of the island, and this Island serves as the burial place of their loved ones. Due to this ancestral right, Tagbanuas are very cautious when it comes in allowing tourists to enter certain places. Coron is one of the best tourist attractions here at the Philippines. Along the Island, you can find white sand beaches, lagoons, and many more attractions. These include Kayangan lake, Barracuda lake, Twin Lagoons, Banol beach, Beach 91, Atuwayan Beach, Maynuno Beach, Skeleton wreck and many more. One of the attractions here is the Siete Pecados Marine Park. It is a cluster of 7 limestone islets in the entrance of the Coron...
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...11/06/2012 Destination Management Plan: IACC internal board structure and terms of reference Introduction Put simply by Visit Wales, destination management is “…coordinating all the activities and services which impact on the visitor and their enjoyment of a destination”. Effective, quality destination management requires the involvement of all stakeholders through clear communication and transparent decision-making. In particular, this requires pro-active engagement between the three key partners: the local authority as destination managers, the private sector as the service providers and the North Wales Regional Tourism Partnership (TPNW), acting on behalf of Visit Wales. It also requires the involvement of a range of other parties with an interest in tourism, subject to local circumstances. There also needs to be a clear structure, terms of reference and lines of communication within the private and public sector partners/groups. There is no formally prescribed model for partnership working in destinations within or between the sectors. Different arrangements are being made in different areas and the local situation might require a tailored solution(s). It will be important to be flexible and adapt any model as experience dictates. The local authority’s role and structure in the context of the DMP The local authority comprises a large number of departments, most of which involve or have a bearing on the tourism sector. These are listed below with their tourism links bracketed...
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...Whole Tourism System Theory in Practice This paper aims to outline the Whole Tourism System (WTS) theory and the practical functions within the system. Weaver and Lawton in Tourism Management state that the different internal functions of a WTS interact to form the ‘single functional structure’. The internal systems required to constitute a WTS were outlined by Leiper in 2004: at least one tourist, at least one tourist generating region, at least one tourist route region, at least one tourist destination, as well as a travel and tourism industry facilitating movement within the system. Whole Tourism System theory is the concept of a number of both internal and external ‘interdependencies, energy flows and interactions’. The 1930s saw the emergence of systems theory to describe phenomenon that are ordinarily too complex. To explain the factors and elements of a World Tourism System this essay will use the Australia to Bali tourist system as an example to explain how each element functioning singularly creates a WTS. Within a whole tourism system tourists play the most valuable role. Tourism is essentially human experience and the enjoyment an individual gains from a destination. The geographical elements within a WTS are the tourist generating region, tourist destination region and the transit route region. The tourist generating region (TGR) within a whole tourism system is related to the demand part of tourism; here people gather information on destinations and this region...
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...challenges of an increasing population, poverty, inequality, and corruption. With more than a quarter of the Filipino population falling below the poverty threshold, the pressure for productivity and growth has led to practices that have resulted in environmental stress and degradation. In response, the Philippine government has adopted the rhetoric of sustainable development as defined by the 1987 World Commission on Environment and Development. Government policies on economic development have reflected this vision of sustainability and poverty reduction. A major part of the government's economic development plan is ecotourism. In preparation for 2003: Visit the Philippines Year, the Department of Tourism has been actively marketing the country as a safe tropical holiday destination (DOTa, 2002). The aggressive sales missions and advertising campaigns, along with the various activities in 2002 commemorating the International Year of Ecotourism, aim to increase visitor arrivals, and consequently bring in more foreign currency to the country. How much is actually at stake? In 2000 alone, the total annual revenue directly attributed from tourism amounted to about US$ 2.5 billion. There were 1.8 million tourists mainly from the United States, Japan, Korea and the People's Republic of China (PCVC, 2002). And barring any serious security incident, this figure is projected to increase in the future. Definitions of Ecotourism Being a recent phenomenon, there are controversies surrounding the...
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...to achieving economic sustainability for tourism in (i.e. California and Giants Causeway) is maximising the economic retention of tourist spending in your local economy. The sustainable tourism businesses need to develop strategies that are capable of meeting the long-term economic needs and aspirations of the local community. If the communities are engaged by tourism organisations as stakeholders in tourism, and economic partners in the tourism industry, this will actively support local tourism businesses. Tourism is a rapidly growing industry and has far-reaching economic and environmental impact across the destinations; hence, if tourism is an important source of local employment and a significant buyer of local goods and services, residents are more likely to be supportive. The business operators and local communities need to work together to maximise local economic benefits as well as the positive impacts of destinations. The possible strategies to use to manage responsible tourism are, seeking out ways to include local service providers and producers in your business, encourage your local business suppliers to develop sustainable goods and services that reflect local nature, history and culture. Widening access to facilities: One of the key challenges for Responsible Tourism is to broaden access. The local governors would need to approach their responsible side to the tourism facilities to make it more sustainable and using tourism to make better places for people to live...
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...Eco Tourism Eco-tourism is more than a catch phrase for nature loving travel and recreation. Eco-tourism is consecrated for preserving and sustaining the diversity of the world's natural and cultural environments. It accommodates and entertains visitors in a way that is minimally intrusive or destructive to the environment and sustains & supports the native cultures in the locations it is operating in. Responsibility of both travelers and service providers is the genuine meaning for eco-tourism. Eco-tourism also endeavors to encourage and support the diversity of local economies for which the tourism-related income is important. With support from tourists, local services and producers can compete with larger, foreign companies and local families can support themselves. Besides all these, the revenue produced from tourism helps and encourages governments to fund conservation projects and training programs. Saving the environment around you and preserving the natural luxuries and forest life, that's what eco-tourism is all about. Whether it's about a nature camp or organizing trekking trips towards the unspoilt and inaccessible regions, one should always keep in mind not to create any mishap or disturbance in the life cycle of nature. Eco-tourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on our vulnerable planet. It is typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora, fauna, and cultural...
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...correctly. Recognizing and assessing options is what decision-making is in relation to. In our everyday life, we make decisions that have prejudiced what we initially intended it to be either by practice, urge or by motive. Situating Kava and Toyota Kava is an island in the South Pacific. Primarily a tourist destination, Kava’s economy revolves around this industry. Nik is a student in one of Kava’s universities. A senior in Marketing, he hopes to find work in as soon as graduation comes along in order to help his family. As of the moment he is an intern at a local Toyota dealership working under the guidance of Alex, a junior manager who oversees Toyota’s marketing relations. So far, Nik has worked under Alex arranging ads for Toyota with the local newspapers and TV stations as well as arrangements for sponsorships. Alex welcomes new ideas from his staff, even interns. Fresh ideas he believes are always a good source for the next best marketing move. The Proposal Nik, eager to help sustain tourism in Kava as well as become a ‘full-time’ recruit within the Toyota dealership proposed a marketing plan that would help in sustainable Tourism as well as market Toyota’s products. Kava, he believes as an island cannot sustain heavy traffic congestion. In addition, gasoline and...
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...Commission on Sustainable Development Seventh Session 19-30 April 1999, New York TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THE GLOBAL IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM Background Paper #1 Prepared by the World Travel and Tourism Organization and International Hotel and Restaurant Association The Global Importance of Tourism prepared by the World Travel & Tourism Council and International Hotel & Restaurant Association A. Introduction Creating jobs and wealth 1. Travel & Tourism is the world’s largest industry and creator of jobs across national and regional economies. WTTC/WEFA research show that in 2000, Travel & Tourism will generate, directly and indirectly, 11.7% of GDP and nearly 200 million jobs in the world-wide economy. These figures are forecasted to total 11.7% and 255 million respectively in 2010. 2. Jobs generated by Travel & Tourism are spread across the economy - in retail, construction, manufacturing and telecommunications, as well as directly in Travel & Tourism companies. These jobs employ a large proportion of women, minorities and young people; are predominantly in small and medium sized companies; and offer good training and transferability. Tourism can also be one of the most effective drivers for the development of regional economies. These patterns apply to both developed and emerging economies. Contributing to sustainable development 3. The 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the Rio Earth Summit, identified Travel & Tourism as one...
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...History of World Tourism The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It is the leading international organization in the field of tourism, which promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. It encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism[1] to maximize the contribution of tourism to socio-economic development, while minimizing its possible negative impacts, and is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), geared towards reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development. UNWTO generates market knowledge, promotes competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for development through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries around the world. UNWTO’s membership includes 156 countries, 6 territories and over 400 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities. Its headquarters are located in Madrid, Spain. Grand Tour Modern tourism can be traced to what was known as the Grand Tour, which was a...
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...Communication and Promotion When Bali tourism is booming, Bali itself already has brand name that most are contributed by tourists who has come to visit Bali island. But after the bombing of October 12 there was certain decrease in Bali’s tourism market. To recover this situation Bali tourism board want to develop there brand image and in connection with government and stakeholders they are doing some campaign to improve their position in tourists market in the world. A. The new slogan of Bali Tourism Organisation is ‘’ We have to protect Bali in sustainable way, this is our joint responsibility. This destination is the benchmarking for (National) tourism and also the tourism gateway to Indonesia.’’ They want to make Bali the best tourism destination in the world without sacrificing the cultural values and traditions that are in place. 1. Bali Tourism Organisation want to make Bali the best tourism destination in the world without sacrificing the cultural values and traditions that are in place 2. According to the new brand Bali Tourism Board wants to make Bali known as ‘’World’s place of harmonious peace.’’ This is the new logo of Bali Tourism Board: Please put the logo picture here 3. The brand concept of Bali was based on the ancient Baliness Hindu principle of Tri Hita Karana, the harmonious and balanced relation between three primary element: mankind, nature and God. ...
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...Initial tourism experiences can be very low key in their impacts but sometimes grow to mass tourism. Discuss this change and outline the direction being taken by the tourism industry to manage this growth as Sustainable Tourism. Use current examples, with reference article, to develop and support your argument. Introduction Travelling is the leading leisure activity choice among other activities in today world. Tourism have changed and evolved over time. According to Jafari’s advocacy platform, during the post war years of 1950s to 1960s, tourism started to bloom due to emergence of strong middle class and hence increasing the wealth and interest and outgoing attitudes of individuals. The improvements of technology in transportation allowed people to travel in masses, resulting in mass production and mass consumption in that period, simply put, the movement caused the birth of mass tourism. Overtime the impacts of mass tourism, both positive and negative, to the destination start to surface; sustainable tourism is introduced to manage the impacts of mass tourism. Development of Mass Tourism Mass tourism is said to consist of various elements but the principle lies with the participation of large numbers of people (Fink, 1970). It is a distinct form of tourism that can be separated from the others base on it linkage to mass production, mass consumption and mass tourist destination (Vainikka, 2013) and these mass consumption took place with the lack of consideration...
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