How do you feel about continued use of tourism as a development tool, considering the impact of travel to increasingly remote destinations, as well as the impacts on local, often fragile, environments and cultures?
I feel that it really is a good thing, as long as it is properly and thoroughly managed. It is just like anything with tourism, something like this needs proper planning and all impacts must be taken into consideration if it is to be successful. If they are not, then they run the risk of damaging the environment and the industry as a whole. This would impact the local community and the tourism industry.
Do you think tourism is a valid development tool?
Tourism is vital for some communities, where without it, they would perish. This is especially so, in small coastal communities where resources and job prospects are limited in these community’s tourism is what keeps them fed, and housed. I think tourism can be used a developmental tool for these reasons, it can also help educate young people about their environment and how to properly manage it so tourism can be sustainable for years to come.
Do you think that the goals outlined by the UNWTO take these potential impacts into account in a way that will to shape a more sustainable approach to development through tourism?
Yes, I think they have thought about all angles from a holistic point of view in a thorough manner. I think it’s important to have proper planning on these matters, and contingency plans in case the goals are not met. I think the plans by the UNWTO should be considered in most sustainable tourism cases to ensure that tourism is a viable option for communities that rely on tourism for their survival in to the future.
How important is it that environmental, as well as economic, impacts are measured globally?
It is of great importance because as the video said, the product in tourism is the destination itself. Without the destination being properly cared for, tourist will not visit and this can impact people from the tourism operators down to the local people. It’s important to consider the impacts to make sure the destinations are protected and the tourists get what they have paid for.
References
Hughes, G. (2002). Environmental Indicators. Annuals of Tourism Research, 29(2), 457-477.
Tourism & the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) | Institutional Relations and Resource Mobilization. (2015). Icr.unwto.org. Retrieved 28 April 2016, from http://icr.unwto.org/en/content/tourism-millennium-development-goals-mdgs Goeldner, C. & Ritchie, J. (2009). Tourism (11th ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.
Travel Foundation: Sustainable Tourism. (2012).
