Many people view an island destination getaway as a well-deserved treat or a dream come true. When one begins to research locations, it can be overwhelming at the number of choices that are available. In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, sustainability practices are being researched along with amenities, location, price, and other factors.
Maldives
There was limited contact between Maldives and the rest of the world until the mid-1900s. The nation sustained itself and exported copra to India and some smoked fish to Sri Lanka. It was not until President Nasir, who was himself an entrepreneur, began his rule in 1957 that economic growth began in the nation of tiny islands. Under his tutelage the nation developed into a more diversified consumer economy.
Some of the infrastructure that took place early in the development included developing a shipping fleet, an expansion of the airport, and increased communication with the rest of the world. Nasir was a liberal ruler and this enabled entrepreneurs like himself the opportunity to exploit neighbors, such as Sri Lanka, for profit since these other nations had import substitution, protectionist regimes. His international business success had one string attached; do not interfere with the business of his country.
In 1978, the presidency changed hands to President Gayyoom and changes in policy catapulted economic growth for the nation. He developed a predictable structure which was based on rules and captured the interests of many stakeholders, including financial institutions and foreign investors. This helped to lay the interest and the foundation for a tourism market. The country’s government has reported that over 80 percent of the finances for socio-economic services in the early years came from the international donor community in the form of grant aid and concessional loans. In the present day, the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MNCCI) are the major influence and voice of the private sector that has developed because of these initiatives.
Tourism is the biggest industry that has been created in the Maldives. It creates the largest source of revenue for the nation of islands that have few natural resources (Latheef, 2002). Much of the initial investment money was used to create resorts which lured in the tourists from the beginning of the push to be a tourist destination. The islands capitalize on having some of the best diving sites in the world and also boast beautiful coral reefs. While rapidly developing the tourism industry for these natural wonders, little thought given to the economic impact of the increased waste management and how to dispose of it when the tourists came to the area. Managing the natural resources is still a struggle for the local government. However, if the natural resources are destroyed by the tourists, the tourists will find other places to visit. It is a delicate balance that the nation is struggling with as pressure is placed on its limited natural resources. Integrating the environmental concerns into policies and programs has been a long and tenacious process (Karthikheyan, 2010).
Part of a successful tourism industry depends on branding the market. There is an element in a successful tourist market known as brand promise and performance (Foley & Fahy, 2004). There has been the development of restaurants, lodging facilities, and full scale resorts. Activities include diving, snorkeling, watersports, spa treatments, and shopping for local crafts, just to name a few (Latheef, 2002). Marketing communications deliver a promise that a visit to the region will be an enjoyable experience no matter what time of year. This is especially beneficial if there is a diversity of services available. By giving the region a branding identity, such as the spa, resort, or water activities, it facilitates an interest to multiple groups of interested parties and integrates the great desirability of multiple resources (Foley & Fahy, 2004), (Latheef, 2002).
The locals constitute 75 percent of the work force. Expatriates make up the other 25 percent. The expatriate workforce has helped the development of the country. The primary and secondary school system continues to provide the necessary unskilled work force, but little effort has been made to create a vocational or technical program of education for a skilled labor industry. With unemployment being almost non-existent, this has not been a priority of the government (Latheef, 2002).
The five areas where sustainability can be improved include programs to control beach erosion, protecting the coral reefs from bleaching, limiting coral mining and enforcing regulations in this area, limiting dredging, and ensuring an adequate supply of freshwater, especially as the population increases and demands continue to increase (Karthikheyan, 2010).
Bora Bora
When one hears of Bora Bora, images of exotic resorts and beautiful, pristine beaches come to mind. It is the epitome of an integrated destination resort that knows how to cater to the desires and expectations of guests. Located in French Polynesia, the exotic island local has targeted its market of couples and baby boomer travelers and is catering to these specific groups. Many of these tourists are avid participants in sports, especially ones that are done in the sun. The travelers over the age of 50 are the largest consumer group as they have the most buying power and financial strength in today’s market place. Bora Bora caters to their needs, thus its success.
No longer does vacation mean sitting in a lounge chair reading a book. Travelers are active and want to engage in activities, especially those that involve the water. Tennis, golf, and guided tours and excursions are also popular with resort goers. In Bora Bora, some of the opportunities at the resorts include champagne picnics, going to the theatre or a culinary classes led by a noted chef.
Vacationers want to experience local architecture, and the resorts of Bora Bora have capitalized on this interest. Local craftsmen were used to create the coastal village resort. All of the accommodations and amenities have been built to maintain the integrity of the Malaysian atmosphere.
A downfall of Bora Bora for American travelers is the distance. Americans tend to travel in three to seven day increments. European travelers and Australians, however, favor two to four week vacations, thus making travel to this location more feasible. This is one reason that tourism is suffering in Bora Bora (Elliot & Johns, 1993). Another reason that Bora Bora has had slower growth over the past three decades is that beginning in the 1980s the Maldives began taking in a great amount of the tourism that had previously belonged to Bora Bora.
Bora Bora still can boast the adequate health care of French Polynesia, which is essential to the aging travelers who flock to resorts. Also, there is an established natural disaster warning system, something which was highlighted as a cause for concern after the tsunami in 2004. It also boasts relative safety, and is much more so than many of the growing tourist destinations in the Caribbean. Since the resort is older, and was built when expectations were different, there is limited shopping and it is more expensive than in places such as the Maldives. There is almost no nightlife as well. This may be one of the reasons that the older age group is drawn there over others (Gay, 2012).
Bora Bora is concerned about its fresh water supply. There are two issues: the residents need access to fresh water and there needs to be a sustainable supply available. Another environmental concern is the preservation of the coral reefs and the lagoons which made Bora Bora famous initially to the tourists and the industry.
The tourism industry was recruited to become a partner in the education of tourists to be stakeholders in protecting the environment. In hotel rooms, at the resorts, and through the media, educational programs and information is shared on simple steps that can be taken to preserve the beauty and integrity of the environment.
Tong Sang (2007), as the mayor of Bora Bora, was a key figure in the government becoming more invested in protecting the environment and utilizing the available human resources to begin to revitalize the economy to meet the current and future generations of the local population and sustain the tourism industry. One step was ensuring that there were policies that ensured sustainable development with plans for action and that could demonstrate tangible results. Another step that he took was strengthening the partnership between the government and civil society organizations, which included private companies and corporations. Tong Sang believed that these partnerships would complement sustainable development, especially on the islands where there still exists the potential of further development (Tong Sang, 2007).
Five of the areas where Bora Bora can improve its sustainability include devising a system which encompasses a more rational system of management to continue to improve access to water and sanitation services, improve the efficiency of public services, improve the monitoring and regulation of environmental protection regulations, increase the available opportunities for guests at the resort, and attempt to regulate prices to compete with areas such as the Maldives.
When choosing a destination, price, amenities, destination are all important factors. Something that is becoming increasingly common to consider is the sustainability practices of the region and the particular hotel or resort where one will be staying. People are willing to do research to find out how environmentally friendly a place is, perhaps pay a little more, and chose a location to protect the earth and make the world a better place, even during one’s time of play.
References
Elliot, J., & Johns, N. (1993). The influence of international tourism trends on the design.
International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 5(2), 6-6. Retrieved
Foley, A., & Fahy, J. (2004). Incongruity between expression and experience: The role of
imagery in supporting the positioning of a tourism destination brand. Journal of Brand
Management, 11(3), 209-217. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/232486038?accountid=35812
Gay, J. C. (2012). Why is tourism doing poorly in overseas France? Annals of Tourism Research,
39(3), 1634-1652.
Karthikheyan, T. C. (2010). Environmental changes for Maldives. South Asian Survey, 17(2),
343-351. doi: 10.1177/097152311201700210
Latheef, M. (2002). Public-private partnership for development in the Maldives. South Asia
Economic Journal, 3(2), 241-252. doi: 10.1177/139156140200300208
Tong Sang, G. (2007). Bora Bora island, on a sustainable development. Retrieved from PECC Bora Bora: www.pecc.org//1092-bora-bora-island-on-a-sustainable-developme
