Sustainable Tourism

Development
 Objectives
Understand the different stages in destination
development
Understand sustainable tourism development
and its benefits
Identify the different prerequisites of a
sustainable tourism development.
Analyze the roles played by various
stakeholders in sustainable tourism
development.
Stages of Destination Development
 Stage 1: Discovery
The stage of exploration
A destination begins as a relatively
unknown place and visitors initially
come in small numbers restricted
by lack of access, facilities, and
local knowledge
Stage 1: Discovery

Boracay during 1970s

 Stage 2: Development
The stage of growth
As more people discover the
destination, the word spreads
about its attractions and the
amenities are increased and
improved
Stage 2: Development

Boracay during 1980s

 Stage 3: Stagnation
The stage of maturity
Tourist arrivals then begin to grow
rapidly toward some theoretical
carrying capacity which involves
social and environmental limits.
Often happens rapidly.
Stage 3: Stagnation
 Stage 4: Decline
Possible trajectory of a destination after
the stage of stagnation
The stage of saturation and alienation
Increased congestion and unsustainable
development caused the resources that
originally drew visitors to the destination
to become corrupted, or no longer exist.
The destination has become saturated
The appeal of the destination has
disappeared and the tourists now look for
unaltered destination
Stage 4: Decline
 Stage 4: Rejuvenation
Possible trajectory of a destination
after the stage of stagnation
Technological developments or
infrastructure improvements leading
to increased carrying capacity can
help rejuvenate a destination.
Resources for Developing
Tourism
Resources can be divided into 4
categories:
Capital
Labor
Materials
Knowledge
In tourism, materials include
natural and human-made assets.
 Resources for Developing
Tourism

Natural Human
Labor Capital Capability
Assets Made Assets

Cultures, Equity
Customs, Investment
History
Terrestrials
Features,
Marine Production
Knowledge
Features, Service
Experience
Wildlife
Building,
Structures
 Why Do We Need
Sustainable Planning?
Resources are scarce and finite.
Society must choose among economic
activities including tourism that could have
higher returns to scale.
Provided that tourism increases economic
diversion, then resources can be allocated
in developing it.
 What is Sustainable
Development?
Sustainable development is
progress that meets the needs of
the present without compromising
the ability of the future to meet their
own needs (UN WCED, 1987).
 In tourism, sustainability
means
Achieving quality growth in a manner
that does not deplete the natural and
built-in environment and preserves the
culture, history and heritage of local
community.
Achieving balance between number of
visitors and the capacity of the given
environment
Greatest interaction and enjoyment
with the least destruction.
 Carrying Capacity

The largest number of people a

destination can efficiently manage
within its given environ and
management capabilities
 Issues to be considered:
Natural and man-made cultural and
environmental resources comprising
tourism product are conserved and
renewed when necessary.
For the benefit of succeeding
generations.
Tourists not only consume the
tourism product, they should be
made aware of the need to protect it.
 Issues to be considered:
Tourism must be beneficial for the
receiving destination, region and
country.
For the receiving destination to be
prepared to accommodate tourists
and hospitality be extended when
tourists overstayed.
 Issues to be considered:
Maintaining and renewing the
tourism product is critical.
To sustain steady tourist flow
To ensure tourist satisfaction
Sometimes, this means limiting
tourists flows
 Issues to be considered:
Benefits and costs must be politically
acceptable for the governing entities
at national, regional and destination
levels.
 Prerequisites to Sustainable
Tourism Development
High quality attractions
Tourism infrastructure
Community support and tolerance
Government assistance at all levels
Personal security and safety of
tourists
Code of ethics and behavior of
tourists
 High Quality Attractions
Attractions draw visitors
Offers experiences that visitors
want and need
The goal of sustainable tourism
development is the preservation of
the attractions so that future
generations can enjoy them
 Attributes of Attractions
Natural or human made
Fixed or mobile
New or ancient
Large or small
Temporary or permanent
Maybe designed for some type of
human activity
Unique
 Key Players
Private Sector
Owns and operates profit making
tourist attractions and facilities
Government Sector
Owns and operates public facilities
and attractions
Establishes regulatory guidelines
NGOs
 Tourism Infrastructure
The sum total of basic facilities,
equipment and installations needed
for a functioning tourism industry.

Tourist Facilities
Transportation System
Utilities
Health Facilities
Cultural and recreational infrastructures
 Tourism Infrastructures
Infrastructures may be owned privately
Maybe operated for profit or non profit
Infrastructures serve tourists as well as local
population
Regardless of who builds and operates them,
infrastructures must be carefully planned and
executed.
Infrastructures must serve higher goals of the
nation, region and destination.
Public opinions must be heard and political
systems must be employed in evaluating the
merits of proposed tourism projects.
 Mistakes are made
when single purpose
tourism infrastructures
are narrowly
conceived and
rushed.

Feasibility and market studies are required to

evaluate the financial realism and the
environmental, social and economic impacts of
tourism development.
 Community Support and
Tolerance
Culture:
Has numerous and diverse traits
A learned behavior
Creation of human mind and practice
Spreads through communication
Not limited to human acts, customs or
material possessions
Embraces a large field of human
behavior and creativity
 Community Support and
Tolerance
Cultural harmony is an important issue
in sustainable tourism development.
Cultural diffusion is the process of
spreading individual cultural traits from
their source to other areas.
Tourism is a means of transmitting
culture.
A safe and secure environment must
be established where law prevails and
local culture is protected.
 Community Support and
Tolerance
Harmony between traditional and
foreign cultures must be established
through demonstration and
communication
Mutual respect can be gained
Acceptance of tourism and cultural
changes can be achieved
 Government Assistance
National level
Initiates tourism development
Regional level & local level
Strategy is broken down into
components
Assigned to different agencies for
implementation
 Personal Security and
Safety of Tourists
Personal security is a prime
consideration
War
Terrorism
Political instability
Natural disasters
 Personal Security and
Safety of Tourists
Well equipped medical facilities
and competent medical staff are
required
Emergency first aid kit
Exit strategy for tourists in cases of
emergency
 Personal Security and
Safety of Tourists
To ensure safety of tourists,
government services must be
immediately available.
Local governments must be
prepared to respond to multiple
crises including ordinary and
unexpected.
 Code of Ethics and
Behavior for Tourists
Tourists should extend their respect
for local authority to the local
population and culture.
To promote cultural understanding,
tourists must be aware of the local
codes of ethics, social mores and
behavioral conventions.
 Benefits of Sustainable
Tourism Development
Developing new businesses
Expanding job opportunities
Increasing income
Marketing new products
Improving infrastructures
Encouraging diversification
Integrating local economy
Promoting community pride
Higher quality of life for local population