1. 1 Last week We looked at tourism And particularly, the Lake District National Park We set about answering a number of questions, such as –Why do people go there? –Who wins and who looses by having a tourist industry? –What the advantages and disadvantages for the people? for the environment? for the economy (the way people make their living and how money moves around)? We also looked at solutions to some problems, but in the case we are going to look at today, the solutions have been harder to find out!

2. 2 Introduction to Sitges near Barcelona Sitges is situated 36 kilometres to the south from Barcelona with a population of 20,000 (census January 2000) which increases to 60,000 during the summer peak tourist season.

3. 3 About Sitges The Sitges economy is mainly based on tourism and industry (the construction industry and the cement factory, and the stone quarries in Garraf, which is a National Park). Tourism is mainly concentrated in Sitges, which offers excellent premises and services, and three marinas. Sitges has become a commercial centre with a great influx of tourists during the whole year. As a result, the construction industry has experienced a boom in second homes and houses for seasonal tourists.

4. 4 Why do people visit?

5. 5 They visit because of …. The Physical Attractions Mediterranean climate Blue flag beaches –but they are now very full in the summer, and erosion if the sand means groins have had to be added which are not always attractive! Garraf Natural Park: limestone landscapes Surrounded by unspoilt mountain scenery

6. 6 They visit because of …. … The Human Attractions Historic fishing quarter Museums (including Palau Maricel) Old attractive and historic buildings Promenade Shops and restaurants Bars and nightclubs Hotels and camp sites Motorway and rail access Close to Barcelona

7. 7 They visit because of …. … the activities Art, music, theatre and cinemas traditions Festivals and cultural events Food tourism Golf course and tennis courts Annual film festival with over 200 films shown The xatonada is a traditional food

8. 8 Port Aventura Theme Park

9. 9 Which groups win and which loose?

10. 10 The groups that … ……….benefit Businesses/workers linked directly/indirectly to tourism. Cultural groups that receive government support and funding. Tour operators. Local Council and government who benefit from taxes Conservationists. Some buildings are preserved as tourist attractions. Local residents who benefit from the wider range of services supported by tourism. Beach replenishment company.

11. 11 The groups that … …. do not benefit The majority of people not employed in the tourism industry many of whom see it as a curse rather than a blessing. Environmentalists. Tourist developments destroy not only the beauty of the site but enable far greater numbers of visitors, which would increase the physical impact on the environment. Tourist trampling erodes footpaths and reduces biodiversity. Conservationists. Poorly planned tourist developments can destroy buildings of historic/cultural value. Workers unemployed in the winter season. Businesses located next to beaches that have lost their sand have lost many customers.

12. 12 What are the social benefits and costs? Social means to do with people’s quality of life

13. 13 The Social Effects of Tourism Social Benefits Brings in outside euros to support community facilities and services that otherwise might not be there. Encourages civic involvement and pride. Provides cultural exchange between hosts and guests. Encourages local festivals and cultural events to carry on. Facilities created for the tourists (e.g. the promenade) are also good for the residents. Encourages the learning of new languages and skills.

14. 14 The Social Effects of Tourism Social Costs Some visitors may not behave as well as the locals. May change individual behaviour and family relationships. May lead to the loss of traditional values and culture through imitation of visitor behaviour or cultural diffusion resulting from normal, everyday interaction. Crowding and congestion on the roads and in the narrow streets. Leads to an increase in crime during the summer season.

15. 15 What are the environmental affects of tourism?

16. 16 The Environmental Effects of Tourism The Benefits Fosters conservation and preservation of natural, cultural and historical resources. Encourages community beautification and revitalization. Sitges has a sustainable development plan. Could be considered a clean industry.

17. 17 The Environmental Effects of Tourism The Costs The development of a marina and breakwaters has increased the erosion of beaches. Increase in litter, noise, and pollution. May lead to the erosion of sensitive habitats in the Garraf Natural Park. Golf Course uses large quantities of scarce water and fertilizers pollute both the air and water. Directly contributes to sewage and solid waste pollution. Transport emissions are one of the main environmental problems of tourism. During the hot and dry months, tourism is heavily dependent on scarce water resources.

18. 18 The Environmental Effects of Tourism More costs Tourists compete with residents for available services, facilities, and existing recreation opportunities. Look at the graph. What do you see? This is not Sitges, but it’s a place not far away, where figures are known

19. 19 Trampling Tourists using the same trail over and over again trample the vegetation and soil, eventually causing damage that can lead to loss of biodiversity and other impacts. Such damage can be even more extensive when visitors frequently stray off established trails. Trampling impacts on vegetation Trampling impacts on soil Breakage and bruising of stems Loss of organic matter Reduced plant vigourReduction in soil porosity Reduced regeneration Decrease in air and water permeability Loss of vegetation ground cover Increase in run off Loss of vegetation diversityAccelerated erosion

20. 20 What are the economic affects of tourism? What are economic activities?

21. 21 The Economic Effects of Tourism The Benefits The governments gets extra tax through accommodation and restaurant taxes, airport taxes, sales taxes, park entrance fees, employee income tax etc.. Creates local jobs and business opportunities. These include those jobs directly related to tourism (hotel and tour services) and those that indirectly support tourism (such as food production and housing construction). The multiplier effect: –Brings new money into the economy. Tourist money is returned to the local economy as it is spent over and over again. –Helps attract additional businesses and services to support the tourist industry. Is labour-intensive. Earns valuable foreign exchange.

22. 22 The Economic Effects of Tourism The Costs Increases the prices of property and of goods and services. Employment tends to be seasonal. Workers are laid off in the winter season. Outside events like terrorism or economic recession reduce the number of tourists. This is a problem in Sitges for businesses dependent on tourism. Tourism follows a 'product life cycle', with is to do with whether a place is fashionable or not (see later)

23. 23 Mediterranean Tourism Life Cycle Model

24. 24 Mediterranean Tourism Life Cycle Model STAGE 1: DISCOVERY a small number of visitors arrive seeking "unspoiled" destinations. The social impact in this stage is generally small and resident attitudes are fairly positive towards tourism. STAGE 2: LAUNCH During this stage the number of incoming tourists increases. More facilities are provided, increasing numbers of tourist. Businesses remain family based and the visitor-resident relationship is still harmonious. Later in this stage, visitor numbers increase and the community becomes a tourist resort. Outsiders invest. Migrant workers, attracted by the prospect of tourist- related jobs, may enter the community and reduce resident contact with visitors. The relationship becomes a business one. The "explorers" move on to new "unspoiled" areas and are replaced by the mass market.

25. 25 Mediterranean Tourism Life Cycle Model STAGE 3: STAGNATION The stage in which saturation is reached. The quality of tourist services falls, demand levels off, and the environmental degradation of the tourist destination begins to be obvious and worrying. The tourist destination at this stage is said to have reached 'maturity'. STAGE 4: DECLINE which represents the current state of mature tourist destinations on the Costa Brava in Spain. Falling profits lead to foreign-owned businesses withdrawing and the community is left to "pick up the pieces".

26. 26 Tourism Maturity: Mediterranean Spain What is a mature destination? Mature tourist destinations in Spain are those resorts where mass tourism occurred primarily on the Mediterranean coastline in the 1950's and 60's. At the end of the 1980's they had become saturated with tourists and no longer offered new attractions. Quality of tourist services had diminished with the rise of competition and income was decreasing. This is an unsustainable process, and will lead to economic, environmental and social problems.

27. 27 Tourism Maturity: Mediterranean Spain The farming and fishing jobs are gone Modern developments have replace them, both of accommodation (hotels, apartments, second-home estates, campsites) and of complementary services for tourists (bars, restaurants, discotheques, golf courses, water parks, etc.), There are also the effects of thousands of visitors year after year (contamination, overexploitation of resources, etc..) Grey concrete gradually replacing green trees. Most Spanish resorts look very similar to each other

28. 28 Tourism Maturity: Mediterranean Spain There are now fewer tourist because People want: –to plan their own holidays, and not go on package tours –to experience the 'real' Spain, rather than the artificial mass tourist experience; –to visit areas that have not been environmentally damaged; –to have activity-based holidays, not just sunbathing and nightlife The increasing degradation of the natural environment and of the quality of tourist services of the traditional or mature destinations. There are new emerging destinations, with a newer offer, of quality, that are cheaper.

29. 29 Tourism Maturity: Mediterranean Spain Solutions In the face of this situation the mature destinations can opt for various solutions: 1. Continued decline, a bit like some English resorts that have become tatty and not very popular any more 2. Stagnation, due to the application of piecemeal measures which do not attack the root of the problems but only the most evident effects. 3. Make BIG changes based on sustainability and the integration of tourism with the environment, the economy and the local population. Which of these options do you think Sitges has opted for?

30. 30 Homework I want you to take on being a person living in Sitges You could be a teenager, or you could work in a hotel or you could be a tourist guide or anyone you fancy. You are writing (it could be an email?) to a friend about living in Sitges (perhaps they are planning a visit?) Please include at least 2 things that you see as a benefit (in whatever role you are in) and 2 problems

31. 31 So …… Paragraph 1: introduce yourself Paragraph 2: explain who you are writing to The letter or email

32. 32 I am a retired English person who has bought a flat on the promenade. I am writing to my friend, Mary who is coming out to visit.

33. 33 Dear Mary It will be lovely to see you next month when you come to stay. It is a good thing you are coming before the tourist season has really started. It can get a bit noisy, and the litter is a real problem here in July and August. Our block of flats is not the most beautiful – they were built in the late 60s, all concrete and glass! But the old town has kept a lot of its charm, especially down in the fishing quarter. That is only a short walk. There should a couple of worthwhile concerts while you are here. Also we have a local carnival, which is very colourful. It is so nice that they have managed to keep these cultural things going. I know you enjoy walking so we must try and go up to Garraf National Park, before the weather hots up too much. Must go now, but I am really looking forward to your visit Best Wishes Best Wishes