Sustainable Development COLBOURNE COLLEGE PRESENTED BY SADEKE SMITH

Introduction The purpose of this presentation is to give a better understanding of what is required for sustainable tourism, as well as to critically analyze its main components and the challenges faced in achieving sustainability in the Caribbean with emphasis on Jamaica.

Approach and Methodolgy This research was conducted using primary data in the form of elite interviews and secondary data including internet sources, case studies and literature.

Tourism Defined by Jafar (1977) is the study of man away from his usual habitat, of the industry which responds to his needs, and of the impacts that both he and the industry have on the host socio-cultural, economic and physical environments, tourism no doubt shares a great level of interconnectivity with most elements of the host destination.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM This is the development and management of resources in such a manner that economic social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological resources, biological diversity and life support systems. (WTO, 2002)

Economic Sustainability This is the efficient use of resources resulting the profitability in both immediate and long term development.

Cultural Sustainability This is the developing, renewing and maintaining human cultures that create positive, enduring relationship with other peoples and the natural world.

Environmental Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Encompasses, eg keeping population densities below the carrying capacity of a region, facilitating the renewal of renewable resources, conserving and establishing priorities for the use of non-renewable resources, and keeping environmental impact below the level required to allow affected systems to recover and continue to evolve

Social Sustainability the strong focus on youth as well as providing opportunities for and interactions between several sectors of the community. These include youth, people with specials needs, the aged community, unemployed individuals, families, travellers, businesses, volunteers and the wider community all benefit from being involved with the operations.

Impacts of Tourism on the Economy Tourism is the worlds largest generator of wealth. Generates tax revenues for the public sector Government investments Multiplier Effects Travel industry contributes to visitor exports in terms of cost for shipping/ leaving with Jamaican products

Challenges of Achieving Economic Sustainability Leakages Infrastructure cost Increase in Prices Economic Dependence of local communities on the industry Seasonal character of jobs

Strategies for implementing economic sustainabilty Form partnerships throughout the entire supply chain from micro-sized local business to multinational organizations. Use internationally approved and reviewed guidelines for training and certification. Promote among clients an ethical and environmentally conscious behaviour. Diversify the products by developing a wide range of tourist activities. Contribute some of the income generated to assist in training, ethical marketing and product development. Provide financial incentives for businesses to adopt sustainability principles

Environmental Impacts (Positives) advent of ecotourism where effort is made to preserve the society. Sustainable development in protected areas

Challenges for Environmental Sustainability Depletion of natural resources Lack of follow up policies by governments Pollution ( noise and air). Site selection is made without major consideration of the environmental and cultural sustainability of the site. Trampling of vegetation Solid waste and littering Construction- lead to the loss of wild life and scenery.

Strategies for Environmental sustainability Codes of practices should be established for tourism at all levels. Guidelines for tourism operations, impact assessment and monitoring of cumulative impacts should be established. Formulate national, regional and local tourism politics and development strategies that are consistent with overall objectives of sustainable development. Institute baseline environmental impact assessment studies

contd Ensure that the design, planning, development and operation of facilities incorporate sustainability principles. Ensure tourism in protected areas, such as national parks, is incorporated into and subject to sound management plans. Monitor and conduct research on actual impacts of tourism. Identify acceptable behaviour among tourist. Promote responsible tourism behaviour

Socio-cultural Impacts Employment opportunities Increase community pride Cultural integration Preservation of historical monuments Encourages cultural exchanges in communities Facilities developed for tourism can benefit residents Tourism involves civic involvement and prideRaise local awareness

contd Bring new revenue to the area which help to improve the quality of life for the locals

Challenges to socio-cultural sustainability May contribute to the generation gap between the young who adopt the way of tourists and old who prefer tradition The destruction of pre-historic sites to facilitate tourist derived development Overcrowding of an area Tourism is a service industry which involves lots of contact and serving of tourist which may have reminance of slavery Loss of authenticity

CONTD Change or loss of indigenous identity and values commodification and standardization Adaptation to tourist demands Culture clashes economic inequality irritation due to tourist behaviour

contd Physical influences causing social stress Resource use conflicts Cultural deterioration Ethical issues Crime generation

Tourism should be initiated with the help of broad based community input. Education and training programs to improve and manage heritage and natural resources should be established. Conserve cultural diversity. Respect land and property rights of traditional inhabitants.

contd Guarantee the protection of nature, local and the indigenous cultures and especially traditional knowledge.. The community should maintain control over tourism development. Tourism should provide quality employment to community residents. Encourage business to minimize negative effects on local communities and contribute positively to them. Ensure an equitable distribution of financial benefits throughout the entire supply chain.

contd Provide financial incentives for local business to enter tourism. Improve local human resource capacity Strengthen, nature and encourage the community’s ability to maintain and use traditional skills. Educate tourists about desirable and acceptable behaviour

What is required for sustainability of tourism Implementation of protective policies Harmonization of sectors in the decision making process Diversification of tourism product Shared vision among all affected parties Following the national tourism objectives Implementing a regional tourism body

Reference Gerhardt, Tina, (2012) A Crisi is a Terrible Thing to Waste. Jafari, Jafari. (1977). Celebrating & Enhancing Tourism. UNCD (2012). United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. ( (