Third World Involvement in Tourism Incorporation or Marginalization?

Agenda Positive impacts of tourism in the LDCs Negative impacts of tourism in the LDCs Tourism and sustainable development: the case of Annapurna

Positive Impacts 1. Foreign Exchange earnings 2. Economic diversification 3. Creation of jobs Direct effect Indirect effect Induced effect 4. Shrinking the world, cross-cultural understanding and peace

Negative Impacts 1.Economic leakages - about 60% of the final consumer price Why? To what extend are the tourism activities involved with local economy?

Negative Impacts Because decisions affecting destinations are made from a distance by transnationals: Transport sector Hotel sector Tour operators

Negative Impacts 2. Employment Imperfections low-paid, low-skilled, part-time positions no learning diversion of labour away from other economic activities

Negative Impacts 3. Socio-cultural impacts households/families traditions and arts Singapore is ‘in the east’ but not really more ‘of the east’ values - ’demonstration effect’ “ Promoting Cadillac tastes in bicycle societies” increased crime

Negative Impacts 4. Environmental impacts Natural resources have been treated as free good Overdevelopment and overcrowding  over-use of local resources  disturbance of wildlife  soil and vegetation damage Litter and pollution

Sustainable Tourism Ecological- sustainability – ensures that development is compatible with the maintenance of essencial ecological processes, biological diversity and biological resources Socio-cultural sustainability – ensures that development increases people’s control over their lives, is compatible with the culture and values of people affected by it, and maintains and strengthens community identity Economic sustainability – ensures that development is economically efficient and that resources are managed so that they can support future generations.

Annapurna Area of 7000 km 2 in Western Nepal Internationally recognized as one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes Extreme climate and topography, wide variety of flora, fauna and subcultures Population people, heavily dependent on local natural resources and living at subsistence level or below

Annapurna Number 1 trekking destination of Nepal visitors a year spending on average 25 days in the area  Space-concentrated trekking traffic  Time-concentrated trekking traffic ecological imbalance and loss of cultural integrity

Annapurna tea shops and accommodation facilities(lodges) deforstation import of facilities items- leakeges Inadequate sanitation facilities ”minefields of human excreta and toilet paper” Litter – plastics, tins and bottles disposed in the streams and near the settlements Demonstration effect

Annapurna Environmental problems are multifaceted and thus need integrated strategies National park? No! Conservation Area? Yes! Annapurna Conservation Area Project(ACAP)

Annapurna Conservation Area Project Guiding principles: Sustainability People’s participation Catalyst approach Conservation for development Cross-roots methods Multiple-use concept

Annapurna Conservation Area Project Major programs and measures Alternative energy Tree nurseries and reforestation Community forest management Community development programmes Conservation education – children, adults, tourists ’Minimum Impact Code’ Research and training

Conclusion Rather than a necessary evil, tourists are regarded as partners in fulfilling the goals of biodiversity conservation, cultural revitalization and sustainable economic development So... Be a responsible tourist!