Conclusion and Futures of Tourism TOMG200 Tourism Management and the Environment

Conclusion: What was it all about ? 1. Identifying components of the ‘environment’ (economic, social, personal, cultural, environmental) 3. How stakeholders might respond to those impacts (measurement/indicators, policy, sustainable planning, strategy, macro and micro management approaches/policies) 2. Identifying the impacts that tourists and tourism have on the ‘environment’ (positive and negative)

Sustainable Tourism – the panacea? “Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. It is envisaged as leading to the management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems” (UN World Tourism Organisation)

The importance of Tourism Planning On a long-term basis, the planned approach to developing tourism can bring benefits without significant problems, and maintain satisfied tourist markets (WTO, 1994) Underlying concepts: – Integration of the tourism system: of supply & demand, public & private sectors, development policies = coordinated development – Management of impacts – Processes: community consultation, marketing, land-use planning, research and education; continuous monitoring Tourism planning is not about making more tourism … but about making better tourism

Tourism Planning “Tourism planning is a process, based on research and evaluation, which seeks to optimize the potential contribution of tourism to human welfare and environmental quality” (Getz, 1987). Key question for planning: What is the best way of organising supply of the tourism product not only to satisfy visitors but also meet the needs of locals?

Tourism Planning Traditions (Getz, 1987) Boosterism (tourism should be developed at all costs) Economic (a means to create income & employment) Physical / Spatial (based on thresholds or capacities) Community (advocates local control) Sustainable (holistic planning)

The Planning Process Study preparation Determination of objectives Survey and evaluation of all elements Analysis and synthesis Policy and plan formulation Formulation of other recommendations Implementation and monitoring BUT: Tourism Planning can be problematic

The Benefits of a Tourism Plan Provides a purpose and criteria for new projects Provides for integration of stakeholder objectives Develop new opportunities within a strategic framework Creates a sense of ownership and involvement Improves effectiveness and efficiency Provides monitoring and evaluation

Some key issues Planning tourism is essential for achieving successful tourism development & management; minimising environmental and social problems Planning is widely adopted as a principle but implementation of tourism plans remains weak Marketing is a term that is misunderstood; marketing vision must be based on community & ecological values not just the needs and aspirations of international tourists Images have consequences for the impacts of tourism Importance of community involvement & representation in tourism marketing, planning & development Tourism marketing, planning and development must reflect social, cultural & environmental responsibilities

Some further thoughts: What are the relative advantages of ‘hard’ versus ‘soft’ visitor management? – Restrict access / flow / group size or modify / stage the setting? – Change tourist behaviour by informing visitors through interpretation, or modify management presence at a site? The objectives of conservation and tourism will always be contradictory (?) Planning against the negative impacts of tourism is an essential part of on-going (proactive) planning & management (?) Human attitudes are integral to achieving sustainability (?)

Some concluding thoughts: Can tourism be managed? What is managed? Few agencies have the power to manage tourism Can we talk about “tourism management”? Or, “management within tourism” How do we deal with these issues sustainably?

The Futures of Tourism Construction of scenarios about the future position of tourism in order to develop new thinking and strategic directions Read: Chapter 7 of required text What will the world be like in 2050? 1.Changing markets - drives tourism spend 2.Technology – how we interface with the world 3.Resources – determine destinations & how we get there

1. Changing markets China, USA & India are the richest countries in the world The world’s population is getting older Average hotel employee is aged under 25 years 75% of the world’s wealth is held by people over the age of 50 years Increasing unemployment rates among young Polarisation of haves and have-nots

Changing values

2. Technology: How will it change? Youtube Minority Report official trailer

Google glasses: The end of maps & guidebooks? Youtube (2 mins 30 secs) Google glasses

What’s next? Retroreflective technology Youtube (6 mins) Corning glass advanced technology – intelligent surfaces

Terminator Salvation ….? Scientists at the University of Washington have been developing a contact lens containing one built-in LED, powered wirelessly with radio frequency waves, facial recognition systems etc.

3. Resources Peak oilGlobal warming Increasing world population Tourism Industry?

Future of Transport – flying cars?

Sustainable hotel design – energy saving and sustainable architecture? Sustainable architecture seeks to minimise the negative environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy and development space. Photo: Inter Continental Songjiang Resort

What does the Future hold for Tourism? 1.How we behave and deal with it will make the difference, e.g. cooperation or rivalry? 2.Families are changing, e.g. free entry for grandparents? feminisation of travel. Health & well being are becoming more important e.g. diabetes, accessibility 3.Consumers looking for change e.g. new niches, new destinations, individuality 4.but the state of the world is fragile; need for a drive for sustainable change and a cooperative world e.g. one world currency?

Future scenarios: Cooperation or rivalry? Fashionable ageing? The search for individualism An Eco Paradise

This week’s reading: Chapter 7 in Hall & Lew (2009)

Your Future Travel Time Machine What meaning does travel hold for you? Where would you personally like to travel to in the future and why?

Thank you for your attention this semester. Best wishes for the future!