Chapter 13- Sustaining Tourism's Benefits

Goals of ecotourism standards

-clear definitions -establish mesurable criteria -consistency in use of terminology -create a defined marketing program

Why are customers discouraged form going green?

-its inconvenient -cost cutting -decreased luxury -more likely to behave with a higher level of environmental responsibility at home than in a hotel

Seven sins of greenwashing

1) hidden tradeoff 2) no proof 3) vagueness 4) worshiping false labels 5) irrelevance 6) fibbing 7) lesser of two evils

Stages of Tourism

1. exploration stage (small number of visitors discover area) 2. Involvement stage (visitors increase and host community becomes involved in serving needs) 3. development stage (tourism increases and outside developers build large facilities/tour operators add destination to tours) 4. Consolidation stage (too much growth, some environmental and cultural problems begin to appear/destination loses distinctiveness) 5. Stagnation/Decline stage (area has reached fully capacity, have to decrease prices, all environmental and social problems appear)

Ecotourism 3 core elements

1. nature-based attractions 2. emphasis on learning 3. high desire for sustainability

5 basic principles of ecotourism

1. tourism should blend with the environment and local culture 2. should focus on existing scenic opportunities 3. locals should own/manage all or most of services 4. local materials used to fulfill tourist needs 5. conserve resources

Triple Bottom Line

3Ps Profit (economic) Planet (environmental) People (social/cultural/local residents)

mass tourism

A twentieth century trend during which the working and middle classes began traveing in large numbers for leisure purposes. -when money is more important than people and the environment

The Irridex

Levels of irritation locals may feel with the influx of tourists stage 1 (euphoria over economic boom) stage 2 (apathy when taking tourism for granted) stage 3 (annoyance) stage for (antagonism/treat tourists poorly)

geotourism

Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of the place being visited, including its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.

ecotravelers

Travelers who visit sensitive, natural, and cultural environments to observe and learn about a very different culture and environment and participate in low-impact sports activities.

Ecotourism

a form of tourism that focuses on environmental and cultural PRESERVATION -these type of travels desire to mingle with the locals and have needs filled by the cultures traditional ways

voluntourism

a trip that combines travel activities with charitable work

LEED

an alliteration for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a certification program sponsored by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council recognizing sustainable practice in building design, construction, and renovation

ecotourists

leisure travelers who prefer to visit less popular, more primitive destinations

hard ecotourist

physically active travelers with a strong environmental commitment who seek specialized trips with an emphasis on personal experiences -rugged and uncomfortable

soft ecotourist

physically passive travelers with moderate environmental commitment who seek multipurpose trips with an emphasis on interpretation and physical comfort -"mass ecotourists"

Four Rs

reuse recycle reduce buy recycled products

what is the problem with many environmental certification programs?

the lack global standardization -abuse of terms -greenwashers (tour operators who make dubious ecological claims)

sustainable tourism

tourism activities and development that do not endanger the economic, social, cultural, or environmental assets of a destination -about providing what is needed for something/someone to exist and continue in the future

wildlife tourism

travel to observe animals, birds, and fish in their native habitats without altering their behaviors

nature-based tourism

travel to unspoiled places to experience the natural world