1 Sustainable Development and Use of Our Natural Resources for Recreation and Tourism: The Ideal and...

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Sustainable Development and Use of Our Natural Resources for Recreation and Tourism: The

Ideal and the Reality

Sustainable Development and Use of Our Natural Resources for Recreation and Tourism: The

Ideal and the Reality2002 Idaho Governor’s Conference

on Recreation and Tourism

Nampa Civic CenterMay 2, 2002

Dr. Steve Burr Director, Institute for Outdoor Recreation and TourismCollege of Natural Resources, Utah State University

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Part 2:Sustainable Development and Use of Our Natural Resources

for Recreation and Tourism: The Ideal and the Reality

Part 2:Sustainable Development and Use of Our Natural Resources

for Recreation and Tourism: The Ideal and the Reality

Conservation, Recreation, and Tourism Tourism Impacts Tourism and Community Development Sustainability

and Sustainable Development and Use Sustainable Tourism Development (STD) Obstacles to the Achievement of STD Feasible Approaches

and Best Chances for Success

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Conservation, Recreation and Tourism

Conservation, Recreation and Tourism

Broadly viewed… Natural Resource-Based Tourism is not viable without Conservation and Recreation.

Symbiotic relationship— the three mutually complement and support each otherSynergistic relationship— the whole is greater than the parts

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Conservation, Recreation and Tourism Conservation, Recreation and TourismConservation supports attractive and useful

environments and destinations causing:Designation and establishment of parks, preserves, and other protected areas;Legal means to preserve and protect scenery and wildlands;Resource management and protection;Education and interpretive programs;Clean and healthy environments.

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Conservation, Recreation and Tourism Conservation, Recreation and TourismRecreation supports and encourages:

Travel;Development of access to scenic locations for recreation; Development of recreation resources, areas, facilities, activities, and services.

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Conservation, Recreation and Tourism Conservation, Recreation and TourismTourism causes the following

to be made available:Conveniences for the visitor— transportation and tours;Food, lodging, hospitality, and other support services;Economic incentives to finance conservation and recreation;Political support for recreation and conservation from visitors (and locals?).

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Conservation, Recreation and Tourism Conservation, Recreation and Tourism

RECREATION Refreshing Activitiy Fun Experience Pursued in “Free Time” Vacation

Destinations

CONSERVATION Behavior designed to assure “wise use” and preservation of our history, culture, traditions, uniquely valued lands,

and natural resources

TOURISM Commercial Activity Supporting Travel

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What Impacts Do Tourists Have on the

Environment?

What Impacts Do Tourists Have on the

Environment?Positive Impacts: Promotes

administrative and planning controls

Implementation of environmental clean-up and restoration

Allows for improvement and preservation

Protects wildlife and plant species

Promotes non-consumptive uses

Negative Impacts: Over-crowding Over-development Maximizing visitation

at expense of the natural resource

Recreational impacts on wildlife and fragile vegetation

Air and water pollution Crime and vandalism Souvenir collection

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Socio-Cultural Impacts of TourismSocio-Cultural Impacts of TourismTourist—Host Relationships & Interactions Ethnic/Cultural differences Language differences Expectations Time patterns Spacial patterns Intensity of development Size of community Commoditization “Trinketization”

Tourist Core

Periphery

Periphery

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Stages of Community

Tourism Development

Stages of Community

Tourism Development

Four Stages

Development

Tourist Numbers

Tourist-Host

Interactions

Euphoria Initial StagesConstruction Jobs

Small Numbers

Spontaneous Not Formal

ApathyGrowth

Still GrowingNumbers

Increasing

More Formal Commercialization Commoditization

AnnoyanceSaturated

Overgrowth

Large Numbers of

Tourists

Very Formal Relationships

Antagonism DeclineNumbers

DecreasingMay Be Hostile!

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Tourism Destination Life-Cycle Model: Form of Economic Succession

for Communities in the Intermountain West



First Stage— Early on, local economies were heavily dependent on extractive uses of natural resources.

Second Stage— Communities closely situated to attractive outdoor recreation amenities attract increasing numbers of tourists, and ensuing proliferation of tourist-support businesses dominate the local economy.

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Third Stage— Many tourists who travel to experience the attractive outdoor recreation amenities perceive additional “quality-of-life” characteristics/attributes at a specific place, and move to small western towns establishing permanent residence.

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Tourism Destination Life-Cycle Model:

Tourism Destination Life-Cycle Model:

These “amenity migrants” bring their own businesses or start new businesses.

Some are retirees, bringing income from retirement pensions, investments, and savings.

This builds demand for support services, fueling local economic activity and growth.

Extractive uses of natural resources and even tourism may become minor contributors to local economies at this stage of economic succession.

“footloose entrepreneurs” “equity migrants” “travel-stimulated entrepreneurial migrants”

“amenity migrants”

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Negative Economic Impact of Tourism


Places new stress on existing infrastructure

Expanded police and fire protection, search & rescue, and medical services often needed

Other public services neededWhere does the tourist money go?High-risk and seasonality

of tourism enterpriseUnder-employment and Unemployment

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Additional capital and maintenance costs for public amenities

parks, convention centers, recreation areas, libraries, museums, historic restorations

Increasing numbers of visitors means increasing local population

need for educational services, hospitals, housing, public welfare, and overall economic development

Tourism expansion demands greater quantities of land and other resources.

Competes with existing land uses and other economic development opportunities.

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Tourism and Community Development

Tourism and Community Development

Tourism plays an important role in the process of community development, helping to ensure the protection and preservation of both environmental and community amenities.

Offers key opportunities for developing interactions within a community… leading to relationships between and among community members and allowing for the natural emergence of other community networks.

Can create a “new sense” of community pride among local residents.

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Tourism as a Rural

Development Industry

Tourism as a Rural

Development Industry

Potential Benefits versus Potential Costs Negative environmental and social impacts Potentially exploitative tendency Being approached with a sense of caution

“Ill-conceived and poorly planned tourism development can erode the very qualities of the natural and human environments that attract visitors in the first place.” (Innskeep, 1991)

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Tourism as a

Rural Development Industry

Tourism as a

Rural Development Industry

Critical Challenge: To not degrade environmental resources nor

negatively exploit local human and cultural resources, in order that these resources may be maintained for present and future generations.

Sustainable Tourism Development, as a concept, is “one of the healthiest insights of tourism.”

(Hunt, 1992)

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Sustainability and Sustainable DevelopmentSustainability and Sustainable Development

Concept of “sustainability” recently associated with tourism development initiatives and efforts. (French, 1992; Long & Nuckolls,

1992)

“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987)

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Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development

All development paths that are either environmentally benign or beneficial.

Tied to sustainable use-- careful and sensitive economic development is possible without degrading or depleting natural resources needed by present and future generations.

Promotes intergenerational responsibility.

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Sustainable Tourism Development


Involves management of all resources in such a way that “economic, social, and aesthetic needs [are fulfilled] while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems.”

(Inskeep, 1991)

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“Remains viable over an indefinite period and does not degrade nor alter the environment (human and physical) in which it exists to such a degree that it prohibits the successful development and well-being of other activities and processes.” (Butler, 1993)

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Should follow ethical principles that “respect the culture and environment of the host area, the economy and traditional way of life, the indigenous behavior, and the local leadership and political patterns.” (Cronin, 1990)

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Interest in “protecting, using carefully and benefiting the human and cultural, as well as the natural heritage of an area, implying active participation and leadership by local people, organizations, and government.” (Inskeep, 1991)

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Can Tourism Development Really Be Sustainable?

Can Tourism Development Really Be Sustainable?

Policy Endorsement

(the “Ideal”)

Policy Implementation

(the “Reality”)

• Difficult to “prove” sustainability

• Better sense of what might ultimately be an unsustainable outcome

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SustainabilityAn “Ideal” Balance of Capacities in Three Systems

SustainabilityAn “Ideal” Balance of Capacities in Three Systems

Economic Environmental

Socio-Cultural

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SustainabilityAn “Ideal” Balance of Capacities

in Three Systems

SustainabilityAn “Ideal” Balance of Capacities

in Three Systems

Maximize Goal Achievement across the three systems at one and the same time through an Adaptive Process of Trade-Offs.

The more the three systems and goals converge, the more sustainable development becomes.

EnvironmentalEconomic

Socio-Cultural

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Sustainability—The RealitySustainability—The Reality

Political-Legal System

Economic

Environmental

Socio-Cultural

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Economic

Socio-Cultural

Environmental

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EconomicEnvironmental

Socio-Cultural

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Sustainability—The RealitySustainability—The Reality Not possible to maximize all goals at the same

time through an adaptive process of trade-offs.

Conflict almost always exists between and among inter- and intra-system goals.

As a result of values, choices are made as to which goals are more valuable and which should receive higher priority.

As a result, different development strategies assign different priorities to the systems and their goals.

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Sustainability—The RealitySustainability—The RealityConcept of sustainable development provokes

groups at different levels to set a wide spectrum of goals and then to reconcile them.

“It is this reconciliation or trade-offs implicit in sustainable development that has inspired much useful work since the early 1980s… [amounting] to a new renaissance in thinking in social welfare and development issues.” (Holmberg & Sandbrook, 1992)

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There is No “Shortcut to

Sustainability!”

There is No “Shortcut to

Sustainability!”Patterns of sustainable development must be

built from the bottom up, showing what can be achieved at local levels and then working to disseminate positive experiences. (Holmberg &

Sandbrook, 1992)

“Increased emphasis is being placed on those forms of tourism that are particularly sensitive to promoting and retaining the integrity of natural and socio-cultural environments.” (Swinnerton & Hinch, 1994)

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There must be a balance between “a degree or type of development that will bring economic and other benefits to a community and the point at which that development starts to feed on rather than sustain the very elements at its basis.”

(Cronin, 1990)

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Criteria for Sustainable

Development

Criteria for Sustainable

Development

Follow ethical principles

Involve the local population

Give the local population an element of control

Be undertaken with equity in mind (Cronin, 1990)

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Some Principles of Sustainable Tourism

Development

Some Principles of Sustainable Tourism

DevelopmentLow impact Small in scaleCareful in progressAppropriate and sensitive to the local

natural and socio-cultural environmentReadily integrated into the

existing social and economic life of the community

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Operationalizing Sustainable Tourism

Development

Operationalizing Sustainable Tourism

Development1. Define goals of STD for a destination.2. Establish appropriate planning and management

framework.3. Select relevant indicators from a candidate list of

environmental, economic, and socio-cultural criteria.4. Measure and monitor these indicators.5. Periodically analyze and assess

indicator performance.6. Determine whether original goals

are being achieved.7. Implement remedial action if necessary.Source:

Weaver & Lawton, 1999

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Candidate Sustainable Tourism Indicators

Candidate Sustainable Tourism Indicators

EnvironmentalDestruction or alteration of natural habitat by tourism constructionAmount of litter associated with tourism activitiesResource consumption associated with tourism

EconomicRevenues earned directly from tourismProportion of destination employment associated with tourismProfitability of individual operations

Socio-CulturalNumber of resident complaints against tourismAmount of crime directed against touristsNumber and condition of heritage structures and sitesIntegrity of the local culture

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Problems Encountered in All of These Steps

Problems Encountered in All of These Steps

Sustainable tourism development goals influenced by ideological considerations; lack of common ground often evident.

Assuming goal consensus, necessary to define temporal, spatial, political, and inter-sectoral parameters within which to assess sustainable tourism.

Long-term planning discouraged by short term budgets. Cannot take into account all external influences affecting

the sector, many of which are unknown. Tourism cannot be isolated from other natural

resource uses.

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For Sustainability Indicators...For Sustainability Indicators... Potential number of indicators within any

particular destination is enormous.

Strategically difficult to monitor more than a few.

No definitive guidelines available to inform destinations as to which ones are most important.

Decision to include or exclude particular indicators is ultimately a subjective exercise, highly sensitive to context.

Little known about critical thresholds of sustainability that apply to each criterion, how they can be measured, and how often they should be monitored.

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Spatial and Temporal Discontinuities Between Cause

and Effect

Spatial and Temporal Discontinuities Between Cause

and Effect

Many of the impacts identified within a destination and/or within a specific time period actually have their causes in other areas or time periods.

Events within destinations may have consequences in other destinations and time periods.

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Many Obstacles to Achieving Sustainable Tourism

Development

Many Obstacles to Achieving Sustainable Tourism

Development Is achieving STD even possible

and/or worthwhile?If no effort is made at all, unsustainable outcomes are virtually guaranteed.Sustainability indicators are just that, an indication, rather than an absolute confirmation, of sustainability.New information on sustainable practices in tourism is continually being generated.More appropriate to describe destinations as indicative of STD, rather than definitive.

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Focus on Achieving Equity and Balance

Focus on Achieving Equity and Balance

Sustainable tourism development is determined largely by what “stakeholders” want it to be.

Through an informed, open, and participatory process for decision-making…

Creates empowerment and involvement…

Resulting in cooperative and collaborative action.

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Policy Endorsement / Policy Implementation


Policy Endorsement / Policy Implementation

Effective implementation appears to occur in highly interactive communities where local leaders from diverse special interest groups interact and in the process create a viable community field.

Main Task: Removing those barriers and constraints interfering with the natural tendency of community to develop allowing for the development of relationships and free-flowing interaction.

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Ten Factors for a Successful Tourism Program

Ten Factors for a Successful Tourism Program

Leadership

Cooperation & Coordination Between Local Leadership,

Business Persons, and Public Land Managers

Widespread Community

Support

Support & Participation of Local government

A Complete Tourism Package

Strategic Planning

Cooperation & Coordination Among Tourism Entrepreneurs

Active Convention & Visitors Bureaus Travel

Councils

Access to Information & Technical Assistance Access to Financial Resources for

Tourism Development

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Secrets of Successful Tourism Communities

from Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities

by Howe, McMahon, and Probst, 1997

Secrets of Successful Tourism Communities

from Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities

by Howe, McMahon, and Probst, 1997

Develop a Widely Shared Vision

Create an Inventory of Local Assets

Build on Local Assets Minimize the Need

for Regulations Meet the Needs of

Both Landowner and Community

Team Up with Public Land Managers

Recognize the Role of Non-Profit Organizations

Provide Opportunities for Leaders to Step Forward

Pay Attention to Aesthetics

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Best Chances for SuccessBest Chances for SuccessFrom professionals and volunteers

working in tourism development.

Following an approach that focuses on the principles of sustainable development in all development efforts and initiatives.

Facilitates resident involvement, participation in decision-making, and local control in development.

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Best Chances for SuccessBest Chances for SuccessCooperative interaction can create:

networks both within and outside the communityroles for involved community membersshared experiencesopportunities for further community developmentcontributions to the general quality of life in a community

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Successful Rural Tourism Development

Citizens Residents

Special Interest Groups

Elected Officials

Government Agencies

BusinessesMediaConservation Groups

Resource Managers

Marketers &

Promoters

Tourism Planners & Developers

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A Perceived Quality of LifeA Perceived Quality of Life

Amenity Values are values we place on the natural resource amenities of:

Clean Air and WaterNatural Landscapes

Scenic Beauty & AestheticsWildlife and Habitat

Opportunities for Outdoor Recreation

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Our Attitudes and Behavior Toward Natural

Resources

Our Attitudes and Behavior Toward Natural

Resources

Attitudes differ… often based on economic dependency.

Rural and urban differences

Core values we hold are greater than knowledge in influencing attitudes.

Education can be effective in increasing knowledge and influencing attitudes.

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Critical to Our Natural Resource

Amenities

Critical to Our Natural Resource

Amenities

Retention and Protection of Open Space/Critical Lands & Waters:

Undeveloped land/water that retains most, if not all of its natural characteristics;

or

Land/Water that is managed for the sustainable development and use of natural resources.

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We’re All Stakeholders! Societal Values of Natural

Resources


ResourcesSome societal stakeholders place more emphasis

on the protection of natural resources for non-use or intrinsic values.

For aesthetics and natural amenitiesFor meeting recreational needsFor countering growth and developmentFor providing ecological services

-wildlife conservation and habitat protection -wetlands/riparian protection

-air and water quality-conservation of biological diversity

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Resources


ResourcesSome societal stakeholders place more

emphasis on the use or instrumental value of natural resources.

To help meet local economic needs, say through outdoor recreation and tourism development To retain public access and use for recreationTo retain traditions of multiple use of natural resources on public lands

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For Management of Public Lands and Natural

Resources

For Management of Public Lands and Natural

Resources

Key challenge is to provide opportunities to enhance both the use and environmental protection roles of natural resources simultaneously.

Need to meet recreational access/use and wildlife/habitat protection needs simultaneously, whenever and wherever appropriate and possible.

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Use and Protection Simultaneously?


Linking these two orientations is possible.

Will require an explicit and balanced effort to bring these together.

Especially important to encourage support and collaboration with stakeholders in rural areas.

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To enhance long-term benefits, specific projects need to be designed to simultaneously meet recreational development and use goals along with natural resource and environmental protection goals.

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New Methods and Collaborative Efforts

New Methods and Collaborative Efforts

New methods are needed for combining human values of natural resource use and protection in project planning, funding, and implementation.

Will require more collaborative efforts in social and ecological research.

Will require more community-based approaches to conservation and natural resources management.

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Coordinated Resource Management (CRM)

Coordinated Resource Management (CRM)

CRM is designed to help stakeholders reach consensus-based decisions regarding the utilization and/or management of natural resources.

CRM is a collaborative process that utilizes the direct involvement of interested stakeholders for planning, reaching management decisions, or resolving disputes about natural resources.

Benefits:Brings affected stakholders into decision-making process.Informs public through constituency representatives.Fosters stakeholder support of decisions and programs.

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Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

College of Natural ResourcesUtah State University

Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

College of Natural ResourcesUtah State University

Dr. Steve Burr

Associate Professor of Recreation ResourcesDirector, Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Extension Specialist in Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism College of Natural Resources

Utah State University

5220 Old Main HillLogan, Utah 84322-5220Office: (435) 797-7094FAX: (435) 797-4040

E-mail: [email protected]

Visit the IORT Website at www.cnr.usu.edu/iort

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