Analysis of Tourism Investment's Environmental Impact in Mauritius

This research proposal and subsequent report analyzes the environmental and social impacts of increasing tourism investments in Mauritius. The study explores the background of tourism's influence on the island nation, highlighting its economic significance and the associated environmental and socio-cultural consequences. It delves into the problem statement, aiming to assess local perceptions of tourism's negative environmental impacts, identify specific environmental damages, and investigate initiatives for sustainable tourism development. The literature review examines various aspects of tourism's impact, including economic, socio-cultural, and environmental effects, with a focus on the rising number of hotels and the challenges of sustainable tourism. The research methodology outlines the chosen research philosophy, approach, design, data sources, ethical considerations, and limitations. The report investigates the complex relationship between tourism development, environmental degradation, and community perceptions, providing a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and potential solutions for sustainable tourism in Mauritius.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Table of contents
Topic:...............................................................................................................................................2
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................2
1.0 Background of the study........................................................................................................2
1.1 Problem statement.................................................................................................................2
1.2 Aim and objectives................................................................................................................3
1.3 Research questions.................................................................................................................4
1.4 Rationale................................................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature review............................................................................................................4
2.0 Impact of tourism development in different aspects..............................................................4
2.0.1 Impact of increasing investment in tourism industry on the economy...........................5
2.0.2 Impact of increasing tourism investment in the socio-cultural like in Mauritius...........6
2.0.3 Impact of increasing tourism investment in the environment like in Mauritius.............7
2.0.4 Positive and negative impact of increasing investment in tourism industry in Mauritius
.................................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Rising numbers of hotels in Mauritius...................................................................................8
2.2 Concept of sustainable tourism is still unclear to the local community, which has created
conflict.........................................................................................................................................9
Chapter 3: Research methodology.................................................................................................10
3.0 Research philosophy............................................................................................................10

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3.0.1 Chosen research philosophy.........................................................................................10
3.1 Research approach...............................................................................................................10
3.1. 1 Chosen research approach...........................................................................................11
3.2 Research design...................................................................................................................11
3.2. 1 Chosen research design................................................................................................11
3.3 Data sources and analysis....................................................................................................11
3.4 Ethical consideration...........................................................................................................11
3.5 Research limitation..............................................................................................................12
3.6 Research schedule................................................................................................................12
References and bibliography.........................................................................................................13

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Topic:
Analysis of the social and environmental impact caused by increasing investments in the tourism
industry in Mauritius
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.0 Background of the study
Tourism has become the main focus for the small countries as well as developing states as it has
significant impact on the economy, environment and socio- cultural life (Wortman, Donaldson
and van Westen 2016). In case of Mauritius, it cannot be denied that tourism has become the
main pillar in its economy. In the early of 2000, the increasing rate of investment in the
hospitality as well as tourism sector has brought noticeable impact on the social and
environmental life. By continuing this, it can be said that ignoring the natural concerns has
become common practice in the particular area (Seetanah and Fauzel 2019). The particular study
has dragged the attention of such negligence behavior of the authority towards the environmental
degradation, which can create long term impact on the environment as well as well as human
life.
1.1 Problem statement
Tourism has become the valuable sector in Mauritius due to its contribution towards the
economic up gradation. It is true that tourism has become widespread and it has started absorbing
large number of people, which has created the environmental problems. In the particular area,
some negative environmental impacts have become feasible, which has become the debatable
topic in the current scenario (Hung 2018). In this situation, creating of green Mauritius has

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become a major concern in the 21st century. In terms of maintaining the long-term sustainability
in the tourism sector, community development as well as empowerment of the local people has
become necessary for natural resource conservation (Naidoo and Sharpley 2016). In this
situation influencing the residents’ perceptions towards the environmental impacts due to
tourism as well as their support towards the improvement has become necessary. The good
understanding of the factors, those are influencing the development supports and revising the
policies of the investors as well as residence is required in the particular scenario. Active support
towards the sustainable development and making the host population agree with that particular
initiative has become necessary for conserving the natural resources in the particular area.
1.2 Aim and objectives
The aim of this research paper is to access the perception of local people towards the negative
environmental impact of tourism investments in Mauritius. Tourism development is a complex
process that gets highly influenced by the residents’ perceptions as well as their support. The
study will also aim to identify the environmental impact in Mauritius, which has been resulted
due to tourism activities.
 To analyze the environmental impacts due to high investment trends in the tourism
industry in Mauritius.
 To analyze the residential perceptions towards the negative impact on environment due to
high tourism investment
 To investigate the initiatives towards involving in the sustainable tourism development in
Mauritius
 To provide measurable solution that can promote better way to deal with the situation
faced by Mauritius

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1.3 Research questions
What are the environmental impacts due to high investment trends in the tourism industry in
Mauritius?
What is the residential perceptions towards the negative impact on environment due to high
tourism investment ?
What are the initiatives towards involving in the sustainable tourism development in Mauritius?
Which can be the measurable solution that can promote better way to deal with the situation
faced by Mauritius?
1.4 Rationale
Global tourism is increasing all over the world in fastest manner. It has not only brought the
environmental changes, but also it has brought the impact on social and cultural life of people.
Analyzing the situation in Mauritius, in order to ensure the tourism development, the financial
investment in the particular industry has created huge gap between the culture and economic
status among the people. In this scenario, investigating the particular research area can bring the
significant impact in dragging the attention of the local people towards this situation.
Chapter 2: Literature review
2.0 Impact of tourism development in different aspects
In case of Mauritius multiple effects have been identified after the tourism development. Due to
the tourism activities, the long term impact on the social and environmental life has created
concern for its sustainability (Naidoo and Sharpley 2016). Tourism development has brought the
significant impact on the local community empowerment process. It is true that after the

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introduction of tourism industry in Mauritius, economic up gradation has been done. It is also
true that das w increasing demand as well as high pressure of population, maintaining the
sustainable practices and natural resource conservation process has become quite challenging for
the tourism industry authorities (BBC 2018).
Analyzing the tourism development support model in the 21st century, it has been identified that
impact of development can be categorized into two parts such as positive and negative. The
direct occurrence of both the positive and negative impact can be visible among the host people
in that particular area. In order to ensure the tourism development it is needed for gathering the
support from local community for enhancing the potential capacity.
Various research papers have been published based on the investigation on the impact of tourism
development on the economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects. In the perspective of
the social scientists, it can be said that tourism development brings the huge gap between culture
and economy. This has exactly happened with Mauritius, being the developing country, tourism
industry has become the pivotal point for its development (CEIC 2019). In that case, increasing
investment in this sector has distracted the attention from the environment and cultural situation,
which cn influence the long term sustainability issue in the country.
2.0.1 Impact of increasing investment in tourism industry on the economy
In the beginning, Mauritius has encouraged the investment in tourism industry as it has brought
noticeable impact on the economy (Martial and Fatha 2019). It cannot be denied that providing
the economic benefit, it improvises the living standard of the host community. By creating the
visible impact on countries GDP rate, it has encouraged the small as well as medium sized

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enterprises. However, it is true that after the tourism development in Mauritius, too much
dependency in the foreign capital has made the situation uncontrollable.
2.0.2 Impact of increasing tourism investment in the socio-cultural like in Mauritius
In terms of the influencing the values of people, the social and cultural changes are being
considered as the most significant factors (Mauricien 2015). In case of Mauritius, after the
increasing investment in tourism, the culture has become commercialized, which has created
barriers for maintaining its individuality in the global world. By continuing this, it can also be
said that due to satisfying the visitors demand, the cultural habits as well as lifestyle has been
forced to the host communities for making it n attraction for the visitors (Wortman, Donaldson
and van Westen 2016). In this situation, misuse of culture as well as community arts, the social
gap between the visitors and the community has been created. It is true that after the increasing
investment in the tourism industry, living standard of the local people has got changed. The
hotels have been built in the coastal regions and parasailing, water skiing, swimming with
dolphins and big game fishing activities has been introduced in Mauritius. These practices have
impacted on the local fisherman.
As stated by Seetanah and Fauzel (2019), in some of the case, for meeting the needs for room
capacity, constructions have been one by displacing the local people. In order to develop the
proper understanding between the visitors and the local people, the job providing authorities
have forcefully make people adopt the language as well as habits so that the intercultural
communication can be properly done. By supporting this Hung (2018) opined that it has brought
the interaction between visitors and local communities and services have been properly served.
However, due to this impact the tradition and culture have been lost, which has also impacted on
the local market. In the Anantra Resort, the authority has been accused for not reflecting the

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cultural heritage. The illegal constructions have been done and most of the cases rather than
following the coastal regulations, sand dunes have been disturbed.
2.0.3 Impact of increasing tourism investment in the environment life in Mauritius
In all over the world the impact of increasing growth in the tourism sector is quite visible on the
environment. Many regions all over the world as well as communities, struggle for conserving
the natural resources (Naidoo and Sharpley 2016). Recently it has been identified that increasing
tourism activities in Mauritius are impacting on the natural resources. Tourism business is
mainly dependent on the natural resources. In case of Mauritius, it has been identified that due to
improper planned development activities in the particular area, negative impact on the
environment is creating the stress on the destination. Apart from consumption of large amount of
natural resources, increasing investment in the tourism industry is producing the considerable
wastage as well as pollution. In some of the cases, it has become quite challenging to treat the
waste materials. As the natural resources are reducing day by day, the amount of solid waste in
the particular area has got increased. On the other hand, it is true that beaches have got destroyed
with the sand quarrying (Zhang and Gao 2016). Due to high availability of visitors in the area,
costal degradation has distracted the attention from the coral reefs. In the current situation,
sustainability has become the major concern for the area. Reviewing the situation in coastal
areas, it has been identified that by ignoring the costal degradation concern, largest hotel Le
Chaland Resort, La Cambuse Mauritius with the 164 rooms has been opened in the year 2019.
The authority is ready for the further expansion, which can bring the drastic impact on the
environment (Martial and Fatha 2019).

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2.0.4 Positive and negative impact of increasing investment in tourism industry in
Mauritius
Affected area Positive impacts Negative impacts
Physical damage and erosion Infrastructure has got
improved for satisfying the
tourist demand.
Soil erosion, coastal erosion
and overloading key
infrastructure.
Biodiversity Some of the areas have been
protected for maintaining the
tourist attraction.
Loss of species and
interruption in ecosystem.
Resource base Supply chain has got
improved.
In order to meet the needs of
the visitors diversion of water
supply has been done.
People have been displaced
for hotel construction.
Pollution Alternative cleaning programs
have been introduced.
Increasing amount of disposal
as well as coastal pollution has
occurred. Water pollution and
improper waste disposal
impacted on the environment.
Structural change Modernization has been
introduced, which has
increased the health and others
Availability of non-natural
landscape has got increased
and changes in urban structure

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facilities. have impacted on the living
hood.
2.1 Rising numbers of hotels in Mauritius
Analyzing the hospitality growth in Mauritius, it has been identified that in the year 2018, almost
1.4 million people have visited which is 4.3% higher than the previous year (Mauritius 2019).
Most of the European countries are being considered as the top feeder for Mauritius. The tourist
arraival has continued to expand in the particular area and as its impact the average room
revenue reached EUR781.1 in the year 2018. In the growing revenue, it can be assumed that
within the year 2023 the revenue will increase 5.7% (Ceicdata.com 2020). The expected room
capacities are increasing day by day and it has impacted on the GDP rate in Mauritius. In the
year 2019, the data has been reported in which it has been mentioned that in the running year
hotel occupancy was 112.000 unit, where the previous number was 110.000 units in the same
year in sep (Ceicdata.com 2020). Analyzing the hotel data from the year 2007, it has been
identified that gradual growth is quite visible in Mauritius, which has made the significant
impact on tourism industry. In the last year almost 10% of the total hotels numbers have been
increased in Mauritius, which proves the continuous attention of the investors in the particular
destination (Martial and Fatha 2019).
2.2 Concept of sustainable tourism is still unclear to the local community, which has
created conflict
It is true that the perception of community towards the industrial investment is very important for
implementing the development initiatives. In case of Mauritius, it has been identified that, the
concept of sustainable tourism is quite unclear for the host community (Fauzel, Seetanah and

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Sannassee 2017). The local people believe, the tourism industry can bring the positive benefits
for their society, which is apparently correct. However, concept of sustainability is not limited to
the economic growth but also it covers the social and environmental aspects too. In most of the
cases, different authors have supported the growth investments, which have been done in
Mauritius for tourism development, however, large number of researchers have contradicted
those statements by highlighting those long term impacts on the society. The increasing
availability of the people has increased the demand for accommodation, in that limited
geographic area, natural resources are being removed for satisfying the accommodation needs.
Due to the initial availability of capital, large numbers of people are supporting the investments
in different area, however, the increasing practice of investment can bring the environmental
degradation in the particular area within few years. As its impact, maintaining Mauritius as the
tourist attraction in the long run can be quite challenging.
Chapter 3: Research methodology
3.0 Research philosophy
Research philosophy helps the researcher to reflect own values and beliefs in the research paper.
It is an important element in the research paper that helps to formulate the assumption of the
researcher and make the research paper appropriate (Fletcher 2017). Positivism, interpretivism
and realism are the three types of research philosophies.
3.0.1 Chosen research philosophy
The research paper will be developed using the positivism research philosophy. This particular
research philosophy will be beneficial as it can help to critically analyze the research topic by
following the scientific approach.

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3.1 Research approach
In the research approach combining of data collection and researcher’s broad assumptions the
framework is being developed (Ledford and Gast 2018). There are two types of research
approach such as deductive approach and inductive approach. Deductive research approach is
about developing the hypothesis the collected information based on the research topic. On the
other hand, the inductive research approach is about explaining the research topic based on
understanding.
3.1. 1 Chosen research approach
In this research paper, deductive research approach will be selected by the researcher as the
hypothesis of the research paper will be properly investigated using existing models and theories.
3.2 Research design
Research design is about making the research framework based on the research variables.
Exploratory, explanatory and descriptive are the three types of research designs.
3.2. 1 Chosen research design
In this research paper, the descriptive research design will be selected as it can help the
researcher to explain the research topic in detailed manner.
3.3 Data sources and analysis
In this research paper, both the primary and secondary data will be collected. The primary data
will be collected conducting the interview on randomly selected people from the host
communities and the secondary information will be collected from articles, existing government
websites and books. The 5 open-ended questions will be used by selecting 5 people from the host

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community, who are directly involved in the particular industry. The qualitative data analysis
technique will be used for analyzing the collected information and converting it into transcript.
3.4 Ethical consideration
The Data protection Act 1998 will be strictly followed and maintaining the authenticity of the
paper, information will be collected from authentic sources. Participants will not be forced to
share their opinion. The confidentiality of the participants will be maintained.
3.5 Research limitation
The researcher may face challenges while sharing biased information collected from the
participants. Accessibility of statistical information can be challenging for the researcher due to
budget.
3.6 Research schedule
Activities 1st to
3rd
Week
4th to
10th
week
11th to
13th
Week
14th to
17th
Week
18th to
21st
Week
22nd
to 23rd
Week
24th
Week
Selection of the topic 
Data collection from
secondary sources
 
Creating layout 
Literature review   
Conduct the interview   
Analysis and
interpretation of
collected data
  
Findings of the data  
Conclusion of the study 

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Formation of draft  
Submission of final work 
Gantt chart

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References and bibliography
BBC, 2018. Beach Grabbing erodes our birth right. [Online]
Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-43432013/beach-grabbing-erodes-our-
birth-rights-say-mauritians
[Accessed 20 February 2020].
CEIC, 2019. CEIC. [Online]
Available at: https://www.ceicdata.com/en/mauritius/hotel-statistics/number-of-hotel-rooms
[Accessed sunday February 2020].
Ceicdata.com 2020. Retrived
fromhttps://www.ceicdata.com/en/mauritius/hotel-statistics/number-of-hotels [Accessed 25th
March, 2020]

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Fauzel, S., Seetanah, B. and Sannassee, R.V., 2017. Analysing the impact of tourism foreign
direct investment on economic growth: Evidence from a small island developing state. Tourism
Economics, 23(5), pp.1042-1055.
Fletcher, A.J., 2017. Applying critical realism in qualitative research: methodology meets
method. International journal of social research methodology, 20(2), pp.181-194.
González-García, R.J., Añó-Sanz, V., Parra-Camacho, D. and Calabuig-Moreno, F., 2018.
Perception of residents about the impact of sports tourism on the community: Analysis and scale-
validation. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 18(1), pp.149-156.
Hung, C.H., 2018. Case Study: Indigenous People Cognitive Tourism Impact and Development
Support Attitude-Case Study in the Taiwan Alishan Tribe. Advances in Management, 11(1),
pp.20-27.
Jonker, K. and Robinson, B., 2018. Integrated Organic Growth: The Cases of Cameroon and
Mauritius. In China’s Impact on the African Renaissance (pp. 217-262). Palgrave Macmillan,
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Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
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Ledford, J.R. and Gast, D.L., 2018. Single case research methodology: Applications in special
education and behavioral sciences. Routledge.
Martial, C. & Fatha, M., 2019. Statistic Mauritius. [Online]
Available at: http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/English/Publications/Documents/2019/EI1436/

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Pop_Vital_Yr18.pdfMauricien, L., 2015. Le chaland Resort Hotel - A damning report not
submitted to the authorities. Port Louis: Le Mauricien newspaper.
Mauricien, L., 2015. Le chaland Resort Hotel - A damning report not submitted to the
authorities. Port Louis: Le Mauricien newspaper.
Mauritius, S., 2019. Archive collections tourists arrivals statistics mauritius. [Online]
Available at: http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/English/Publications/Pages/Archive/
Arch_Mthly_Tourist.aspx
[Accessed 20 February 2020].
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[Accessed 20 February 2020].
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Mauritius. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, 37(2), pp.139-157.

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Zhang, L. and Gao, J., 2016. Exploring the effects of international tourism on China's economic
growth, energy consumption and environmental pollution: Evidence from a regional panel
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