Analyzing Sustainable Tourism in Developing Countries: A Report

This academic report delves into the sustainability of tourism in developing countries, arguing against the viewpoint that it is inherently unsustainable. It explores tourism's significant contributions to economic growth, including foreign exchange revenues, employment opportunities, and infrastructure development. The report highlights how tourism fosters competitive advantages, supports environmental conservation through ecotourism, and promotes responsible practices. It analyzes the relationship between tourism and the environment, emphasizing the role of tourists in sustainable tourism development. The conclusion summarizes the positive impacts of tourism on both host countries and communities, emphasizing the increasing trend toward ecotourism and responsible tourism. The report recommends considering factors like geomorphology, culture, and climate to enhance sustainable tourism development. It provides specific suggestions for improving present tourism conditions and ensuring a more sustainable future for tourist destinations, emphasizing the importance of balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations.

The Sustainable Hotel Environment
Given environmental concerns, tourism in the developing world is unsustainable. (Alternative view
point)
[DATE]
institutional affiliations(S)

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Table of Contents
Executive summary....................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................2
2. Tourism as a tool for developing country economics............................................................3
2.1 Employment opportunities................................................................................................4
2.2 Tourism brings competitive advantage............................................................................4
2.3 Elements of tourism infrastructure...................................................................................5
3.Tourism contribution in conserving sensitive areas and habitat.............................................6
3.1 Ecotourism for promoting responsible tourism................................................................6
3.2 Relationship between environment and tourism...............................................................7
3.3 Role of tourists is sustainable tourism development........................................................7
4 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................8
5 Recommendation.....................................................................................................................8
References................................................................................................................................10
Appendices...............................................................................................................................12

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Executive summary
Tourism is been considered as a major growth industry since past few decades due to
several factors underpinning its growth like increase in revenues, improved infrastructure,
changing lifestyle, increased leisurely time, conservation of protected and sensitive lands
along with international openness. The positive impacts of tourism are been generated over
the time which are directly related to social, economic, and environmental components of
tourist destinations and society as a whole. To serve the society, tourism is often manifested
according to primary and secondary activities and the majority of population residing in
tourist destinations act as an attractive component for the rest of the world. They not only
gain advantages related to international recognition, but also are offered with various
employment opportunities. In this regard, many developed and developing nations
encourages maximum utilisation of tourism resource to attract significant tourists yet
considers preserving their tourist spots to make it more competitive and attractive investment
opportunity for development of tourism infrastructure and other sustainability related
opportunities. On the other hand, many tourists have been seen considering negative effects
of tourism that can hamper environment and other climatic issues for which many of the them
initiated a trend that can enable ecological uniqueness and maintaining peaceful and
sustainable tourism opportunity for future.

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1. Introduction
Sustainable tourism is defined as an ideal framework of tourism that is capable of
operating tourism related systems after enabling profitable and healthy environment through
tourism industry. Sustainable development, on the other hand is the development that can
meet the requirements of the present world without compromising future capabilities and
generation for meeting their own needs. Sustainable tourism development is again a complex
phenomenon that can be generated from the above two definitions, meaning tourism
development promotes both development directions and volume in revenues in a way that
pressure on environment remains below level while involving with both existing and future
generations. Such definitions indicate significance behind supporting sustainable tourism
development and how it creates opportunity for developed as well as developing nations in
conserving natural environment and societal benefits (Yazdi, 2012). On this note, this report
proposes to identify and analyse alternative view point of one of the report topics, ‘Given
environmental concerns, tourism in the developing world is unsustainable’. This report will
present various factors that reveals how tourism promotes revenues, employment
opportunities, enhanced infrastructure, contribution towards conservation of sensitive areas
along with various other opportunities that not only promotes tourist destinations
sustainability, but its contribution in developing the world and its people.

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2. Tourism as a tool for developing country economics
Tourism is regarded as an important source for gaining foreign exchange revenues to
the country governments and therefore provides nations with basis for exporting leading
economic development. For example, the global tourist who need supplies and hotel rooms in
tourist destination will make purchases after converting their host country currency for the
travelling country’s currency. Thereby, increases foreign earning opportunities and
appreciating travelling country’s exchange rates and country GDP ratio (Appendix A). It can
be noted that foreign exchange is very significant especially for the developing nations that
depends upon import of essential products like industrial goods, infrastructure and other
products ( FaladeObalade & Dubey, 2014).
2.1 Employment opportunities
Based upon contribution or involvement of tourism supply side, increase in
employment opportunities can be generated either through direct or indirect ways (Appendix
B). Employment opportunities includes those jobs that are supported directly by hospitality
and travel related activities. For example, job opportunities provided by restaurants, hotels,
tourism information offices, protected areas, farmhouses, guest rooms, souvenirs, and many
more. Indirect job opportunities are supported by indirect employment activities like
construction companies who work for establishing infrastructure in tourism destinations,
restaurant and hotel suppliers, aircraft and travel manufacturer, marketing agencies and others
that provides employment for increasing people earning opportunities (Aynalem, Birhanu &
Tesefay, 2016).

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2.2 Tourism brings competitive advantage
As per World Tourism Organisation, “sustainable tourism is not a discrete or special
form of tourism. Rather, all forms of tourism should strive to be more sustainable” (Leaniz &
Bosque, 2015, p.40). Nonetheless, making tourism industry more sustainable does not always
mean to manage and control its negative impacts. Rather, this industry reveals its potentiality
to benefit local communities in social and economic ways along with raising an awareness to
support environmental conservations. In tourism industry, economic development shall not be
considered as an opposite force, but shall be pursued as an aspiration which can be reinforced
mutually. Many stakeholders like hotels, restaurants, park protection authorities, government,
etc. can benefit from sustainable tourism. For seeking corporate reputation and long-term
profits, hospitality industry considers environmental impacts and fosters in the industry
without exploiting or disrupting quality of tourist destination. Secondly, environmental
groups and institutions considers harmful impacts of tourism industry alongside looking upon
source of income for conservation by getting involved in various sustainable tourism related
activities (Appendix C). Finally, tourists try to preserve destinations for seeking high quality
experience in upcoming years also thereby becoming more aware of the negative impact of
travelling along with getting involved in peace and inter-cultural understanding (UNCTAD
secretariat, 2013).
2.3 Elements of tourism infrastructure
Tourism infrastructures (Jovanovic & Ilic, 2016)

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Tourism infrastructure act as a foundation for tourism industry development alongside
utilising destination resources. The significance of tourism infrastructure can be reflected
from the fact that it can generate efficiency in distribution and production of tourism services
even in remote destinations. According to Tourism and Transport Forum, the tourism
infrastructure is actually the supply chain process of transport, environmental and social
infrastructure that collaborates at local level for generating attractive tourism destination
(Jovanovic & Ilic, 2016). For example, transport in tourism industry provides access to
tourism destination and hotel supplies from domestic and international markets which
includes travelling through road, air and water. Social infrastructure development incudes
accommodation provided in hotels and guest houses to accommodate tourists along with
supporting physical structures that provides services and activities to attract global tourists.
For example, convention centres, galleries, hotels, stadiums and other facilities.
Environmental infrastructure includes natural values like national parks, reserves and marine
parks that are visited by many tourists (Appendix D).
3.Tourism contribution in conserving sensitive areas and habitat
Achieving sustainability related goals in tourism involves balancing social, ecological
and economic development outcomes where the world has involved in creation of national
parks to protect ecological values and for protecting natural lands from over-consumptive
use. For example, restricting hunting and over logging and wastage of lands for construction
purposes in sensitive areas. Due to their uniqueness in beauty and character, these areas are
becoming more popular among tourism destinations and attract tourists for recreation and
sightseeing purposes who does not involves in destruction of associated uses. This notion has
even led many destination managers and organisations regard those activities that can provide
justification, resources for conservation and income along with managing environment for
sustainable development (Pfueller, Lee & Laing, 2011).

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3.1 Ecotourism for promoting responsible tourism
In literature, ecotourism is considered as a basis for creating sustainable tourism since
it contributes in benefitting social, economic and environmental developments of local areas.
The economic benefits can be realised in the form of preservation of nature tourism and
natural resources. Travelling in ecotourism concept in mainly concerned with
uncontaminated or undisturbed natural areas like habitats, protected lands, national parks,
wetlands, marine and coastal lands, wildlife reserves and other flora and fauna. When tourists
visit these areas, they experience various nature-based activities that can be related to
ecotourism experience for example, sea kayaking, hiking, climbing, bird watching, canoeing,
cave exploring and many more. Such activities are regarded as tourism products that provides
tourists with unique travel related experience. Due to the same, hotels as well as many tourist
operators attempts to sell more ecotourism experience to its potential customers that helps in
generating revenues for hospitality industry (Sangpikul, 2017).
3.2 Relationship between environment and tourism
Tourism industry can significantly bring positive impacts on environmental
protection, restoration and conservation of biological diversity and usage of natural resources
sustainably. Due to the attractive nature of pristine and heritage sites, they are identified as
valuable assets and therefore is preserved by local stakeholders. For example, many forests
have been turned into national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are manged by authorised
bodies which potentially increases public appreciation towards environment. This
confrontation can heighten giving value to natural assets and may lead to environmentally
conscious consumers to see tourism as a way to assist conservation of sensitive areas along
with habitat. Many countries government generates revenues from park entrance fees that are
further used as pay for protecting and managing those areas. Moreover, the especial fees

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required for park operations or for conservation actions can be generated from tour operators
or tourists (Rad & Aghajani, 2010).
3.3 Role of tourists is sustainable tourism development
Research conducted by Pulido-Fernández & López-Sánchez (2016) reveals that “an
overview of the state of sustainable tourism in the scientific literature indicates that
sustainable tourist behaviour is currently a thriving field of study” (p. 3). In literature there
are many stances that revolves around tourist sustainability especially since past few decades
that reveals conceptual approaches in significant number that reflects the notion behind
sustainable tourists. The authors support the notion behind tourists making their purchase
decisions that are more based upon environmental and economic quality of tourism products.
Consumer behaviour shows a trend that are based upon consumption of environmentally
friendly and green brands and considers it as a significant factor while making bookings at
their destination places hotels and resorts. Therefore, indirectly they act as an environmental
watchdog alongside pressurising destination managements to respond to these new trends and
show concern towards sustainable tourism options.
4 Conclusion
The above report has been prepared to place an argument against the statement
mentioning, ‘Given environmental concerns, tourism in the developing world is
unsustainable’. After reviewing various articles and industry examples, this report finds that
tourism has many positive impacts upon tourism destinations as well as communities that
increases the chances of its sustainability effectively. The above report analysed how tourism
brings economic development to host countries along with providing revenues to the local
communities development and well-being. The tourism not only creates awareness among
tourism industry agencies for monitoring tourist destination for future profitability, but also
generates concern among tourist who considers travelling amidst nature and sensitive areas.

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In fact, the growing concern towards ecotourism and responsible tourism trend have
increased the chances of sustainable tourism where more and more people, countries,
government, tourism agencies and local communities are considering development of tourist
destination through accumulation of required funds for development purposes.
5 Recommendation
Sustainable tourism means accomplishing particular combination of types and number of
visitors, collective effect of activities in tourist destinations along with actions performed by
hospitality service and tourism industry that can continue in near future without
compromising upon environment quality. Therefore, sustainable tourism requires cumulation
of above-mentioned factors and managing the same that can regenerate resources naturally or
through human involvement. In order to achieve sustainable tourism in best possible way,
significant elements needs to be considered within tourism destinations like geomorphology,
culture, climatology, anthropology history and other factors that can directly contribute in
bringing economic, social and environmental significance to the host countries. The
following points can be recommended that can enhance present tourism conditions and
ensure more sustainable development for tourist destination in upcoming years also (Rad &
Aghajani, 2010).
 Since environment contains intrinsic values, its values outweigh as a tourism asset
and thus its long-term survival must not be compromised due to any short-term
consequences.
 Tourism must be recognised as positive factor which can potentially benefit society
and destination places as well as the tourists.
 Tourism and environment relationship must be equally managed that can potentially
enable sustainable environment in long term. In doing so, tourism must not damage
resources or compromise its values that can bring unexpected impacts (Yazdi, 2012).

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 Tourism activities must respect nature, character of place and the scale of resource
utilisation where they are destinated.
 In tourism spot, harmony and peace must be considered primarily between visitors
and local habitats along with host communities (Liu & Wall, 2006).
 Change is an inevitable part in this dynamic world and can often prove beneficial.
However, adaptation to the changes might not be at an expense for any tourism
destination principles.
 In tourism and hospitality industry, not only agencies and local authorities must
follow duty to the above-mentioned recommendations, but also the tourists who can
work together to achieve practical solutions in bringing sustainable tourism
opportunities.
References
Aynalem, S., Birhanu , K. & Tesefay, S., 2016. Employment Opportunities and Challenges in
Tourism and Hospitality Sectors. Journal of Tourism & Hospitality, 5(6), pp. 1-5.

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Earthcheck Pty Limited, 2017. Developing the Tourism Workforce of the Future in the APEC
Region. [Online]
Available at: 217_TWG_Developing the Tourism Workforce Report
[Accessed 13 05 2019].
FaladeObalade, T. A. & Dubey, S., 2014. Managing Tourism as a source of Revenue and
Foreign direct investment inflow in a developing Country: The Jordanian Experience.
International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, 3(3),
pp. 16-42.
Jovanovic, S. & Ilic, I., 2016. Infrastructure as an Important Determinant of Tourism
Development in the Countries of Southeast Europe. Ecoform, 5(1(8)), pp. 288-294.
Leaniz, P. M. G. d. & Bosque, I. R. d., 2015. Sustainability: A competitive advantage in the
tourism industry. In: K. H. Collins, ed. Handbook on Tourism Development and
Management. Spain : Nova Science Publishers, Inc., pp. 39-58.
Liu, A. & Wall, G., 2006. Planning tourism employment: a developing country perspective.
Tourism Management, Volume 27, pp. 159-170.
Pfueller , S. L., Lee, D. & Laing, J., 2011. Tourism Partnerships in Protected Areas:
Exploring Contributions to Sustainability. Environmental Management, Volume 48, pp. 734-
749.
Pulido-Fernández, J. I. & López-Sánchez, Y., 2016. Are Tourists Really Willing to Pay More
for Sustainable Destinations?. Sustainability, Volume 8, pp. 1-20.
Rad, A. F. & Aghajani, S., 2010. The Relationship between Tourism and Environment.
Iranian Journal of Tourism & Hospitality, 1(1), pp. 37-48.

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Sangpikul, A., 2017. Ecotourism Impacts on the Economy, Society and Environment of
Thailand. Journal of Reviews on Global Economics, Volume 6, pp. 302-312.
UNCTAD secretariat, 2013. Sustainable tourism: Contribution to economic growth and
sustainable development. [Online]
Available at: https://unctad.org/meetings/en/SessionalDocuments/ciem5d2_en.pdf
[Accessed 13 05 2019].
Yazdi, S. k., 2012. Sustainable Tourism. American International Journal of Social Science,
1(1), pp. 50-56.
Appendices

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Appendix A: Contribution to GDP (Earthcheck Pty Limited, 2017)

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Appendix B: Direct and Indirect employment opportunities from hospitality and tourism
sectors (Aynalem, Birhanu & Tesefay , 2016)

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Appendix C: Activities involved for creating sustainable tourism development (Leaniz &
Bosque, 2015)

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Appendix D: Positive impacts of tourism (Leaniz & Bosque, 2015)