SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

 

Tourism is only part of the whole idea of sustainable development. Tourism, as it relates to sustainable development, is tourism which is developed so that the nature, scale, location, and manner of development is appropriate and sustainable over time, and where the environment's ability to support other activities and processes is not impaired, since tourism cannot be isolated from other resource use activities.

Sustainable tourism involves a challenge to develop quality tourism products without adversely affecting the natural and cultural environment that maintains and nurtures them. At the heart of sustainable tourism is a set of implicit values related to striving to integrate economic, social and cultural goals.

Understanding Ecotourism

Ecotourism is an enlightening nature travel experience that contributes to conservation of the ecosystem, while respecting the integrity of host communities. Similar to the fact that tourism is only a part of the whole which is sustainable development, ecotourism is only part of the whole which is sustainable tourism. However, ecotourism's influence is having far reaching impacts toward extending principles of sustainability into other forms of tourism. It does this by supporting principles which contribute to integrating social, economic, and environmental goals. These principles are, that ecotourism should involve:

1. environmentally sound development, and no degradation of the resource
2. first-hand, participatory, enlightening experiences
3. all party education (communities, government, NGOs, industry and tourists)
4. recognition of the intrinsic values of the resources
5. acceptance of the resource on its own terms, recognizing limits, which involves supply-oriented management
6. understanding and partnerships between many players
7. promotion of ethical responsibilities and behavior towards the natural and cultural environment
8. long-term benefits (economic and non-economic) to the resource, industry and the local community
9. responsible conservation practices related to both internal and external operations

Ecotourism often involves small-scale tourism oriented to natural areas, wildlife, and traditional culture. Typically, ecotourism contributes to rural economies and to maintaining land in a natural state.

Ecotourism is growing in many parts of the world, which Gambia should not be an exceptional, and is mostly on public lands. As the numbers of tourists grow, so does the interest in seeing new places and seeking new experiences, and some of these locations show how tourism can have negative impacts. Poorly planned and managed ecotourism may damage the same wildlife, natural or cultural resources that draw the tourists. It is difficult to evaluate benefits and costs of ecotourism, and these may vary over space and over time. However, the primary benefits are:

• . increased funding for protected areas and local communities ( protected areas suffer from budget constraints, yet collect nominal entrance fees or none at all; but travellers are interested in helping the areas, as they become more environmentally conscious)
  

• . job creation for local residents (e.g., tour guides, park wardens, lodge owners, crafts makers, etc.) environmental education for visitors (increasing awareness can change behaviour, change use patterns, and create advocates for conservation)

The economic cost are

Environmental degradation (related to visitor activities, management or behaviour).

economic instability and inequity (any form of tourism may be an unstable income source, particularly due to external factors such as natural disasters, currency fluctuations, or political instability. The other problem is that financial leakage of tourist expenditures may occur, whether out of the region, or out of the country)
. socio-cultural changes (while change may be both positive or negative, the negative is more usual when communities are not given the opportunity to decide if they want to become involved with tourism, and how)

THE IMPACT OF TOURISM:

1. Building community pride,

2. Inhancing the sense of identity of a community or a region,

3. Promoting intercultural unity and understanding,

4. Encouraging revival or mentenance of traditional crafts,

5. Enhancing external support for minority groups and preservation of their culture,

6. Enhancing local and external appreciation and support for cultural heritage.

1. Cheapening of our culture and traditions. The undisputed evidence can be seen in the Gambia hotel workers appearances which is very western. Instead, I think they should promote and hale our tradition and culture by appearing with (chaya and mallans etc). In this way we will not alienate and loss our cultural identies.

2. The understanding of local tradition and ways of life does never before includes paving ways for the local people to spend their money in gambling by putting gambling houses in the heart of the poor communitties. Evidently during my two month stay in the country, from the begining of June last year to August, I have seen so many family life desrupted by gambling their market money etc. I think, however, those kind of activities have no place in the heart of the commuinities but in the tourist industrial areas or at remote areas far from the towns.
3. Increased division between those who do and do not benefit from tourism. Typical example of this is the fact that, lack of electrical supply facities in the rural areas force the hotel owners to concentrate thier building in the urban area hence using own generator continue may bring extra cost and more practical interruptions due to the fact that potrol is not always available.

4. Displacement of traditional residents as seen in the kotu areas etc all because of lack of electrical efficiency in the rural areas. This is also resulting to comflict over land right and access to resources.

5. Damage to attractions and facilities. This can be seen in the costal area ground along the river-bank especially around Bakau and banjul areas. Moreover the kind of distruction done to the sunwing hotel by the previous proprietors.

The grouping of the impacts into positive and negetive can also be or atleast be subjective, as whether the given impact is good or bad will depend on one’s perspective. For example, some community residents may desire cultural changes, while others may oppose it. The demontration effect, resulting from exposure to western habit and lifestyles because of tourism. However, the government should look thoroughly into the negative aspects such gamblig businesses placed in the hearts of township to ruin the local population. Tourism is to generate the economy but not to distroy the family lives of the people who should benefit from it. I for one, am against using and distroying the poors to generate individual incomes.

Likewise, some may desire continuity in local economic and political relationships, while others may desire reduction in income inequalities. Person wishing to sell land will favour increase land prices, while those who wish to buy land or to retain land they own would oppose increased prices.

It is however, clear that tourism generates a variety of impacts, and a key goal of sustainable tourism is to generate a more favorable balance in these impacts. The balance will be site specific and will depend on various factors, most importantly how tourism is planned, developed, and managed.