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Tourism and the Natural Environment: Past, Present and Future

Tourism and the Natural Environment: Past, Present and Future. Dr. David Bruce Weaver Griffith University Australia. THE PAST (<mid-1990s). ‘Pure’ growth paradigm. - free markets, minimal regulation. - preference for sustained mass tourism growth.

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Tourism and the Natural Environment: Past, Present and Future

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  1. Tourism and the Natural Environment:Past, Present and Future Dr. David Bruce Weaver Griffith University Australia

  2. THE PAST (<mid-1990s) ‘Pure’ growth paradigm • - free markets, minimal regulation • - preference for sustained mass tourism growth • - wholesale manipulation of natural environment to • accommodate tourism growth = widespread environmental deterioration, leading to destination stagnation and decline

  3. (Rejuvenation) Assumes: unlimited demand - free markets Stagnation # of visitors (Continued stagnation) (Decline) Development Critical carrying capacity threshold Involvement Exploration Time Idea that unregulated tourism ‘destroys itself’ is embodied in the destination life-cycle model of Richard Butler: Consolidation

  4. THE PRESENT (mid-1990s to c.2010) ‘Modified’ growth paradigm • - emergence of ‘sustainable development’ and then • ‘sustainable tourism’ • - i.e., one could still have growth, but it could be achieved • without damaging the environment (i.e. capacity threshold • can be raised)

  5. THE PRESENT (mid-1990s to c.2010) Actions of the tourism industry • - ‘institutionalisation’ of sustainability rhetoric in • mission statements and codes of conducts • - cosmetic practices (profitable, high profile; e.g. recycling) - basic certification for some businesses/products - industry awards (e.g. Tourism for Tomorrow) Results? At best a slower rate of environmental deterioration Actions of the tourism industry indicate ‘paradigm nudge’ rather than ‘paradigm shift’ – or ‘superficial environmentalism’

  6. superficial environmentalists ≃ 50% non-environmentalists ≃ 25% Environmentalists ≃ 25% THE PRESENT (mid-1990s to c.2010) Why the gap between the rhetoric and the actions/effects? • - minimal government interference • - consumer (tourist) satisfaction with actions, due to • dominance of ‘superficial environmentalists’ in society:

  7. REACTIVE CHANGE Govt. Regulation Societal Change Consumer Advocacy Industry Change Self-regulation PROACTIVE CHANGE THE FUTURE (> c.2010) Genuine paradigm shift → Green paradigm? Climate Change Energy Shock

  8. THE FUTURE (> c.2010) What is the change? • - environmental protection (micro & macro) • - environmental rehabilitation (micro & macro) - meaningful certification (i.e. third party verification) - consumer education (social marketing) - equilibrium rather than growth

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