Introduction to Sustainable Tourism Review and Assessment
Reviewing and assessing sustainable tourism is crucial for ensuring that tourism activities benefit local communities, protect environments and remain economically viable in the long term. This process helps identify what's working, what needs improvement and how to make better decisions for the future.
Key Definitions:
- Sustainable Tourism: Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.
- Tourism Impact Assessment: A systematic process to evaluate the potential effects of tourism development on a destination.
- Carrying Capacity: The maximum number of people who can visit a tourist destination without damaging the physical, economic and sociocultural environment.
- Triple Bottom Line: An approach that considers environmental, social and economic impacts (Planet, People, Profit).
★ Why Review Matters
Regular review of sustainable tourism practices helps destinations:
- Identify problems before they become serious
- Measure progress against sustainability goals
- Adjust strategies based on evidence
- Demonstrate accountability to stakeholders
- Celebrate and build on successes
⊕ Assessment Tools
Common tools used to assess sustainable tourism include:
- Visitor surveys and feedback forms
- Environmental impact assessments
- Economic benefit analysis
- Community satisfaction surveys
- Sustainability certification audits
Key Indicators for Measuring Sustainable Tourism
Effective assessment relies on measuring the right indicators across environmental, social and economic dimensions. These indicators provide concrete data to evaluate sustainability performance.
♥ Environmental Indicators
- Water usage per tourist
- Waste generation and recycling rates
- Carbon footprint of tourism activities
- Biodiversity health in tourist areas
- Energy consumption by tourism facilities
♣ Social Indicators
- Ratio of tourists to locals
- Local employment in tourism
- Preservation of cultural heritage
- Community attitudes towards tourism
- Tourist satisfaction with authentic experiences
♦ Economic Indicators
- Tourism revenue staying in local economy
- Job creation and quality
- Seasonality of tourism income
- Small business development
- Infrastructure improvements from tourism
Assessment Methods and Techniques
There are several approaches to gathering and analysing data for sustainable tourism assessment. Using a mix of methods provides the most complete picture.
Quantitative Assessment
Numerical data helps track measurable changes over time and compare destinations:
- Visitor counts and demographics - Understanding who visits and when
- Economic impact calculations - Measuring direct and indirect spending
- Resource consumption metrics - Tracking water, energy and materials
- Carbon calculators - Estimating greenhouse gas emissions
Qualitative Assessment
Descriptive information provides context and deeper understanding:
- Stakeholder interviews - Gathering perspectives from different groups
- Tourist experience feedback - Understanding visitor satisfaction
- Community focus groups - Exploring local impacts and attitudes
- Observational studies - Noting changes in behaviour or environment
Case Study Focus: Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Tourism Model
Bhutan uses a unique assessment approach based on its Gross National Happiness (GNH) philosophy. Rather than simply measuring tourist numbers or revenue, Bhutan assesses tourism based on:
- Cultural preservation and promotion
- Environmental protection
- Sustainable development
- Good governance in tourism management
By charging a substantial daily fee ($200-250) that includes a "sustainable development fee," Bhutan limits visitor numbers while ensuring tourism benefits the country. Regular assessments show this approach has helped maintain cultural integrity and environmental quality while still developing tourism.
The Assessment Cycle
Effective sustainable tourism assessment follows a continuous improvement cycle:
↻ The Assessment Process
- Plan: Decide what to measure and how
- Collect: Gather data using appropriate methods
- Analyse: Interpret findings against benchmarks
- Report: Share results with stakeholders
- Act: Make changes based on findings
- Monitor: Track progress of implemented changes
⌖ Setting SMART Objectives
Assessment works best when measuring progress against SMART objectives:
- Specific: Clear goals (e.g., reduce water usage by 15%)
- Measurable: Quantifiable indicators
- Achievable: Realistic targets
- Relevant: Connected to sustainability principles
- Time-bound: Defined timeframe for achievement
Certification and Recognition Systems
Many destinations use external certification schemes to validate their sustainability efforts. These provide frameworks for assessment and recognition of good practice.
- Green Tourism Business Scheme (UK) - Awards Bronze, Silver, or Gold ratings based on sustainability audits
- Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Criteria - International standards for destinations and businesses
- Blue Flag - Certification for sustainable beaches and marinas
- Travelife - Sustainability certification system for hotels and tour operators
Case Study Focus: Costa Rica's Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST)
Costa Rica's CST programme assesses tourism businesses across five key areas:
- Physical-biological environment
- Facilities management (infrastructure)
- Customer engagement in sustainability
- Socioeconomic impact on local communities
- Cultural heritage protection
Businesses are rated on a scale of 1-5 "leaves" based on their performance. The programme has helped Costa Rica position itself as a leading ecotourism destination while providing tourists with reliable information about sustainable options. Regular assessments show certified businesses typically use less water and energy, produce less waste and contribute more to local communities.
Common Assessment Challenges
Reviewing sustainable tourism isn't always straightforward. Being aware of these challenges helps produce more accurate assessments:
- Data limitations - Some impacts are difficult to measure precisely
- Attribution problems - Determining what changes are caused by tourism versus other factors
- Stakeholder bias - Different groups may have conflicting perspectives on impacts
- Long-term effects - Some impacts only become apparent over extended periods
- Comparing incomparable destinations - Each location has unique characteristics that affect sustainability
Preparing for iGCSE Assessment
When answering exam questions on sustainable tourism review and assessment, remember these key points:
✓ Exam Tips
- Always consider the triple bottom line (environmental, social, economic)
- Use specific examples and case studies to support your answers
- Discuss both positive and negative impacts
- Consider different stakeholder perspectives
- Link assessment methods to specific sustainability goals
- Explain how assessment leads to improved practices
! Key Terms to Use
- Carrying capacity
- Triple bottom line
- Stakeholder engagement
- Sustainable development goals
- Environmental impact assessment
- Socio-cultural indicators
- Economic multiplier effect
- Certification standards
Summary
Effective review and assessment of sustainable tourism practices is essential for ensuring that tourism development benefits all stakeholders while protecting natural and cultural resources. By using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, considering the triple bottom line and implementing a continuous improvement cycle, destinations can work towards truly sustainable tourism.
Remember that assessment isn't just about measuring problems it's about identifying opportunities, celebrating successes and creating a pathway to better tourism practices. As future tourism professionals or informed citizens, understanding these assessment approaches will help you contribute to more sustainable tourism development.
