session 6

Session 6: Sustainability & Culture: 

Session 6: Sustainability & Culture Karina M. Smed

Agenda 10-12-2006: 

Agenda 10-12-2006 Moralisation of tourism Sustainability as a concept Citizen involvement Group Work Student Presentation: Mona

What we did on our holiday:: 

What we did on our holiday: For my honeymoon in 1997 we stayed in a flat on Mijas Costa on the Costa del Sol for a fortnight. We had a wonderful time, dividing our holiday between the coastal resorts and towns and villages inland. On returning, a workmate asked me where we had been. ‘Southern Spain’ I replied. The Costa del Sol sounded a bit common. Whilst Costa del Sol evokes ‘crude mass tourism,’ Southern Spain evokes ‘culture.’ ‘Oh, whereabouts? Did you go to Granada?’ Horrified at my lack of cultural capital, I searched for an answer that would keep me in the camp of traveler, and out of that of Mass Tourist. ‘Well, we stayed in Mijas – beautiful little place set back from the coast. Lots of tourists, but even more character.’ ‘Oh how lovely –we’ve been there, too.’ Phew, I thought. My credibility teetered on a knife edge, but I’d come through it. ‘We even went to a bullfight… errr …’ I floundered as I realized that for the ‘thinking’ tourist, bullfights are not ‘culture’ but barbarism.   (Butcher, 2003:19)

Slide4: 

”either we preserve the environment by reducing the number of tourists and adopting ecotourism, or we destroy it” (Croall, 1995)   Is ecotourism the answer?

Moralisation of tourist types: 

Moralisation of tourist types Positive: ecotourism Alternative tourism Ethical tourism Negative: Mass tourism package/charter tourism

Slide6: 

”The tourism industry is in crisis… a crisis of mass tourism that has brought social, cultural, economic and environmental havoc in its wake, and it is mass tourism practices that must be radically changed to bring in the new” (Poon, 1993:3)   Is ’New Tourism’ a real alternative?

Mass vs. Moral: 

Mass vs. Moral Mass Tourism New Moral Tourism uniformity differentiation insensitive sensitive destructive constructive modern old fashioned  

Critique:: 

Critique: The proposed alternative forms of tourism are not without problems Selfcontradictions and obstacles for own goals Narrow definition of development Tourism has become a moral, ethical issue

Sustainable development:: 

Sustainable development: ”development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland report, 1987) Agenda 21: (http://www.ecouncil.ac.cr/about/ftp/riodoc.htm) (http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/english/agenda21toc.htm)

Dimensions of sustainability:: 

Dimensions of sustainability: Economy Environment Culture

Citizen involvement: problem areas: 

Citizen involvement: problem areas More than one voice in the local population Minority as spokespersons for the whole population Politicians’ relations to local opinions and involvement Conflict reappears The position of the tourism industry Central politics – local problems Outside control

Slide12: 

Arnstein, Sherry R. (1969): ”A ladder of citizen Participation” real/symbolic/no influence Boon, Tove Ragnhild Enggrob (2003): ”Borgerinddragelse i det åbne land – hvorfor og hvordan?” degree of influence

Citizen controlDelegated power Citizen power/real influencePartnershipPlacation  Consultation Tokenism/Symbolic Influence InformingTherapy Nonparticipation/No InfluenceManipulation: 

Citizen control Delegated power Citizen power/real influence Partnership Placation Consultation Tokenism/Symbolic Influence Informing Therapy Nonparticipation/No Influence Manipulation

Reasons to involve the local community:(Based on Hall & McArthur, 1998): 

Reasons to involve the local community: (Based on Hall & McArthur, 1998) Skills and experiences in the population may contribute to creativity and innovation Conflict reduction Increased efficiency Safeguarding implementation Contribution to local sense of community Understanding of local culture and the importance of maintainance Growing confidence and trust in planners

Slide15: 

”Sustainable tourism, which entails the tourist activity itself and the attached infrastructure now and in the future, is the kind of tourism: which is carried out within the framework nature sets for its ability for recreation and future productivity of natural resources, (environmental) it recognises the contributions that the local population and the local community, customs, and ways of life add to the tourist experience, (sociocultural) that accepts that populations must have a fair share of the economic advantages, tourism gives, (economic) and that is guided by the wishes of local population and local community in the host area” (sociocultural) (own translation of definition by WWF, AKF nyt nb. 4, 1999)

Sustainable tourism should…: 

Sustainable tourism should… Minimize negative environmental, social and cultural impacts Generate greater economic benefits for local people and enhance the well being of host communities by improving working conditions and access to the industry Involve local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances Make positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and to the maintenance of the world's diversity Provide more enjoyable experiences for tourists through meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural and environmental issues Be culturally sensitive and engender respect between tourists and hosts (worldsurface.com, sep. 25 2006)

Case Work:: 

Case Work: which kind of tourists/travellers would this guide be relevant for, i.e. who could one expect to follow this guide? how would the guide affect the cultural encounter on the destination, i.e. if it is followed? what do you think of this as an initiative for promoting sustainable tourism? From a political perspective, what do you find the most important in order to promote sustainable tourism?

Student presentation: Mona: 

Student presentation: Mona