Sustainable tourism as a priority in the sustainable development strategy. Principles of sustainable tourism development Sustainable tourism
Our compatriot started the conceptual foundations of sustainable development. IN AND. Vernadsky, who considered the theory of sustainable development as a doctrine of the noosphere - “the stage of evolution of the biosphere. The Earth, on which, as a result of those victories of the collective human mind, the harmonious development of both man as an individual, and a united society, and, accordingly, the environment changed by man, will begin” An important role played a role in the development and implementation of the concept of sustainable development. Conference. UN c. Rio de Janeiro (1992), which adopted the "Agenda for the 21st Century", etc. The Johannesburg Summit took place in 2002. PA. R. Documents ratified at the international level have defined sustainable development (Sustainable Development - English) as the socio-ecological and economic development of the modern generation, which does not threaten the activities of their future generations. Unfortunately, the answer to the question “how can processes be made permanent and so that they continue forever?” th or balanced) development. In general, the process of transition to sustainable development can be considered as a movement from a certain state of instability to a certain ideal, which is called “sustainable development” (Fig. 31). The inability to reconcile the development of humanity and the idea of what it should be is due to the fact that: 1) ideal values are an abstraction that is used in all sciences as one of the methodological approaches for research, but is not observed in everyday life, 2) does not yet have clear parameters for measuring “ideal sustainable development”, therefore, the existing “gap” of instability cannot be determined or calculated, 8) the development of humanity will certainly lead to changes in technology, level, living conditions and other components of development, will change the idea of sustainable development; 4) the development of mankind has a significant impact on the natural environment, 5) many of these changes are irreversible and cannot be predicted, which also causes the emergence of a gap between real development and its desired state; the gap between the real development and its desired state is to blame.
Fig 31 . The trajectory towards sustainable development
When considering the possibilities of implementing the postulates of sustainable development, they talk about the parameters for achieving sustainability, but sometimes it is easier to identify and determine the indicators of the “unsustainability” of the situation1. If we assume that processes are considered unsteady when they reduce the environmental, social and productive resources on which the processes at the selected level directly depend, then this will be primary instability; if processes at other levels depend on them - secondary instability (Fig. 32 (Fig. 3.2).
Fig 32 . Levels of unsustainable development
She defined the concept of “sustainable tourism development” and its basic principles. World Tourism Organization in the late 1980s
In the process of considering a holistic approach to tourism development (from the English whole - whole), the needs of other industries should be taken into account, ensuring their interconnection and interdependence. Despite the rather long development of this concept, researchers have not come to a consensus on the definition of sustainable tourism. Today the most common of them are:
1) sustainable development of tourism is all forms of development and management of tourism that do not contradict the natural, social, economic unity and well-being of established societies in an indefinite period (World Federation of Natural and National Parks, 1992)
2) sustainable development of tourism is ensured within the limits of environmental sustainability, allows for the effective restoration of the productivity of natural resources, and takes into account the contribution of local communities to tourists’ recreation; re-equalizing the rights of the local population to the economic benefits of tourism; puts the wishes and needs of the receptive side first (Tourist Concern
3) sustainable development of tourism allows modern inhabitants of the planet to satisfy their own needs for rest and recreation without the threat of loss of this opportunity by future generations (UNDP, Production and consumption branch, 1998.
According to the “Order of the Day for the 21st Century,” the principles of sustainable tourism development are as follows:
1) promoting a full and healthy lifestyle of a person in harmony with nature;
2) contribution to the conservation, protection and restoration of ecosystems. Earth;
3) development and application of sustainable production and consumption patterns as a basis for travel and tourism;
4) cooperation of peoples in the field of an open economic system;
5) abolition of protectionist tendencies in the provision of tourism services;
6) mandatory environmental protection as an integral component of the tourism development process, respect for relevant laws;
7) participation of citizens of the country in solving problems related to the development of tourism, including those directly affecting them;
8) ensuring the local nature of decision-making on planning tourism activities;
9) exchange of experience and introduction of effective tourism technologies;
10) taking into account the interests of the local population
At the present stage, the essence of sustainable development of tourism is considered as the most important factor in the sustainable development of society as a whole. This position is clearly stated in. Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, adopted. STO in 1999. It proclaims the obligations of all participants in the tourism process to preserve the natural environment for the purpose of sustainable and balanced development. An important place belongs to the role of central, regional and local authorities, which should support the most environmentally friendly forms of tourism. In order to change the negative impact of large tourist flows, measures should be taken to distribute tourists and visitors evenly, thus reducing the effect of the seasonality factor. Planning of new tourist infrastructure facilities must be carried out taking into account the locality, ensuring the preservation of the habitual way of life of the population. Sustainable development of territories attracted for tourism activities is ensured by creating tourism infrastructure facilities, organizing new jobs, and attracting the local population to new activities in the field of tourism services. As a result, the standard of living of residents of peripheral regions increases. Gion, they are being consolidated in the historical territory of residence. The environmental nature of tourism lies in the obligation to preserve the biodiversity of recreational areas and centers. For this purpose, environmental technologies, practical developments, and recommendations of fundamental and applied sciences are used. Schemes for financing and lending environmental activities within their boundaries are also important in the protection and restoration of recreational areas.
A significant role in this context is played by the formation of an ecological worldview of both the population of recreational regions and tourists. First, realize the recreational attractiveness of the natural landscape, its ecological and aesthetic value, which can bring economic benefits, and therefore the need for protection and careful treatment of recreational resources, the understanding of the local population that the predatory use of resources will lead to circumstances where their territory will remain for outside the scope of recreational use, can be a significant incentive for careful and rational use of resources. Regarding tourists, they should also understand the need to accept the rules that nature dictates, that is, to comply with resource restrictions. This means ensuring an appropriate level of awareness of the conditions of stay. Tourists are required to: agree to give in to a certain amount of their comfort; preference for products produced in this region; interest and respect for local habits, traditions and accepted ways of life; agreement to use public transport only; enthusiasm for active environmental protection, minimizing the negative consequences of recreational activities, increasing the time spent on repairs by reducing the frequency of travel. So, for the sustainable development of tourism, all recreational resources are used and directed in such a way as to satisfy economic, social and aesthetic needs while preserving the cultural identity, ecological balance, biological diversity and life support systems of the recreation region.
Ukraine, although it has ratified international documents on environmental safety, does not have significant achievements in the field of practical application of the principles of sustainable development. In our opinion, first of all, it is necessary to apply the following measures to intensify work in this direction:
1) approval at the state level of provisions for sustainable development, in particular for tourism;
2) cooperation and exchange of experience with the international community on the theory and practice of sustainable development, adaptation of their methods and tools for Ukraine;
3) increasing the level of environmental consciousness of the population, disseminating information about the quality of the environment and methods of its protection;
4) economic and legal support for environmental activities;
5) stimulating environmental initiatives of the population by supporting non-governmental organizations
The conceptual foundations of sustainable development were founded by our compatriot V.I. Vernadsky, who considered the theory of sustainable development as a doctrine of the noosphere - “the stage of evolution of the Earth’s biosphere, at which, as a result of the victory of the collective human mind, the harmonious development of man as an individual, and of a united society, and, accordingly, of the environment modified by man, will begin.” An important role in the development and implementation of the concept of sustainable development was played by the UN Conference in Rio de Janeiro (1992), which adopted the “Agenda for the 21st Century,” and the Johannesburg Summit took place in 2002 in the PAR. Documents ratified at the international level have defined sustainable development as the socio-economic development of the current generation, which does not threaten the activities of future generations. Unfortunately, the answer to the question “how can processes be made permanent and so that they continue forever?” is not obvious and unambiguous, which is one of the main limitations of sustainable (or sustainable or balanced) development. In general, the process of transition to sustainable development can be considered as a movement from a certain state of instability to a certain ideal, which is called “sustainable development” (Fig. 3.1). The inability to reconcile the development of humanity and the idea of what it should be is due to the fact that: 1) ideal values are an abstraction that is used in all sciences as one of the methodological approaches for research, but is not observed in everyday life; 2) does not yet have clear parameters for measuring “ideal sustainable development”, therefore, the existing “gap” of instability cannot be determined or calculated; 8) the development of humanity will certainly lead to changes in technology, level, living conditions and other components of development, which will change the idea of sustainable development; 4) human development will continue to influence the natural environment; 5) many of these changes are irreversible and cannot be predicted, which also predetermines the emergence of a gap between actual development and its desired state.
Rice. 3.1. V
When considering the possibilities of implementing the postulates of sustainable development, they talk about the parameters for achieving sustainability, but sometimes it is easier to identify and determine the indicators of “instability” of the situation1. If we assume that processes are considered unsustainable when they reduce the environmental, social and productive resources on which the processes at the selected level directly depend, then this will be primary unsustainability; if processes at other levels depend on them - secondary inconstancy (Fig. 3.2).
Rice. 3.2. V
The concept of “sustainable tourism development” and its basic principles was defined by the World Tourism Organization in the late 1980s.
In the process of considering a holistic approach to tourism development (from the English whole - whole), it is worth taking into account the needs of other industries, ensuring their interconnection and interdependence. Despite the rather long period of development of this concept, researchers have not come to a common opinion regarding the definition of sustainable tourism. Today the most common of them are the following:
1) sustainable development of tourism - these are all forms of development and management of tourism that do not contradict the natural, social, economic unity and well-being of formed societies in an indefinite period (World Federation of Natural and National Parks, 1992);
2) sustainable development of tourism is ensured within the limits of environmental sustainability, making it possible to effectively restore the productivity of natural resources; takes into account the contribution of local communities to tourists' recreation; provides for equal rights of the local population to the economic benefits of tourism; puts the wishes and needs of the receptive side first (Tourist Concern & Wild World Fund, 1992);
3) sustainable development of tourism allows modern inhabitants of the planet to satisfy their own needs for rest and recreation without the threat of loss of this opportunity by future generations (UNDP, Production and consumption branch, 1998).
According to Agenda 21, the principles of sustainable tourism development are as follows:
1) promoting a full and healthy human life in harmony with nature;
2) contribution to the conservation, protection and restoration of the Earth's ecosystems;
3) development and application of sustainable production and consumption patterns as a basis for travel and tourism;
4) cooperation of peoples in the field of an open economic system;
5) abolition of protectionist tendencies in the provision of tourism services;
6) mandatory environmental protection as an integral component of the tourism development process, respect for relevant laws;
7) participation of citizens of the country in solving problems related to the development of tourism, including those that directly concern them;
8) ensuring the local nature of decision-making on planning tourism activities;
9) exchange of experience and introduction of the most effective tourism technologies;
10) taking into account the interests of the local population.
At the present stage, the essence of sustainable development of tourism is considered as the most important factor in the sustainable development of society as a whole. This provision is clearly stated in the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, adopted by the STO in 1999. It proclaims the obligation of all participants in the tourism process to preserve the natural environment for the purpose of sustainable and balanced development. An important role belongs to the role of central, regional and local authorities, which should support the most environmentally friendly forms of tourism. In order to change the negative impact of large tourist flows, measures should be taken to distribute tourists and visitors evenly, thus reducing the effect of the seasonality factor. Planning of new tourist infrastructure facilities must be carried out taking into account the characteristics of the area, ensuring the preservation of the habitual way of life of the population. Sustainable development of territories involved in tourism activities is ensured by creating tourism infrastructure facilities, organizing new jobs, and involving the local population in group activities in the field of tourism services. As a result of this, the living standards of residents of peripheral regions increase, and they are consolidated in the historical territory of residence. The environmental nature of tourism in return lies in the obligation to preserve the biodiversity of recreational areas and centers. For this purpose, environmental technologies, practical developments, and recommendations of fundamental and applied sciences are used. Schemes for financing and lending environmental activities within their boundaries are also important in the protection and restoration of recreational areas.
A significant role in this context is played by the formation of the ecological worldview of the population of recreational regions and tourists. First of all, realize the recreational attractiveness of the natural landscape, its ecological and aesthetic value, which can bring economic benefits, and therefore the need for protection and careful treatment of recreational resources. Understanding by the local population that the predatory use of resources will lead to the fact that their territory will remain outside the scope of recreational use can be a significant incentive for careful and rational use of resources. As for tourists, they should also understand the need to accept the rules that nature dictates, that is, to comply with resource restrictions. This means ensuring an appropriate level of awareness of the conditions of stay. Tourists are required to: agree to give up some of their comfort; providing advantages for products produced in a given region; interest and respect for local habits, traditions and accepted ways of life; agreement to use public transport only; enthusiasm for active environmental protection, minimizing the negative consequences of recreational activities; increasing the time spent on vacation by reducing the frequency of travel. So, according to sustainable tourism development, all recreational resources are used and directed in such a way as to satisfy economic, social and aesthetic needs while maintaining the cultural identity, ecological balance, biological diversity and life support systems of the holiday region.
Although Ukraine has ratified international documents on environmental safety, it does not have significant achievements in the field of practical application of the principles of sustainable development. In our opinion, first of all, it is necessary to apply the following measures to intensify work in this direction:
1) approval at the state level of the provisions of sustainable development, including tourism;
2) cooperation and exchange of experience with the international community on the theory and practice of sustainable development, adaptation of their methods and tools for Ukraine;
3) increasing the level of environmental consciousness of the population, disseminating information about the quality of the environment and methods of its protection;
4) economic and legal support for environmental activities;
5) stimulating environmental initiatives of the population by supporting non-governmental organizations.
The section outlines the basic concepts and concept of the transition of the Russian Federation to sustainable development, gives the definition, principles, organizational and regulatory legal basis for sustainable development of tourism, considers the concepts and content of “quality” and “safety” in the field of tourism, as necessary conditions for its sustainable development, an assessment of tourism development trends in the world and Russia is given and modern technologies and indicators for ensuring sustainable development are analyzed. Social tourism is considered as a significant factor in improving the health of the Russian population, an economic mechanism for the sustainable development of tourist destinations in accordance with the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the criteria for the sustainable development of tourist destinations.
The concept of sustainable development. Concept of the Russian Federation's transition to sustainable development
In the second half of the 20th century, the environmental crisis that was becoming a reality caused the growing concern of all mankind and international organizations about environmental problems and the recognition of the need for fundamental changes in the world community. Views on the development of civilization were radically revised. The development paradigm has changed from the indisputability of the idea of conquering nature, the infinity of natural resources and the possibility of quantitative growth, to the awareness of the existence of limits to growth, the irreplaceability of many lost natural benefits and the need to develop programs for the transition to the sustainable development of human civilization.
In 1968, Italian businessman and public figure Aurelio Peccei founded a non-governmental international organization called the Club of Rome, which united scientists, representatives of political and business circles from around the world. The club's focus was an attempt to answer questions about whether humanity could achieve a mature society that would wisely manage and manage its earthly environment wisely, and whether this new society could create a truly global, stable civilization.
At the end of the 60s of the 20th century, the Club of Rome set a goal to study the immediate and long-term consequences of large-scale decisions related to the development paths chosen by humanity. The publications and reports of scientists to the Club of Rome were stunning - they showed for the first time that humanity had reached the limits beyond which disaster awaited it if it maintained the existing trends in the development of scientific and technological progress.
In 1972, the first World Environment Conference was held in Stockholm, where a special UN organization on the environment (UNEP) was created.
In 1983, the United Nations (UN) created the World Commission on Environment and Development. In 1987, this commission published the report “Our Common Future”, where the term “sustainable development” was first used.
In philosophical terms, “sustainable development” meant human development that would meet the needs of the present generation of people and at the same time would not jeopardize the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
In a short time, this concept has become the most commonly used in the context of discussions about the future of civilization. There are many interpretations of the definition of sustainable development. Traditionally, following the Brundtland Commission, it is defined as development in which the vital needs of present generations are met without depriving future generations of this opportunity.
In 1992, the UN Conference on Environment and Development took place in Rio de Janeiro. The conference in Rio resulted in 5 documents.
- 1. Declaration on Environment and Development, defining the rights and responsibilities of countries in ensuring the development and well-being of people.
- 2. Agenda 21 - a program for the transition to development that is sustainable from a social, economic and environmental point of view.
- 3. Statement of principles concerning the management, conservation and sustainable use of all types of forests, which play an invaluable role in maintaining the ecological balance of the planet.
- 4. Convention on Biodiversity.
- 5. Framework Convention on Climate Change, the implementation of which requires a restructuring of socio-economic relations and technologies.
As a result of the actions taken, a theoretical basis for the transition of society to the path of sustainable development was created for the first time.
The basis of the concept of sustainable development is the need to harmonize the functioning of the supersystem nature-society. This involves changing the course of processes and properties of the components of the socio-economic subsystem in such a way that they do not disrupt the functioning of the natural subsystem and do not lead to irreversible changes in its components. Preserving the structure of the natural subsystem is important from the point of view of maintaining the comfort of the human environment and the ability to satisfy vital material and spiritual needs. Here, the interests of not only the survival and development of civilization coincide with the interests of environmental protection. The steps taken in this direction must correspond to the interests of the development of both subsystems. Since the leading condition for the transition to sustainable development is the adjustment of the social structure, research and consideration of social processes in the context of environmental problems are of particular importance.
The Declaration adopted at the UN Conference in Rio de Janeiro repeatedly emphasizes that the center of sustainable development is people, and its main task is to improve the quality of life, which includes increasing well-being, cultural development and ensuring a high quality environment. A fairly common figurative definition of sustainable development is development carried out at the expense of available capital, and not through the expenditure of capital itself. This provision is most often applicable to natural capital, which includes various natural resources and conditions, as well as the ability to renew them and preserve the quality of the environment, which is lost with changes in the natural subsystem. In addition to natural, there is the so-called artificial or produced capital - finance, fixed assets, consumer goods, etc. In traditional economics, this type of capital is taken into account almost exclusively as a measure of social development (GDP). Human capital includes the level of education, health, nutrition; social- organizational social structures, cultural accumulations, etc. Sustainable development implies a stable amount of capital of all types per capita. In addition, the problem of the interchangeability of capital and their quantitative assessment is of great importance. These areas have not yet been sufficiently studied.
Summing up the tenth anniversary of the Conference in Rio de Janeiro, the World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in Johannesburg from August 26 to September 4, 2002. The main result of the Summit was the adoption of two documents. “Political Declaration” and “Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development”. These documents do not carry such a fundamental load as Agenda 21, adopted in Rio, but they are the basis for the implementation of the principles proclaimed in it. The Johannesburg Summit reaffirmed that sustainable development remains central to the international agenda and provided new impetus to global action to fight poverty and protect the environment. As a result of the Summit, the understanding of sustainable development was expanded and strengthened, especially the importance of the relationship between poverty, the environment and the use of natural resources.
In 2012, an international conference was held under the auspices of the UN “RIO+20”. At the beginning of the 21st century, humanity found itself at a historical rift - during the period of change of world civilizations. The 200-year-old industrial civilization is experiencing a decline phase, which was marked by a cluster of global crises - energy-ecological and food, demographic and migration, technological and economic, geopolitical and socio-cultural. The 1992, 2000 and 2002 summits adopted a strategy for sustainable development. But it is increasingly clear that over 20 years, especially at the beginning of the 21st century, world development has become more unstable, chaotic, turbulent, bringing suffering to hundreds of millions of families. A significant part of the younger generation found themselves without a future. World leaders at the RIO+20 Conference were called upon to assess these dangerous trends and develop a strategy to overcome them. Despite a lot of work on the preparation and holding of the Conference on Sustainable Development “RIO+20”, these hopes were not justified. The extensive final document “RIO+20” (283 points) does not include a scientifically based long-term strategy or basic innovations that meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Since the Rio 92 Conference and the Johannesburg Summit, Russia has seen a sharp increase in scientific research and publications on sustainable development, which largely goes back to the ideas of noospheric development by V. I. Vernadsky.
The first state document on sustainable development adopted in Russia was the Presidential Decree “On the State Strategy of the Russian Federation for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development,” issued in 1994. Then, on April 1, 1996, it was approved by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 440 “The Concept of the Russian Federation’s Transition to Sustainable Development.” The concept was developed in pursuance of program documents adopted at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro, 1992).
The concept included the following sections.
- 1. Sustainable development is an objective requirement of the time.
- 2. Russia on the threshold of the 21st century.
- 3. Objectives, directions and conditions for the transition to sustainable development.
- 4. Regional aspect of sustainable development.
- 5. Decision-making criteria and indicators of sustainable development.
- 6. Russia and the transition to sustainable development of the world community.
- 7. Stages of Russia's transition to sustainable development.
In accordance with the Presidential Decree, the Government was instructed to take into account the provisions of the Concept when developing forecasts and programs for socio-economic development, preparing regulatory legal acts, and making decisions.
Ideas of sustainable development meet the objective requirements of the time and can decisively influence the future of Russia, play an important role in determining state priorities, strategies for socio-economic development and prospects for further reform of the country. The new strategy for the development of civilization has already determined the position of the world community - to unite efforts in the name of the survival of mankind, continuous development and preservation of the biosphere. Russia, having signed the documents of the UN Conference, has taken on serious obligations to implement the program of global cooperation adopted by consensus.
In the transition to sustainable development, Russia has a number of features (primarily high intellectual potential and the presence of territories little affected by economic activity, constituting more than 60% of the entire territory of the country), thanks to which it can play the role of a leader in the transition to a new civilizational development model . At present, it is important to get out of the systemic crisis, to find a relatively stable and safe state, from which the transition to a sustainable development path can be started in the least painful way.
The specificity of Russia's transition to sustainable development, in addition to what was said above about the need for its noospheric orientation, is due to the fact that this transition, on a historical time scale, coincides with the transition to market relations and democracy. It is important that further reforms and government decisions are guided by the country’s sustainable development strategy. The future of our country is connected with the formation of a post-industrial society - the main path along which all humanity, including Russia, follows. Essentially this means that our country must reorient its development strategy in accordance with the needs of post-industrial modernization, which implies:
- ? changing the structure of the economy, reorienting the economy towards modern knowledge-intensive industries, as well as towards areas of production related to meeting people’s needs;
- ? the creation of a market, that is, competitive, anti-monopoly economic mechanism that would encourage an enterprise to introduce new scientific and technical ideas into production, to make a profit by reducing costs, and not by monopoly inflating prices or promoting inflation;
- ? formation of a personal and social model of resource-saving consumption that contributes to the development of modern man;
- ? the turn of the entire society and state policy towards culture, the development of education, the retraining of people in new professions, the creation in society of an atmosphere in which the majority of people would have their own need to learn, mastering new specialties;
- ? the development of personal and collective initiative, the formation of a new type of worker capable of self-organization and self-discipline, a change in the type of thinking of the most active people who are capable of becoming subjects of post-industrial modernization, which requires the development of democracy, including economic democracy.
Russia has good starting conditions for progress in the post-industrial direction. Its territory contains 58% of the world's coal reserves, 58% of oil reserves, 41% of iron ore, 25% of forests, etc. Over the past 100 years, the country has achieved a high degree of development of the industrial method of production. And now, after about 200 thousand scientists left the country, Russia has 12% of the world’s scientists, a third of whom are under the age of 40.
The universal guidelines for sustainable development are the same, but each people, each country goes their own way towards them, increasingly subordinating their lives to agreed upon norms and forms of global coexistence of people. Such is Russia’s path to its noospheric future, such is its road to a post-industrial society.
- Yakovets Yu. Prospects for the development of modern civilization (to the results of the “Rio+20” conference) electronic scientific publication “sustainable innovative development: design and management” www.rypravlenie.ru volume 8 No. 3 (16), 2012, art. 2.
The relationship between ecotourism and other types of tourism
When Hector Ceballos-Lascurain coined the term “ecotourism” in 1983, there were (and still are) more than 30 more or less related and interrelated concepts and terms. Here are a few of the most famous of them.
Nature tourism
(nature tourism, nature-based or nature-oriented tourism) - any type of tourism that directly depends on the use of natural resources in their relatively unmodified state, including landscapes, relief, waters, vegetation and wildlife (Healy, 1998). Unlike ecological tourism, the concept of “nature tourism” is based only on the motivation of tourists (recreation in the wild, getting to know it) and the nature of their activities (rafting, trekking, etc.) and does not take into account the environmental, cultural and economic impact of such travel. Therefore, the use of natural resources in this type of tourism is not always reasonable and sustainable (it is enough to mention such types as hunting, traveling on motor boats, etc.).
Ecotourism is a more comprehensive concept that involves the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity for future generations, planning and management of tourism activities; in addition to the interests of tourists, it involves the achievement of public goals (Ziffer, 1989). An integral component of ecotourism is interaction with the local population, creating more favorable economic conditions in the visited areas.
Thus, the difference between tour operators offering “traditional” nature tours and organizers of environmental tours becomes clear. The former make no commitment to conservation or management of natural areas, they simply offer clients the opportunity to visit exotic places and experience indigenous cultures “before they disappear.” The latter establish partnerships with protected areas and local residents. They are committed to ensuring that their business makes a real contribution to wildlife conservation and the development of local communities in the long term. They try to improve mutual understanding between tourists and local residents (Wallace, 1992).
As a type of nature tourism, they sometimes distinguish biotourism
(wildlife tourism) and travel into the wild
(wilderness travel), the purpose of which can be any objects of living nature, from individual species to communities and biocenoses.
Nature tourism is not a concept, but specific types of tourism, the impact of which can be very different
* Ecotourism is often associated with adventure tourism (adventure tourism). However, ecotourism does not always involve an adventure component. On the other hand, not all adventure tours meet environmental criteria, especially in terms of sustainable use of resources. Thus, for example, sports and safari tours that involve the extraction of live trophies or achieving a sporting result at any cost, for example, the use of cut down live trees for the construction of crossings can be anti-ecological
Green rural tourism
, or agritourism
(agrotourism), especially popular in the USA and Western European countries, is recreation in rural areas (villages, farmsteads, comfortable peasant houses). Tourists for some time lead a rural lifestyle among nature, get acquainted with the values of folk culture, applied arts, national songs and dances, local customs, take part in traditional rural work, folk holidays and festivals.
* Green tourism
(green tourism) implies the use of environmentally friendly methods and technologies in the tourism industry. In German-speaking countries, the adjective “ecological” is used very rarely, and is practically not used in definitions of “green” tourism industries. The term most widely used there "soft tourism"
(“Sanfter Tourismus”), or “environmentally and socially responsible tourism”. This term, as an alternative to industrialized mass tourism, was proposed in 1980 by R. Jungk. Typically, soft tourism is contrasted with hard tourism, the main goal of which is to maximize profits, according to key principles indicating that soft tourism prioritizes not only successful business, but also concern for the cultural well-being of tourist regions, the gentle use and reproduction of their resources, and minimizing damage to the environment environment.
Comparison of the features of “soft” and “hard” tourism according to R. Jungk
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9.5. Principles of sustainable tourism development
Scientific, technological and socio-economic progress has led to the accelerated development of tourism. Because of this, serious problems in the field of ecology, culture and social development have arisen in places heavily visited by tourists. Uncontrolled growth of tourism, driven by the desire to make a quick profit, often leads to negative consequences - damage to the environment and local communities. This forces humanity to take care of the preservation of natural, historical and cultural values. The principles of biosphere protection on a global scale were enshrined in 1992 by the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, which was attended by delegations of governments from 179 countries, numerous international and non-governmental organizations. At the conference, the program document "Agenda 21" ("Agenda 21") was approved and the Declaration on Environment and Development was adopted.
The adoption of this document marked the beginning of the introduction of a radical innovation in the field of tourism - the principle of sustainable tourism development, which was proposed by the UNWTO. This radical innovation forces tourism workers and tourists to change their views on tourism and the relationships between its participants.
In 1995, Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism Industry was developed jointly by the World Tourism Organization, the World Travel and Tourism Council and the Earth Council.
This paper examines the strategic and economic importance of tourism, citing numerous reports of tourism overload, some resorts losing their former glory, the destruction of local culture, transport problems and growing local resistance to the influx of tourists.
The document outlined a specific program of action for government departments, national tourism administrations (NTAs), industry organizations and tourism companies for the sustainable development of tourism. The following priority areas of activity have been identified for government departments:
Assessing the current regulatory, economic and voluntary framework from a sustainable tourism perspective;
- assessment of the economic, social, cultural and environmental activities of the national organization;
- training, education and public education; sustainable tourism planning;
- promoting the exchange of information, experience and technology; ensuring the participation of all public sectors in the development of sustainable tourism;
- development of new tourism products; cooperation for the development of sustainable tourism.
The tasks of tourism companies are to develop and determine areas of activity for the development of sustainable tourism. Priority areas of activity should be the preservation and restoration of the environment: reducing waste to a minimum; involving staff, clients and the public in solving environmental issues. Consideration of economic, social, cultural and environmental criteria should be an integral part of all management decisions, including when introducing new elements into existing programs.
In 2004, the World Tourism Organization formulated the concept of sustainable tourism development (we quote):
"Norms and practices for managing sustainable tourism development can be applied to all types of tourism and to all types of destinations, including mass tourism and various niche tourism segments. The principles of sustainability relate to environmental protection, economic and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development and between these three aspects An appropriate balance must be struck to ensure the long-term sustainability of tourism. Thus, sustainable tourism must:
1) ensure the optimal use of environmental resources, which constitute a key element of tourism development, supporting basic ecological processes and helping to preserve natural heritage and biological diversity;
2) respect the unique socio-cultural characteristics of the host communities, preserving their inherent created and established cultural heritage and traditional customs, and contribute to mutual understanding of different cultures and tolerance of their perception;
3) ensure the viability of long-term economic processes, taking into account their benefits to all stakeholders who impart them impartially, including sustainable employment and income generation opportunities and social services for host communities and contribution to poverty reduction.
Sustainable tourism development requires competent participation from all relevant stakeholders and equally strong political leadership to ensure broad participation and consensus. Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process requiring continuous monitoring of environmental impacts, introducing appropriate preventive and/or corrective measures where necessary.
Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of satisfaction of tourists' needs by tapping into the multidimensional demands of tourists, increasing their awareness (awareness) of sustainable outcomes, and promoting sustainable tourism practices among them."
The main difference between the models of mass (traditional) and sustainable tourism (Table 9.1) is that part of the benefits received in the case of sustainable tourism development is directed to restoring the resource base and improving technologies for the production of services.
Table 9.1.
The main differences between sustainable tourism and mass (traditional) tourism
Comparison factors | Sustainable tourism | Mass (traditional) tourism |
Attracting tourists | The volumes of tourist services provided are consistent with the socio-economic and environmental capabilities of the territory, which determine the nature of tourism activities | Tourism activities are focused on a constant increase in tourist flows. The volume of provision of tourism services is limited only by the capacity of the material and technical base |
Tourist behavior | Visitors during their stay follow a certain pattern of behavior in accordance with the culture of the area visited. The behavior of visitors does not damage natural resources, traditions and customs of the local population | Visitors bring their lifestyle and behavior to the recreation area |
Attitude to nature | What is important for visitors is the very value of the existence of natural objects, and not their use value | The consumer attitude of visitors to natural objects dominates. Natural objects are assessed based on their usefulness to humans |
Visitor-local relations | Friendly, respectful relationships, the purpose of which is to learn a new culture | Formal relations. Visitors consider themselves hosts who must be served |
In 2000, well-known tour operators, together with UNEP (UN Environment Programme), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Commission (UNESCO) and the World Tourism Organization, created a voluntary non-profit partnership, the Tour Operators Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development (TOI), open for all new members. Participants in this partnership identify sustainability as the core of their business activities and work together to promote practices and practices that are compatible with sustainable development. They strive to prevent environmental pollution; preserve plants, animals, ecological systems, biological diversity; protect and preserve the landscape, cultural and natural heritage, respect the integrity of local cultures and avoid negative impacts on social structures; collaborate with local communities and peoples; use local products and the skills of local workers. In 2002, UNWTO, together with UNCTAD, developed the Sustainable Tourism for Poverty Eradication (ST-EP) programme.
Currently, a number of international programs are being implemented to introduce sustainable tourism. One of them is the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Program, which has the status of a code and has been adopted by most European countries, is being intensively developed in America, and is relevant for Russia. The purpose of this program is to take into account the specific socio-natural conditions of sea coasts when organizing life activities and managing coastal zones. The European Training Program for Integrated Coastal Zone Management is funded by the European Union.
The Government of the Republic of Belarus made a decision (No. 573 of May 30, 2005) on the creation of 27 tourist zones in the country, the creation in them of favorable conditions for economic development and attracting domestic and foreign investment in the tourism industry while preserving and rationally using the natural potential and historical -cultural heritage.
The International Social-Ecological Union (ISEU), created in Russia in 1998 and numbering more than 10 thousand people from 17 countries, in 2005 included in its program of activities the project “Development of sustainable tourism in the member countries of the ISA”. In July 2006, IUEC held a special session in Irkutsk dedicated to the development of sustainable tourism on Lake Baikal.
In 2005, a “Round table on tourism, environmental education and management of specially protected natural areas” was held, dedicated to the conservation of biological resources.
The Kaliningrad Region has adopted a Charter for the Development of Sustainable Tourism. It provides for the implementation of 15 pilot projects, including the restoration of the old postal route on the Curonian Spit, the revival of folk traditions and crafts on the Pineker estate, the organization of centers for the development of rural tourism in the Guryevsky and Nesterovsky districts on the basis of peasant farming, etc.
In November 2005, an international conference “Innovative Policy in the Sphere of Preservation of Cultural Heritage and Development of Cultural and Educational Tourism” was held in Moscow under the auspices of UNESCO. Participants discussed issues about the role of the state in creating an effective system of interaction between all stakeholders (state, business, society), in preserving world cultural heritage sites and developing cultural and educational tourism.
Recently, so-called non-traditional types of tourism have begun to develop - ecological, rural, extreme, adventure, socially responsible.
The philosophy of socially responsible tourism is to exchange cultural traditions, consolidate on the basis of national identity, getting to know the life of local residents, their morals and customs. It is important here that tourists behave like guests who have been kindly allowed to stay in the house, and not like owners who must be served by everyone around them. At the same time, local residents should not treat tourists as annoying uninvited guests whose presence must be tolerated; they should understand that visitors contribute to improving the economic and social situation in their homeland. The management scheme for socially responsible tourism is shown in Fig. 9.1.
Rice. 9.1. Socially Responsible Tourism Management Framework
Socially responsible tourism recognizes the dominant role of local communities and their social responsibility for their own territory.
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