Sustainable Tourism Planning/
Social Aspects
Jan. 31 2007

Scope
Environmental  - biophysical
                            - Òplan with natureÓ
Economic         - developers
                            - economy (nat. & local)
                            - host community
Social               - people
Political            - how decisions are made

Social
Needs - work
              - housing
              - services   - school
                                - health
                                - water & sewer/utilities
                                - recreation
              - transportation

Social (cont.)
Community structure
                     - social support system
Social capital
Social exclusion - deficient education
                              - migrants
                              - handicapped
                              - aged
                              - women

Tourism - benefits
Force for peace and understanding
                      - idea exchange
Strengthening communities
                      - jobs
                      - hospitality industry training
                      - reducing out migration
                      - spin-offs: arts, crafts, music,
                                 food, cooking
                      - stability

Benefits (cont.)
Facilities for tourists can benefit locals
                    - roads
                    - electricity
                    - means of transport
                    - health (eg better water, sewage treatment)
                    - sports and rec. facilities

Benefits (cont.)
Revaluation of the local culture
Local awareness and pride

Bad effects
ÒCommodificationÓ of the natives. (Fake
                        ethnic festivals etc.)
Crime:
             thievery, prostitution, drug dealing,
             pimping, begging, child abuse
Standardisation:
             ÒHiltonÓ ÒClub-MedÓ Òsanitized for your
              protectionÓ

Bads (cont.)
Loss of authenticity
Adaptation to tourist demands (? No. of
                        tourists; carrying capacity?)
Economic inequality (locals & tourists)
Pay inequality / job friction (local
                    employees and ex-pats)
Resource-use conflicts (eg beaches)

Bads (cont.)
Bad behaviour; no respect for locals
              - photography
              - dress code
              - eating and greeting habits
Disregard for local knowledge
              - biophysical (landforms, flora,
                                            (fauna)
              - customs, sacred places, special sites

Bads (cont.)
Proliferation of informal sector,
                   (if there is a promise of work)
                    - squatting, hawkers, beggars
And the worst:
                  - Procurement of all supplies and many
                   services (engineers, architects, building
                   materials, plumbing and electrical gear,
                   bedding, food, booze, geegaws)
                   from overseas.
                  - Coupled with overseas ownership of airlines, cruise-ships, and resorts themselves, means that most profits are repatriated to the ÒwestÓ.