Sustainable Tourism (DP IB Geography): Revision Note

Sustainable Tourism

• Sustainable tourism meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations

• Sustainable tourism needs to:

  • Maintain biodiversity

  • Involve local people in the development process

  • Respect local cultures, livelihoods and customs

  • Promote equity in the distribution of costs and benefits of tourism

  • Use resources sustainably

  • Reduce overconsumption and waste

  • Support local economies

  • Marketing tourism responsibly

  • Train staff to work sustainably

  • Ensure that visitors are carrying out sustainable practices

  • Maximising economic benefit whilst carrying out sustainable tourism

Ecotourism

• Ecotourism is often called green tourism

• To be ecotourism it must be sustainable

• It has been defined as:

“Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of local people, and involves interpretation and education”

(TIES, 2015)

• Ecotourism is growing rapidly with a market size of over US$374 billion a year

• It can take place in a variety of environments but is usually in areas that are remote with low population densities

• Related to tourism that protects and benefits local ecology, such as coral reefs, forest parks and lakes

• It is an important way for tourists to get first-hand experience in conservation

• Conservation must also allow for local people to make a profit from tourism

• There is also conflict between people who believe that tourists should have full access to tourist attractions and those who want to conserve the local landscape

• Ecotourists have also been called egotourists because they put little into the economy but want to go to off the beaten track

Case Study: Gambia

The Gambia - location

• The Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa

• It is 15 to 30 miles wide on either side of The Gambia River

• The Gambia extends almost 300 miles into the interior and is surrounded by Senegal

The Gambia - climate

• The country has a wet and dry tropical climate

  • Average temperatures in the dry season range from 18०C to 30०C

  • Average temperatures in the wet season range from 23०C to 33०C

  • Average annual rainfall is 1000mm in the south and 700mm in the north

The Gambia - population

• It is home to nine different indigenous groups

• Two-thirds of the population is under 30

• Predominantly a Muslim country

The Gambia - environment

• There are nearly 600 species of birds in the country

• The country is known for its small beaches along the Atlantic coastline

The Gambia - tourism 

• Tourism experienced a short decline after a military coup (takeover) in the 1990s but is now an important industry

• Tourism makes up 20% of The Gambia’s GDP

Footsteps an eco-lodge 

• Footsteps is an adult-only eco-lodge

• Located 45 minutes south of the main tourist area, close to the village of Gunjar

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Round houses at Footsteps Eco-Lodge

• The eco-lodge was built in 2002

  • A range of accommodations are available, including round houses and studio apartments

  • There is a 3-night minimum stay and the prices range from £35 to £90 a night

• Electricity to the accommodation is provided by solar energy

  • The eco-lodge provides 100% of its energy at the lodge

• Composting toilets ensure that sewage waste is recycled

• Water is supplied from tube wells and is stored in tanks

• Grey water (wastewater) from people’s rooms is filtered back to the gardens to irrigate the fruit and vegetables

• The eco-lodge aims to be plastic-free including no plastic straws available for drinks or plastic wrap being used to cover food

• The lodge works with local crafters who offer activities at the lodge

• Only local people are employed from the village

  • Each member of staff receives training, fair pay, and a pension

  • Offer small saving plans and a microloan system for staff meaning they can deal  with unexpected emergencies or plan for the future

• Food is sourced locally

  • Fruiting trees are planted around the accommodation to keep the rooms cool

  • No pesticides are used to grow fruits and vegetables