Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes

Tourism ecology: towards the responsible, sustainable tourism future

Lóránt Dávid
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WHATT
3,3 Tourism ecology: towards
the responsible, sustainable
tourism future
210
Lóránt Dávid
Department of Tourism and Regional Development, Károly Róbert College,
Gyöngyös, Hungary
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Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the purpose and development of
responsible and sustainable tourism. Moreover, to present a critique of existing approach taken and to
provide industry solutions towards key aspects, such as nature area tourism, eco-tourism, and rural
development/tourism.
Design/methodology/approach – In doing so, the paper will reconcile elements of responsible
tourism and ecology within destination management. Whilst within a context of the tourism industry,
the article will present a best practice approach for industry.
Findings – Sustainable and responsible rural tourism development is unachievable without the
application of ecological thinking. Consequently, tourism ecology naturally helps develop the tourism
of rural areas based on local natural, social and cultural resources. Nevertheless, it is also an
expectation that actors of the system, i.e. tourists must continue an active and responsibly sustainable
practice.
Practical implications – Sustenance of tourism is a double task: industry has to provide long-term
reservation and guarantee that entrepreneurs’ input of capital will return and at the same time,
improve their economic prospects. Sustainable tourism has to be endurable and economically
executable on the long term, but at the same time, it has to be socially and ethically fair in relation to
the host community.
Originality/value – This viewpoint presents an insight into tourism ecology from a variety of
disciplines to form a rational approach to contemporary sustainable tourism.
Keywords Responsible sustainable tourism, Tourism ecology, Rural tourism, Sustainable development,
Tourism, Tourism development, Ecology, Rural areas
Paper type Viewpoint

Introduction
Many efforts have already been made and several ideas have been promoted to solve the
problems in the development of socially and economically underprivileged, peripheral
areas. Most of the proposals suggest supporting rural tourism and its management
based on local natural, cultural, agrarian traditions and help them this way to catch up
with the more developed regions of the country. The current requirement for any
tourism strategy, policy or management process is that it should be “sustainable”.
Much has been written about the issue of sustainability and its relationship to tourism
Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism management and development. However, it is not always clear what that actual
Themes relationship is and whilst a number of methodologies profess to be sustainable there is
Vol. 3 No. 3, 2011
pp. 210-216 no clear statement as to how that can be achieved.
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited A number of methodologies have been put forward in an attempt to ensure that
1755-4217
DOI 10.1108/17554211111142176 tourism activity is carried out in a sustainable way. However, it is generally accepted,
 irrespective of the sustainability model used, that there are three key components Tourism ecology
or strands to sustainability: economic, social, and environmental. It is in working
towards a balance between the competing demands of all three components that
a move towards sustainability can be achieved. Destination management adherence to
an accepted process that encompasses the majority of the key components can be
considered to be sustainable. Nonetheless, the tourism industry has a significant
additional component to consider, that of the visitor to the region. Consequently, for 211
destination management to be perceived as sustainable it needs to address all the
economic, social, and environmental issues of that particular area and the visitor impact.
One can purport that a management framework that does not clearly address the
aforementioned components and/or promote these values towards the visitor and within
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the destination is unlikely to have sustainability as a core principle of leadership and

destination values.

From nature area tourism to ecotourism

Nature area tourism
Nature area tourism represents a very wide category of the alternative forms of
tourism (the ones that in many aspects differ from mass tourism). (Michalkó, 2004,
2007; Puczkó and Rátz, 2005). Nature area tourism includes all those tourists who left
home for the natural ambient/areas/environment. Ecotourism, ski running, sailing,
fishing, nature photography, animal and plant observation, hiking, and climbing are all
parts of nature area tourism. Nature area tourism is an idea wider than ecotourism
because it includes all the leisure activities taking place in the natural environment, but
at the same time, it is smaller in the sense that it is not necessarily value oriented, and it
does not concentrate on cognition of cultural values. Equally, environmental aspects
may also be less emphasised during the activities. The relationship of types of nature
area tourism (adventure tourism, nature-based tourism, wildlife observation tourism,
etc.) to sustainability is really important and of course, its relation to nature differs
from area to area (in the nature, connected to nature and for the nature).

Ecotourism
When understanding ecotourism, we have to consider four important aspects: small
groups (and system of personal services), basement on natural values, sustainable
control and criterions of education and definition. The popularization of ecotourism is
undeniably true as well.
By the end of the twentieth century, it became obvious that the direction tourism had
been heading for (and still is) and would cause the destruction of those natural elements
that form the basis of these tourist products. Negative effects deriving from motion,
staying, and different forms of leisure activities lead to pollution and quantitative
decrease of natural resources, to the endangerment of the unmolested and diverse
wildlife, and in many places to the destruction of natural landscapes. Finally, areas
once loved so much by tourists will lose and have lost their appeal. Thus, more and
more among the actors of one of the most dynamically developing economic sector
recognize the seriousness of the situation. Researches, intent on finding solutions, posit
that the basis for the long-term sustainable development of tourism is responsible
tourism (Weaver, 2003). Undisturbed landscape, diversity in wildlife and clean,
 WHATT unpolluted environment has become the most important factors of attraction for tourists
3,3 visiting a destination.
For example, as a result of this strengthening attitude of environmental
responsibility, the number and rate of attendance of the world’s natural parks
and other protected natural areas is constantly increasing. It is a widely spread intention
of nature reservationists to increase the classification of rural areas as national parks in
212 order to maintain them for themselves and the coming generations. Growing interest
and basic preservation functions if not well-defended may lead to a significant conflict
during maintenance and function of these parks. However, the creation of a kind of
symbiosis is unavoidable because the functioning of national parks has an important
role in laying down the basis for the social and economic changes that are necessary to
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maintain attitudes of environmental responsibility. Apart from its impact on natural

environment, tourism advocates also have to consider the positive and negative
effects national parks have on the population and community of the host territories.
Development of tourism may contribute considerably to the economic development of a
given area by creating economic opportunities. However, a counter process occurs when
its income is not reinvested into the surrounding area. Mass appearance of tourists may
disturb the everyday life of the local population; the encountering of different cultures
may become a source of misunderstandings and contrasts. Thus, the idea of sustainable
tourism requires the active contribution of the ones living on the designated area and
also to guarantee the community the advantages of the development.
As usage from the application of sustainable nature and rational landscape in protected
areas changes, the natural aspects of preservation has to be endorsed in accordance with
national standards. Nonetheless, adherence to strict national preservation orders may
impose restrictions that have a negative affect on the surrounding community and
existing area visitors. Given the possible restrictive sanctions upon the indigenous
communities, it is not surprising to see support for national part status fluctuate.
Therefore, it is understandable that if communities are not compensated in accordance
with the level of disruption, the ability to conserve future areas will only be resisted by
antagonised community stakeholders. Subsequently, any attempt at conservation is made
impassable.
Ecotourism may provide a possible yet complex resolution for the managers of
protected areas, so that, they could control tourist circulation and apart from the
establishments of conservation, local communities could also profit from the advantages
of tourist developments (Weaver, 2003; Dávid et al., 2007).

From sustainable to responsible tourism

Sustainability in tourism
Sustainability of tourism is complex: one has to ensure the long-term preservation of
charm and guarantee that those who invest in tourism will see their return on capital and
growth in their firm’s results. Sustainable tourism, on the long run, has to be ecologically
durable, economically executable, but also socially and ethically fair in relation to
the local population. Sustainable tourism development satisfies the necessities of
present day tourists and hosting areas, furthermore protects and expands any future
possibilities. According to the concepts, it will make possible the managing of
resources in a way that humanity may satisfy its economic, social and aesthetic needs,
it may preserve basic ecological movements, biological diversity, life-sustaining
 systems and the cultural integrity of different nations and ethnic groups at the same Tourism ecology
time. The connection among tourists, hosting communities, enterprises, attractions, and
nature is complex, interactive and symbiotic at the same time.
Tourism development may be considered sustainable, if it makes possible the
renewal of natural resources by taking also into consideration the capacities of the
natural environment of a given destination. Moreover, that the management of
destinations recognizes that local communities, habits, and lifestyles are important 213
segments of tourist products and that the local population has to benefit proportionally
from the positive economic effects of tourism. Sustainable tourism development should
respect tourism development-related interests and desires of the population of the
hosting area. The concept of sustainability includes also that the tourism sector itself is
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sustainable towards the given area. For example, the pace of its development does not
imply unfavourable social or physical changes thus it is still acceptable for the
destination to consider tourism as an economic activity. Equally, the balance is to
ensure tourism does not displace other economic activities that are also competing for
the natural resources within the destination.
Sustainable tourism highlights an increase or development that does not exploit
natural and constructed environment, but preserves the culture, inheritance and artistic
values of the local community Principles of sustainable tourism development are related
to the continuous and future utilization of the natural, historical, and cultural resources
of tourism and that these have to be preserved in a manner so that they benefit present
societies as well. It is extremely important for the sector itself as it depends on tourist
attractions, and activities that are connected to natural environment, historical and
cultural heritage of the given area. Were these things be destroyed or not emphasised
properly tourism could not prosper. No serious environmental or socio-economic
problems should be caused as a result of tourism development within a destination.
Decreasing energy consumption or waste production and sustaining biodiversity
could help tourism managers and policy makers achieving this goal. The general
environmental quality of the tourist areas has to be sustained or where possible
developed. Most of the tourists prefer to visit places that are spectacular, clean and not
polluted. For the maintenance or development of proper conditions, local management
may ensure support and investment in resources. High level of environmental quality is
also important for local population. Similarly, the satisfaction level of visiting tourists
has to be maintained in a way that tourist destinations can keep their popularity and
market value. If not realised destinations may reduce keep their market and not stay as a
viable destination. This can be realised by reinvesting profit derived from tourism into
the whole society.
Finally, Dávid et al. (2007) suggest that apart from the aforementioned values,
practitioners must also have to take into consideration and realise the:
.
integration of tourism into planning;
.
support of local economy;
.
involvement local communities;
.
communication between shareholders and community;
.
involvement of local population in planning;
.
training and develop of skills within local human resources;
 WHATT .
responsible tourist marketing; and
3,3 . development of tourism policy as an organic part of the general politics of local
society.

Responsibility in tourism
Responsibilities in the multi-actor tourism industry are divided so that the different
214 “resource owners” are responsible for different segments. It makes the formation of
guideline development, the maintenance of reliable quality level and the well-balanced
communication much more difficult. Given the importance of responsible tourism,
institutions were formed with the intention to resolve elements of issues found within the
tourism sector (they are commonly referred as offices or tourism management
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organisations, however, there are several other names to them) (Dávid et al., 2007).
Cooperating with different partners, they have to work on the task of developing
responsible tourism, so that, life quality would develop as well.

Responsible and sustainable tourism development

Because of the complexity of tourist motivating factors, it is clear that visitors arriving to
given destinations have different behaviour or attitude towards that area (Spenceley,
2008). It would be ideal if tourists could participate in environmental protection
whilst maintaining tourism behaviours within a destination. Thus, the interaction of the
tourist will attain the desired outcomes for both tourism ecology and the tourism
economy (responsible sustainable tourism). Recently, it is still a vision, but one must not
disregard the emergent practices that industry professionals are trying out within
different sectors of the industry such as environmental excursions, waste-collecting
excursions and ethical code of tourism.

Importance of the justification and nature of tourism ecology

Several authors of international specialized literature have publications on the
relationship of ecology and tourism (Tyler and Dangerfield, 1999; Grgona, 2005).
Proceeding with their ideas and suggestions and taking elemental thesis of ecology and
scientific approach of landscape ecology and settlement ecology as a basis, the phrase
of tourism ecology could be introduced. The basis, correlations and investigational
territories of tourism ecology are shown in Figure 1. Thus, tourism ecology is a tourism
development theory and practice that naturally makes possible the efficient
development of rural areas building upon natural and socio-cultural resources.

Rural development, rural tourism, tourism ecology

In this interpretation, rural tourism is not a concrete form of tourism, but a set of sorts
and categories of tourism. It provides the entirety of rural experience and means the
adequately structured, natural, and tradition-based diverse supply of unique and
general elements can be considered. Tourism forms and categories that partly or entirely
take part in rural-like services in the rural environment and rural-like host capacity
either as a complex product or product element can equally be found (Fehér and Kóródi,
2007). For an easier overview of this approach, Figure 2 shows the major findings.
The tourism ecology linkage is obvious: in the case of each form of tourism a close
relation to natural and built environment is observable and that provides a basis for
responsible sustainable rural tourism development.
 Tourism ecology

gy
lo

H
co

um
ee

an
ap
sc

ec
nd

ol
og
La
Nature-based Wildlife

y
tourism Ecotourism
215
Tourism
ecology
Rural Natural
heritage heritage
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Cultural and
heritage tourism

Figure 1.
Settlement ecology Relationship of tourism
ecology
Source: Dávid (2009)

Rural tourism

Rural lifestyle tourism Rural cultural and Rural active tourism

Rural health tourism
heritage tourism
- Village lodging – Hunting tourism
- Village tourism – Rural castle – Rural medical tourism – Fishing tourism
(recreation, leisure) tourism (water, air, herbs)
– Rural cultural and – Cycle tourism
- Farm tourism – Rural thermal tourism – Horse tourism
heritage tourism
- Experiencing farming – Crafts tourism – Wellness – Water tourism
(crop production, – Ecclesiastical and – Biotourism – Adventure tourism
animal husbandry, religious tourism – Other rural sports tourism
forestry) – Pilgrim tourism (folk games and sports)
– Ski tourism
(in rural environment)
– Golf tourism
(in rural environment)

Rural culinary tourism Rural agrotourism Rural nature tourism

- Gastro tourism - Agro-event tourism - Hiking (green tourism)
- Wine tourism (festivals)
- Agro-conference tourism, - Collection of plants
- Wine routes: - Observation of animals
fairs and exhibitions
- Open - Agro thematic routes - Geotourism
- Thematic - Agro theme parks - Ecotourism
- Classic - Rural shopping tourism - Forest schools
(agro-products)
- Rural souvenir tourism Figure 2.
(local product types) Classification of rural
tourism
Source: Dávid et al. (2007)
 WHATT References
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Michalkó, G. (2004), A turizmuselmélet alapjai, Kodolányi János Főiskola, Székesfehérvár, p. 218.
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Spenceley, A. (Ed.) (2008), Responsible Tourism – Critical Issues for Conservation and
Development, Earthscan, London, p. 432.
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available at: www.kvvm.hu

Further reading
Dávid, L. (szerk.)., Jancsik, A. and Rátz, T. (2007), Turisztikai erőforrások – A természeti és
kulturális erőforrások turisztikai hasznosı́tása, Budapesti Gazdasági Főiskola –
GLOBUS-Globális BSc az üzleti képzésben, országos szintŰ felsőfokú alapképzés
megteremtése az üzleti alapszakokon, Budapest, p. 289.
Inskeep, E. (2000), A fenntartható turizmus fejlesztése – Irányelvek a turizmus tervezőinek és
szervezőinek, Geomédia szakkönyvek, Piac és elemzés, Budapest, p. 185.
Newsome, D., Moore, S.A. and Dowling, R.K. (2002), Natural Area Tourism: Ecology, Impacts and
Management, Channel View Publications, Clevedon, p. 340.

Corresponding author
Lóránt Dávid can be contacted at: [email protected]

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