Sustainable tourism
In Vanuatu
It is important because it helps the economic growth of the county, also ‘paying tourists’ will help provide funds for natural disaster repair. Unfortunately, when a Natural disaster strikes, it can take out some of the essentials for tourism in the country. (E.g. destroyed hotels/resorts and attractions.) One of Vanuatu’s biggest challenges is how to handle the sharp decline in tourism. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that in 2013 tourism’s total contribution to GDP (including wider effects) was 64.8%, generating 55.4% of total employment. If there is more tourists, the GDP may increase and help the economy.
Why is sustainable tourism important to Vanuatu?
If tourism is to be sustainable then the impacts on local people, the economy and the environment need to be balanced. To achieve this there needs to be cooperation between different interest groups.
Possible strategies to achieve sustainable tourism could be:
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Restricting the number of cars and visitors - although this would have an impact on income from tourism.
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Fundraising to repair damage done to the natural environment and footpaths.
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Education of local people and tourists about sustainable tourism.
The government and the people of Vanuatu are now more conscious of some of the environmental and social issues that tourism brings and how best to manage them. This is good for Vanuatu because it means that the impacts of tourism such as careless rubbish disposal, serious harm to eco-systems, economic development and the building of local communities are being dealt with in a way that will mean the country stays sustainable.
how can tourism be made more sustainable, and add value to vanuatu?
The benefits of tourism to an area or country will nearly always outweigh the costs if the resources and area are carefully managed. Tourism will bring improved benefits to the local environment and economy as well as culturally and socially, however there are many risks and negative effects that can also arise from tourism without careful management. But, although tourism appears to give a lot to the local economy a large amount of the money can leak out of the economy back into international companies, i.e. hotels and flights. Proceeds received from tourists can be reinvested in improving otherwise poorly funded infrastructure, both in areas visited and in the rest of the country too.