Tourism Aird The Natural Envisonmerd Of he Commonwealth Carilbens, a ‘Most tourism products are based on the exploitation of the reglon’s natural resources. Some of these natural resources include forests, land, beaches, sea, landscapes, mangroves, and natural wonders like waterfalls and hot water springs. ity 5.14 How tourism exploits the region's natural resources Describe how each of the natural resources mentioned above Is used in tourism. The first one has been done for you as an example. [ RESOURCE USE Forest + nature tours; + _ products for souvenir craft items. Feedback RESOURCE USE Forest . nature tours; * products for souvenir craft items, Land . construction of hotels and resort areas; . development of golf courses. Beach . location of hotels and resort areas; * provision of recreation and leisure; ‘source of sand for hotel construction in some countries. Sea : ‘marine-based sporting activities; . 2 means for the disposal of hotel sewage; * a source of desalinated water to supplement the potable water supply. Landscape * provide panoramic views of natural scenery. Mangrove . nature tours. ‘Natural wonder . site attractions, 272Towriam Ard lhe Natural Environment Of Whe Commonwialth Caribbean ‘The survival of tourism depends on good quality natural resources. Unfortunately, tourism may diminish the quality of these very resources through overuse or misuse. @ Activity 5.15 How tourism activities misuse/abuse the natural environment Describe one way in which each of the following natural resource Is misused or abused by tourism activities: (i) forest __ (ii) land (ili) beaches __(iv) water bodies _(v) landscapes _(vi) mangroves Feedback RESOURCES EXAMPLES OF MISUSE/ABUSE Forest + Tourists remove rare species of flora and fauna. + The removal of trees to provide nature trails destabilizes the Soil and increases water run offand the likelihood of soil erasion and floods. Land + The use of agricultural land for the construction of hotels and resort areas disrupts eco-systems. + The heavy use of chemicals in the preparation of golf courses pollutes the soil and the water supply. The increased solid waste created by tourists leads to increased demand for land fills and adds to the pollution of the land. Beaches ‘+ Sand mining disrupts coastal eco-systems and causes beach erosion. + The construction of hotels and beach facilities too close to the beach increases the possibility of beach erosion. The dumping of waste material on the beach contributes to beach erosion. The dredging of harbours and the reclamation of land to build or extend harbours change tidal patterns and cause beach erosion. Water bodies + Coral reefs are damaged by: the anchors of pleasure boats and yachts; - divers and swimmers breaking off coral for souvenirs; hotels disposing of their sewage and the waste water from their kitchens in the sea; yachts dumping garbage into marinas. + Damage to coral reef: - upsets tidal patterns; upsets the ecological balance and may lead to the proliferation of certain harmful sea creatures; > causes beach erosion. The construction of hotels on or near the best beaches obstructs people's view of Landscapes + these beaches. ° The location of resorts on hills or elevated areas reduces the aesthetic appeal of these areas. © The construction of roads in hills to provide access to resort areas increases the Jikelihood of soil erosion due to increased run offs. Mangroves» The pollution of mangroves and swamps by sea water which is polluted with sewage from the hotels results in: ~ the destruction of breeding grounds for fish; the further pollution of the sea as there would be no tree roots to prevent the soil from being washed into the sea if the mangroves are destroyed. 273Tourism Ard The Nateral Environment Of Mhe Commorwealth Curibbens. ‘The activity shows that some tourism activities do have harmful effects on the natural environment, In the lesson entitled "Tourism and the Economy of the Commonwealth Caribbean” we learned that tourism provides many economic benefits for the region. If the region Is to continue to enjoy these. benefits it must preserve the quality of its natural environment, The region must promote the sustainable development of tourism. This means that governments and the people of the reglon should ensure that natural resources used for tourism are developed and used In a responsible manner so that they would be available for use by future generations. Activity 5.16 Reducing the damage t tourism activities Tourism organizations may produce brochures for tourists that provide Information on the importance of the coral reefs to the Caribbean islands. 1 Suggest three other ways in which tourism organizations may help to reduce some of the damage to the marine environment resulting from tourism activities. 2 Outline three policy measures which your government should adopt to ensure that tourism is developed in a sustainable manner. Feedback \ 1. Tourism organizations may help to reduce some of the damage to the marine environment resulting from tourism activities by: + lobbying government to construct a sewage treatment plant so that hotels may dispose of their sewage in an environmentally safe manner; ‘+ encouraging hoteliers to dispose of their sewage safely; for example, by connecting to the sewage system; asking government to enforce regulations against mining sand from the beaches; © recommending that government implement and enforce measures against illegal mining and dumping at sea; + marking off marine areas that need to be protected and provide patrols to prevent them from being abused; ‘+ preparing and distributing information to visitors and residents to educate them about the importance of reefs to the country; ‘* promoting and supporting national and community-based beach and underwater clean up campaigns. 2._Inorder to ensure that tourism is developed in a sustainable manner government should: * insist that environmental impact assessment studies be carried out for all tourism projects; continuously monitor the environmental impact of all tourism activities; * develop guidelines and standards for tourism developers in relation to: ~ how waste is generated and disposed of, - how water is used; - the management and protection of eco-tourism attractions. 274Touriton Ard The Natural Ervirormend Of Whe Commorwinlth, Caribbean ‘The activity shows that some of the environmental damage resulting from tourism may be controlled. ‘Some tourism activities encourage the conservation of the natural and man-made environments. For example, nature/eco-tourism encourages the: protection of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna; development and/or extension of national parks and botanical gardens; development of forest reserves. Organizations such as the Caribbean Conservation Association have been very instrumental in promoting the conservation of the region's natural environment and promoting the need for a healthy natural environment. © ‘activity 5.17 The importance of a healthy natural environment to tout Give three examples to show why a healthy natural environment is important to tourism. Feedback A healthy natural environment is important to tourism because: . clean beaches appeal to tourists who wish to relax in a healthy natural environment; undisturbed forest habitats will encourage the development of ecosystems which appeal to eco- tourists; healthy mangroves protect the marine environment by reducing the amount of soil arid other debris that Is washed into the sea; healthy mangroves attract eco-tourists because they serve as natural habitats for fish and certain species of birds which feed on them; reefs which are healthy provide a beautiful underwater attraction for tourists; . forests enhance the aesthetic appeal of the landscape for the visitors. Cultural/Heritage tourism helps to conserve the physical/man-made environment because it encourages the preservation of: * monuments; * local architecture; + historical and archaeological sites. National Trust organizations acquire and preserve buildings of historical, architectural or aesthetic value for heritage tourism. They also maintain monuments, historical and archaeological sites. Key Points To Remember . Tourism exploits the natural environment. . Tourism destroys the natural resources that sustain it either through overuse or misuse. . The sustainable development of tourism involves developing and using tourism resources in a responsible manner so that they will be available for use by future generations. * _ Nature/ eco-tourism encourages the preservation of the natural environment. © Cultural/Heritage tourism encourages the preservation of the physical/man-made environment. 275