Ask many questions, and give one appropriate answer

When discussing sustainability there are a series of questions that must be asked. The right questions help planners not only quantify the carrying capacity of a destination, but also the ideal point of balance (see https://sustainableexperience.blogspot.com/2020/07/re-calling-forth-sustainable-tourism-ii.html) .

Many aspects have to be scrutinized: whether local life and culture are altered so that long-term integrity cannot be guaranteed, and that question stretches to the to the physical environment and the ecosystem.

Furthermore, the labor market that has developed in the tourist destination must be assessed, and therefore whether employment has been created and what type of employment, e.g. if tourism is just creating low-wage, seasonal jobs.

In order for the approach to be holistic, questions should be asked about the role played not only by those who immediately profit from tourism, but also to all stakeholders potentially involved in promoting and regulating it, e.g. the government, the local administration. The public, the private sector, the world of marketing and communication: to what extent is a synergy between these actors enabling a sustainable growth?

And further widening an inquisitive gaze: how is the growth of the tourism sector impacting other economic sectors of a specific destination? For example: is tourism hampering the creation of a more differentiated economic environment? Is the attractiveness to tourism jobs depriving of human resources other professional sectors? Is it necessary to take counter-measures? Such measured could be beneficial for tourism as well. Let’s say craft and agricultural professions abandonments are taking place because young professionals are attracted to jobs in tourism. Encourage them to preserve traditional occupations might prove to be in long terms in investment for local attractions. Definitely, this would be beneficial to tourism.

Pertinent questions are those that allow to define and circumscribe a problem, to break it down and to help hypothesize an answer.

One of the key questions is the one I shortly referred to at the beginning of this brief post: the carrying capacity. How many tourists should a destination have for be the tourism sustainable for all the parties involved? And how should the tourists be scattered on the territory? How should accesses be regulated to specific attractions?

Some areas, should enjoy a special protection and regulamentation: monuments, eco-treks, economic-social and/or ecological realities, holy shrines etc. These might require to be closed, with a limited or regulated access, and their economic sustainability should be guaranteed as well.

Some tourist attractions are created as such. Others assume later in their history a tourist use. And this open the dilemma about accesses, reservations, and fees. For natural treks this is particularly true.

The tourist use bestows additional costs for preservation and requalification of many attractions, including natural ones. And who’s going to pay for it? 

Each option is open. The debate is planetary and there are examples to be inspired by, from natural parks to sacred architectures. Various sites and various destinations have opted for different models and it is not necessary to start from scratch.

It is true that each destination has peculiarities and there is not a one fits all solution. So when asking how to manage it, many other secondary questions to be asked.

But there is one answer that fits all questions: tourists are to be included as actors in any strategy chosen. Whatever the strategies adopted are, they must be conveyed, through an inclusive communication campaign.

Visitors must always be involved and made aware of tourism policies in a destination. They are not only a marketing target; they will be agents in the territory albeit temporarily.

It is appropriate and necessary that tourists are informed agents and that they have been instructed on how their participation is understood and on how they integrate into the tourism policies of the destination.

For sports tourism, they have to be carefully instructed about how their interaction with natural resources will be considered sustainable. Therefore, knowledge is required.

The questions here are: what do our sportspersons know about our territory? What do they need to know to behave appropriately? Are we supplying them with all the information required? How can we share our knowledge in a way that will be interesting for them, and become part of their experience here?

One good example of a successful implementation strategy to achieve this goal is what was done in Finale Ligure on the occasion of the Wembo MTB competition. Before the race riders were taken along the racing treks and a local nature photographer and guide, member of the WWF, guided them. Racers were explained what the natural plants and endogenous species are, and as a result they not only enjoy more the stay and the landscape, but were more aware of their impact and on the desirable behavior in a given piece of territory.

Knowing means be in the condition of understanding. 

Understanding means be in the condition of taking the right steps, sometimes not only figuratively.