Sustainable tourism (Cambridge International IGCSE Geography)

Specification link

This page covers section 9.3.4 of the CIE IGCSE specification .

• 9.3.4- An evaluation of the strategies and techniques used to sustainably manage tourism, at a range of scales.

Strategies to sustainably manage tourism

Spec point — An evaluation of the strategies and techniques used to sustainably manage tourism, at a range of scales

• Managing tourism sustainably is a complex, ongoing process

  • It requires collaboration, innovation, and constant monitoring to balance economic benefits with social well-being and environmental protection

• The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) defines sustainable tourism as follows:

blockquote Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.

• This means that sustainable tourism should:

  • Balance economic gain with social responsibility and environmental protection
  • Seek to preserve resources and cultures for future generations
  • Involve all stakeholders — not just governments and businesses but also individual tourists

International strategies

• International strategies are led by global organisations or through international cooperation

Examples:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site designation:

  • Sites receive funding and management guidance
  • Raises global awareness and encourages conservation

• International sustainable tourism guidelines (e.g. WTO’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism), such as setting standards for energy use, waste management, biodiversity protection

• Global eco-certification schemes (e.g. Green Globe, EarthCheck):

  • Provides a certification framework for service providers

National strategies

• National strategies are usually led by national governments or regional authorities

Examples:

• Visitor quotas: Limits on tourist numbers to avoid overcrowding (e.g. Bhutan’s “High Value, Low Impact” tourism policy)

• Protected areas and zoning:

  • National parks with restricted development
  • Buffer zones around fragile sites
  • Example: Costa Rica has banned tourism from certain ecologically sensitive areas

• Tourism taxation:

  • Tourist taxes fund local conservation and infrastructure
  • Example: Venice plans to charge an entrance fee to day-trippers

• Environmental legislation:

  • Laws to control pollution, waste and construction

• Promotion of alternative destinations:

  • Spreads tourist flows to reduce pressure on hotspots

Individual/local strategies

• These are implemented by communities, businesses, or individual tourists

Examples:

• Eco-friendly accommodation:

  • Solar power, rainwater harvesting, low-impact design
  • Example: Eco-resorts in Costa Rica

• Community-based tourism:

  • Locals run small-scale enterprises, keeping income within the community
  • Example: Homestay schemes in Nepal

• Tourist education:

  • Codes of conduct for behaviour in sensitive areas
  • Voluntary offsetting of carbon emissions from flights
  • Choosing to fly less to reduce carbon emissions
  • Staying local rather than international holidays

• Promotion of off-season tourism to ease pressure during peak times

Effectiveness of strategies to sustainably manage tourism

Spec point — An evaluation of the strategies and techniques used to sustainably manage tourism, at a range of scales

International strategies

Strengths:

• Promotes global standards
• Raises international awareness
• Encourages cross-border cooperation (important for shared environments like mountain ranges or coral reefs)

Limitations:

• Voluntary — enforcement is weak
• Small-scale adoption — many operators do not participate
• High certification costs for small businesses

National strategies

Strengths:

• Legally enforceable
• Large-scale impact — national governments can coordinate wide-reaching campaigns
• Generates funding for local communities and conservation

Limitations:

• Political will can fluctuate — new governments may reverse policies
• Enforcement in remote areas is challenging
• Resistance from local businesses reliant on mass tourism

Individual/local strategies

Strengths:

• Empowers local people
• Can preserve cultural identity
• Often fosters strong stewardship of local environments

Limitations:

• Scale is small — hard to influence mass tourism trends
• Success depends on tourist willingness to engage
• May lack financial backing or expertise

Exam Hint It is important to remember that one strategy isn't enough; there needs to be cooperation at multiple levels.

Effective programs combine regulation from the top down with engagement from the bottom up.