David Bruce Weaver

Resident perceptions in the urban-rural fringe.

Abstract Recognizing the importance of tourism in the urban–rural fringe of developed countries, this study examines resident perceptions of tourism on Tamborine Mountain, a destination in the urban–rural fringe of Australias Gold Coast. A cluster analysis of residents revealed that “supporters” constitute one-quarter of the population, and tend to be newer arrivals who have greater contact with tourists. “Neutrals” comprise one-half of the population and acknowledge economic benefits, but are ambivalent about social impacts. The rest are “opponents” who concede only that tourism generates employment. Anti-tourism sentiments focus on one congested location, suggesting that the proper management of this area could lead to even more positive perceptions.

Overnight Ecotourist Market Segmentation in the Gold Coast Hinterland of Australia

Very little is known about the characteristics of overnight ecolodge patrons. This study reports on the results of a questionnaire that was completed by 1,180 individuals who had stayed at least one night in either of two well-known ecolodges in Lamington National Park, Australia. A cluster analysis on 37 items pertaining to ecotourism behavior revealed three distinct groups. “Harder” ecotourists reflect a high level of environmental commitment and affinities with wilderness-type experiences, while “softer” ecotourists are much less committed on either dimension. “Structured” ecotourists, by comparison, reveal a strong pattern of commitment but a level of desire for interpretation, escorted tours, and services/facilities that is usually more associated with mass tourism. The marketing implications of these findings are considered.

Can sustainable tourism survive climate change

This opinion piece contends that tourisms expanding engagement with climate change, as it is currently unfolding, is not necessarily conducive to the interests of tourism sustainability. Inherent unpredictability, long-term timeframes, lack of directly tangible consequences or clearly identifiable villains, issues with credibility and vested interests and cost implications in an era of chronic economic uncertainty all combine to increase the likelihood of unsuccessful climate change policies and strategies. Additional complications arise within the tourism sector from the rudimentary state of knowledge about the relationships between the tourism and climate change, an apathetic and fickle travelling public and a reciprocally uncommitted tourism industry. I argue that adaptation is a rational business response to climate change that is not directly related to environmental and sociocultural sustainability, and that mitigation measures should be supported to the extent that they yield practical and tangible short- and medium-term benefits and address local sustainability issues such as air quality and biodiversity protection.

Ecotourism as Mass Tourism: Contradiction or Reality?:

Abstract The original view of ecotourism as specialized adventures experienced by a small group of hardy travelers is expanding to include so-called “soft” ecotourists, who are far more numerous and seek more services than the “hard” ecotourists. Many contemporary travelers are interested in the natural environment, but also in the comforts and easy travel afforded by the mass-tourism infrastructure. The author argues that the two are not necessarily in opposition. In fact, the revenues available from large groups of soft ecotourists may be the key to providing the financing to protect natural areas, as well as bolstering political support for maintaining natural preserves. One model for the heavy use of natural areas is to concentrate most of the activity in a small section of the attraction where site-hardening and site-softening strategies are used to manage large visitor numbers. Finally, as more tourists embrace ecotourism principles, mass-tourism operators will see the value in operating in an environmentally friendly way.

Magnitude of ecotourism in Costa Rica and Kenya

Abstract An examination of ecotourism patterns within Costa Rica and Kenya reveals differential magnitudes across an array of relevant criteria. If measured in terms of specialized accommodations, visits by specialist ecotourists, direct social and economic impact, activity space, or government investment, ecotourism is a relatively minor activity. More congruent with the popular image of these two countries as high profile ecotourism destinations are total tourist activity time, ecotourism as a visitor motivation, and indirect revenue generation, all of which are substantial or major. It is argued that this touristic form of development and practice exists in a symbiotic relationship with mass tourism, and the more intensive types should be considered as a type of the latter.

A broad context model of destination development scenarios

Intensity and regulation are employed as variables to formulate a broad context model of tourism destination development. This model consists of four inclusive tourism development states (i.e., circumstantial alternative tourism or CAT, deliberate alternative tourism or DAT, unsustainable mass tourism or UMT, and sustainable mass tourism or SMT), and eight possible scenarios of transition from one state to another. It is argued that the Butler sequence is just one possible scenario within this framework, and that most places are CAT destinations that are unlikely to progress beyond this status quo. The model is applied to the Gold Coast of Australia to suggest that an integrated DAT/SMT product should be the outcome of destination management strategy, to replace the current unintegrated CAT/UMT structure.

The vacation farm sector in Saskatchewan: a profile of operations.

Abstract A self-administered questionnaire to vacation farm operators in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan revealed that the typical enterprise was established during the 1990s in order to supplement the income base, consisted of a 459-hectare site, offered 6.2 visitor bed spaces, and operated mainly in the summer. Major visitor activities included wildlife viewing, hunting, and casual photography. The provincial government was identified by many respondents as an impediment to their business. Recommendations for enhancing the sector as an effective vehicle for rural diversification include improved linkages with adjacent public spaces, ecotourism training, facilitated dialogue with the government, the formation of operator ‘consortia’, and an expansion of the sector to 500 enterprises within the next 10 years.

Alternative to mass tourism in Dominica

Abstract An analysis of tourist accommodations, market, and economy on the island of Dominica reveals a tourism industry that represents an appropriate and viable alternative to the conventional varieties of mass tourism dominant in the Caribbean. Dominica started out as a “circumstantial” Alternative Tourism (AT) destination, where the desire to develop large-scale tourism was constrained by unfavorable environmental and political conditions. However, the island since 1971 has moved in the direction of a “deliberate” AT policy, emphasizing the attractiveness of its mountainous and forested interior to a growing ecotourist market. Current tourism growth and development in Dominica appears to be occuring in a way that conforms with the philosophy of deliberate AT.

Sustainable Tourism Futures : Perspectives on Systems, Restructuring and Innovations

1. Sustainable Tourism Futures: Perspectives on Systems, Restructuring and Innovations Part 1: Theoretical Foundations: Re-thinking the Tourism System 2. 30 Years of Sustainable Tourism: Drivers, Progress, Problems - and the Future 3. Reflections on Sustainable Tourism and Paradigm Change Part 2: Restructuring the Tourism System: Practical Examples 4. Inaction More than Action: Barriers to the Implementation of Sustainable Tourism Policies 5. Transport and Tourism in Scotland: A Case Study of Scenario Planning at VisitScotland 6. Tourism and Climate Change Mitigation: Which Data is Needed for What Use? 7. Theory and Practice of Environmental Management and Monitoring in Hotel Chains 8. Sustainable Ski Resort Principles: An Uphill Journey 9. Piloting a Carbon Emissions Audit for an International Arts Festival Under Tight Resource Constraints: Methods, Issues and Results 10. Voluntary Carbon Offsets a Contribution to Sustainable Tourism? Part 3: Innovation: Sustainable Tourism Futures 11.The Implementation of Sustainable Tourism: A Project Based Perspective 12. Carbon Labelling and Restructuring Travel Systems: Involving Travel Agencies in Climate Change Mitigation 13. Moving Towards Low-Carbon Tourism: New Opportunities for Destinations and Tour Operators 14. Sustainable Transportation Guidelines for Nature-Based Tour Operators 15. Tourism Firm Innovation and Sustainability 16. Synthesis and Conclusions

Nature-based tourism, environment and land management

1. The practice and politics of tourism and land management 2. Nature-based tourism and sustainability: issues and approaches in nature tourism 3. Sustainable tourism: world trends and challenges ahead 4. Private reserves: the Conservation Corporation Africa model 5. Applying public purpose marketing in the US to protect relationships with public land 6. The financial liability of parks managers for visitor injuries 7. Visitor fees, tour permits, and asset and risk management by parks agencies: Australian case study 8. The net economic benefits of recreation and timber production in selected new south wales native forests 9. Moving nearer to heaven: growth & change in the Greater Yellowstone Region, USA 10. Visitor impact data in a land management context 11. Small recreational and tourist vessels in inshore coastal areas: a characterisation of types of impacts 12. Establishing best practice environmental management: lessons from the Australian tour boat industry 13. Impacts of nature tourism on the Mt Kosciuszko Alpine Area, Australia 14. Ecological change as a result of winter tourism: snow manipulation in the Australian Alps 15. A method to calculate environmental sensitivity to walker trampling in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area 16. Modelling potential for nature-based tourism 17. Contributions of non-consumptive wildlife tourism to conservation 18. Balancing conservation and visitation in protected areas 19. Conclusions.