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The Alps will experience some of the most pronounced effects of climate change due to a combination of their latitudinal positioning, altitude and unique eco-systems, placing socioeconomic stresses on alpine communities, particularly those that rely on seasonal tourism
. How stakeholders need to respond to climate change within the Alps has been well documented in the academic literature, with studies focussing on measures to minimise damage on winter ski tourism and from increased natural hazards. During the winter of 2006/2007 there was increasing academic and media attention on the ability of mountain areas to maintain successful winter tourism. Studies into tourism adaptation within the Swiss Alps have so far focussed on the adaptation options and needs of different stakeholders. These concepts of adaptation measures were tested on stakeholders from the private and public sector within two case study areas within the Swiss Alps, both part of the communes of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jungfrau Aletsch Bietschorn. The qualitative methodology aimed to better ascertain the barriers to adaptation that local communities faced. Within Switzerland there is a well-established decentralised framework for decision-making and planning, which this study takes into account in its analysis of the measures in place within different stakeholder groups. A series of semi-structured interviews took place to assess the response of stakeholders from the private and public sectors across the local, regional and national level to the increasing risks of climate change on their economic livelihoods. Adaptation strategies were found to be evenly segmented across the different sectors and levels, but also focused almost entirely on maintaining the status quo of winter tourism, through technical or marketing measures, while increasing the market share of summer tourism for the destination. In general, apathy towards alternative adaptive measures, as well as frustration with tourists? expectation and understanding of the natural alpine environment was found to be most prevalent at the local level. The final section looks at how these issues can be addressed within the local, national and international context, within and outside of the tourism sector. It concludes that the socio-economic consequences will only be minimised if stakeholders take action to significantly diversify the alpine economy outside the realms of winter tourism, increase the understanding of nature and the climate change issue within the alpine region, and improve the dissemination of information across the research, administrative, local and tourist communities
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This study aims at identifying the existing and potential resources, as well as recognizing the hindrances, for community-based ecotourism development in the Taita Hills in south-eastern Kenya
. The indigenous mountain rain forests on the hills are rich in biodiversity, but severely degraded because of encroachment caused by the dynamics of increased population, socio-politics and economics.
The research problems are based on the hypothesis that there is no tourism in the Taita Hills generating income for the local economy and high population density combined with poverty creates a need for alternative employment opportunities as well as for sustainable ways of forest resource management. The data for this study was gathered during two field trips in Kenya, in January-February 2004 and 2005, as a part of the Taita Project within the Department of Geography at the University of Helsinki. The qualitative methods used consist of RRA and PRA techniques, in-depth interviews, a structured questionnaire and literature analysis as well as attendance on excursions and a workshop with conservation experts and officials. Four case areas in the Taita Hills are studied.
The study concludes that alternative livelihoods are needed among the Taita Hills´ rural population and community-based ecotourism is seen as a way of bringing financial benefits for households as well as reviving the fading cultural traditions and indigenous knowledge about forest use. The governmental policies, district level development plans and some NGOs support ecotourism development. The Forest Act 2005 forms base for local participation in forest management. The unique natural features, the welcoming Taita-culture and the location in the coastal tourism circle favour Taita Hills. However, this kind of development has its risks, such as too rapid change of forest usage level and the exposure of communities to an ?ecotourism treadmill? ? process. The costbenefit ration of marketing for hard ecotourists is generally low and the tourism infrastructure needs upgrading in the Taita Hills. More tight collaboration is important between the different level stakeholders working for conservation and development. Community-based ecotourism in Taita Hills, when carefully planned and managed, could be one opportunity for Kenya to diversify its tourism product supply and for forest-adjacent communities to gain tangible benefits on a sustainable basis from forests
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The study aims to explore tourism impacts on the economy and mountain environment
. It was carried out by accumulating primary information through conducting household surveys using a questionnaire format. Altogether thirty-two households, representing more than a sixty percent sample, were included in this survey. Besides, observation and informal talks or discussion were made as secondary information.
The majority of the Indian sub-continent?s tourists visit the study area for religious purposes while American and Europeans visit for trekking. The flow of visits is found to have differed significantly before and after 2000 A.D. Tourists preferred to use the sites for short periods only.
Improper livestock rearing practices and high fuel wood consumption have created pressure on natural resources especially on grass and forest land; while, pollution due to tourism is found. Tourism has played a considerable role to increase the villagers? income status and income inequality has slightly decreased with the passage of time.
Income from tourism business is inflationary and seasonal, so for sustainable tourism, domestic tourism ought to be promoted. Well managed animal rearing practices should be adopted to mitigate pressure on grasslands and forestlands. With the adoption of new technologies, the traditional use of the resources has deteriorated, thus leading in the degradation of the local culture. So to avoid destroying old knowledge and technologies, new technologies should be locally tested first and adapted to suit the local environment
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This research study was carried out in the newly developed Tamang Heritage Trail in Rasuwa
.The Trail passes through the beautiful landscape of the northern-west part of the Rasuwa district. The overall objective of this study is to assess the overall aspects of sustainability in the Tamang Heritage Trail. The research study aims to explore, analyze and assess the fundamental issues of tourism sustainability in the rural context of Nepal. Chapter One of the report presents the present context of tourism and sustainability status in global, Nepal, Langtang area and Tamang Heritage Trail context. It also describes study area, research problems, objective and justification. Chapter Two gives a literature review. Chapter Three demonstrates the research methodology employed for the study. Various primary and secondary information resources were gathered during the study. Visitor surveys, household surveys, business surveys and institution surveys were carried out to collect the opinions and perceptions of stakeholders. Likewise, direct field observation, focal group discussion and key person’s interviews were also made. Chapter Four describes the research findings. The strength of tourism attractions, institutional strengths, management and control mechanisms, social considerations, economic considerations and environmental considerations were critically analyzed and finally indicators of sustainability were set based on the findings. Chapter Five presents the major conclusions and recommendations. The overall research finding shows that tourism in the Tamang Heritage Trail has been developing with strong consideration of sustainability issues. However, there are some gaps in implementation, for which suitable recommendations have been made
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The aim of this study is to present a view of the state of the indigenous forests and sacred forests in Taita Hills, in southeast Kenya, and to discuss the possibilities of ecotourism in Taita-Taveta district in preserving these natural-cultural habitats
. The concept of ecotourism is defined and the interdependence of the ecological sustainability and the community viability is discussed. The plans concerning the future of the forests and local communities made by the government and non-governmental organisations are also looked at.
The high population density in the Taita Hills puts great pressure on the land and the area needs strategies for preserving its fragile biodiversity. Incomes from other sectors outside agriculture are important for many households. Ecotourism is seen as a way to combine the nature conservation and the economic development of local communities. Taita Taveta has potential but also constraints for promoting this kind of small-scaled tourism
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Research on tourism development in developing countries is relatively recent, growing during the last twenty years
. Interest in eco-tourism and sustainable tourism has emerged in the last ten years, as a response to growing awareness of the negative impacts of tourism. It is now increasingly accepted that tourism development needs to be planned and that this should involve local people at all stages of development.
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The process of establishing Scotland's second National Park, the Cairngorms National Park, is well underway
. On the 29th May 2002, the Draft Designation Order was published outlining the boundary, powers and functions for public consultation. Preceding this, Scottish Natural Heritage had, as the Government's natural heritage adviser, carried out a consultation exercise on the initial proposals for a National Park in the Cairngorms. During this period, a large-scale national and international debate emerged over the Scottish Executive's preferred arrangement for the planning functions for the Cairngorms National Park. The Scottish Ministers clearly preferred that Town and Country Planning functions, as defined by the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, should remain with the Local Authorities of the area, and not with any National Park Authority. In addition, the reporter advised that the Authority have an equal role in creating a development plan, not complete discretion. Such an arrangement would be unique amongst the United Kingdom's other National Parks. As such, the Minister's preference has generated a high degree of contention amongst the Scottish Parliament, Executive Agencies such as Scottish Natural Heritage and the Enterprise Companies, non-Governmental organisations and other conservation and interest groups in Scotland and beyond.
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