SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ASSESSMENT INDICATORS THE CASE OF ARMENIA. Hasmik Amiryan Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo

Transcription

1 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ASSESSMENT INDICATORS THE CASE OF ARMENIA Hasmik Amiryan Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo

2 Introduction to the Research 1. Research Problem 2. Conceptual Framework 3. Background to the Study Case 4. Methodology 5. Research Findings 6. Conclusions and Recommendations

3 1. Research Problem Tourism as World s largest industry (UNWTO, 2012) Tourism as a shift towards economic development in developing countries Just development or sustainable development? Sustainability assessment as indication of the state of health (system quality) of the human and natural ecosystem for a destination (Ko 2001, p. 817). Definition of specific indicators to help tourism organizations and tourism businesses to meet sustainability requirements in developing countries based on the case of Armenia.

4 1. Research Problem 2. Conceptual Framework 3. Background to the Study Case 4. Methodology 5. Research Findings 6. Conclusions

5 1. Sustainable Development is a process to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (WCED 1987, p. 43) Economic System Environmental System Social System Source: Adapted from Cox and Cusick (2006, p.1)

6 2. Sustainable tourism meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future (UNEP and UNWTO 2005, p. 12) Source: UNEP and UNWTO (2005, p. 20)

7 3. Sustainability assessment is often described as a process by which the implications of an initiative on sustainability are evaluated (Pope et al 2004, p. 596). D Driving Forces P Pressure S State I Impact R Responses Source: Adapted from Gabrielsen and Bosch (2003, p. 9)

8 3.1. The indicators measure the information and through them decisions makers could reduce the chances of making the wrong decisions (WTO 1996, p. 7). Indicators VS pure data The portfolio of indicators should be balanced across different dimensions. as transparent and accessible as possible the indicators should be mutually consistent within a theme (EC 2005, p. 5). Measurability Policy relevance Feasibility (Time perspective, data availability) Spatial focus Source: Adapted from Stoeckl et al., 2004; Tanguay et al., 2012; Shianetz et al., 2007; Miller, 2001; EC, 2006)

9 OECD (2003) SDI Available dataset of Indicators for assessing (1) sustainable development (2) tourism sustainability UNCSD (2001) EEA (2003) UNWTO (2005) STI EEA (2003) EU (2013)

10 1. Research Problem 2. Conceptual Framework 3. Background to the Study Case 4. Methodology 5. Research Findings 6. Conclusions

11 Tourism Development in Developing Countries Country classifications based on GNI (WB), HDI (UNDP) and composite index (IMF) Tourism as a means towards development Tourism promotion based on fragile ecosystems Tourism competitiveness in developing countries Need for proper planning and monitoring

12 Armenia: Country profile Area: 29,743 sq km Population: 3.1 M (Census, 2011) Government: Presidential Republic since 1991 Legal System: Civil Law Classification: Developing/Transitional

13 Armenia: Country profile Manufact uring, 10% Services, 46% Agricultu re, 23% Industry (excl. manufact uring), 7% Construct ion, 14%

14 Armenia: Country profile $18.95B n GDP $18.26B n GDP $17.46B n GDP $5600 GDP Per Capita $5500 GDP Per Capita $5300 GDP Per Capita 3.80% 4.60% % Sources: IndexMundi,2013; World Bank,

15 State of the Arts of the Tourism Industry Legislat ion Strategi es TDA National law on Tourism and Tour Operating Tourism development initiatives (ATDA, 2000), Tourism development concept paper (CAPS, 2008) Ministry of Economy Armenian Tourism Development Agency

16 State of the Arts of the Tourism Industry Main tourism Products (CAPS, 2008) Cultural tourism Religious tourism Nature tourism Spa and wellness tourism Adventure tourism Winter tourism

17 State of the Arts of the Tourism Industry Number of Arrivials 2 per. Mov. Avg. (Number of Arrivials) Sources: World Bank,2013; WTTC, 2013

18 State of the Arts of the Tourism Industry Source: WTTC (2013, p.1)

19 State of the Arts of the Tourism Industry Rank (out Score (1 7) of 140) 2008 Index Index Index Index Sources: WEF (2011); WEF (2013)

20 State of the Arts of the Tourism Industry Armenia Georgia Azerbaijan 2013 Index T&T Regulatory Framework T&T Business Environment and Infrastructure T&T Human, Cultural and Natural Resources

21 1. Research Problem 2. Conceptual Framework 3. Background to the Study Case 4. Methodology 5. Research Findings 6. Conclusions

22 Methodological Framework

23 1. Research Problem 2. Conceptual Framework 3. Background to the Study Case 4. Methodology 5. Research Findings 6. Conclusions and Reccommendations

24 Theoretical Analysis

25 Practical Analysis: Case Studies France Spain UK Douglas Shire Council, Australia Gaspesian Region, Canada Cairngorms National Park Authorities, UK Bjelasica and Komovi region, Montenegro Crikvenica, Croatia

26 Practical Analysis

27 Indicator Selection Criteria

28 18 Equivalent Indicators, 208 TBL comprising and 189 environmental indicators 12 most documented indicators 12 most documented indicators

29 No data available for validation

30 6. Research Findings

31 Final List of Indicators 1. No. of trips by means of transport 2. Total annual expenditure on tourism 3. Tourism related employment (% in total empl.) 4. Tourism share in GDP 5. No of tourists overnight stays in different types of accommodations 6. CO 2 emissions from energy use in tourism facilities

32 Final List of Indicators 7. Water use by tourists, per person and day in relation to use by residential population 8. Waste volume produced by destination (tonnes per resident per year or per month) 9. Sewage water treatment plants volumes of water treated 10. Percentage of tourist business establishments participating in recognized environmental schemes 11. Percentage of energy consumption attributed to tourism 12. Percentage of tourism population equivalent

33 1. Research Problem 2. Conceptual Framework 3. Background to the Study Case 4. Methodology 5. Research Findings 6. Conclusions and Recommendations

34 Conclusions Both Sustainable Development and Tourism sustainability are still maturing concepts Little practical methodology has been developed for sustainability assessment so far Paradox of the sustainable tourism concept and indicators Developing countries and tourism development planning: Armenian stance The list of indicators chosen is concluded but not limited to this extent.

35 Recommendations Application of the indicators when planning tourism development Development of statistical datasets Sustainability as a brand for tourism promotion

36 Limitations of the Research The conceptual framework is rather recent and still maturing. the concept of sustainability is itself not universally defined and attempts to measure it are rather difficult to put into practice The TBL model of sustainability can affect the process of development Data on sustainable tourism is seldom available for a whole country and only a few countries and organizations have built up sustainable tourism indicators

37 Further Research Stakeholders perception analysis Primary data collection and analysis Validation of the proposed set of indicators Ongoing update of the list of indicators

38 If everyone used energy and resources the same way we do in the Western World, we would need three more Earths at least. And we have only one. Mona Sahlin

39 Thank You For Attention