Sustainability and Sensitivity
Overtourism and Sustainability in Vulnerable Tourist Destinations: The Case of the Ñuro Bay and Uros Island in Peru
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Maria E Sanchez Zambrano, Maria Elena Esparza, Mario Marcello Pasco-Dalla-Porta, Agnes Franco Temple
The promotion of tourist destinations has become a key strategy of economic growth for many developing countries; however, in several contexts this strategy has not been accompanied by policies that incorporate a sustainable tourism approach. The purpose of this research is to determine the effects and risks of overtourism in ecologically vulnerable areas with spatially natural resources. In this vein, the study seeks to identify the main economic, social, cultural and environmental changes that experience a tourist destination when the number of visitors exceeds their capabilities. It also intends to collect the points of view of local stakeholders about these changes. Finally, it seeks to assess to what extent the tourism management models applied in these areas are sustainable. The research methodology is based on the study of two cases in Peru: one in the Ñuro bay, known for its sea turtles, and the other in the Uros island, an artificial floating structure in the Titicaca Lake where this traditional Andean community lives. The techniques for gathering information include surveys, in-depth interviews, direct observation and documentary analysis. This investigation is valuable for two reasons. First, it reflects on the need of prevention and mitigation strategies regarding the negative impacts of overtourism. Second, it highlights the importance of a sustainable management of tourist destinations, especially those located in vulnerable ecosystems and whose populations mainly depend on tourism.
Medical Tourism in the Homeland: A Korean American Perspective
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Julaine Rigg, Joonwoo Moon
The globalization of health care has given rise to a new form of tourism, "health tourism" of which medical tourism is among the fastest growing sector. It is increasingly being recognized as having great potential for growth, generating considerable revenues and job creation in the service industry. While South Korea is considered one of the fastest emerging markets in medical tourism, it is not clear what factors play a role in medical tourists’ decision when they seek treatment in a particular country. During October 2016 to April 2017, a total of 207 Korean Americans responded to surveys regarding a medical trip to South Korea. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze medical characteristics (cost, service quality, physician quality, facilities and access), and touristic characteristic (food, accommodation, shopping, attractiveness, and security) on intention to take a medical tour to South Korea. The results showed that: Cost, service quality, and facilities impacted Korean American’s intention to seek treatment in the homeland. Food, accommodation and security were important to Korean American medial tourist seeking to take a medial tour to South Korea. Significant differences were found regarding cost between experienced vs potential medical tourist. This study suggests that Korean medical stakeholders continue to highlight the affordability of the medical treatment, provide continuous quality training for staff in patient care and ensure that affordable accommodations, food variety and security are highlighted in international marketing campaigns to potential medical tourists.
Ethical Volunteering: Exposing Issues and Offfering Solutions in Volunteer Tourism
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Carolin Lusby, Friederike Hertwig
Volunteer tourism has become increasingly popular, as more and more travelers seek experiences beyond seeing sights and mere sun and fun holidays. In search for the “authentic” adventure, volunteers engage in social projects in order to give back through their travels. Previous research has shown that these experiences can tremendously change the world view of the traveler and as such have impacts beyond the immediate tourism experience, as they potentially impact buying patterns and lifestyle. As more commercial tour operators offer volunteer experiences for a profit, interests of the traveler often come at a cost to the local community. Previous studies have highlighted that knowing about the expectations and motivations of the traveler can help operators to better prepare volunteers. For the traveler, it becomes increasingly important to find ethical operators which ensure child protection, do not engage in poverty marketing, and have solid local partnerships which give back. Previous research has further shown that selection and preparation of volunteers are insufficient in most commercial operators. The purpose of this study then is to examine main ethical issues in the volunteer tourism industry, and offer solutionts for a more thoughtful appproach to responsible volunteering.
The Miao People and Chinese Ethnic Tourism
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mary Louise Buley Meissner, Vincent Her
Our paper focuses on how modern Chinese tourism promotes ethnic Miao people as a model “happy minority,” whose identity is inseparable from the ability to entertain urban Chinese through “authentic” cultural performances of song and dance. A major ethical concern for us is how tourism supports campaigns to maintain a national narrative of ethnic harmony. As a counter-narrative, we describe our personal encounters with Miao people (particularly the Hmong subgroup) and the challenges they face in modern society. The tourism boom within China includes trips from prosperous cities such as Shanghai to rural areas such as Guizhou, advertised as a “timeless” realm of mountains and lamp-lit villages, where travelers can experience Miao hospitality. Popular television documentaries also promote tourism by showing the Miao as existing in their “original” state, far removed from the complications of modern society. However, as our research shows, Miao people actually are confronting high rates of poverty and low rates of education. Moreover, while they are being praised for “authentic” performances, they are losing the very culture which they are assumed to embody: Han Chinese are deciding what Miao will perform; villages are being turned into tourism showcases; and families are breaking up as youth leave the countryside for jobs in big cities (with tourism profits going to outside contractors). Finally, along with our audience, we would like to consider how tourism could be a positive rather than negative influence in shaping a more promising future for Miao people and other ethnic groups in China.
