According to previous research, in several countries, the achievement of the objectives for tourism development and the better functioning of protected areas is affected by bad governance activities. This paper provides a framework based on the combination between the Viable Systems Approach (vSa) and the actor engagement theory for improving the managerial effectiveness of protected areas. Exploring the case of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, a well-known tourism destination in Southern Italy, we gave empirical evidence of the risks that can occur when the governing body of protected areas does not adopt a systems-based management approach, and therefore cannot handle the complexity of the territory, generate socio-economic benefits for local populations, resolve conflicts with local actors, or advance sustainable tourism goals. Findings suggest that the governing body should adopt specific strategies to engage local actors in decision- making and idea-generation processes. Such strategies could help to integrate resources within the system, co- create value and handle conflicts when the goals are not mutually aligned. Hence, actor engagement is neces-sary for achieving conditions of systemic consonance and resonance. 1. Introduction The tourism and hospitality industry produces many social benefits. More specifically, tourism creates employment opportunities (Fawaz et al., 2014), contributes to the growth of local and regional economies by improving both the living standards of resident households and the incomes of local firms (C ́ardenas-García et al., 2015; Incera and Fern ́andez, 2015), and represents “a tool for poverty alleviation” (Scheyvens and Hughes, 2019: 1061) especially in developing countries (Wondirad and Ewnetu, 2019). Nowadays tourism is the biggest industry globally (Danish and Wang, 2018). In particular, according to the World Tourism Organiza-tion and Organization of American States (2018: 14), “data indicates that the sector contributes to more than 10 % of global gross domestic product (GDP) and provides for one in ten jobs in the world”. If on the one hand the tourism industry stimulates economic growth, on the other hand there is a strongly symbiotic relationship between tourism development and land use (Heslinga et al., 2017). Mao et al. (2014), for instance, have reported that tourism development is closely related to significant land-usage changes such as environmental degra-dation, water pollution, and a loss of biological diversity. The tourism industry also has an environmental impact related to energy waste, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and the overconsumption of natural resources such as water (Danish and Wang, 2018). Furthermore, tourism can also have negative effects on local customs and traditions (Jones and Wynn, 2019). In the light of these considerations, it follows that the implementa-tion of sustainable practices in the tourism sector is paramount if we want to breathe life into our Planet and enhance the overall well-being of the host communities. The concept of a sustainable economic model was launched by the United Nations in 1987 with its publication of “Our Common Future”, better known as the “Brundtland Report”. According to this publication, sustainability is outlined as “development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future genera-tions to meet their own needs”. (WCED, 1987: 144).
Is sustainable tourism a goal that came true? The Italian experience of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park
Mario D'Arco
;Vittoria Marino;
2020-01-01
Abstract
According to previous research, in several countries, the achievement of the objectives for tourism development and the better functioning of protected areas is affected by bad governance activities. This paper provides a framework based on the combination between the Viable Systems Approach (vSa) and the actor engagement theory for improving the managerial effectiveness of protected areas. Exploring the case of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, a well-known tourism destination in Southern Italy, we gave empirical evidence of the risks that can occur when the governing body of protected areas does not adopt a systems-based management approach, and therefore cannot handle the complexity of the territory, generate socio-economic benefits for local populations, resolve conflicts with local actors, or advance sustainable tourism goals. Findings suggest that the governing body should adopt specific strategies to engage local actors in decision- making and idea-generation processes. Such strategies could help to integrate resources within the system, co- create value and handle conflicts when the goals are not mutually aligned. Hence, actor engagement is neces-sary for achieving conditions of systemic consonance and resonance. 1. Introduction The tourism and hospitality industry produces many social benefits. More specifically, tourism creates employment opportunities (Fawaz et al., 2014), contributes to the growth of local and regional economies by improving both the living standards of resident households and the incomes of local firms (C ́ardenas-García et al., 2015; Incera and Fern ́andez, 2015), and represents “a tool for poverty alleviation” (Scheyvens and Hughes, 2019: 1061) especially in developing countries (Wondirad and Ewnetu, 2019). Nowadays tourism is the biggest industry globally (Danish and Wang, 2018). In particular, according to the World Tourism Organiza-tion and Organization of American States (2018: 14), “data indicates that the sector contributes to more than 10 % of global gross domestic product (GDP) and provides for one in ten jobs in the world”. If on the one hand the tourism industry stimulates economic growth, on the other hand there is a strongly symbiotic relationship between tourism development and land use (Heslinga et al., 2017). Mao et al. (2014), for instance, have reported that tourism development is closely related to significant land-usage changes such as environmental degra-dation, water pollution, and a loss of biological diversity. The tourism industry also has an environmental impact related to energy waste, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and the overconsumption of natural resources such as water (Danish and Wang, 2018). Furthermore, tourism can also have negative effects on local customs and traditions (Jones and Wynn, 2019). In the light of these considerations, it follows that the implementa-tion of sustainable practices in the tourism sector is paramount if we want to breathe life into our Planet and enhance the overall well-being of the host communities. The concept of a sustainable economic model was launched by the United Nations in 1987 with its publication of “Our Common Future”, better known as the “Brundtland Report”. According to this publication, sustainability is outlined as “development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future genera-tions to meet their own needs”. (WCED, 1987: 144).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
