Sustainable Tourism (SL IB Geography)

• Sustainable tourism meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations
• Sustainable tourism needs to:
  • Maintain biodiversity
  • Involve local people in the development process
  • Respect local cultures, livelihoods and customs
  • Promote equity in the distribution of costs and benefits of tourism
  • Use resources sustainably
  • Reduce overconsumption and waste
  • Support local economies
  • Marketing tourism responsibly
  • Train staff to work sustainably
  • Ensure that visitors are carrying out sustainable practices
  • Maximising economic benefit whilst carrying out sustainable tourism

• Ecotourism is often called green tourism
• To be ecotourism it must be sustainable
• It has been defined as:

“Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of local people, and involves interpretation and education”

(TIES, 2015)

• Ecotourism is growing rapidly with a market size of over US$374 billion a year
• It can take place in a variety of environments but is usually in areas that are remote with low population densities
• Related to tourism that protects and benefits local ecology, such as coral reefs, forest parks and lakes
• It is an important way for tourists to get first-hand experience in conservation
• Conservation must also allow for local people to make a profit from tourism
• There is also conflict between people who believe that tourists should have full access to tourist attractions and those who want to conserve the local landscape
• Ecotourists have also been called egotourists because they put little into the economy but want to go to off the beaten track

The Gambia - location

• The Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa
• It is 15 to 30 miles wide on either side of The Gambia River
• The Gambia extends almost 300 miles into the interior and is surrounded by Senegal

Location of The Gambia

The Gambia - climate

• The country has a wet and dry tropical climate
• Average temperatures in the dry season range from 18०C to 30०C
• Average temperatures in the wet season range from 23०C to 33०C
• Average annual rainfall is 1000mm in the south and 700mm in the north

The Gambia - population

• It is home to nine different indigenous groups
• Two-thirds of the population is under 30
• Predominantly a Muslim country

The Gambia - environment

• There are nearly 600 species of birds in the country
• The country is known for its small beaches along the Atlantic coastline

The Gambia - tourism 

• Tourism experienced a short decline after a military coup (takeover) in the 1990s but is now an important industry
• Tourism makes up 20% of The Gambia’s GDP

Footsteps an eco-lodge 

• Footsteps is an adult-only eco-lodge
• Located 45 minutes south of the main tourist area, close to the village of Gunjar

IMAGE

Round houses at Footsteps Eco-Lodge

• The eco-lodge was built in 2002
  • A range of accommodations are available, including round houses and studio apartments
  • There is a 3-night minimum stay and the prices range from £35 to £90 a night
• Electricity to the accommodation is provided by solar energy
  • The eco-lodge provides 100% of its energy at the lodge
• Composting toilets ensure that sewage waste is recycled
• Water is supplied from tube wells and is stored in tanks
• Grey water (wastewater) from people’s rooms is filtered back to the gardens to irrigate the fruit and vegetables
• The eco-lodge aims to be plastic-free including no plastic straws available for drinks or plastic wrap being used to cover food
• The lodge works with local crafters who offer activities at the lodge
• Only local people are employed from the village
  • Each member of staff receives training, fair pay, and a pension
  • Offer small saving plans and a microloan system for staff meaning they can deal  with unexpected emergencies or plan for the future
• Food is sourced locally
  • Fruiting trees are planted around the accommodation to keep the rooms cool
  • No pesticides are used to grow fruits and vegetables