Ecotourism Sustainability in Far North Queensland, Australia - Essay Sample

Introduction

The Far North Queensland Australia (FNQA) region forms the focus of this review with the intention of establishing what literature espouses on the sustainability of ecotourism in the locale. According to Tsaur et al. (2006), sustainability in tourism management depends on three main factors the local residents, tourists, and resource allocations. Picard (2015), on his part, advances several micro and macro-economic indicators of sustainable tourism among them that there is a need for co-management of land, resources, and incomes in the sector. Similar sentiments by Roberts (1995), indicate that Carins Region in Far North Queensland developed a 20-year plan implemented in 1192 that was supposed to enhance the sustainability of tourism in the locale. In this plan, the challenges that were brought forth and aimed to be tackled included: The planning and management of tourism development, the conservation of natural resources, improvement of transport infrastructure, the economics of tourism including the cost, new investments in accommodation facilities, and the impact of tourism on the attitudes and cultures of the local communities (Roberts, 1995). Roberts' (1995) sentiments are echoed by McNamara and Prideaux (2011) that Australia's tropical rainforest is its heritage and; hence, conserving it for tourism is an avenue of appreciating this fact.

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Conservation of tourist destinations, however, requires a sustainability development plan that will enhance the preservation of the authentic natural attributes of the habitat. Moreover, rainforests in FNQA regions are under increasing threat of deforestation, climate change, timber harvesting, urban growth, and climate change (Roberts, 1995). Reverberating the same sentiments Prideaux et al. (2012) add that the irony that presents for tourism in the greater FNQA locale is that the influx of tourists has led to the encroachment of rainforest land by tourists businesses. Hence, putting the lifeblood of the rainforest itself under threat. Earlier literature concerning the FNQA region's tourism attractions and its viability as s tour destination reveals that the hinterlands were once rural and; hence, required urbanization to facilitate the development of sustainable tourism in the foreseeable future (Getz, 1999). At present, however, major developments have come up in the FNQA locale that is particularly geared towards the improvement of the infrastructure to attract more tourism businesses (Prideaux, et al., 2012). The irony, however, is that with increased tourism and development, the sustainability of the natural habitat is under threat since preservation efforts are increasingly being thwarted by the invasive exponential growth of tourism-related business in the region (Prideaux, et al., 2012; Nevard & Nevard, 2014).

According to Nevard and Nevard (2014), the Mareeba Wetlands located in FNQA is an example of a man-made conservancy that has served to enhance environmental reclamation efforts that sustain tourism. Oviedo-Garcia et al. (2017) in their research were determined to investigate whether the perception of ecotourism as valuable enhanced ecotourism satisfaction. The results of their study established that the more knowledgeable tourists were about ecotourism, the more they appreciated ecotourist destinations and the greater their satisfaction was in visiting eco-tourism destinations. To this end, the implications for ecotourism is such that the creation of awareness about ecotourism can serve to enhance preservation efforts in various tourism destinations. Stronza et al. (2019) advance that eco-tourism as a term originated in the 1980s with the win-win formula where conservation of natural habitats alongside the development of the same was the fundamental traits that defined ecotourism. The idea that ecotourism preserves both culture and the environment is another aspect that the literature captures where indigenous artifacts and practices are part and parcel of the attractions that lure tourists to FNQA regions (Pabel, et al., 2017). Pabel et al. (2017) add that incorporating the preservation of indigenous practices and traditions in the ecotourism agenda is critical to attaining its win-win objectives.

In fact, ecotourism is described as an environmental management nature-based tourism approach that opens various opportunities that serve to create jobs for both public and private individuals and bodies concerned with conservation efforts (Huybers & Bennett, 2003). Furthermore, Huybers and Bennett (2003) add that nature-based tourism in the FNQA is a profitable venture that is increasingly attracting investments from private and public sectors owing to the potential that ecotourism presents. Accordingly, concerns raised by Nicolaides and Vettori (2019) indicate that the way people relate to one another and handle issues pertaining to conservation proves critical in handling ecotourism issues. Put another way, the authors advance that people's attitudes are critical in establishing rapport as pertains to the collective responsibility of conservation and adherence to ecotourism principles. The resounding message in the literature discussed revolves around the dire need for developing strategies that will lead to the protection of the tourist destinations in the FNQA regions while also looking into the possibilities of advancing tourism businesses in the locale. The terms ecology and ecotourism become critical elements in defining the objectives of FNQA ecotourism efforts (Getz, 1999).

According to Getz (1999), the most significant challenge facing tourism in the hinterlands of the FNQA regions regards the elusive balance between modernity and nature. In this esteem, the threat that modernization poses to the tranquility of the existence of the flora and fauna in the FNQA locale is undeniable (Huybers & Bennett, 2003). Huybers and Bennett (2003) add that ecotourism is an increasingly popular trend among tourists in modern times. The fact that ecotourists appreciate the value of nature serves as a plus in the conservation efforts that are meant to boost FNQA tourism numbers. Similar sentiments by McNamara and Prideaux (2011) suggest that when tourists are educated on the importance of preserving natural tour destinations, they tend to support efforts that are directed towards ecotourism whether through financial assistance or responsible tourism practices. All in all, they tend to become responsible members of the community who channel all their energies towards the sustainability of tourism (Nevard & Nevard, 2014). Additionally, the evidence presented by Nevard and Nevard (2014) shows that when people's attitudes are well placed in support of ecotourism, people will impact conservation through deliberate public and private initiatives geared toward sustainable tourism.

In essence, moral responsibility and common sense usage in matters pertaining to environmental business relations have a direct impact on sustainable environmental obligations realization (Nicolaides & Vettori, 2019). The adaptation of ethical principles, therefore, can have a significant implication in influencing policy development geared towards sustainability in ecotourism. Indeed, the advent of conservation efforts such as the Mareeba Wetlands Conservation offers hope for the FNQA regions' concerns over the degradation of natural habitats owing to expanded tourism (Nevard & Nevard, 2014). Therefore, sentiments by Oviedo-Garcia et al. (2017) cannot reinforce enough the importance of developing positive attitudes towards the conservation of the environment as this is essential to the facilitation of ecotourism objectives. Moreover, it is the generous efforts of volunteers that led to the realization of the conservancy which led to the establishment of the Mareeba conservation of FNQA wetlands (Nevard & Nevard, 2014). Without developing positive attitudes towards ecotourism it then becomes difficult to marshall support of individuals towards environmental conservation efforts. Accordingly, the future of ecotourism in the FNQA locale is contingent on how various agencies working with similarly minded individuals can successfully marshall support for ecotourism efforts in the region. Sustainable tourism; therefore, requires that people's attitudes are aligned with conservation goals (Oviedo-Garcia, et al., 2017).

Pabel et al. (2017) echo sentiments by Oviedo-Garcia et al. (2017) noting that tourists visiting the Wetlands of FNQA have an appreciation for the authentic indigenous attractions that are on offer. Consequently, it follows that conservation efforts in the FNQA cannot squarely focus on the preservation of the environment. It must also incorporate aspects of culture, traditions, and artifacts (Pabel, et al., 2017). Holistically, preservation of the ecosystem in FNQA demands that stakeholders do not only concern themselves with the development and ecology of the environment while ignoring the authentic yet endangered cultural attributes that are at risk of extinction as well. Similar sentiments are shared by Picard (2015) who acknowledges that key stakeholders in the sustainability of ecotourism include tourists, locals, and resource allocations. In this esteem, Pabel et al. (2017) support Picard's (2015) views in the sense that the authors in both occasions champion for a collective effort in taking responsibility for the advancement of sustainable tourism endeavors. Considering the fact that tourism that is left unchecked can result in the depletion of tourism attraction sites, conservation efforts are increasingly coming to the attention of various stakeholders as contributors to the pool (Prideaux, et al., 2012).

Furthermore, warnings from Prideaux et al. (2012) should cause alarm among stakeholders concerned with conservancy efforts in the greater FNQA region since the growth of tourism in the locale outside of the confines of ecotourism can only spell doom. The irony according to Prideaux et al. (2012) is that the infrastructural developments that are meant to support tourism activities in the FNQA region are the same ones that are amounting to environmental degradation such as deforestation and encroachment on wild animal's habitats. Roberts (1995) notes that the concern, therefore, remains in the establishment of an effective solution that would curb the negative implications of tourism and human activities on the natural habitat of flora and fauna in the FNQA region. By finding ways through which tourism and development can coexist without compromising the veracity of wildlife, ecotourism conservation efforts can be said to help preserve the FNQA ecosystem. Stronza et al. (2019) affirm Roberts' (1995) sentiments by providing proof that ecotourism is a key approach towards perfecting conservation efforts as all stakeholders including the tourists themselves can appreciate the value of ecotourism in environmental preservation. Consequently, it follows that education and awareness creation are the key methods through which ecotourism can be realized (Roberts, 1995; Stronza, Hunt, & Fitgerald, 2019).

At its core, the literature review presented captures various thoughts and opinions as pertains to the management of tourism in the FNQA region with several examples from elsewhere that have proven effective. According to Tsaur, et al. (2006), the success of conservation efforts implemented in the FNQA region will depend on c...