Disneyland - Indicators of Sustainable Tourism

Camille Parsons

The indicators of sustainable tourism include the core indicators and well as destination- specific indicators. These two can be broken down into two different categories of indicators ecosystem-specific and site-specific indicators. More detailed core indicators that managers need to know are the following; site protection, stress, use intensity, social impact, development control, waste management, planning process, critical ecosystem, consumer, satisfaction, local satisfaction, tourism, and contribution to local economy. All of these indicators can aid the travel and tourism professionals in developing and maintaining a plan for sustainable tourism development by enhancing visitor satisfaction, improved economy and business success, sustainable resource use, as well as community and area integration. Professionals need to look to the future in developing and maintaining a plan for sustainable tourism development. They need to focus on identifying emerging problems early enough so they can act on them before they become a problem so they can prevent or lessen the impact of these potential problems. Also, professionals need to be able to support sustainable tourism development while identifying limits and opportunities to promote management accountability and develop responsible decision making based on knowledge and experience.

What would you do to overcome these problems?

A. Overcrowding and pollution at beaches: Charge parking or entrance fee. Fine polluters; establish limits and monitor pollutants.

B. Overcrowding in cities: create attractive areas in nearby suburbs.

C. High crime rates: Increase police presence.

D. Depletion of fish stock: Put licenses on fishing and limits on fish that can be caught as well as putting size limits on the ones brought in. Also, enact that only certain types of species of fish can only be caught.

E. Endangered species (both plant and animal): Enact protection laws and preserves restricting hunting, etc. in these areas. Enact fines on those who do not observe these laws.

F. Water pollution: Establish limits and monitor pollutants; fine polluters that do not follow regulations.

G. Defamation of cultural and ecological tourist sites: Enact protection laws and preserves for these sites. Enact fines on those who do not observe these laws.

For all of these issues, tourist must be aware of these consequences when deciding to act against these laws. For example, some tourist might now know that catching a certain type of fish is illegal. So, putting up a sign at the front of the pier letting the tourist know the rules and regulations along with why could really help them to understand that it isn't just a law, but it is helping out the eco-system as