TOURISM & SUSTAINABLE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT - Isye Susana Nurhasanah, S.T., M.Si (Han)., Ph.D.

Summary

In this session, Isa Susana, a lecturer at the Institute of Technology Sumatra, discusses the topic of 'Tourism and Sustainable Local Development.' The session explores the growth and impact of tourism globally, including its economic, social, and environmental effects. It covers the relationship between tourism demand and supply, factors influencing tourism, and its significance for local development. The lecture also addresses the challenges posed by tourism, such as economic inequality and environmental degradation, while proposing sustainable tourism strategies and certifications. Overall, it emphasizes the need for responsible tourism practices for long-term benefits.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tourism's importance for economic growth began in the 1960s, with the UNWTO declaring 1967 as the International Year of Tourism.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted tourism, leading to a sharp drop in international arrivals, but the sector has been recovering since 2021.
• 😀 Tourism is a vital industry that generates employment, especially for women and young people, and offers opportunities in micro, small, and medium-sized businesses.
• 😀 Tourism can be both a powerful economic engine and a critical sector prone to exogenous shocks, such as pandemics or natural disasters.
• 😀 The tourism sector is influenced by factors like income levels, education, family structure, and national holidays, which shape the demand for different types of travel.
• 😀 Tourism involves both supply and demand: the demand side focuses on the desire for leisure, study, or business travel, while the supply side includes infrastructure, accommodations, and services.
• 😀 The multiplier effect in tourism means that money spent by tourists flows through various sectors, boosting local economies beyond the tourism industry.
• 😀 Tourism, when managed well, can contribute positively to regional development, but benefits can be unevenly distributed, with locals often missing out while outside investors gain more.
• 😀 Economic limits of tourism include issues like insufficient returns for investors, misuse of public resources, and the risk of cultural and environmental degradation in peripheral regions.
• 😀 Sustainable tourism emerged as a solution to the economic and environmental challenges of mass tourism, emphasizing integrated planning, local governance, and certification for responsible tourism practices.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the session presented by Isa Susana?

The primary focus of the session is 'Tourism and Sustainable Local Development'. It covers topics such as the growth of tourism, its impact on local development, and the factors influencing tourism demand and supply.

What is Isa Susana's professional background and expertise?

Isa Susana is a lecturer at the Institute of Technology Sumatra, specializing in urban and regional planning. Her research interests include participatory planning, social innovation, sustainable tourism, island studies, and regional development.

What are the three key topics that the session will cover?

The session will cover three main topics: 1) The growth of tourism, 2) The supply and demand of tourism, and 3) Tourism and local development.

How did tourism growth fluctuate globally between 2000 and 2023?

Tourism growth saw a significant increase in global tourist arrivals until 2019, but dropped drastically in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, tourism started to recover gradually from 2021 onward.

What was the first international event that recognized the importance of tourism?

The first international recognition of tourism's importance was the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) declaring 1967 as the first International Year of Tourism.

What are some of the criticisms that arose regarding mass tourism?

Criticisms of mass tourism began in the 1980s, focusing on its commercialization and exploitation, leading to discussions on responsible and sustainable tourism practices.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the tourism industry?

The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented disruption in the tourism industry, leading to massive drops in international tourist arrivals due to lockdowns and travel restrictions, though the sector began to recover after 2020.

What are the economic impacts of tourism, especially in peripheral regions?

In peripheral regions, tourism can lead to significant economic benefits, but there are also challenges such as insufficient returns for investors, dependency on foreign operators, and the distortion of local resources like land and labor markets.

What is the 'multiplier effect' in tourism and local development?

The multiplier effect refers to how tourism spending in one area can stimulate other sectors of the local economy. For example, money spent by tourists on hotels can positively affect other sectors such as local restaurants and services.

What is the main challenge associated with tourism as an export industry in local development?

The main challenge is that while tourism can bring in foreign currency, the benefits often do not reach local communities evenly. Instead, outsiders or foreign operators tend to reap most of the economic benefits.

What strategies are recommended for achieving sustainable tourism?

Strategies for sustainable tourism include integrated planning that considers economic, social, and environmental factors, strong local governance, and the use of quality certifications for responsible tourism practices.