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Introduction

Discuss and explain the efforts made by both the public and private sector in managing tourism Tourism management mainly aims to reduce negative impacts of tourism, so as to achieve a more sustainable form of tourism. Sustainability in this context refers to the ability to develop and operate tourism in a way that both satisfies current needs and assure future viability of the industry. It has been recognised that for sustainable tourism to be viable, efforts need to be made by both public sector and the private sector. Depending on merely market forces will not achieve sustainability. The public sector, or mainly the government, can lay out laws and legislation, conduct research, as well as provide funds and expertise to aid sustainable tourism development and management, while the private sector can aid research in achieving sustainability, donate to funds and adopt sustainability into their tourism operations. The government can initiate sustainable tourism management. Negative impacts are felt by people involved in tourism, but most of the time, no actions were taken to remedy this problem. ...read more.

Middle

However, one limitation is that usually only the government has the means to encourage such research. In addition, the public sector can develop and improve infrastructure needed for sustainable tourism. For example, in Pattaya, the Pattaya Rehabilitation Program has resulted in the development and operation of a much need facilities such as wastewater treatment plant, water reservoirs, roadways and commercial areas, as well as environmental development such as creation of parks. On the other hand, the private sector also plays an important role in managing tourism. The private sector can share information with the public sector to aid research in achieving sustainable tourism, as well as contribute to sustainable tourism by donations to funds financing sustainable management. For example, Citigroup Foundation donated $150,000 dollars in 2006 to support the Rainforest Alliance, which promote sustainable tourism development in Latin America. Also, although the government can facilitate sustainable management, the effectiveness often lies on whether the tourism operations abide with sustainability. An example of such cooperation can be seen in Masoka, Zimbabwe, where safari operators remove the rubbish of safari hunters after each hunt. ...read more.

Conclusion

Another limitation is that due to profit motives, the private sector may be unenthusiastic in developing sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism requires efforts such as cleaning up pollution and improving infrastructure, as well as limiting tourist number to a manageable figure. These can translate to a reduction in overall profits as operational costs increases and overall revenue falls. Also, sustainable management often require large funds in developing needed infrastructure and expertise and knowledge in management. This may not be available to some countries. However, it can be seen today that the severity of this problems are reduced with support from international agencies such as the Worldwide Fund for Nature. Lastly, one mistake seen in trying to achieve sustainable tourism is the undermining of local community's involvement. It has been recognised that one of the key to achieving sustainable tourism is a high involvement of local community in the planning, management and operation. Therefore, the private sector should not only include commercial companies, but also the local community. In conclusion, both the public and private sector are important in managing tourism. Successful tourism management requires an adequate level of cooperation between the authority, commercial companies and local communities. ...read more.

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