Option E: Case Studies

Belize – Ecotourism

Today, the Ministry of Tourism and Youth oversees an industry that offers very diverse types of mainland and marine tourism experiences. The diversity of Belize’s tourism product continues to set the country apart from other world destinations. Belize offers a kaleidoscope of tourist attractions, particularly to the visitor interested in natural and/or cultural history. With its rainforests, diverse marine and terrestrial wildlife, its living Maya and archaeological sites, and the second longest barrier reef in the world, Belize has an enviable tourism resource base to present to the world. Moreover, as mentioned above, its history and its geographical location enable Belize to offer both a Latin and a Caribbean tourism experience in an English-speaking country - a unique and highly saleable combination.

Belize caves have been, and remain, the key drawing factor for visitors to Belize, 8 because of the presence of the 200 miles long Belize Barrier Reef, which provides opportunities for world class diving and snorkelling. While most tourists stay in the island of San Pedro Ambergris Caye, which has the most developed tourism infrastructure, other facilities for visitors have grown up on Caye Caulker, Turneffe and the other islands and atolls, appealing mainly to serious divers and others looking for an out of the way and non-touristy destination.

After the reef and cays, Belize Mayan ruins are the second most popular draw for tourists. Visitation to archaeological sites has maintained an increase yearly, (reflected in the Annex). There are many sites in the country that are in different states of excavation, including Cerros in Corozal, Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech and Pilar in Cayo District, Altun Ha in Belize District, Laminai in Orange Walk, and Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit in Toledo District. Caracol, in particular, is an enormous site with the potential to put Belize squarely and quickly on the Ruta Maya map.

Belize’s cultural diversity is also a major attraction for tourists. Many stakeholders noted that they consider the living Maya to be a strong attraction for many tourists. Belize has many events and festivals that are of interest to tourists, many of which include a cultural focus. Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19) is a well-known event, where Belizeans gather from all over the country in Dangriga and Toledo to celebrate with the Garifuna in recognition of their arrival to the region from other Caribbean islands in 1823. Local drummers, the local “punta rock” music, and the traditional foods make this celebration an entertaining spectacle. The Toledo Maya Cultural Council (TMCC) has made efforts in recent years to bring back the traditional dances and celebrations of the Maya, and celebrations can be observed in some of the village from mid-August to September 25, when a large dancing festival usually occurs in San Antonio.

Capitalizing in this endowment, the country has focused on ecotourism, i.e. marketing of this industry is based on ecotourism, rather than just traditional tourism (sea, sand and sun) as its development strategy.

####### Institutional structure of biodiversity government planning anpolicy**

Under the portfolio of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is the Forestry Department with the responsibility for administering the Forest, National Parks System and Wildlife Protection Acts, thus all designated protected areas.
It also has a Mangrove Unit with special responsibilities for conservation in the coastal fringe and participates within the Coastal Zone Management Unit.
The Land Information Centre and the Land Utilization Authority are also under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment portfolio.
The Department of the Environment is specifically charged with fostering inter ministerial cooperation to promote prudent use and proper management of the natural resources of the country, control of pollution of the natural environment and the “re-establishment of ecological equilibrium”
The Fisheries Department is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and is responsible for the Fisheries Act and thus for any Marine Reserve created under it.
The Coastal Zone Management Unit is under the Fisheries Department and deals with the development of Marine Reserves.
The Department of Archaeology comes under the portfolio of the Ministry of Tourism and Youth and is responsible for Archaeological Reserves established under the Ancient Monuments and Antiquities Act, 1981

National sports league: NBA

NBA stands for National Basketball Association and NBA team is a tribute bestowed on the finest players in the basketball league, that is followed in each NBA season. NBA team hierarchy will enlist all the teams that take part in every league of the NBA season.
These teams are broadly divided into two parts – Western Conference and Eastern Conference. These groups are further subdivided into divisions.
These groups & sub groups cannot be classified depending upon their power or authority since they all have got equal rights and power. Thus, there cannot be various levels among these teams. However, these can still be arranged in a systematic manner in a hierarchical format to understand the exact arrangement.

Location factors for NBA teams

• Population density
• Socio-economic factors
  • Divisional territory
    • South Carolina has no NBa team but it borders both north Carolina and Georgia which have teams in Southeast so South Carolina is part of NBA’s Southeast region
    • Nevada borders both Pacific Division states and Northwest Division states so it stays neutral
• Cultural + historical factors
• Government + private investment
• Proximity to competing teams

The Maldives – a small island developing state (SIDS)

####### Background*

The Maldives is made up of 1,190 islands, out of which 200 are inhabitable. It is located 3 degrees north hence it has a tropical and monsoon climate, perfect for tourism. The Maldives receives 400,000 tourists annually.

####### Economic relevance*

Tourism accounts for 28% of the countries GDP and over 90% of the government tax revenue is from the imports. Maldives heavily relies on the tourism sector and only 7% from the agriculture sector. Hence, tourism has resulted in the creation of direct and indirect employment which has led to the multiplier effect. (The multiplier effect refers to the increase in GDP of the country which has increased the incomes of the residents, increasing the ability to spend. As spending in the economy increases the real GDP increases further)

####### Vulnerability to external shocks*

Between 2010 and 2020, tourism is expected to decline by 2%. Like other SIDS Maldives is vulnerable to external shocks. Sea level rise due to climate change is one of the biggest fears to Maldives considering that it is the lowest lying country in the globe. By 2030, the sea level is expected to rise to 59cm. The maldives are exposed to a range of external and unpredictable threats. The high dependence on the tourist sector makes the country more vulnerable. In december 2004, the tsunami had hit the country led to 100 people dead and thousands displaced. This had a huge impact on the tourist industry and had declined the real GDP by 3.4%

The Glastonbury Festival: a festival in a rural locations

• It is one of the largest open air music festival in Europe and includes many activities including heritage sots, exploring historical and religious buildings, and attending music, fine arts, and drama festivals
• It began as the Pilton Pop Festival in 1970 and has been held every year (except 2001)
• Huge open air festival covering approximately 800 acres, and accommodating 250,000 people

Impacts of the festival

####### Economic impacts

• Mendip local authority area, Shepton Mallet, Street and Wells, the south-west region and the UK all benefit financially
• Each visitor spends on average £293. The income from the festival makes substantial contributions to charities (Wateraid, Greenpeace, Oxfam) and may also be used to support local projects such as the provision of schools and sporting facilities
• There are also negative impacts: dealing with such a high number of tourists, drug and substance abuse, and crime such as theft

####### Environmental impacts

1. Air pollution
   • CO2 emissions increase in June when the 3-day festival is running
   • Car transport is popular because of the flexibility, but attempts have been made to encourage supporters to use public transport
2. Waste disposal
   • One of the biggest problem of the site
   • Consists mainly of human waste, plastics, tents
   • Tents present an enormous problem because they are left behind, and their condition is not good enough for charity use
   • In 2011, the Association of Independent Festivals found that 1 in 6 tents were left behind
3. Noise pollution
   • Many of the performances continue throughout the night, creating disturbances to local residents
4. Provision of resources
   • Energy, water, and food need to be supplied and residue has to be disposed of

London 2012 Olympic Games: an international event

• In 2012 London hosted the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, and they were considered a success for various reasons:
  • They attracted a worldwide audience
  • Helps regenerate one of London’s poorest areas
  • Created 12,000 jobs
  • £17 billion spent on upgrading infrastructure
  • 2,800 new homes built
  • 1.2% reduction in London’s unemployment in early 2012
  • Over 46,000 people worked at the Olympic Park aand Olympic Village, 10% of whom were previously unemployed
• The games also encouraged development in the East End of London, such as Westfield shopping center, employing the unemployed
• £30 million was invested to transform the Olympic site into the “Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park” which includes housing, new schools, health centers, business spaces, and sports venues. This involves converting the Olympic Village into more than 2,800 flats with additional new neighborhoods containing 11,000 residences
• Transport for London invested £6.5 million in transport infrastructure in preparation for the 2012 games:
  • 10 railway lines and 30 new bridges built
  • £10 million investment to upgrade pedestrian cycling routes

####### Why here

• Politically stable with other countries with good relations
• No terrorism
• Part of the EU, allowing people all over europe to enter easily without a visa

####### Sustainability

• Sustainable efforts in the project were monitored by an independent commission that rates the global effort as a “great success”
• More than 90% of demolition waste was recycled and 62% of operational waste was reused, recycled, or composted
• Over 1,000 new trees were planted in east London

####### Bad

• However, many people were not happy with the games
• The cost was around £11 billion and received a lottery funding of £675 million, which could have gone elsewhere
• Some people and businesses did not want to be forcibly relocated
• Regional development impacts: London and the South East received the bulk of the funds, increasing inequalities between those areas and the rest of the country

####### Aims of the games

• To regenerate and transform one of London’s poorest area
• To create a Games for the world, reflecting London’s diversity
• To inspire young people into taking part in the sport
• To create a legacy for East London which would last beyond 2012

Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia

####### Influences to the location: human and physical

• which has a very cold climate, chosen because of its normally abundant snowfall needed for winter sports
• Relief and flat land for building
• coastal location (water?)
• attractive landscape
• good international transport links, such as airports, increasing accessibility
• good accommodation for athletes and supporters
• good local transport and infrastructure
• pre-existing venues, reducing construction costs – pre-existing infrastructure
• government support and public opinion

TNCs: Hilton Worldwide and Thomas Cook Group (243)

Hilton Worldwide

• Founded in 191 by Conrad Hilton in the USA
• Has over 4,600 hotels in 100 countries
• Largest hotel chain in the world by rooms and international presence: over 750,000 rooms
• Sponsor of the US olympic team since 2005
• Credited with the development of the first hotel in SF in 2949
• Has a number of brands including Luxury hotels and Resorts (Conrad Hotels), and full service hotels (Hilton Hotels and Resorts)
• Employs over 160,000 people worldwide

Thomas Coke Group

• A tourism TNC that has diversified
• Founded in 1841 to take passengers between the cities of Leicester, Derby, Birmingham, Nottingham, in the UK
• Introduced “circular notes” which later became traveller’s cheques
• Also involved in military transport and postal service
• In the UK it became a “vertically integrated” company providing air transport, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and a tour operator
• Employs over 20,000 people and has over 3,000 stores, 97 aircraft, and 20 million customers per year
• Sponsor of the London 2012 Olympic Games

The Monteverde cloud forest, Costa Rica: sustainable tourism in an LIC

• NA

Managing tourism: Killarney National Park, Ireland

• Good land use management
• Region relies heavily on tourism as a source of employment and revenue and as the amount of paid holidays, disposable income and transport infrastructure has increased, the number of tourists visiting Killarney has risen dramatically