Question

Nature-based tourism businesses play important roles in tourism system and must therefore be involved in the development of more sustainable forms of tourism. In your opinion:

1) Discuss the assertion that 'small-scale tourism businesses are intrinsically more sustainable than large-scale tourism businesses.

2) How a nature-based tourism business can support local economic development (tourism destination)

Answer 1

1. Small scale tourism businesses involves less investment, comprise of less resources and no frills facilities. They have few overhead costs, because their business requirements are generally fulfilled through their surrounding ecosystem itself. They don't alter the environment they operate in. Besides this, these businesses are source of livelihood for the locals. Due to shared stakes and sticking to basics, these businesses are more sustainable and risk resilient than the large scale businesses which generally affect the environment and local ecosystem more adversely, bear more risk of failure due to high investments and create environmental imbalance due to non eco friendly practices.

2. Nature based tourism business may provide livelihood to the locals in from of direct employment at the hotels / resorts or the related activities, boost the trade, supply system and thus local economy as a result of influx of tourists. It may also develop local entrepreneurs and who might set up the tourism based businesses of taxi service, gift items, food chains, entertainment, local arts and crafts and selling nature based products to the tourists.