The Tourism Trends In Mauritius Tourism Essay

The Tourism Trends In Mauritius Tourism EssayNowadays touristry has become the major focus, mainly for modest farming countries which prolong an effect on topical anesthetic pot in basis of socio-cultural, environmental and sparingal impacts. Residents perceptions atomic number 18 very important and at that place is a need to lowstand how these perceptions can contribute towards touristry development. The reason of this record is to provide a theoretical background for assessing topical anesthetic the great unwashed offices on the impacts of touristry development in Bel Ombre, Mauritius. Tourism and sustainable development ar interrelated and has been usually identified with the fast rising demand of tourists acting in concert with the natural environment. Tourism has the capability to protect as well as to destroy a destination. Studying the impacts of touristry is a critical element of evaluate how touristry concerns the economy, socio-cultural and environment aspects in Mauritius. A well elaborated lit shows the character of the main interaction of tourist and host, uniqueness of host-tourist relationship and their connection with the impacts generated by touristry development. Researchers were more interested towards the interaction amidst the tourists and the local people. Though, there be preceding studies that have considered the issue from tourist perspective. To achieve the purpose of this study a questionn stemmae was designed and a survey was undertaken among the local residents. Concerning the compendium part, quantitative approach was useful and the aim and objectives were related to the majority of relevant literature.1.2 Problem controversyThe main reason for doing this study is because touristry is one of the major sectors in more countries, including Mauritius, with the high schoolest growth potential. It is the worlds largest employer and one among the major sources of substantial foreign diversify salary (Blank , 1991 Richards, 2003 Mwandosya, 2007). It is by means of this observation that mevery people believe that the assiduity is well placed as one of the major means through which development of local communities can be achieved (Scheyvens, 2002 Beeton, 2006). unity approach to enhance this development through tourism is to involve local communities and ensure that their potential role is tapped and maintained through active association in the application (Beeton, 2006). It is imperative to none that involvement and partnership of these communities is central to the sustainable development of the industry not only because tourism has had a close connection with the local communities, particularly as hosts and guides (Scheyvens, 2002), but in like manner because the destinations of tourists are communities and it is in the familiarity that tourism happens (Blank, 1989 p.115).Participation is a help through which stakeholders, among them the local communities who are often the intended beneficiaries of club tourism, influence and share control over development initiatives and the decisions and resources which affect them (Havel, 1996). Participation, therefore, seeks collaboration or partnerships and the loyalty necessary to ensure sustainability of tourism development initiatives (Wolfensohn, 1996). Paradoxically, the outcomes of friendship are usually a reflection of a certain level of involvement of relevant stakeholders in the decision- reservation summons which in turn enables people to make informed commitments to a particular tourism project (Havel, 1996). According to Akama (1999) as cited in Manyara and Jones (2007, p.629), local communities are hardly involved in tourism development and they are usually without a voice in the development process (Havel, 1996). This situation according to Mbaiwa (2005) is opposed to the principles of sustainable tourismdevelopment which, among other things, emphasize the involvement and participation of loca l communities.1.3 Aims and Objectives of the studyThe aim of this study is to assess the residents attitudes and perceptions about the impacts caused by tourism development in Bel Ombre.The objectives of the study areTo assess the extent of local peoples perceptions and attitudes in the tourism developmentTo assess the positive and prohibit impacts of tourism developmentTo assess the extent of local peoples involvement and participation in tourism development in their local areasTo investigate if local people are aware of the impacts of tourism development.1.4 Tourism trends in MauritiusSince the 1990s, Mauritius adopted economic reforms aimed at establishing a market-based and private-sector-driven economy that marked significant growth in many sectors of the countrys economy. much(pre titulary) reforms for example, helped to improve the performance of the countrys tourism industry and enhanced growth of the sector through improved marketing and promotional campaigns, improved to urism services, improved air access to Mauritius, accommodation facilities, and other tourism assumeing infrastructures. More specifically, growth in the Mauritian tourism industry can be measured by looking at the trends in tourism receipts, tourist arrivals, tourism annual growth, number of hotels and hotel rooms, contribution of the sector to countrys GDP, and direct jobs created by the industry. To give a fleet picture of the performance of the tourism industry in Mauritius and to be able to gauge the achievements already realized by the industry.While the tourism industry continues to be one of the key foreign exchange earners in Mauritius, the industry considers primarily on the flow of international tourists to the country. The countrys main source markets are Britain, Germany, the United States, Italy, France, Spain, and virtually new markets emerging around China and Asian countries. The majority of international tourists come to Mauritius for cultural, adventure and be ach resort all together making Mauritius a quality destination.It is, however, interesting to note from the statistics below that, in Mauritius, earnings from international tourism have grown more rapidly than tourist arrivals in nominal terms due to the to promote Mauritius as a high quality destination. Arguably, the increasing tourist numbers to Mauritius may be a convincing indicator of increasing opportunities for local communities to earn revenue from tourism and these revenue opportunities could eventually contribute significantly to greater local interest in the development of the industry (Victurine, 2000).Table 1- Tourist arrivals, nights and receipts, 2009 2012YearTourist arrivals (Number)Tourist nights (000)Tourism receipts 1 (Rs million)2009871,3568,63935,6932010934,8279,49539,4562011964,6429,73042,717 320091st Qr.232,9082,25010,2652nd Qr.180,5961,7917,9841st Semester413,5044,04118,2493rd Qr.195,3812,2807,436quaternary Qr.262,4712,31810,0082nd Semester457,8524,59817,4 4420101st Qr.249,9712,94311,0212nd Qr.189,1791,8558,7881st Semester439,1504,79819,8093rd Qr.207,5062,2758,3584th Qr.288,1712,42211,2892nd Semester495,6774,69719,64720111st Qr.262,6262,96011,9492nd Qr.201,9781,9759,3551st Semester464,6044,93521,3043rd Qr.209,7792,3258,8454th Qr.290,2592,47012,568 32nd Semester500,0384,79521,413 32012 21st Qr.261,9952,95013,768 32nd Qr.205,1582,0109,7801st Semester467,1534,96023,548Source www.gov.mu1.5 Outline of StudyChapter 1- IntroductionThis chapter gives an overview of the study and the outline of the dissertation. It includes the introduction, problem advancement, aims and objectives of the research.Chapter 2- Literature ReviewThe literature review entails the theoretical background the main aim in writing this is to assess existing literature related to the study, what other researchers have done, including empirical march to provide a gear upation to the study. It consists of all the theoretical aspects like the perceptions and attitudes of local people towards tourism development. The impacts of tourism development are also discussed along with how the fraternity participation can reduce or increase these tourism impacts.Chapter 3- MethodologyThis comprises of the methodology of how the research was conducted, the questionnaire design, method used to collect the data, sampling techniques used, the data analysis and limitations of the study.Chapter 4- Results and DiscussionsIn this chapter the data collected through the use of questionnaires, will be analysed by making use of graphical, mean and standard deviation. Package for the Social acquaintance (SPSS) Software was used to make these analyses.Chapter 5- Recommendations and ConclusionsThe last chapter identifies the possible solution to come across for the problems of the poor involvement of locals. The perceptions of residents on the impacts generated from tourism development, thus leading to the windup of the project.CHAPTER TWOLITERATURE REVIEW2.1 Introduc tionThis chapter seeks to address a number of issues related to federation involvement and participation in the tourism industry by examining whatsoever key points emerging from various studies, reports and other sources of information. It starts with a discussion about the perceptions and attitudes of host community towards the impacts of tourism development. Some critics about Doxey Irridex Model and pantryman Tourism Area life hertz will also be discussed. The chapter also identifies factors which influence local communities and attract their participation in the tourism industry. It continues with a discussion about the tourism impacts that arise due tourism development in a small community. The chapter concludes by highlighting key issues raised by the literature that form the basis of this research.2.2 Sustainable Tourism DevelopmentSustainable tourism development (STD) is a long-term approach that cultivates economically viable tourism without harming residents environme nt or society while simultaneously ensuring fair distribution of be and benefits (DBEDT, 2006a). Decisions are based on economic, environmental, and cultural impacts how wealth is generated and distributed and the relative might and interactions among the stakeholders (Bramwell, 2006 Twining-Ward pantryman, 2002). STD balances industrys goal of profit with the needs of the environment and stakeholders (Bramwell, 2006). Stakeholder cooperation is necessary for sustainable tourism otherwise only the to the highest degree powerful will benefit (Dyer, Gursoy, Sharma, Carter, 2007). To keep stakeholders conform to with tourism development and their community, the environment and elaboration must be protected (Ahn et al., 2002 Hjalager, 1996). When tourism development enhances, rather than erodes the natural environment, a more sustainable tourism product can be offered to put forward the destinations economy (Batra Kaur, 1996).A government that effectively manages tourism creat es benefits for all stakeholders (Jamal Getz, 1995). Effective management is avoiding negative impacts through a combination of general protective measures regulations to control development and financial res chasets (Cohen, 1978 Hjalager, 1996). Improvement of the environment can be achieved by ensuring that development is harmonious with the overall project for the destination (Batra Kaur, 1996). Necessary tourism infrastructure such as roads, airports, parks, and visitor centers are also the responsibility of government (Jamal Getz, 1995). Maintenance of infrastructure and facilities is expensive and residents, through property taxes, should not be the only group to bear this burden (Wong, 1996). Residents benefit when tourists spend money in the local economy and create jobs, as well as from the development of infrastructure that residents also utilize (Wong, 1996).Residents in mass tourism destinations such as Hawaii depend on tourism for their standard of living (Liu, She ldon, Var, 1987). Because tourism development usually involves a tradeoff between economic benefits and environmental or cultural costs, residents cope by downplaying the negative impacts based and emphasizing the economic gains to maintain satisfaction with their community (Dyer et al., 2007 Cavus Tanrisevdi, 2003 Faulkner Tideswell, 1997). Residents with the most economic gain are the most supportive of the tourism industry (Harrill, 2004).Cavus Tanrisevdi (2003) found that the development process controlled by planners was the primary factor in residents negative attitudes towards tourism. When residents perceive that the costs of tourism outweigh the benefits, feelings of resentment and irritation towards tourists can develop and lower community satisfaction (Doxey, 1975 Faulkner Tideswell, 1997 Ko Stewart, 2002). Residents who feel that they have a voice in tourism mean are more positive towards tourism (Cavus Tanrisevdi, 2003). According to Choi Sirakaya (2005), susta inable tourism is the development pathway to minimize the negative impacts of tourism. There are many ways to make tourism more sustainable but few tools for evaluating and testing a sustainable tourism framework (Choi Sirakaya, 2005). Audits and resource valuation evaluate tourisms costs and benefits so that they can be more or less distributed to stakeholders (Warnken et al., 2004 Wen, 1998). Limiting tourism growth (such as extraditeing capacity or limits of acceptable change) can also make development more sustainable (Cohen, 1978 Butler, 1980 Gssling, Peeters, Ceron, Dubois, Patterson, Richardson, 2005 Christensen Beckmann, 1998 Ahn et al., 2002). In these approaches, government management and stakeholder cooperation are necessary to reach a consensus for how to manage future tourism development. This is why Understanding residents perceptions are critical to fairly distributing the environmental, social, and economic costs and benefits of tourism thus, ultimately increasi ng sustainable tourism development (Twining-Ward Butler, 2002).2.3 Host Community Attitudes and Perceptions about Tourism DevelopmentThis study aims at identifying the relationships between residents socio- cultural, economic and environmental aspect and their attitudes towards tourism by focusing on a small community where tourism is in the development stage. By conducting this research, the cause hopes to come across the residents attitudes and capture their current perceptions about tourism development in their area. Moreover, this research is being done because most authors agree that initial community attitudes toward tourism are critical to community involvement in the industry (Murphy 1981), the formation of destination image (Echtner Ritchie 1991).Attitudes are defined as a state of mind of the individual toward a value (Allport 1966, p. 24) and as an enduring predisposition towards a particular aspect of ones environment (McDougall Munro 1987, p. 87). Attitude of host c ommunity to tourism based development can improve if there is a boost in the tangible and indescribable settlements the host community can gull by being in based development (Choi Sirakaya, 2006). As Attitudes are based under this understanding, this is why some researchers came to a conclusion that residents attitudes toward tourism are not simply the reflections of residents perceptions of tourism impacts, but the results of interaction between residents perceptions and the factors affecting their attitudes (Lankford et al.1994). Some preceding researches have proved that some most important impacts of tourism are identified along with its variables, however the possibleness is underdeveloped Currently there is limited understanding of why residents respond to the impacts of tourism as they do, and under what conditions residents react to those impacts (Ap 1992, p. 666). Husband (1989) also addressed this issue by saying There is, so far, no theoretical justification of why som e people are, or are not, favorably disposed to tourism.Various issues can persuade perceptions of the host community about positive outcomes of tourism development. Support will depend on the degree of benefits perceived. The participation of community will be discussed later on in the literature review. The acceptance of local values can also be an important factor that leads to the achievement of a tourism based development (Alexander, 2000). However over a certain period of time many findings detected that host community perceptions in the direction from tourism may have more positive attitudes. People who depend on tourism industry or having a better economic benefit may possibly have a higher degree of positivity than other inhabitants who do not benefit from a tourism development (lankford and howard, 1994 Jurowski, Uysal, and willimas, 1997 Sirakaya , Teye and Sonmez,2002 ).Lindberg and Johnson (1997) mentioned that people having higher economic impacts from tourism may have more positive attitudes. However Travis (1984) has stated that its not only an economic characteristic such as the opportunity for jobs creation or capital generation that needs to be considered by the host community. The socio-cultural and environmental aspects are also very important. For Choi and Sirakaya (2005), the most community should also have a better environment in term of infrastructures and improved amenities such as leisure and recreational activities. They describe tourism as consisting of various supports and any development in the tourism field should ensure the protection of the culture of host community, alongside the protection of the environment.In order to clarify the relationship between the impacts of tourism and residents attitudes toward tourism, several poseurs have been developed. One of the most influential models is Doxeys Irridex model (1975) which suggests that residents attitudes toward tourism may pass through a series of stages from euphoria, thro ugh apathy and irritation. to antagonism, as perceived costs exceed the expected benefits. This model is back up by Long et al.s (1990) research results, which indicate residents attitudes, are initially favorable but become negative after stretching a threshold.To have a better comprehension about the relationship between the impacts of tourism and residents attitudes toward tourism, several models like Butler Tourism Life cycle Area and Doxey Irridex model have been developed. One of the most dominant models is Doxeys Irridex model (1975) which suggests that residents attitudes toward tourism may pass through a series of stages from euphoria, through apathy and irritation. to antagonism, as perceived costs exceed the expected benefits. This model was supported by Long et al.s (1990) research results, which indicated that residents attitudes are initially favorable but become negative after reaching a threshold. The Irridex model indicates that residents attitudes toward tourism will change overtime. It suggests that residents attitudes and reactions toward tourism contain a sense of homogeneity (Mason et al. 2000). Conversely, this concept was challenged by some research findings that inform heterogeneous community responses and diverse residents attitudes simultaneously existing in a community (Brougham et al. 1981,Rothman 1978).2.4 Critics about Doxey Irridex Model and Butler Tourism Area Life cycleButler (1980) took a more complicated approach. He argued that tourist areas go through a recognizable cycle of evolution he used an S-shaped crimp to illustrate their different stages of popularity. Butler stated that there are six stages through which tourist areas pass. These include the exploration stage, involvement stage, development stage, consolidation stage, stagnation stage, and decline stage. His study also reveals that evolution is brought about by a variety of factors, including changes in preferences and needs of visitors, the gradual deterior ation and possible replacement of somatogenic plant and facilities, and the change of the original natural and cultural attractions, which is responsible for the initial popularity of the area. Furthermore this model is supported by Murphys (1983) research results, which reveal the distinct attitude differences among residents, public officials, and business owners in three English tourist centers. Although Butlers model addresses the difficulty of residents attitudes toward tourism, researchers still lacked theories explaining relationships between residents attitudes and tourism impacts until Ap (1992) applied social exchange theory to tourism.2.5 Social Exchange TheoryAccording to the theory, exchange will start, only when there are irregular inaction forms. Ap (1992) suggests that residents evaluate tourism in terms of social exchange, that is, evaluate it in terms of expected benefits or costs obtained in return for the services they supply He also argued that when exchange of resources is high for the host actor in either the balanced or unbalanced exchange relation, tourism impacts are viewed positively, while tourism impacts are viewed negatively if exchange of resources is low. Social exchange theory has been examined as a theoretical framework by researchers to describe residents attitudes toward tourism impacts (Perdue et al. 1990, McGehee Andereck 2004).However mason and Cheyen (2000) stated that that the representation of Butler assumes a degree of homogeneity of community reaction. Butler (2006) supported his model by suggesting that a consistent evolution of tourist area can be conceptualized. Different phases at a particular destination may not be understood without mistakes. The demonstration hence should be concerned only to some extent as the phase itself differs from one tourist area to anotherb(Tosun,2002).The Doxey irridex model gives a clear view of how host community attitude changes over a period of time. It mentions host community p erceptions, reactions and attitudes in the direction of tourism (Manson et al.2000). This can be a conflicting principle because some research came to a conclusion that various host community attitudes and perceptions may exist in the community, (Brougham et al.1981, Rothman 1978). Akis, Peristanis Warner (1996) disapprove the Irridex Model and The Tourism Life Cycle and view it as too simple, because two models give a few hint of changing host community perceptions and attitudes over time. Other researchers like Lankford and Howard (1994, P.135) opposed against the model of Doxey(1975) because positive and negative factors that affect the perceptions and attitudes of host community are not given much consideration.As the tourism industry keeps on changing, this may be a reason why we must give this industry continuous support for its related development. Andereck vogt( 2000) stated that it is considered that optimistic attitudes towards tourism may entail the encouragement for f urther tourism development. If there is any delay in tourism project development this can be due to frustration towards tourists. Mill and Morisson (1984) even mention that, an acceptance of tourism cannot be built unless the benefits of tourism are made relevant to the community. Attitudes and perceptions of host community at a destination is of utmost importance in the deed of tourism development alongside the development of the industry at large also, (Hayword,1975), (Heenan, 1978), and Hiller (1976).There is a broad belief perception and attitudes of host community in the direction of tourism outcomes are apt to become meaty planning and policy concern for flourishing development and expansion of existing and potential tourism programs, (Ap,1992). Host community attitudes and perception is very important as it will influence their behavior towards tourism, (Andriotis and Vaughan, 2003).2.6 Host community involvement and participationCommunity participation has become a common element in many development initiatives, such as community-based programmes, which assume participatory methods and has been promoted by development organizations, notably the mankind Bank, to address the inefficiency of highly centralized development approaches particularly in the developing world (Baral and Heinen, 2007).Today, many development initiatives solicit the participation of all concerned stakeholders, at the relevant level, not only for the sake of efficiency and equity of the programmes, leverage of donors and demands of local communities, but also for sustainability of these initiatives (Ribot, 2004). Consequently, the real outcome for soliciting such community participation is to create and produce an enabling environment needed by these stakeholders, especially local communities who have been vulnerable to negative impacts of tourism attributed partly to the fact that many tourism resources occur in their areas, to have a real stake in development activities (Havel , 1996 Songorwa, 1999). This requires involving local communities in decision-making and strengthening their ability to act for themselves. One approach to achieve this is through investments in human capital, such as education and health, investments in social capital such as local-level institutions and participatory processes, and support for community based development efforts planned and implemented from bottom up (Havel, 1996, p.145). However, given the fact that the central point underlying peoples participation may be the degree of power distribution, these efforts are less likely to succeed unless responsive institutions and the legal and policy framework that facilitate and support local participation are in place (Havel, 1996 Tosun, 2004 Wang and Wall, 2005).It is probably important to insist from here that a key consideration in tourism development is sustainability, which cannot be achieved without community support (Vincent and Thompson, 2002). While sustainability is the core objective of community participation (Vincent and Thompson, 2002 Johannesen and Skonhoft, 2005), proponents of community tourism further argue that community participation seeks to improve the welfare of the local community and, perhaps most importantly, win their support in conservation of tourism resources (Songorwa, 1999). This means community participation is inevitable and imperative for tourism development because most tourist attractions lie within local communities or in their vicinities and in most cases co-exist side by side with the communities, for instance, in wildlife areas.Community participation via decision-making is an essential determinant to ensure that the benefits that local communities get from tourism are guaranteed, and their lifestyles and values are respected. It is, however, important to note that community participation in decision making is not only desirable but also necessary so as to maximize the socio-economic benefits of tourism for the co mmunity. It is perhaps one of the most important elements of tourism management to enable communities who often serve as tourist destinations and for that matter suffer from the negative impacts of tourism, to get involved and eventually participate in planning decisions regarding tourism development. This is important in order to create better handling of the negative impacts of tourism development (Li, 2004 Tosun, 2000). It is equally important to note, therefore, that integration of local communities into the decision-making process is not a final goal itself but only one of the many ways through which community participation can be achieved (Li, 2005, p.133). other way to involve and attract community participation and ultimately their support in tourism development is through local job creation (Zhao and Ritchie, 2007). Since tourism offers better labour-intensive and small scale opportunities (Chok and Macbeth, 2007 Scheyvens, 2007) and since it happens in the community, argua bly, it is thought to be one of the best placed potential sources of employment opportunities for local communities, inclusive of women and the open sector (Blank, 1989 Li, 2005 Johannesen and Skonhoft, 2005 Scheyvens, 2007). Community participation via employment opportunities, as workers or as small business operators, can be a catalyst to the development of tourism products and services, arts, crafts and cultural values, especially through taking advantage of abundant natural and cultural assets available in communities in developing countries (Scheyvens, 2007). Tosun (2000) stated that community participation through working in the tourism industry has been recognized to help local communities not only to support development of the industry but also to receive more than economic benefits.However, it is important to understand that in some cases community participation is seen as a way of getting people to carry out activities or share their costs while the benefits are not clea r to those expected to participate (Havel, 1996). This implies that a key factor to the success of any community-based tourism project is the incentive to benefit sharing which is usually attractive enough to make people highly motivated to participate. As Havel (1996) asserted people will not participate unless they believe it is their interest to do soInvolvement and participation of the community in decision-making is advocated so that communities can have some control over tourism resources, initiatives and decisions that affect their livelihood (Wang, and Wall, 2005). On the other hand, the idea of involvement and participation of local communities in the tourism benefits is easily reflected in increasing incomes, employment, and education of local communities about tourism and entrepreneurship (Timothy, 1999). One way to accomplish this is to increase public awareness of tourism through education campaigns and train local communities for employment in the industry. While incre ased public awareness creates a more hospitable environment for tourists and improves the image of the destination, providing entrepreneurial training empowers local communities and ultimately increases their capacity to receive significant benefits from tourism (Timothy, 1999). This enables tourism-oriented businesses and locals such as taxi drivers, guesthouse managers, restaurant owners, and street vendors, th