Research Proposal: Sustainable Tourism in Andalusia
1. INTRODUCTION.
This assignment is focused on presenting an original research proposal about the extent in which a sustainable tourism industry is viable in Andalusia. Firstly, the reasons why research proves to be a worthwhile and interesting project will be discussed into this field, paying particular attention to the positive and negative effects of tourism on the environment and the economy and if the sustainable tourism industry is possible in Andalusia. Secondly, the possible literature sources and the issues which have already been researched will be analysed. Gaps in existing literature will be highlighted, and questions relating to the purpose of this research and the conceptual context will be set. Moreover, the research methods that will be used as well as their validity will be discussed in relation to the research questions. Finally, the time and resource constraints will be presented in a time schedule.
2. PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH.
The tourist activity has developed in such spectacular way in the past decades. Hence it is being referred to as a phenomenon.
Tourism is of vital importance to many countries because it represents a fundamental source in its overall balance of payments and for many developing countries it is one of the few activities that have the possibility of becoming a competitive business contributor to their economical development.
The development of traditional tourism has generated a model of an extensive growth based on the constant increase in the number of visitors (independent of tourist reception limit of the territory) and the urgency for short term benefits. The incentive is a trivial, consumist, and basic offer, with a small or even non committal to the culture and local traditions. One of the consequences of this trend is the appearance of very strong environmental pressure, which causes important damages on the environment. It is about an unsustainable model, which has persisted for four decades. (Fullana & Ayuso,
This assignment is focused on presenting an original research proposal about the extent in which a sustainable tourism industry is viable in Andalusia. Firstly, the reasons why research proves to be a worthwhile and interesting project will be discussed into this field, paying particular attention to the positive and negative effects of tourism on the environment and the economy and if the sustainable tourism industry is possible in Andalusia. Secondly, the possible literature sources and the issues which have already been researched will be analysed. Gaps in existing literature will be highlighted, and questions relating to the purpose of this research and the conceptual context will be set. Moreover, the research methods that will be used as well as their validity will be discussed in relation to the research questions. Finally, the time and resource constraints will be presented in a time schedule.
2. PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH.
The tourist activity has developed in such spectacular way in the past decades. Hence it is being referred to as a phenomenon.
Tourism is of vital importance to many countries because it represents a fundamental source in its overall balance of payments and for many developing countries it is one of the few activities that have the possibility of becoming a competitive business contributor to their economical development.
The development of traditional tourism has generated a model of an extensive growth based on the constant increase in the number of visitors (independent of tourist reception limit of the territory) and the urgency for short term benefits. The incentive is a trivial, consumist, and basic offer, with a small or even non committal to the culture and local traditions. One of the consequences of this trend is the appearance of very strong environmental pressure, which causes important damages on the environment. It is about an unsustainable model, which has persisted for four decades. (Fullana & Ayuso,
References: Foj Candel, J.F. (2003) El sector de la hosteleria y turismo en Andalucia. Algaida Madrid. Perez de las Heras, M. (2004) Manual del turismo sostenible: cómo conseguir un turismo social, económico y ambientalmente responsable. M. Mundi Prensa Libros S.A. Prieto Del Campo, F. (2004) Indicadores de turismo sostenible en España. Multimedia ambiental,S.L. Madrid. Zikmund, William, G, (2003) Business Research Methods. 7th ed. U.S.A.: South-Western. Sullana, P. & Ayuso, S. (2002) Turismo sostenible. Barcelona. Rubes editorial. http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/eco-tour.html (Accessed 15th March 2005) www3.gov.ab.ca/env/climate/actionplan/glossary.html (Accessed 9th March 2005) http://www.tecnociencia.es/especiales/turismo_sostenible/2.htm#2 (Accessed 9th March 2005) http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/EstcambioClimatico/AntDesSostenible.html (Accessed 18th March 2005)