Tourism as a tool for sustainable living: challenges and opportunities
Presenter
Dr. Gianna Moscardo
Associate Dean Research Education
Faculty of Law, Business & Creative Arts
Professor, School of Business
James Cook University, Townsville
Abstract
There are two types of arguments made for the development of tourism - one that focuses on its benefits for destination development through the provision of income and employment, and one that focuses on the potential benefits that could come from exposing tourists to cultural diversity and environments of significance. The latter argument suggests that tourism can be a force for peace and environmental awareness and concern. The evidence that tourism actually contributes to any of these things is, however, very limited. This presentation will argue that tourism does have the potential to contribute to destination community well-being and an increased awareness of the social and environmental dimensions of sustainability, but not in its current forms. The presentation will make this argument using a case study of Magnetic Island in Australia and an ongoing research and development program focused on new ways to make tourism work as a tool to encourage sustainable living and to support sustainability in a destination.