Part II
- In addressing the positive aspects, students may want to stress on the interrelationship/interconnectedness between the destination’s positive sustainable economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects and their implications on its tourism industry (example: More local economic gains leading to a better ability for local authorities to invest in green projects, savings, and also a better ability/funding to develop programs that preserve locals’ cultural identities and heritage).
- In your assessment, you may want to shed light on the human role in their interaction with the natural assets at the destination and its impacts on sustainability (with implications on its tourism industry) (provide evidence and/or examples) (example: local fishing practices and impacts on ecosystems or other recreational practices and impacts on forests – deforestation? or the opposite?).
- You may need to address the destination’s historic, cultural and political systems and their impacts on its sustainability in general and the sustainability of its tourism industry (please make sure to present the views of different stakeholders with evidence/examples) (example: the destination’s political system and its policies and their impacts on sustainability-related policies. Consequences and penalties associated with pollution – strict or laxed?).
. Your paper should have the following: a title page, table of contents and the differences sections (including headings and sub-headings see the different categories in the guidelines specified above – (sections 1-3).
- You are expected label each section and subsection. You should never leave your reader guessing!
- This report should not exceed 7 double-spaced pages (not less than 4 pages) (12 Times New Roman, plus a title page, table of contents, references, tables, graphs and pictures if applicable.
- You need to check your paper’s format, spelling, grammatical and punctuation before submission using Turnitin.
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SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROJECT
Valerie Spellman
Department of Hospitality and Tourism
HOS. 230: Sustainable Global Tourism Development
Dr. Zach Hallab
March 10, 2024
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Table of Contents
Title Page………………………………………………………………………………………1
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………2
Introduction………………………………………………………………………….….……..3
The tourist destination’s sustainable and unsustainable practices…………………………4
a. Social-Cultural………………………………………………………………………………4
b. Economic…………………………………………………………………………………….4
c. Environmental levels………………………………………………………………………4-5
Threats to the destination’s tourism sustainability………………………………………….6
Opportunities that may arise…………………………………………………………………6
References………………………………………………………………………………………7
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SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROJECT
Introduction
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is located at the bottom of the Baja peninsula where the Sea of
Cortes meets the Pacific Ocean. There are many great landmarks to travel to in the area such as
El Arco, which is a haven for world-class sport fishing and snorkeling. The area attracts
shoppers, diners, and there is a lively nightlife. The marina serves as the focal point, housing
sports fishing fleets, luxury yachts, and boats for various tours and cruises. Los Cabos is situated
900 miles south of San Diego, California. Mexico’s tourism development agency, FONATUR,
played a pivotal role in building the infrastructure that transformed Los Cabos into the renowned
resort destination it is today. The local population is approximately 110,000, with over one
million visitors each year. Cabo San Lucas welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year
arriving through air and cruises. Los Cabos tourism is booming as it has grown by 16%, 1.5
times the overall pace of Mexico. With 350 sunny days a year, Cabo continues to sustain an
impressive wave of while sustaining the environment and natural terrain. Cabo boasts some of
the most abundant marine life in the world, making it the perfect place to discover the world
below the waterline. Additionally, whale watching is probably the number one event for which
Cabo is known. When you plan your next trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico you have to remember
that the high season is from October to May and the low season is from July to mid-September.
After July the weather is not as pleasant for travelers.
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The Destination’s Sustainable and Unsustainable Practices
Social/ Cultural:
Is it sustainable? It is sustainable it is through poverty alleviation due to the money that is
coming in from local businesses and tourists alike. This Creates opportunities for people buying
empowering them to create solutions in generate revenue for their families as well as their
communities. Is it sustainable? The city promotes cultural diversity and is filled with Mexican
traditions such as festivals to enjoy local music, food, and art plus the scenic beauty of El Arco,
and the ocean surrounding the Marina make this area a hot tourist destination.
Economic:
Is it sustainable? Los Cabos continues to flourish due to pristine beaches and luxurious
resorts that attract visitors from all over the world. The Marina welcomes cruise ships, fishing
enthusiasts and golfers. This, in return creates employment opportunities and delivers economic
growth. Rural tourism is another incentive that promotes the surrounding communities to take
part in tourism, offering their services to entice travelers with activities such as hiking in the
local mountains, cycling, cooking classes, honey production, etc. This helps to boost the
economy as well as responsible tourism, organic agriculture, and the preservation of natural
resources for the future of the residents and the tourists that visit.
Environmental levels:
Is it sustainable? Blue-flag certified beaches are just the start of what the area has to offer.
The Sea of Cortez has waters that are rich in marine life with tropical fish and coral reefs. In an
effort to reduce pressure on the physical environment including state parks and federal nature
preserves that are protected by ecotourism so the habitat for rare plants and animals is
sustainable to thrive. Luxury beach resorts, restaurants, and other business cater to many tourists
to promote their environmental/ sustainability tourism practices, including farm to table dining at
organic farms, ocean to table dining, cultural diversity, awareness of the environment, and the
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impacts to protect species and promote eco-conscious activities. When I go on cruises and look
at their shore excursions, they always promote biodegradable sunblock, and you can't use any
other because it's not sustainable for the environment. Fabulous weather gives Cabo San Lucas.
The best sustainable resource of all is the sun. This assists with solar energy and farming
purposes. The city produces gave away in the creation of tequila, the national liquor of Mexico,
which assists with generation of revenue for those communities.
Another interesting finding is that sustainable retreats in Los Cabos are committed to
minimizing their ecological footprint and embracing social responsibility to ensure the long-
term preservation the Waldorf Astoria, Los Cabos, Perigeal, Zadun, A Ritz Carlton Reserve and
Hotel El Ganzo, just to name a few are ensuring compliance with social and environmental
responsibility initiatives. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal features innovations in resource
care technology such as plunge pools, high-efficiency variable speed pumps, electric heaters, and
gas heaters to help reduce energy by up to 50%; the hotel restaurant, El Farallon, offers an ocean-
to-table menu with a daily abundance of locally purchased fishing purchased directly while using
farm fish and certified suppliers. Next, the Zadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Jean-Michel
Cousteau’s environmental ambassadors inspire guests to connect with the world around them in
the hopes that they will work to preserve it for future generations. The program highlights
Mexico’s rich native culture and unique ecosystem through immersive experiences designed for
children, adults, and families. Finally, the El Ganzo Hotel is the first hotel in Mexico to be
certified as a B Corp or Company B, ensuring compliance with the highest standards of verified
social and environmental responsibility, public transparency, and legal responsibility for
achieving a long-term balance of profits and purposes: The team’s mission is to reduce inequality
and poverty levels, building a healthier environment, a stronger community and create more
high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose.
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Threats to the Destinations Sustainability and Opportunities
Environmental Destruction through the use of fossil fuels has to be changed.
Unsustainable practices are the unbridled use of fossil fuels, deforestation, and the disposal of
non-biodegradable waste, like plastic straws and bags, which needs to be corrected.
The government's promotion of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar needs to be on
the top of the agenda. Encouraging citizens to buy appliances that are energy efficient such as
refrigerators, washers, and dryers. The city also needs to implement a policy in which sustainable
materials that are recyclable or reusable to improve energy efficiency in buildings can assist and
is good for the community. Waste management systems that optimize waste collection and
recycling measures that the whole community is taking action to do their part. Also, for future
planning the Government needs to set renewable energy goals for the city of Cabo San Lucas,
Mexico to be attained through legislation and implemented throughout the surrounding
communities to increase sustainability for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
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References
Carrilio, T. E. (2007). Utilizing a social work perspective to enhance sustainable development efforts in Loreto, Mexico. International Social Work, 50(4), 528–538. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872807077912
Montaño, A., Angeles, M., & Pérez, J. (2019). Tourist destinations with asymmetrical local development: the ‘integrally planned tourist centres’ of Los Cabos and Loreto, Baja California Sur (Mexico). International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 14(1), 44–61. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP-V14-N1-44-61
Elizabeth Olmos-Martínez, Juan Pedro Ibarra-Michel, & Mónica Velarde-Valdez. (2020). Perception of the performance of tourism activity towards sustainability in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Pasos (Tenerife (Canary Islands)), 18, 721–736. https://doi.org/10.25145/j.pasos.2020.18.052
Nava, H., & Ramírez-Herrera, M. T. (2011). Government conservation policies on Mexican coastal areas: is “top-down” management working? Revista de Biología Tropical, 59(4), 1487–1501. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v59i4.3414