With many Aussies jetting off for a European summer, a Bali getaway and a host of other international destinations to escape the winter cold, a Monash University expert is available to talk about sustainable approaches to support communities that experience an influx of tourists each year.
Associate Professor Glen Croy, Director of Engagement in the Department of Management, Monash Business School
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
- Examples of tourism disruption
- Approaches to avoid the negative impacts of tourism
The following can be attributed to Associate Professor Croy:
“While some of us are lucky enough to be a tourist, almost all of us live in communities that are visited by tourists. For some communities, the tourist levels are so high that normal life is vastly disrupted.
“Community members’ responses to these disruptions, such as protests, are increasingly reported in the media, including prominent examples from Barcelona and Venice.
“It is unfortunate that these disruptions are happening at all, and that they are increasingly common is even more concerning. The good news is that researchers across the world, including here at Monash Business School, have recommended and crafted spaces for community-led change and tourism.
“Excessive tourism is putting pressure on public services, harming natural resources and driving up house prices. Residents of tourist-filled communities are calling on local authorities to cap visitors, ban private jets and diversify their economies to be less reliant on tourism.
“In our research we have demonstrated that tourists and the community want to avoid the negative impacts, and one approach is community-based tourism. Core to this is the community setting the goals, and importantly being involved in decision-making, having power and control in the process, and gaining the outcomes. These outcomes might be employment, sustaining of crafts and cultural practices, or providing opportunities for the youth population to stay in the community.
“Another approach we have investigated is community-action to protect areas from tourism development, and to introduce regulations stopping tourism development of scale. For example, by blocking large scale hotel developments, will also limit tourist demand as there is not the accommodation available.
“Overall, what we suggest is an informed approach to community goal setting. We can broadly predict what the future will look like with varying levels of tourism. With community knowledge of these possible futures, they can select the future they want. Then, the planners have the direction to manage tourism in a way to prepare for that future.”
For any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, contact the Monash University Media Unit on +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
