Comparing Sustainable Development : Tourism between Czech Republic and Spain

"Tourism in International Relations"
Lecture: Drs.Usmar Salam MIS
Name: Prischa Retno N
NIM:07/254178/SP/2212

"Comparing Sustainable Development : Tourism between Czech Republic and Spain"

The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four (24) hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited". Travel and tourism, if utilised effectively, can be a force for positive growth and economic success for both developed and developing countries. Markets have the potential to enhance lives in a sustainable framework through providing wealth creation, choice,innovation and competition.The travel and tourism industry contains these four elements that enable it to be a dynamic market force for sustainability in the future. It has the capacity to increase exports, bring in capital
investment, boost an economies GDP and create employment.For many country tourism become important are for their economy, including Czech Republic and Spain.

Tourism in Czech Republic

Czech Republic is a landlocked country located in Central Europe.The Czech Republic is surrounded by four countries: Germany to the west, Poland to the north, Slovakia to the east, and Austria to the south. Bohemia, a land of rolling hills and plains surrounded by mountains, makes up the western part of the Czech Republic, while the lowlands of Moravia are in the east. Silesia, also a lowland region, lies to the north and stretches into southern Poland. The tourism industry in the Czech Republic has grown significantly since the collapse of communism. The country’s numerous resorts, winter sports facilities, and historic cities and towns are popular destinations for travelers.
One of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe, Prague is the capital city of Czech Republic. The official name of Prague is Hlavní Mesto Praha, meaning ‘Prague - the Capital City’. This city is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Even after suffering a massive bomb raid during World War II, the place managed to restore its natural beauty and continues to attract tourists from all over the world.Prague has become an international center for members of the business and financial communities. The most visited tourist destination are Prague Castle, National Museum, National Gallery, Old Town Town Hall, Prague Botanical Graden,etc.
In January 2008, the Czech Statistics Bureau published up-to-date information on the Czech Republic’s Tourism Satellite Account for the period 2003–2006.GDP generated from tourism about 98.964 billion krunna, it’s about 3% of Czech national GDP. A total of 5,265,241 foreign tourists arrived in the Czech Republic through the first three quarters of 2008. This represents a 2.3% increase in comparison with 2007. While arrivals from traditional source countries such as Germany and Great Britain are falling, tourists from Russia and Poland are becoming the main drivers of incoming tourism. Foreign tourists still show a preference for staying in Prague. Through the first three quarters of 2008, 3,117,436 tourists visited the capital city (an increase of 3.2%). The second most favourite place for foreign guests is the South Moravian Region (372,088 tourists, an increase of 5.8%), and in third place is the Karlovy Vary Region (370,532 tourists, +2.3%).
There are 10 sustainable development criteria : environmental friendly agriculture, efficient water and energy use, minimum waste, gren building, information and awareness raising to client, soft mobility and public transport, biodiversity and landscape protection, cultural heritage, support of local economy, and Improvement policy (including management criteria) The goverment strategy for sustainable development in the development of tourism in the Czech Republic have been integrated into the process of planning and decision making at national and local levels. The majority of global principles regarding sustainable tourism and protection of biodiversity has been gradually incorporated into strategic and conceptual materials such as : The State Environmental Policy, the Conception of the State Tourism Policy, the State Programme of Nature and Landscape Protection, and the Strategy of Biodiversity. The promotion of the sustainable tourism has also been supported by the „green“ certification of landlords, providers of tourism services, tour-operators and whole tourist destinations.
The govenrment concentrates within the framework on the promotion of the sustainable form of tourism mainly on its implementation in the protected areas and in the locations where the most fragile ecosystems are located. For this purpose, the Ministry of the Environment has supported the creation of a network of centres of environmentally-friendly tourism. These centres will be established in each
region and will be governed by a single National Centre.

Tourism in Spain

Spain is a country located at Iberian Peninsula, Southwestern Europe. Because of it’s location, Spain have many external influences on it’s culture. Spain toutism has developed at Francisco Franco regime, when Spain became holiday destination for people from United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Scandinavia countries. Spain has many tourism place such as beach resort, historical place, religion festival, rural area, etc. The main destinations continue to be the long sandy beaches of the mainland Mediterranean coast—notably the Costa del Sol in the south, the Costa Blanca in the southeast, and the Costa Brava in the northeast—and the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands. However, Spain’s historic cities also attract significant numbers of visitors, especially the southern cities with a strong Moorish heritage, such as Granada and Córdoba.
Some example of tourist destination place in Spain:
Madrid
It is the capital city of Spain. There are many museums in this city. The collection of painting in the historical time can be found in the Museo Nacinal Del Prado of Madrid. The contemporary art is exhibited in the Museum called Reina Sofia National Art Museum. King's palace, Fountain in Paseo Del Arte and Plaza de la Cibeles fountain with beautiful light arrangements are some of the other must to visit destinations in Madrid.
Barcelona
It is the second largest city of Spain. Barcelona is famous for its beaches and coasts. Barceloneta is the most popular beach. Here people can relax or play sports with all facilities on the beach. Architecture adds in the beauty of this city. 'Sagrada Familia Church' is the renowned architecture of Antoni Gaudi is in Barcelona. 'Centro', La Rambla' and 'Exiample' are the big three shopping destinations in this city.
Valencia
Principe Felipe Science interactive science Museum and L'Oceanografic aquarium are attractive destinations in this city.
Seville
For the celebration of Spanish festivals, Seville is the perfect place. The Flamenco Dance is the main attraction in this city.
Malaga
This is city is famous for beautiful castles. In addition it is the birth place o f Picasso. Thus his selective masterpieces are exhibited here in a Museum.
Bilbao
Guggenheim Museum and old monumental square called Plaza Nueva are the tourist destinations in this city.
Granada
The palace of the last Muslim ruler of Spain called Alhambra is situated on the hilltop. It is one of the landmarks in the trip to Spain.
Salamanca
Here, one can see the unique exhibition related to the discovery of cars and Automobiles. It is displayed in the unique Automobile Museum which reveals the history of cars and vehicles till the date.
Cordoba
The streets of this city are full with Typical Souvenir Artworks and Crafts. It offers all Kind of things in the small sized shops opened in the city.
The Canary Islands
The seven islands in the Atlantic Ocean, of Spain are very popular. These are: El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, La Palma, Lanzarote, Tenerife. Gran Canaria Canary Islands is like paradise thanks to its numerous beaches, crystal clear waters and water sports. Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and very popular as a tourist destination. Here is the Mount El Teide. Not only water sports but also hiking, climbing and cycling ara available activities.
Tenerife
This is an island which is a part of Spain. It offers wide variety of Cuisine like Seafood, dishes and desserts from fruits, pastries, eggs with gofio etc. This Island is included in Spain tourist destinations to have the taste of real Spanish cuisine.
Toledo
It is a city of three cultures because of namely Christians, Arabs and Jews. The beautiful palaces, churches, mosques are found here and open-air museum in Toledo is listed in the world Heritage sites
Some World Heritage site at Spain:
The Alhambra, the palace of the last Muslim ruler of Spain, located in Granada is one of Spain's major tourist attractions for exhibiting the Islamic architecture together with Christian and Jewish.The Mezquita in Córdoba is a famous tourist attraction. Tomb of Christopher Columbus in Seville is also visited by travellers. A new science centre and futuristic aquarium named L'Oceanografic aquarium are attractive places of Valencia to see.The historic cities of Cadiz and Malaga are visited by travellers. Moreover, Malaga is a wellknown city due to its being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and movie idol Antonio Banderas. Guggenheim Museum and Plaza Nueva are the tourist destinations of Bilboa.
Balearic Isles, the three main islands of which are Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca, is an exotic destination. The island of Ibiza is popular with its club scene, weather and beautiful beaches. When clubbing is talked about, it means Ibiza. It has an international fame. Mallorca is the least crowded island among them. Fresh seafood lunches are delicious. Majorca is as popular as Ibiza as a tourist destination.