Implementing Sustainable Development Tourism in European Union

"Tourism in International Relations"
Lecture : Drs. Usmar Salam, MIS
Writer : Marta Tintya K.
07/250408/SP/21946
International Relations - Gadjah Mada University


Implementing Sustainable Development Tourism in European Union
(Case Study : Comparing Tourism between Spain and Switzerland)

A good sustainable tourism development have an input and support from many stakeholders, not only from the citizen but also from the government and non – government organization including an industry. Not only that, tourism can be a bridge between countries for understanding and peace. Travel and tourism it’s play a crucial role for developing the economical structure in a government, it has the potential to reduce the conflict between economic, social and environmental objectives and deliver development in a sustainable way. So, we have many choice to developing our tourism for the good future. The government can make a wise decision within making a specific policies for supporting tourism in their country.
Not only in the world tourism is one of the largest industry in the world, but also in Europe. And the essentials of sustainable tourism development is how to maintain balancing between natural resources, sociability and humanity resources. Because tourism has potential benefit for developing regions so it need responsibility and participations from many stakeholders. And in this essay will give you information about strategy the countries in European Union for increase scaling of the tourism division as a implementation of sustainable tourism development. Sustainable tourism development consists of four parts. The parts are economic sustainability, ecological sustainability, cultural sustainability and local sustainability. And in Europe schengen visa is an example that tourism not only concern by government but also by region. Several countries in European Union ratified the treaty for increase their tourism sector and the name is Schengen Agreement. Which is any country who ratified this treaty must follow the rule of Schengen Area. We know that in Schengen Area, we can go from one country to the other country without pay tax again, just pay one tax for schengen visa we can go to every country who ratified this treaty.
To understanding sustainable tourism development in Europe, I will look case study in Spain and Switzerland because they have similiar between their tourism development. Each country have a different fee and rules. In Spain a visa may be required, depending on natonality of applicant, intended length of stay and purpose of the trip (tourism, studies, etc). If the reason for visiting Spain is tourism, study or business, and the stay is for less than 90 days, so no visa is required. The minimum rate of this visa is $700 for up to 9 days, and $70 per each additional day. In Switzerland because of the need to separate travellers from Schengen and non-Schengen countries various changes in infrastructure will need to be made at the Swiss international airports of Zurich, Basel and Geneva. Planned changes will also take into account the need for tightened security checks and the general increase in flight movement and passenger flows. The fee is 85 US $ for submitting the application and additional 6 US $ for long stay.

Spain’s Sustainable Tourism Development
The condition cities of Spain with the beautiful landscape, the historical object, and also their artistic monument making Spain being one of the world’s top tourist destination in 2003 with 51,8 million visitors. And the beautiful objects in Spain is :
1. Tenerife : Part of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is largely a resort island with brilliant man made beaches of fine black shingle or golden sand. With calm, clear waters and an almost constant wind, Tenerife in a windsurfer's dream. You can also sunbathe, swim, snorkel and scuba dive along the beautiful coastline.
2. Marbella : On the southern coast of Spain, Marbella is a favorite resort town for beachgoers who want to see and be seen. Miles of sunny beaches, casinos and marinas circle the glamorous and cosmopolitan Costa del Sol. Enjoy sunbathing and every possible sporting activity.
3. Palma de Mallorca : Palma, the economic and cultural hub of Majorca, is a delightful base for exploring the island's many beaches. Considered one of the best places in Spain to live, Palma offers you picturesque beaches of gold sand as well as alabaster-white beaches bustling with activity.
4. Malaga : A flotilla of decidedly different beaches line port city Malaga's coastline on the Costa del Sol. Stretching 25 miles and ranging from bustling city sand strips to remote strands, this Andalucian destination has been popular with British and German sun seekers since being developed in the 1950s.
5. Nerja : Positioned at the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol, Nerja boasts nearly 10 miles of powdery beaches featuring activities like water skiing, scuba diving and sailing. Although tourist-oriented, it hasn't been overtaken by high-rises, and its huge promenade delivers panoramic Mediterranean views.
6. Ibiza : Well-known as a fun and exciting place to party, Ibiza boasts more than 100 miles of coastline with some 50 beaches. Larger beaches offer restaurants, bars and an enviable array of water sports while more tranquil beaches let visitors relax in the sun or shade.
7. Barcelona : The winning combination of culture, coastline and a great climate make Barcelona a top choice for the whole family. Gaudi's astounding architectural creations amaze. Some appealing beaches provide daytime diversions. Sights such as the aquarium and Las Ramblas provide yet more entertainment. Shortage of history in Barcelona, a city that is more than 2,000 years old. A trip through Europe's best-preserved Gothic Quarter turns the clock back to ancient and medieval times, and visually stunning churches and outstanding art museums also make excellent sightseeing.
8. Madrid : Madrid can fulfill your every shopping desire and then some. El Centro teems with tempting opportunities. For intrepid shoppers and hagglers, El Rastro, which takes place every Sunday, is Spain's largest and most varied flea market. Madrid boasts some of the finest art collections in the world, but the city also has plenty of interesting historic attractions. The Royal Palace, the Convent of the Royal Barefoot Nuns, the Museo Naval and Puerta Del Sol trace Spanish history from the empire Francisco Franco's reign to the modern day.
9. Andalusia : Andalusia's Moorish past is captured in some of its fine hammam bathhouses. Cordoba's restored 10th-century Medina Califal Hammam, an exquisite Arab style bathhouse, provides an enticing Moorish spa experience for both men and women and a fantastic way to sink into the idyllic pace of life in the region.
Tourism plays a key role in the Spanish economy, accounting for 11% of its GDP; a figure which is higher in tourist regions such as the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands. Spain has diversified its travel and tourism industry, and no longer focuses just on sandy beaches and sunny weather. So, Spain is success to reach the part of economic sustainability. In cultural sustainability, rural tourism in the countryside and city breaks are both trends reshaping the Spanish travel and tourism industry. A practice like this should be continued for keeping the local culture. And for the local sustainability tourism make a long term development plan, for example modified the education system to prepare Spanish people for employment in the tourism sector. It is a advantages for the citizen in Spain. For the ecological sustainability in Spain’s tourism, now the government are starting to set aside areas for ecological tourism. The concepts is to offer the timber lodges as holiday or retirement homes in forests near the coast. Atlantic Forest Park is the first of eco resorts in Spain.

Switzerland’s Sustainable Tourism Development
Switzerland as a one of top tourist destination too like Spain, has a interesting object to increase the visitors. The object is :
1. Geneva : The shores of Lake Geneva have attracted visitors and invaders for millennia. Geneva's geographic and political position have long made it a refuge for people fleeing persecution. Historic attractions include the Old Arsenal, the Town Hall and the beautifully restored Place du Molard.
2. Zurich : Located in the heart of Switzerland, Zurich retains its 19th-century charm. Despite its puritanical reputation, things are loosening up. Fans of the Dada movement will rejoice in its birthplace, and the famous 11th-century Grossmunster is worth a stop. Thirty museums detail the country's history and art. Not only for historical and culture vacation Zurich also being one of the best shopping vacations in Switzerland. Elegant Bahnhofstrasse is one of Europe's most intriguing streets and is home to impressive department stores. Go further to discover jewelry and shoe stores, and don't miss the underground spendapalooza at Shopville.
3. Zermatt : Known for the famous mountain Matterhorn, Zermatt offers some of the best skiing in the Swiss Alps. The area is fantastic for downhill skiing, but those who do not ski can try their hand at mountain climbing or hiking, or just enjoy the gorgeous mountain views from mile-high cable cars.
4. St. Moritz : Every winter, St. Moritz attracts glamorous stars and famous politicians for a reason its fantastic skiing. With several ski schools and an estimated 700 ski instructors in surrounding upper Engadine, it is a beautiful place for beginners to start, but St. Moritz also has plenty of offerings for more experienced skiers.
5. Interlaken : Around outdoor sports destination, in winter Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau region, with nearly 150 miles of ski tracks. Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen is one of the world's most gorgeous ski settings, it offers amazing panoramic views.
6. Davos : The largest ski resort in Switzerland and the highest city in Europe, Davos features five separate skiing areas: Parsenn is the largest, with pistes for all levels and the longest downhill run; Jakobshorn renowned for its snowboarding; and Pischa, Madrisa and Rinerhorn all is family and friendly destinations.
7. Lucarno : this is a glamorous city in Switzerland, it offers the modern lifestyle like club, pub, ref party, and the others.
8. Montreux : the beautiful small city, it offers a parade vacations like montreux jazz festival once a year.
9. Bern : Bern is a capital city in Switzerland. It offers historical and cultural vacations.
Switzerland’s tourism policy contains five parts, which are Creating good condition for tourism, Supporting the market’s rise, Improving tourism objects interest rate, doing research and development, and Initiating International Cooperation.
Not only the places, Switzerland in the year 2006, there was a total number of 4,967 registered hotels or hostels, that’s why tourism can make a significant grow for any sector. In economic sustainability, Switzerland gained 11,4 billion SF from tourism in 1998. So, tourism contribution in Switzerland is about 10% from the export. For ecological sustainability, Switzerland using alternative energy, for example in Zermatt, there are no cars with oil allowed so this city was called no-vehicle city because there are no pollution here. Tourists should ride bicycle or just walk for their transportation. And the cultural sustainability, we can find it at the historical and culture vacation in Switzerland, their still keeps their originally local culture. And for the local sustainability Switzerland maximize their citizen resource by giving them working field. So they can make a souvenir to support the tourism development.

Both in Spain or Switzerland, to achieve the goals and challenges set for the travel and tourism industry as it continues to grow throughout the coming decades, will require a strong and co-operative partnership between government, citizen, and non – governmental organization. All stakeholders now need to share the responsibility for travel and tourism’s future and need to deliver the following to ensure its sustainability.
Governments need to:
• integrate travel and tourism policy, especially the environment, into broader government policies;
• set up realistic capacities within sustainability frameworks, which have been set in consultation with industry and other stakeholders;
• create incentives for the travel and tourism industry backed up where necessary by effective regulation;
• be committed to the controlled expansion, where appropriate, of infrastructure;
• apply environmental taxes fairly and nondiscriminatorily, where needed.They should be carefully thought out to minimise their impact on economic development, and revenues should be allocated to travel and tourism-associated environment improvement programmes;
• set up mechanisms to support SMEs in the adoption of sustainable good practice;
• design policies creating incentives for corporate social responsibility in tourism, favouring a sensitive and engaging approach towards the local communities at the destinations, especially in the developing
countries.
Public-private partnerships need to:
• plan and develop infrastructure with a long-term view and within a reference framework based on Agenda 21;
• implement indicators and environmental impact assessment tools to enable successful and effective local management and appropriate development;
• agree on common standards and tools to enable the measurement of progress towards achieving sustainable development;
• fund and develop contemporary research into sustainable tourism. Issues requiring attention include design, carrying capacity, tour operator activities, environmental reporting, and auditing and environmental impact assessments, socio-economic sustainability of the tourism businesses.
International bodies need to:
• co-ordinate environmental action to be undertaken by all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, at an international level;
• review existing voluntary initiatives to improve the quality of reporting, their transparency and credibility, and the assessment of their contribution to sustainability;
• ensure that all funding, from international, national and local funding bodies, should be dependent on sound environmental practice;
• encourage and support multi-stakeholder projects aiming for sustainable tourism development;
• set up mechanisms to support the adoption of sustainable good practices by SMEs.
Private sector companies need to:
• commit to place sustainable development issues at the core of the management structure;
• develop and more widely apply certification criteria to industry initiatives;
• innovate processes and applications through new technology;
• make a commitment to the education and environmental training of staff;
• encourage corporate citizenship as the standard for private sector companies;
• be willing to engage in multi-stakeholder dialogue.

Conclusion
Sustainable Tourism Development in Spain and Switzerland is success because their optimized their natural and human resources. Both in Spain or Switzerland make their tourism sector being the largest one for contributing their economy. We just find a little differences between tourism in Spain and Switzerland. In Spain we can see many kind of vacations than Switzerland because they have strategic geography than Switzerland which is this country is a landlocked. It’s not a big problem for Switzerland, they still can grow the tourism. So, if we can see the effectiveness from sustainable tourism development is the harmonious coordination between the different levels of the administration.

Resource :
• Tourism Report from WTTC,IFTO, IH&RA, ICCL; Part I : Implementing of three dimensions of sustainable tourism development.
• http://www.tripadvisor.com/Inspiration-g188045-c3-Switzerland.html
• http://www.euromonitor.com/Travel_and_Tourism_in_Switzerland
• http://www.euromonitor.com/Travel_and_Tourism_in_Spain
• http://www.tripadvisor.com/Inspiration-g187427-c1-Spain.html