It is amazing what AI-generated responses can reveal. While I invariably ignore them, this time I thought that it might be insightful to begin with this AI generated overview as it provides a foundational starting point for appreciating the drivers of, and resolving the ramifications from, a zealous pursuit of economic growth.
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“Proliferation potency” in tourism refers to the industry’s capacity to grow and its inherent potential for impact, both positive and negative, driven by factors like globalization, technology, and changing consumer behavior. It encompasses the potential for economic growth and job creation, but also the risk of overtourism and negative social and environmental consequences if not managed sustainably.
Factors driving proliferation potency:
Technological advancement:
Digital transformations, online sales, and the rise of the “sharing economy” (like Airbnb and Uber) have made travel more accessible and efficient, expanding its reach. Virtual and hybrid experiences are also emerging, further increasing potential.
Economic trends:
The growth of emerging economies means more people are traveling, and tourism is increasingly contributing to global GDP. This creates economic opportunities but also can lead to concentrated growth that may exceed a destination’s carrying capacity.
Shifting consumer behavior:
Modern travelers are influenced by social media and seek personalized experiences. Marketers can use data and advanced techniques like “Persistent Homology” to better understand these new markets and target them effectively.
Potential impacts of proliferation:
Positive impacts:
Economic growth: Tourism can be a significant contributor to national and local economies, creating jobs and driving export earnings.
Community development: Initiatives like the “Tourism Village Program” aim to improve the economies of rural communities by creating new market opportunities.
Negative impacts:
Overtourism: Excessive tourism growth can lead to overcrowding, congestion, and strain on local infrastructure and resources.
Environmental damage: Over-reliance on tourism can result in the depletion of natural resources and damage to ecosystems.
Social disruption: Mass tourism can lead to the commodification of local culture and a decrease in the quality of life for residents.
Managing proliferation:
Sustainability:
There is an urgent need to prioritize sustainability over simply increasing tourist numbers, which was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carrying capacity:
Destinations need to move beyond simply asking “how many is too many?” and instead focus on managing the quality of visitor experiences and resource protection to define “appropriate or acceptable conditions”.
Integrated approaches:
Future tourism management must adopt integrated approaches that balance economic advantages with potential adverse effects on the environment and society.
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Here is my take on the subject. As the World Economic Forum contends tourism`s growth has been unparalleled. While the drivers and opportunities regarding the continuance of growth (volume of visitors) are vast and ever-present, so are the tension points and challenges. The various industry sectors involved in making these journeys possible are not necessarily oblivious to global risks and hostilities or to tourism`s vicissitudes and unpredictability - they suffer from demand anxiety - but they will do everything in their power to ensure that everyone’s freedom to travel matters.
Despite freedom`s essentiality, tourism’s proliferation becomes evident in tier 1 and 2 destinations. In many of these communities the concentration of visitors has become so irksome that protests are ensuing, though the rationale and realities are extremely nuanced. Destinations are communities…communities consisting of disaggregated groups of stakeholders, some of whom support and benefit from tourism and others who don’t, even though they do not want their own freedom to travel trampled upon.
When proliferation occurs, though, most communities are at their wits end and don’t always know how to respond, After all, freedom of movement in many countries is enshrined as a constitutional right. Furthermore, all-out efforts are often made to ameliorate or double-down on some of the tedious barriers, restrictions, provisos and limitations, whether they be legal, social, cultural, or economic in nature.
In other words, for the most part we believe that this freedom must be preserved through conscious and conditional acts, though not so pronounced as to favor unfettered development and over-zealous attempts to boost demand that stretch limitations on capacities.
As I revealed in an article, Tourism in pursuit of progress - a guiding philosophy behind this blog and belief that Destinations must be in (remedial) Action - healthier versions of, and revisions to, growth and prosperity are at hand. To give such revisions a chance to take effect bold action amid uncertainty is needed. To take charge, I contend that advocacy is insufficient. Industry and community leaders need a playbook for courageous action.
Obviously in some circles there will be disagreement with how I might seek resolution. There are many people out there who do not believe that tourism, as a capitalistic endeavor, pays sufficient attention or gives credence to all forms of capital, other than that which is financial.
Critics have argued that tourism is cannibalizing culture and consumes nature and public institutions. In some destinations tourism has advanced without careful consideration as to its failings and shortcomings. Despite capitalism`s flaws, and fissures in its guardrails, preference for alternate economic systems comes up short. But that is a discussion for another time.
While I consider the finitude of capitalism to be a myth, I have other reasons for countering a belief that the end to tourism is creeping up on us. The likelihood of it happening will only occur when the planet is no longer habitable, which would be preceded by societal collapse…the premise for considering and applying a deep adaptation framework.
The 4Rs of this framework - Resilience, Relinquishment, Restoration and Reconciliation – represent tools in the struggle for survival and the desire to thrive. Each represents an admirable and essential response to evolutionary change. Indeed, the 4 Rs have been continuously utilized to address change throughout the private and public sectors and the business and tourism worlds…though maybe not in timely fashion! So, I wonder why some people believe that the end or death of tourism is imminent.
As I recently noted in a four part article for this blog, Quintessential Queries (originally published under another title in Butler’s The Tourism Area Life Cycle – Review, Relevance and Revision), the survival of systems, industries, product lines, or businesses is contingent on their ongoing willingness and ability to adapt. That is not to say that cyclical patterns and changes in visitor sentiments aren’t par for the course, they most definitely are. However, no business succumbs without putting up a fight for survival. Decline and death of individual products, services or even businesses are inevitable, though less frequently for systems.
Obviously, global risks, the factors driving proliferation, and limits to growth are worrisome. As the World Economic Forum has acknowledged, the industry is at a turning point with priorities and areas for action clearly identified. Ongoing actions may not be visible or readily apparent but calls for review and revision are always being made, with forthright consideration also being given to other Rs - realism, relapse, recovery, revival, replenishment, resolution, retaliation, retirement, and repose (desires to wait quietly to see how events might unfold).
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Part 2 of this article will follow shortly