Sustainability is now a term that primarily symbolizes the contrast of written and applied. Sustainable development, sustainable fishing and, among other sustainable things, sustainable tourism are dominantly represented in strategies and laws of the Republic of Croatia. On the other hand sustainability is so barely present in practice, it’s no wonder that this word is somehow already worn out and exhausted, and practically is has not entered the everyday practice.
However, a term that would better describe the goal that we want to achieve, or should strive to achieve anyway, as a society and as a global civilization we simply do not have. The only way to really give it back the weight is that we stop just talking about it and begin to understand it and use it in practice. Therefore, the term has found its way into name of the Project SEA-Med: The development of sustainable economic activities in the Lastovo Archipelago and Telascica nature parks.
One of the activities of the Project SEA-Med as well as project Together for Nature and The Environment, is development of sustainable tourism plan and implementation of specific activities from the plan (and promotion of tourism based on sustainable use of natural resources).
An important component of both projects is the active participation of all the relevant stakeholders in the development and subsequent implementation of the plans. In this way we will also support the democratization of society and allow individuals to become aware of their role in sustainable development.
Accordingly, we began with the project activities and from May 12 to May 15 held two workshops, one on Lastovo and one on Dugi otok during which we introduced stakeholders (parks employees, interested local tourism stakeholders and local fishermen) to the project activities and presented the concept of sustainable tourism.
| Sustainable tourism fully accounts for the current and future economic, social and environmental effects on local community while taking into account needs and interests of visitors. |
During the workshops we started developing a vision for sustainable tourism in these areas (Plan for Sustainable Tourism on Dugi otok will cover the entire island, not just the Nature Park) and performed SWOT analysis as well as analysis of the impact of tourist activities on the nature/environment and the on the income of local communities.
We are extremely satisfied with the response of local stakeholders and the level of participation in discussions which indicates that the local population recognizes the need to develop this kind of tourism and is aware of the necessity of preserving natural and cultural resources on which tourism is based.
| CONVENTIONAL TOURISM | SUSTAINABLE TOURISM |
| One goal: profit | Three goals: profit, environment, local community |
| Often not planned in advance; “it just “happens” | Usually planned in advance with involvement of all stakeholders |
| Tourist oriented | Locally oriented |
| Controlled by outside parties | Locally controlled, at least in part |
| Focused on entertainment for tourists | Focus on educational experiences |
| Conservation not a priority | Conservation of natural resources is a priority |
| Communities not a priority | Appreciation for local culture is a priority |
| Much revenue goes to outside operators and investors | Most revenue stays in local community |