Background: Description of the Topic and the selected area of study
All over the world tourism organizations are concerned so much with sustainable development. This has impacted greatly on how tourism organizers shape the environment and natural resources so that they fit the constant needs of tourists which are always determine by the visitors’ perceptions (Mercado and Lessoie, 2002). Parks and Natural areas are established for various reasons; protection and preservation of attractive natural features, conservation of wildlife, conservation of natural resources, preservation of indigenous sites and historic features. Preservation of recreational features and encouragement of scientific and educational enquiry into environmental features and porecesses.The last objective is concerned with the proper analysis of the environment to design it to fit the needs of visitors while ensuring that it’s preserved and not degraded (Ruiz-Molina,Gil-Saura and Beatriz, 2010). It is thus important to ensure that the environment remains attractive to tourists while sustaining it (Mercado and Lessoie, 2002).
To properly design the environment, tourism planners need to examine visitors’ perceptions and preferences. This has resulted in need to research effectively to asses these preferences and the possible actions that could be taken to make the environment more attractive and friendly. There are various factors that could be modified in the environment to suit visitors needs while protecting the environment (Borrie & O’Loughlin, 2002). For instance the introduction of an aquarium or museum in parks and introduction of programs to manage the use of resources such as water and land. The selected area for research is the examination of the introduction of a water management program as an element of changing environmental values for visitors to parks and natural areas.
Objectives of the Study
The study has two main objectives. The first objective is to establish the need for sustainable development through the conservation of the environment. The focus is on the management of water as a resource, how it could be better utilized. The second objective is to examine how the preferences of visitors influence the modification of the environment to suit their needs while ensuring there is environmental sustainability. The study is important as the findings will guide planners on how to manage parks and natural sites to match the preferences of customers while conserving the environmental values and resources like water.
Methodology
This project will utilize both qualitative research and qualitative research strategies and data collection tools. The research is based on qualitative analysis that should focus on certain social, cultural and historical backgrounds (Annette and McCord, 2007).
Data collection will consist of Observations, surveys and interviews as the primary data sources. Secondary data sources such as Journals and published books will also be utilized. During data collection, the initial stage will involve the use of questionnaires and interview schedules to get responses from tourists who will be leaving the selected park. Observation of visitors’ behavior will also be important to identify data that they may not record down on questionnares.An interview procedure embedded in the writings will be developed to act as a guide for the semi-structured interviews.
The statistical analysis Phase will involve an analysis, both manually and by the use of computer toward advancing a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities and weaknesses) analysis that will be used to record findings obtained from the respondents. The ANOVA test will also be used during the analysis period. An analysis of existing documentations will be dome to identify additional information and gaps. The findings will then be published.
Critical review
Assessing tourists’ preferences for recreational and environmental management programs central to the sustainable development of a tourism area in the Dominican Republic (Mercado and Lessoie, 2002).
The study was focused on assessing how the preferences of tourists could result in environmental changes that would ensure there is sustainability. The research was done by interviewing 180 tourists while leaving the resort region of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The evaluation focused on determination of the factors that underlay decisions to go for beach vacations or not. Secondly, their preferences were evaluated towards four programs that were designed to improve environmental management and improve recreation. The preferences were placed both in pecuniary and non-pecuniary terms. The results indicated that ocean water and beaches, quality of services and price were the key determinants of decision to go for vacation. Water management programs and outdoor aquarium were the preferred changes to the environment. The study should have also used observation methods and secondary data sources like records of previous visits to obtain data.
Economic valuation of environmental resources and sustainable development in the Caribbean region: A case of study of tourist preferences in the area of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (Mercado, 2001).
This study focused on promotion of the tourism industry and maintaining market competitiveness while ensuring that long-term environmental protection is given priority. The methods used were the Multi0Attribute choice (MAC) and Open Ended Contingent Valuation (OE) to rate the financial benefits of recreational and environmental improvements in the Punta Cana tourist area. The main objective was to obtain information that would be relevant to formulate policies that would ensure that environmental resources are used properly and to demonstrate the relevance of economic rating in the development and evaluation of policies. Interviews were administered and the results indicated preference for establishment of a local endeared species garden, outdoor aquarium and water management programme.
Recreational demand for a gulf coast tourism destination (Ha-Steve, 2007).
Decision on how to allocate public funds is one of the major challenges facing policy makers. This is because resources are limited and there is an increasing demand for public services. This study utilizes the individual travel cost method (ITCM) to examine the economic value of ecosystems like beaches for tourists in northeast Florida. Individuals who were visiting responded to a series of Key questions that resulted in the analysis of their behavior patterns by breaking them down depending on the reasons for journey, vacation, business and casual visits to relatives. Surveyed data indicated several factors that determined the length of period that a person would stay in a particular region of recreation. The empirical results demonstrate the changes of income and prices of recreation products. The study did not bring out clearly the intended purpose of indicating how public resources such as environment in tourist centres could be managed effectively.
Management of the parks and natural resources is an important element that tourism planners must observe to maintain a constant flow of tourists visiting their institutions. Tourist sites are purposely intended for visitors and as such there preferences are a great asset. However, all changes done to the environment must ensure that the environment is conserved and that the natural sites could be sustainable to be used by future generations. A mix of the factors discussed in the paper; visitors’ preferences and environmental management will definitely provide sustainable developments in the tourism sector.
References
Annette, L. S., & McCord, S. A. (2007). Approach to teaching research methodology for information technology. Journal of Information Systems Education, 18(2), 255-266.
Borrie, W.T & O’Loughlin, J. (2002). Wilderness science in a time of change: Tourist collectives in national parks and natural areas. California. Macmillan
Ha-Steve, I. (2007). Recreational demand for a gulf coast tourism destination. Journal of Economics and Economic Education Research, 8(1), 51-63.
Mercado, L. Y. (2001). Economic valuation of environmental resources and sustainable development in the caribbean region: A case of study of tourist preferences in the area of punta cana, dominican republic. New York. Cornell University.
Mercado, L., & Lassoie, J. P. (2002). Assessing tourists’ preferences for recreational and environmental management programs central to the sustainable development of a tourism area in the Dominican Republic. Journal of Environment, Development and Sustainability, Volume 4, (3), pp. 253-278
Ruiz-Molina, M., Gil-Saura, I., & Beatriz Moliner-Velázquez. (2010). Good environmental practices for hospitality and tourism. Management of Environmental Quality, 21(4), 464-476.