|
The conceptual schematic (Adapted from Wearing 2001: 30 and Wearing 2004: 211 based on Mieczkowski, 1995 ) shows adventure service tourism in relation to other forms of tourism; namely mass tourism and alternative tourism. The four critical aspects of sustainable tourism are more a part of alternative tourism than mass tourism. These four aspects of sustainability (economic, ecological, social/cultural, and political) constitute a framework that rotates on a sustainable tourism axis. A segment of mass tourism, but a greater portion of alternative tourism may qualify at different times under one or more of the sustainability aspects. What is referred to as service tourism, (e.g., volunteer tourism and VolunTourism) is part of all four of the sustainability framework aspects.
As the four aspects of sustainability rotate around the sustainable tourism axis, parts of these quadrants can be applicable to either mass or alternative tourism. For example, a government-sponsored mass tourism project may be politically acceptable and conform to any state regulations. This is not to say that the surrounding communities' culture or traditions will be taken into account or that the benefits of tourism will trickle down to them. Likewise, a community-inspired rural tourism project may be characterized as an alternative tourism endeavor such that the local culture is respected and local employment opportunities created. Service tourism can be present in the government-sponsored and/or the community-inspired projects if a service tourism opportunity is present. The service tourism ring maintains a channel of sustainability.
Adventure tourism endeavors can overlap with any of the four sustainability aspects at any moment, but has a permanent presence of sustainability through the service tourism ring. In the intersection of adventure tourism and service tourism sustainability remains constant as the economic, political, ecological and social/cultural aspects rotate through.
|
