For example, the number of tourists, a basic figure, can be considered a sustainability indicator when it relates to infrastructure capacity at a particular location (e.g. the airport) or to measure tourists' response to attempts to change usage patterns. It outlines a balanced approach to tourism, including support for appropriate sustainable development of tourism in the north of the country. The UNWTO expert team agrees, through the preparation of the workshop case study.
The current approach to measurement and indicators
Both involve identifying the most important assets and key values associated with the destination. Performance indicators can be defined in relation to the plan's specific goals and objectives. Indicators defined to analyze actual environmental and socio-economic conditions in the initial phase of the planning process can become performance indicators in the implementation phase.
3 WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS AND VISITS
Presentations by the UNWTO team
Vereczi highlighted some of the shortcomings in the application of indicators to destinations (see box below) and the factors to consider in choosing the right indicators (including: feasibility, relevance, data availability, reliability, clarity and comparability). He drew particular attention to the use of indicators in assessing carrying capacity (citing the example of Malta) and in adaptive management (with an example from Sydney). Some destinations, such as Calvia in Spain, have applied indicators in a truly comprehensive way to guide tourism planning, supported by public participation and supported by a specially created observatory.
Presentations from Montenegro
It has been based on an agreed tourism strategy which sees intact nature, mountains, lakes, canyons and national parks as the unique selling proposition. A regional tourism organization has been set up that includes the five municipalities; they pursue promotional activities. Biogradska Gora National Park has been supported through the provision of various facilities and training.
Field visits
The operator believes that the National Park should reduce the admission fees for rafting (currently 60 euros per person for three days), although he recognizes the importance of the park for the environment. The construction of new housing has taken place very close to the restaurant without proper planning and visually reduces the quality of the environment. Environmental quality is clearly important in all countries, requiring monitoring and control.
4 METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH
Each of the objectives was described in turn and the kinds of issues related to it were identified. The working groups looked at each of the 12 goals in turn and agreed on the relevant issues in the field related to them, using a framework worksheet (Annex A – Form 3) and guidance notes (Annex B) provided by the UNWTO. Each of the three working groups took two or three key issues as examples and discussed possible indicators that could be used to describe and measure the situation at the destination regarding this issue.
5 IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES AND INDICATORS FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN BJELASICA AND KOMOVI
- Destination overview and situation analysis
- Key issues related to sustainability objectives
- ECONOMIC VIABILITY
- LOCAL PROSPERITY
- EMPLOYMENT QUALITY
- SOCIAL EQUITY
- VISITOR FULLFILMENT
- LOCAL CONTROL
- COMMUNITY WELLBEING
- CULTURAL RICHNESS
- PHYSICAL INTEGRITY
- BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
- RESOURCE EFFICIENCY
- ENVIRONMENTAL PURITY
- Indicators and action plans
- The lack of effective planning and control over the spread of buildings
- The shortage of skilled and qualified labour
- The need for improved waste management
- The preservation of traditional buildings through tourism
- The use of local agricultural produce in tourism
- The increase in land and house prices
The transition from the previous economic model is still not complete - the tourism product and business skills still reflect the past. The goals should be established in close cooperation with the private tourism sector that is active in the region. The issue concerns the need to improve waste management and recycling in the region to avoid physical and visual degradation and pollution of the environment.
6 MONITORING AND MEASUREMENT PROCESSES
The need for effective communication of results was also emphasized, such as via the media, internet and newsletters.
7 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE WORKSHOP
8 BASELINE INDICATORS FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHERN MOUNTAIN REGION OF MONTENEGRO
The Census and sampling activity undertaken by the AMCP in the study area could be rolled out more widely. Both aspects appear to be relevant to the mountain region and the issue was identified as a priority at the workshop, leading to recommendations for indicators contained under Issue 2 of Chapter 5. The UNWTO baseline indicators include employment under economic advantage and the TSG indicators 16 to 19 are relevant here.
This was raised as one of the major concerns at the workshop and is likely to be relevant across the northern region. The issue of development and the indicators related to measuring impact and degree of control are addressed in the UNWTO basic indicators under Development Control, and also in the TSG set (Indicators 36 to 38). This issue is mentioned in the UNWTO Handbook and relevant indicators are suggested, but it is not mentioned as one of the basic basic indicators for destinations in general.
There appears to be significant awareness of this issue in the region, covering both the overall levels of waste for tourism and other activities, as well as the environmental degradation caused by scattered waste. Both the UNWTO core list and the TSG set of indicators (Indicators 24, 25 and 33) cover this issue. Again, AMCP's experience here is relevant to the rest of the northern region.
These are important for the northern region, but may be slightly less important than those mentioned above, according to the workshop's findings.
ANNEX A: FORMS
VISITOR FULFILMENT
Maintaining and strengthening the quality of life in local communities, including social structures and access to resources, facilities and life support systems, while avoiding any form of social degradation or exploitation. Pressure of tourism on local communities (on infrastructure, natural and cultural resources), due to the high volume and seasonal tourism activity. Access of local residents to key local assets and services (territories, natural resources, properties, housing, goods). Respecting and strengthening the historical heritage, authentic culture, traditions and distinctiveness of the host communities.
To preserve and improve the quality of landscapes, both urban and rural, and to avoid physical and visual degradation of the environment. Quality of rural and urban landscapes (impacts of infrastructure development, land use patterns, visual pollution). To minimize the use of scarce and non-renewable resources in the development and operation of tourist facilities and services.
To promote policies and techniques to facilitate the reduction, reuse and recycling of scarce resources. To reduce the pollution of air, water and land and the generation of waste by tourism businesses and visitors. This form is designed to help define the production, use and reporting of the selected indicators).
Form of reporting (specific tables, graphs, etc. to be produced, reporting in brochures, reports, website, etc.).
ANNEX B: SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES AND INDICATORS
Number of shops selling local products and handicrafts Local labor • % of jobs occupied by local residents (by types and. Visitor safety and security • Number of incidents (per month, per year, by type of incidents) involving tourists. Number of social services available to local community Community demographics • Number of residents who have left the community.
Congestion at key sites: number of tourists or vehicles at key areas, number of tourists per square meter. Availability of interpretive programs, facilities and materials (eg guided walks, visitor centres, museums, information in print and electronic media) number of tourists using them. Number of buildings, commercial signs, infrastructure, which can be seen from viewpoints, along scenic roads.
Number of incidents related to inappropriate behavior of tourists (eg fire, collection of protected species, geological features, waste), extension of the affected area. The quality of natural landscapes • Number of buildings, business signs, infrastructure that can be seen from vantage points, along scenic roads. Number of tourists with the opinion that the natural area is untouched and well preserved.
ANNEX C: MONITORING SURVEYS
Disagree 3
Neutral 4
Agree 5 Strongly
The question may respond to the issues raised in the community or identified through participatory processes. Care should be taken not to add too many questions - as excessively long questionnaires can be seen as a burden and reduce response rates. Suggested data may include: gender, length of time resident in the community, occupation, place of residence in the destination.
ANNEX D: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INDICATOR SETS
Number of tourists per square meter of site (eg at beaches, attractions), per square kilometer of destination - average number/peak period average. Visitor survey showing spending plus residential business survey (or local TSA process) 8 Yes % of available bed spaces. throughout the year Seasonality Existing, regular data. audit or business survey 9 Yes Average report. From indicators 1 and 2 and population data 12 Yes Average length of stay Value for the community as.
26 Sewage discharge (Total . or sum of tourism) Pollution potential Municipal measurement or sum of data submitted by tourism enterprises. Business survey 30 Yes Water quality (sea and freshwater areas) Nature conservation and attractiveness of environment for local people and tourists. Ideally, tourism businesses should measure their resource use and waste output and make it available so that a net figure for the destination can be calculated.
However, in the absence of direct measurements, some indicator studies have suggested providing a rough estimate of the impact or use from tourism by multiplying the total amount of resource use and waste at the destination by the ratio of tourist nights to all nights (tourists plus residents).
ANNEX E: GUEST SURVEYS & VISITOR CENCUS IN THE BJELASICA-KOMOVI REGION
- Hotel
- Private guest room i. Name _____________
- My own house (skip to question 16a)
- House of relatives/friends (skip to question 16a)
- Camping
During the winter season of 2006, from January 1 to April 1, a survey was conducted among guests in hotels and restaurants in the area of Bjelasica and Komov. The guests were asked and motivated to fill in the questionnaires by the employees of these facilities. In total, we analyzed the answers of 346 completed questionnaires. a guest census was taken at the entrance to the National Park. th visitors to NP Iogradska Gora were the category of tourists and their origin was used.
Basic characteristics of the sample: The research includes. previously determined quotas regarding gender, age and country of origin. Presentation of new results. sent to relevant ministries, municipalities, hotels, restaurants, tourist agencies and all relevant actors in the region. The Ministry of Tourism and other international organizations that have implemented projects in the north of Montenegro emphasized the importance of the results obtained.
Where did you vacation in 2005 and what was your motivation for visiting that place. What activities would you like to do in this national park? no more than wooden answers, RANK PLEASE). Overall - How satisfied have you been with your stay in northern Montenegro.
All in all: would you recommend holidays here in northern Montenegro to your friends.
ANNEX F: WORKSHOP PROGRAMME
Workshop on
Sustainable Tourism Indicators and Destination Management
Kolašin, Montenegro (Biogradska Gora National Park)
25-27 April 2007
Programme
Tuesday, 24 April
Gorica Bojić, Office and Project Manager, Austro-Montenegro Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the North of. Field visits to the case study sites and meetings with local stakeholders (to be determined through the preparatory study).
Thursday, 26 April
Flexible coffee break in the meantime Identification of possible indicators and monitoring methodologies corresponding to sustainability issues.
Friday, 27 April
ANNEX G: PARTICIPANTS LIST AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Gabor Vereczi, Head of Environment and Quality Department, Ministry of Sustainable Development of Tourism ([email protected]).
