- Email: [email protected]
Development of tourism in Cyprus: Harmonization of tourism with the environment
Annals of Zurzsm Research, Vol. 16, pp. 287-294, Printed in the USA. All rights reserved.
1989 Copyright
PUBLICATIONS The purpose tourism. phies,
directories
Indiuiduals Stephen 3Gl).
oj thir department
The abstracts
and the like
intmsted
Smith
wuiwx
Development
w&us
reviewr
07 abstracts
of Recreation
ofan abstract
should
write
and Leisure
0160.7383189 $3 00 + 00 1989 Pergamon Press plc and J. Jafari
IN REVIEW
Notes” are of articles,
The app earance
zn submitting
(Department
Unsolicited
1~ to publish
in “Publication
0
of recent publications
books,
edited volumes,
here does not preclude
direct& Studies,
in DT r&&d proceedings,
itsfull
to the Chief Editor&r University
of Waterloo,
review
to the study of
theses,
bibliogra-
in afuture
Publtcations Ontano,
issue.
in Review,
Canada
NZL
will not be accepted.
of Tourism in Cyprus: Harmonization Tourism with the Environment
of
By Antonios Andronikou. Cosmos Ltd (available from Cyprus Tourism Organization, 38 Archimides Street, Strovolos-Nicosia, Cyprus) ISBN 99637615-O-x,=1987, 68 pp (tables, charts, photos, appendix) CY E4.00.
University
Jafar Jafari of Wisconsin-Stout, USA
This is a book about tourism in an island country, seen through the eyes of its tourism Director General. The island is Cyprus and Antonios Andronikou is its director. The book’s objectives are “to analyze at some length the importance of the environment for tourist development in Cyprus , to suggest the impacts which tourism has had on the environment, and to suggest ways and means by which it can be improved ” (p. i). The author, by confining his view to one or two aspects of tourism, meets these objectives. The main frame of reference of the book is the physical environment and its relation with tourism. The general argument advanced is that preservation or protection of the environment is an important strategy by itself and also in respect to strengthening the foundation of tourism and enhancing its appeal to the tourist. In the first three chapters, the author provides basic information about Cyprus and its tourism industry. Chapter Two introduces the country: its size, regional geographic position, climate, population, economic profile, and historic and cultural composition. Chapters One and Three deal with tourism and its planning and development in Cyprus. The reader quickly learns that tourism is a growing industry and that it is of “vital importance” to the country. In 1985, for example, almost one million tourists visited Cyprus, “bringing foreign exchange to the tune of CYf232 million, which constituted about 91% of our total exports of goods [and services?]” (p. 1). Tourism is seen “as a means of ensuring diversification and restructuring of the economy and as an earner of the much needed foreign exchange. [Also] in its economic plans tourism [is] accorded a high degree of priority ” (p. 18), and is considered “as one of the main pillars of economic development of Cyprus . ” (p. 29). The remaining four chapters examine the relationship between tourism and the environment and elaborate on methods of harmonizing touristic developments with the natural and physical settings of Cyprus. This section includes 287
288
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
discussions on negative environmental impacts and “pollutions”; methods to control or reduce the unwanted consequences of tourism; policies affecting tourism development; and examples of successful tourism developments in Cyprus. What distinguishes the book is the author’s close attention to and regard for the natural and physical environment. Almost every discussion departs from or arrives at an environmental base, while emphasizing the importance of planning. To the author, “planning for tourism involves a choice between tourism and other development sectors, between different areas, and between different types of tourism” (p. 2) and “tourism has to be brought within a comprehensive national planning framework, taking into consideration the broad and long term interests of society” (p. 4). This combined perspective on the environment and planning is not very common among national tourism directors and thus the author is a forerunner in this respect. To elaborate, most National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) are obsessively concerned with the immediateand mundane aspects of tourism. But this book is interested in placing tourism in the larger context of the country and in implementing it along side the long-range strategies of Cyprus. Despite this important distinction, the book shares several characteristics with those published through the efforts of other NTOs. First is the ultimate argument that protecting the environment, as the entire book reveals, enhances the natural base of tourism and hence its appeal. Therefore, the preserved environment is not the end, but the means to ensure touristic rewards. Second, the book argues in the same fashion for the preservation of historical monuments (p. 31). Third, all these and other measures are offered with the tourist and tourism in mind. “Nobody can deny that it was, amongst other reasons, because of tourism and the need to enrich our product that the Government embarked on a big investment programme with regard to antiquities in general” (p. 34). Similarly, “the improvement of the tourist product” (p. 28) “will ensure the best possible satisfaction of tourists . n (p. 49). Fourth, as the book’s emphasis attests, the Cyprus Tourism Organization, like most other NTOs, is committed to internationaltourism. Not surprisingly, the few remarks about domestictourists and their needs and expectations (e.g., pp. 24, 29) are problematic. For example, domestic tourists’ “strong complaints about the presence of large numbers of foreign tourists” (p. 36) and their “feeling of disappointment” (p. 41) remain incompletely explored. The book occasionally notes that a well-founded tourism industry would eventually benefit the country and its citizens- for example, “growth is desirable for the welfare of the people of the country” (p. 6). If so, then much more needs to be said and done for the “people of the country” directly. Fifth, but perhaps more significantly, this book, like almost all similar publications, disregards the sociocultural contexts of the country when dealing with tourism. The book under review briefly considers this subject (pp. 39-44), but the reader expects more than “tourism by and large has not inflicted any destruction to the heritage resources or their quality. On the contrary, these have been enhanced and improved through tourism development and the demand by tourists for such heritage resources” (pp. 33-34). Or, “the influx of tourists . did not have serious adverse effects on Cyprus society’s values and attitudes . there is no positive and detrimental evidence no proof that tourist development has brought about any serious social problems . ” (pp. 39-40). But, despite these reassurances, although the influence of tourism ‘did not lead to a breakdown of the family it did create great stresses and strains in the relationship of youth with their parents” (p. 40). It is not sufficient to simply add that the “social and cultural impact of tourist development in Cyprus are sometimes exaggerated . . ” (p. 41). More elaboration of the subject would have been quite revealing, especially when the book covers
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
289
“environmental pollution” and “visual pollution,” why not “cultural pollution”? Still, it is encouraging that the author recognizes that “the social and cultural impacts of tourist development need a greater in-depth study . . ” (p. 41). Of course, one can hardly blame the book for ignoring a subject outside its goals. Perhaps the author of this book, who has already taken the initiative to write a book on the environmental aspects of tourism planning, will also undertake to prepare a second volume, this time on the sociocultural “environment” of tourism. Such a task is actually a must for Cyprus, a country “situatAsia, and Africa” ed at . . the crossroads of three continents-Europe, and through which “have passed all great conquerorsPhoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Crusaders, French, Venetians, Byzantins, Turks, British, who left their works of art on the island” (p. 14). In the final analysis, the author should be congratulated for this publication. His work promises the beginning of a new trend: studies by other government and quasi-government NTOs which examine tourism beyond its immediate context of development and operation. In this book, Antonios Andronikou shows that he has gone afar in search of the larger picture of tourism. The way he relates tourism to that larger frame is a good indication of his knowledge about the immediate and strategic planning and development occurring in his country. His retrospective, contemporary, and prospective views on tourism development are informed. Although the book has no bibliographic references, it is quite apparent that the author is familiar with the tourism literature. This book is recommended to both researchers and practitioners, but in particular to all NT0 offices worldwide. Perhaps they too would begin to see and understand tourism in a more systemic and holistic frame. 00 Submitted 15 July 1988 Accepted 2 September 1988
1989 Copyright
PUBLICATIONS The purpose tourism. phies,
directories
Indiuiduals Stephen 3Gl).
oj thir department
The abstracts
and the like
intmsted
Smith
wuiwx
Development
w&us
reviewr
07 abstracts
of Recreation
ofan abstract
should
write
and Leisure
0160.7383189 $3 00 + 00 1989 Pergamon Press plc and J. Jafari
IN REVIEW
Notes” are of articles,
The app earance
zn submitting
(Department
Unsolicited
1~ to publish
in “Publication
0
of recent publications
books,
edited volumes,
here does not preclude
direct& Studies,
in DT r&&d proceedings,
itsfull
to the Chief Editor&r University
of Waterloo,
review
to the study of
theses,
bibliogra-
in afuture
Publtcations Ontano,
issue.
in Review,
Canada
NZL
will not be accepted.
of Tourism in Cyprus: Harmonization Tourism with the Environment
of
By Antonios Andronikou. Cosmos Ltd (available from Cyprus Tourism Organization, 38 Archimides Street, Strovolos-Nicosia, Cyprus) ISBN 99637615-O-x,=1987, 68 pp (tables, charts, photos, appendix) CY E4.00.
University
Jafar Jafari of Wisconsin-Stout, USA
This is a book about tourism in an island country, seen through the eyes of its tourism Director General. The island is Cyprus and Antonios Andronikou is its director. The book’s objectives are “to analyze at some length the importance of the environment for tourist development in Cyprus , to suggest the impacts which tourism has had on the environment, and to suggest ways and means by which it can be improved ” (p. i). The author, by confining his view to one or two aspects of tourism, meets these objectives. The main frame of reference of the book is the physical environment and its relation with tourism. The general argument advanced is that preservation or protection of the environment is an important strategy by itself and also in respect to strengthening the foundation of tourism and enhancing its appeal to the tourist. In the first three chapters, the author provides basic information about Cyprus and its tourism industry. Chapter Two introduces the country: its size, regional geographic position, climate, population, economic profile, and historic and cultural composition. Chapters One and Three deal with tourism and its planning and development in Cyprus. The reader quickly learns that tourism is a growing industry and that it is of “vital importance” to the country. In 1985, for example, almost one million tourists visited Cyprus, “bringing foreign exchange to the tune of CYf232 million, which constituted about 91% of our total exports of goods [and services?]” (p. 1). Tourism is seen “as a means of ensuring diversification and restructuring of the economy and as an earner of the much needed foreign exchange. [Also] in its economic plans tourism [is] accorded a high degree of priority ” (p. 18), and is considered “as one of the main pillars of economic development of Cyprus . ” (p. 29). The remaining four chapters examine the relationship between tourism and the environment and elaborate on methods of harmonizing touristic developments with the natural and physical settings of Cyprus. This section includes 287
288
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
discussions on negative environmental impacts and “pollutions”; methods to control or reduce the unwanted consequences of tourism; policies affecting tourism development; and examples of successful tourism developments in Cyprus. What distinguishes the book is the author’s close attention to and regard for the natural and physical environment. Almost every discussion departs from or arrives at an environmental base, while emphasizing the importance of planning. To the author, “planning for tourism involves a choice between tourism and other development sectors, between different areas, and between different types of tourism” (p. 2) and “tourism has to be brought within a comprehensive national planning framework, taking into consideration the broad and long term interests of society” (p. 4). This combined perspective on the environment and planning is not very common among national tourism directors and thus the author is a forerunner in this respect. To elaborate, most National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) are obsessively concerned with the immediateand mundane aspects of tourism. But this book is interested in placing tourism in the larger context of the country and in implementing it along side the long-range strategies of Cyprus. Despite this important distinction, the book shares several characteristics with those published through the efforts of other NTOs. First is the ultimate argument that protecting the environment, as the entire book reveals, enhances the natural base of tourism and hence its appeal. Therefore, the preserved environment is not the end, but the means to ensure touristic rewards. Second, the book argues in the same fashion for the preservation of historical monuments (p. 31). Third, all these and other measures are offered with the tourist and tourism in mind. “Nobody can deny that it was, amongst other reasons, because of tourism and the need to enrich our product that the Government embarked on a big investment programme with regard to antiquities in general” (p. 34). Similarly, “the improvement of the tourist product” (p. 28) “will ensure the best possible satisfaction of tourists . n (p. 49). Fourth, as the book’s emphasis attests, the Cyprus Tourism Organization, like most other NTOs, is committed to internationaltourism. Not surprisingly, the few remarks about domestictourists and their needs and expectations (e.g., pp. 24, 29) are problematic. For example, domestic tourists’ “strong complaints about the presence of large numbers of foreign tourists” (p. 36) and their “feeling of disappointment” (p. 41) remain incompletely explored. The book occasionally notes that a well-founded tourism industry would eventually benefit the country and its citizens- for example, “growth is desirable for the welfare of the people of the country” (p. 6). If so, then much more needs to be said and done for the “people of the country” directly. Fifth, but perhaps more significantly, this book, like almost all similar publications, disregards the sociocultural contexts of the country when dealing with tourism. The book under review briefly considers this subject (pp. 39-44), but the reader expects more than “tourism by and large has not inflicted any destruction to the heritage resources or their quality. On the contrary, these have been enhanced and improved through tourism development and the demand by tourists for such heritage resources” (pp. 33-34). Or, “the influx of tourists . did not have serious adverse effects on Cyprus society’s values and attitudes . there is no positive and detrimental evidence no proof that tourist development has brought about any serious social problems . ” (pp. 39-40). But, despite these reassurances, although the influence of tourism ‘did not lead to a breakdown of the family it did create great stresses and strains in the relationship of youth with their parents” (p. 40). It is not sufficient to simply add that the “social and cultural impact of tourist development in Cyprus are sometimes exaggerated . . ” (p. 41). More elaboration of the subject would have been quite revealing, especially when the book covers
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
289
“environmental pollution” and “visual pollution,” why not “cultural pollution”? Still, it is encouraging that the author recognizes that “the social and cultural impacts of tourist development need a greater in-depth study . . ” (p. 41). Of course, one can hardly blame the book for ignoring a subject outside its goals. Perhaps the author of this book, who has already taken the initiative to write a book on the environmental aspects of tourism planning, will also undertake to prepare a second volume, this time on the sociocultural “environment” of tourism. Such a task is actually a must for Cyprus, a country “situatAsia, and Africa” ed at . . the crossroads of three continents-Europe, and through which “have passed all great conquerorsPhoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Romans, Crusaders, French, Venetians, Byzantins, Turks, British, who left their works of art on the island” (p. 14). In the final analysis, the author should be congratulated for this publication. His work promises the beginning of a new trend: studies by other government and quasi-government NTOs which examine tourism beyond its immediate context of development and operation. In this book, Antonios Andronikou shows that he has gone afar in search of the larger picture of tourism. The way he relates tourism to that larger frame is a good indication of his knowledge about the immediate and strategic planning and development occurring in his country. His retrospective, contemporary, and prospective views on tourism development are informed. Although the book has no bibliographic references, it is quite apparent that the author is familiar with the tourism literature. This book is recommended to both researchers and practitioners, but in particular to all NT0 offices worldwide. Perhaps they too would begin to see and understand tourism in a more systemic and holistic frame. 00 Submitted 15 July 1988 Accepted 2 September 1988