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Tourism: A community approach
PUBLICATIONS IN REVIEW
Tourism:
A Community
Approach
By Peter E. Murphy. Methuen Inc. (29 West 35th St. New York, NY 10001, USA) ISBN O-416-39790-5, 1985, 200 +xvi pp. (tables, figures, photographs, references, name and subject indexes) $19.95 (cloth). Donald Getz Dept. of Recreation and Leisure Studies University of Waterloo, Canada
Whether viewed as a specialist text on local tourism planning, or as a general treatise on the philosophy of ecologically based development, this book is a valuable addition to the tourism literature. Murphy, a Geographer, has advanced a planning approach which is based on a unique blend of philosophy, methodology, and practical experience. It is going to be a “must reading” for everyone concerned about the delivery and management of the tourism product. The author’s aims were threefold: to provide a synthesis of the literature to “make it intelligent to the student of tourism and manager of the industry”; to correct inadequacies of previous texts, which Murphy identified as their lack of synthesis and prescription; to foster the integration of tourism planning “into the general planning processes of western nations” (xv). He believes that a community based perspective on tourism is the best way to ensure its continued development and evolution. The book is logically and clearly organized into five sections and eleven chapters. The first section, called “Tourism and its Significance,” provides a systematic overview of tourism (in Chap. 1) and its evolution (Chap. 2). Readers might conclude that the book could function as an introductory text, but it does not provide full coverage of basic disciplinary perspectives on the study of tourism. Section one concludes with a discussion of “Issues in Tourism” (Chap. 3). leading to a model which gives shape to the rest of the book. It is entitled “Components For a Community-Oriented Tourism Strategy,” and at its center is the ‘Community’s Tourism Product.” This encapsulates Murphy’s central philosophical argument that the whole of tourism rests on its local resources and hospitality. The “product” must, therefore, be based on the ecology of the host community and be self-sustaining, rather than exploitive. Surrounding the product are four prime considerations which must be included in the community-based tourism strategy. Each of these is discussed in the four remaining sections of the book, first with a presentation of common issues and followed by a second chapter on strategies and policies to deal with the issues. “The Environment and Accessibility” are discussed in section two, encompassing the issues of impacts, capacity, travel patterns, and perceptions. Numerous examples of conflicts are cited, but some of the material, especially a lengthy discussion of wilderness and natural resources, seems
1986 ANNALS
OF TOURISM
RESEARCH
667
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
out of place. Murphy does not make clear how issues like coastal dune erosion or national parks pertain to his central theme. This problem appears to reflect an uncertainty regarding the target audience for the book -as either an introductory or specialized planning text. The next chapter presents strategies for planning and managing environmental and accessibility problems related to tourism. But the discussion of park classifications and zoning, ecological carrying capacity, and multiple use seems misplaced, having little to do with community-based planning. Material concerning vehicle circulation controls is more pertinent. This entire chapter reads much like a park management text and fails to live up to the innovative perspective of most of the book. Section three, “Economics and Business,” begins with coverage of the issues of local economic impacts, cycles (short, medium, and long term) which affect destination areas, consideration of the costs of tourism, and determination of who actually benefits from its development. In it is a fresh synthesis of models such as the product lifecycle, resort cycle of evolution, seasonality, and spatial-temporal patterns of development. The ensuing chapter presents “Economic Response Strategies,” focusing on the target markets of conventions, farm vacations, and second homes. Each of these is a response to cyclical problems, but each might also lead to negative effects. For example, increasing the length of the tourism season can lead to stress in the community. Coping with mid-term cycles requires diversification of the community’s product, but one strategy, that of second home development, can endanger local housing supplies. Countering long term cycles [the resort cycle of evolution) demands consideration of a community’s market position and the implications of its marketing and development activities. Strategies which do not engender capacity problems and which yield the greatest local economic impact are seen to be the most self-sustaining. The chapter could have benefited by inclusion of a discussion on goal conflicts between communities and senior levels of government, and on applying the multiplier concept (presented earlier) to enhance local economic benefits. ‘Society and Culture” is the title of section four, commencing with a chapter called “Hospitality and Authenticity Issues.” It covers the subjects of host-guest contacts and resulting attitudinal change, the tendency towards creation of inauthentic tourism products. the creation of dependency on tourism. and acculturation. The ensuing chapter then presents “Social and Cultural Strategies” designed to foster community acceptance of tourism and to meet local needs. The material incorporates guidelines for assessing the appropriateness of tourism development in communities (based on research in British Columbia] and the relative merits of concentrating or dispersing tourists. An unfortunate omission is discussion of the problems of instant resorts as opposed to established communities. begins with an overThe final section, “Planning and Management,” view of goals for tourism and elaboration of the well-known PASOLP planning model by Lawson and Baud Bovy. Murphy argues the need for integration of tourism planning in other community planning processes and
668
1986 ANNALS
OF TOURISM
RESEARCH
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
criticizes the absence of public input mechanisms in typical area tourism development plans. The last chapter of the book, entitled “Tourism as a Community Industry,” develops Murphy’s own ecological approach. Here, the discussion becomes somewhat esoteric, with the author arguing that tourism is analogous to an ecological model. In this view, attractions and resources are the biomass on which the system depends, residents are the animals, the industry becomes the predators, and both residents and tourists are the prey. To many readers this might seem far-fetched. However, what is really important here is the emphasis placed on viewing tourism in the community as a living system in which homeostasis must be consciously pursued. In other words, the tourism development climax state is one of balance between the needs of the tourists, the industry, and the host community. The book is well produced, containing numerous illustrations (a few of which seem rather idiosyncratic, rather than having general appeal). The photographs, however, are disappointing. They are in black and white and some are unclear or dark, which detracts from an otherwise excellent production. Readers seeking fresh thinking and valuable community planning and marketing ideas will enjoy reading the book, although they might find the concluding section challenging or esoteric. They might also wish that Murphy had set aside specific case study sections rather than integrating many bits and pieces from case studies throughout the discussions. Readers contemplating using the book as an academic text will likely have a difficult time deciding how best to use it. As an introductory tourism text it lacks depth in traditional disciplinary subjects, and as a tourism planning text it fails to cover some industry concerns such as feasibility studies, promotions and marketing theory, or physical development plans. A logical and valuable academic role for the book, therefore, would be as a required or recommended text complementing other planning and marketing books. But failure to include this book somewhere in a tourism curriculum will deprive students of important insights of both a philosophical and practical nature. 0 0
Tourist Developments
in Australia
J. Dean and B. Judd, editors. RAIA Education Division (Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Canberra, Australia) ISBN 909724-54-7, 1985, 88pp.
Aus.
$20.00
(paper). Philip L. Pearce Department of Behavioural Sciences James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
This slim volume will be a useful contribution to the library of any tourist planner, adviser, or consultant. It provides some background information 1986 ANNALS
OF TOURISM
RESEARCH
669
Tourism:
A Community
Approach
By Peter E. Murphy. Methuen Inc. (29 West 35th St. New York, NY 10001, USA) ISBN O-416-39790-5, 1985, 200 +xvi pp. (tables, figures, photographs, references, name and subject indexes) $19.95 (cloth). Donald Getz Dept. of Recreation and Leisure Studies University of Waterloo, Canada
Whether viewed as a specialist text on local tourism planning, or as a general treatise on the philosophy of ecologically based development, this book is a valuable addition to the tourism literature. Murphy, a Geographer, has advanced a planning approach which is based on a unique blend of philosophy, methodology, and practical experience. It is going to be a “must reading” for everyone concerned about the delivery and management of the tourism product. The author’s aims were threefold: to provide a synthesis of the literature to “make it intelligent to the student of tourism and manager of the industry”; to correct inadequacies of previous texts, which Murphy identified as their lack of synthesis and prescription; to foster the integration of tourism planning “into the general planning processes of western nations” (xv). He believes that a community based perspective on tourism is the best way to ensure its continued development and evolution. The book is logically and clearly organized into five sections and eleven chapters. The first section, called “Tourism and its Significance,” provides a systematic overview of tourism (in Chap. 1) and its evolution (Chap. 2). Readers might conclude that the book could function as an introductory text, but it does not provide full coverage of basic disciplinary perspectives on the study of tourism. Section one concludes with a discussion of “Issues in Tourism” (Chap. 3). leading to a model which gives shape to the rest of the book. It is entitled “Components For a Community-Oriented Tourism Strategy,” and at its center is the ‘Community’s Tourism Product.” This encapsulates Murphy’s central philosophical argument that the whole of tourism rests on its local resources and hospitality. The “product” must, therefore, be based on the ecology of the host community and be self-sustaining, rather than exploitive. Surrounding the product are four prime considerations which must be included in the community-based tourism strategy. Each of these is discussed in the four remaining sections of the book, first with a presentation of common issues and followed by a second chapter on strategies and policies to deal with the issues. “The Environment and Accessibility” are discussed in section two, encompassing the issues of impacts, capacity, travel patterns, and perceptions. Numerous examples of conflicts are cited, but some of the material, especially a lengthy discussion of wilderness and natural resources, seems
1986 ANNALS
OF TOURISM
RESEARCH
667
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
out of place. Murphy does not make clear how issues like coastal dune erosion or national parks pertain to his central theme. This problem appears to reflect an uncertainty regarding the target audience for the book -as either an introductory or specialized planning text. The next chapter presents strategies for planning and managing environmental and accessibility problems related to tourism. But the discussion of park classifications and zoning, ecological carrying capacity, and multiple use seems misplaced, having little to do with community-based planning. Material concerning vehicle circulation controls is more pertinent. This entire chapter reads much like a park management text and fails to live up to the innovative perspective of most of the book. Section three, “Economics and Business,” begins with coverage of the issues of local economic impacts, cycles (short, medium, and long term) which affect destination areas, consideration of the costs of tourism, and determination of who actually benefits from its development. In it is a fresh synthesis of models such as the product lifecycle, resort cycle of evolution, seasonality, and spatial-temporal patterns of development. The ensuing chapter presents “Economic Response Strategies,” focusing on the target markets of conventions, farm vacations, and second homes. Each of these is a response to cyclical problems, but each might also lead to negative effects. For example, increasing the length of the tourism season can lead to stress in the community. Coping with mid-term cycles requires diversification of the community’s product, but one strategy, that of second home development, can endanger local housing supplies. Countering long term cycles [the resort cycle of evolution) demands consideration of a community’s market position and the implications of its marketing and development activities. Strategies which do not engender capacity problems and which yield the greatest local economic impact are seen to be the most self-sustaining. The chapter could have benefited by inclusion of a discussion on goal conflicts between communities and senior levels of government, and on applying the multiplier concept (presented earlier) to enhance local economic benefits. ‘Society and Culture” is the title of section four, commencing with a chapter called “Hospitality and Authenticity Issues.” It covers the subjects of host-guest contacts and resulting attitudinal change, the tendency towards creation of inauthentic tourism products. the creation of dependency on tourism. and acculturation. The ensuing chapter then presents “Social and Cultural Strategies” designed to foster community acceptance of tourism and to meet local needs. The material incorporates guidelines for assessing the appropriateness of tourism development in communities (based on research in British Columbia] and the relative merits of concentrating or dispersing tourists. An unfortunate omission is discussion of the problems of instant resorts as opposed to established communities. begins with an overThe final section, “Planning and Management,” view of goals for tourism and elaboration of the well-known PASOLP planning model by Lawson and Baud Bovy. Murphy argues the need for integration of tourism planning in other community planning processes and
668
1986 ANNALS
OF TOURISM
RESEARCH
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
criticizes the absence of public input mechanisms in typical area tourism development plans. The last chapter of the book, entitled “Tourism as a Community Industry,” develops Murphy’s own ecological approach. Here, the discussion becomes somewhat esoteric, with the author arguing that tourism is analogous to an ecological model. In this view, attractions and resources are the biomass on which the system depends, residents are the animals, the industry becomes the predators, and both residents and tourists are the prey. To many readers this might seem far-fetched. However, what is really important here is the emphasis placed on viewing tourism in the community as a living system in which homeostasis must be consciously pursued. In other words, the tourism development climax state is one of balance between the needs of the tourists, the industry, and the host community. The book is well produced, containing numerous illustrations (a few of which seem rather idiosyncratic, rather than having general appeal). The photographs, however, are disappointing. They are in black and white and some are unclear or dark, which detracts from an otherwise excellent production. Readers seeking fresh thinking and valuable community planning and marketing ideas will enjoy reading the book, although they might find the concluding section challenging or esoteric. They might also wish that Murphy had set aside specific case study sections rather than integrating many bits and pieces from case studies throughout the discussions. Readers contemplating using the book as an academic text will likely have a difficult time deciding how best to use it. As an introductory tourism text it lacks depth in traditional disciplinary subjects, and as a tourism planning text it fails to cover some industry concerns such as feasibility studies, promotions and marketing theory, or physical development plans. A logical and valuable academic role for the book, therefore, would be as a required or recommended text complementing other planning and marketing books. But failure to include this book somewhere in a tourism curriculum will deprive students of important insights of both a philosophical and practical nature. 0 0
Tourist Developments
in Australia
J. Dean and B. Judd, editors. RAIA Education Division (Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Canberra, Australia) ISBN 909724-54-7, 1985, 88pp.
Aus.
$20.00
(paper). Philip L. Pearce Department of Behavioural Sciences James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
This slim volume will be a useful contribution to the library of any tourist planner, adviser, or consultant. It provides some background information 1986 ANNALS
OF TOURISM
RESEARCH
669