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Congestion and overtaxing of infrastructure and
basic services can generate dissension between
transients and the domestic populations, which
come to resent the intrusion of tourism. Municipal
services and facilities, access to recreational sites,
and personal and social life are all features of the
sociocultural environment which can be seasonally
curtailed by the presence of vacationers �see
seasonality). In some cases social interaction
between residents and tourists is minimal, with
large numbers of visitors opting for an exclusive
environment which requires minimum cultural
adjustment on their part. In developing countries,
aspects of tourism may have long-term disruptive
effects on the lifestyles and employment
patterns of host communities.
With so many variations on the theme, it is
difficult to generalise on the relationship between
tourism and the environment. The relative importance
of each factor varies with the location and
situation, and negative effects need to be balanced
against positive impacts. It is important to note that
tourism and environment are not merely interrelated
± they are functionally interdependent ±
and tourism and protection of the environment are
more alike than contradictory. The demands of
tourism, instead of conflicting with conservation of
the environment, actually require it; otherwise the
very appeal which lures the visitor will be eroded,
and with reduced satisfaction will go any chance
of sustained viability. Given an appropriate commitment
to planning, design and management,
tourism can become an active positive agent in the
process of environmental enhancement.
See also: codes of ethics, environmental;
environmental aesthetics; environmental auditing;
environmental compatability; environmental
engineering; impact assessment, environmental;
perception environmental; planning,
environmental; quality, environmental; sustainable
development
JOHN J. PIGRAM, AUSTRALIA
environmental aesthetics
The effect of an environment on the senses is
known as environmental aesthetics. Such qualities
of tourism facilities are, like beauty, very much in
the eye of the beholder, and most observers can
readily distinguish between pleasing and offensive
settings �see also quality). Attention to environmental
aesthetics in the design and layout
process both contributes to satisfying sensory
experiences and strengthens the functional efficiency
of tourism developments.
JOHN J. PIGRAM, AUSTRALIA
environmental auditing
environmental auditing 195
Environmental auditing can be defined as a process
comprising of a systematic, documented, regular
and objective evaluation of the environmental
performance of any aspect of an organisation.
This may include structure, management, equipment,
facilities and products with the aim of
protecting the environment by facilitating management
control of environmental practice, assessing
compliance with environmental policies and
any regulatory requirements, and minimising the
negative environmental impact. The term `auditing'
generally refers to a methodological examination
involving analyses, tests and confirmation of a
facility's procedures and practices with the goal of
verifying whether they comply with legal requirements
and internal policies and accepted practices.
In its common application, environmental
auditing is the process whereby the operations of
an organisation are monitored to determine
whether they are in compliance with regulatory
requirements and environmental policies and
standards. Therefore, the essential purpose of
environmental auditing is to ensure compliance
with environmental management systems,
in particular that commitments made are implemented,
that environmental standards are met, and
that relevant procedures are in place and are being
followed.
The concept of environmental auditing is still
relatively new and is a developing technique. In the
context of tourism, environmental auditing as an
effective management tool can provide feedback
about overall environmental performance and
specific problems of an organisation, and a ready