The question of opportunism and land grabbing for speculative reasons, under the guise of development for the tourism industry, is nothing new, but today it has become a disease that is spreading in the mature destinations as well as those in an embryonic stage.
Elizabeth Becker has described the situation that is unfolding in Venice and Cambodia concerning “land grabbing” techniques and speculation, which are both having extremely adverse impacts on the local community.
Here I see many similarities which we could do well to learn from, unless, that is, we are happy with the way that we are experiencing unscrupulous and unethical methods in which some business is carried out.
The government and politicians’ role in tourism activity should be that of a facilitator and legislator, but it should not be that of the sole lawmaker.
Governments should represent the majority of the community in a democratic state, but that does not mean they are given carte blanche to decide the fate of that community.
A government needs to be answerable to parliament and the opposition, and eventually their conduct will have an important effect on whether they are successful in the next election.
Liaison and dialogue are the key factors for a successful consultation process that is really inclusive, meaningful, consistent and effective.
A government’s role is to manage such consultation processes while ensuring that sustainable development and sustainable tourism are not just some colourful buzzwords which boost their manifesto and their public relations.
Real development is not about personal wealth but about synergy, commitment and trust between the community, businesses and authorities
The business person’s role in tourism activity should not be that of a short- term opportunist but more of the medium-to-long-term visionary who sees tourism as a sustainable and inclusive activity where everyone can benefit and where the national interest will actually add value to the investment.
Working together to achieve such value will be far more advantageous to the tourism activity than the rather fragmented way in which the industry is plagued with isolated cells, each one focusing on their own particular and personal agenda.
The community needs to be the referee, the impartial party that ensures civic behaviour and an assurance that the local character and culture are upheld and protected.
The local community needs to take an active part in local planning and should avoid being complacent in the face of social bullying by the political and business community.
The question of development has some rather negative connotations and definitions. On the one hand, it sounds positive and should instill a feel-good factor but, in reality, it means the complete annihilation of tradition, culture and character and its replacement by a cold, inanimate place that lacks identity and any social fabric – not really the best factors to attract the discerning visitor who wants a destination.
The local community has a serious part to play in ensuring the continuity of the traditions and culture within the community, but it comes at a cost, and that cost means society has to stand back from the national and local shackles that restrict real and meaningful participation in politics and civic activities.
Real development is not about personal wealth but about synergy, commitment and trust between the community, businesses and authorities.
Those with a sense of civic responsibility need to be the first to disseminate their positive stance to those outside the circle of the converted. They need to set an example and persist till this lack of ethics and civic pride is changed.
Tourism development is not about land grabbing, myopic business schemes and quantitative results.
It is about developing an effective intercultural dialogue between communities by sharing culture and traditions.
That is how we can build a sustainable and inclusive tourism activity today for a reliable future.
Julian Zarb is an academic and president of the Malta Tourism Society.