In addressing the positive aspects, students may want to stress on the interrelationship/interconnectedness between the destination’s positive sustainable economic, social, cultural, and en

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SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROJECT

Valerie Spellman

Department of Hospitality and Tourism

HOS. 230: Sustainable Global Tourism Development

Dr. Zach Hallab

March 10, 2024

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Table of Contents

Title Page………………………………………………………………………………………1

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………2

Introduction………………………………………………………………………….….……..3

The tourist destination’s sustainable and unsustainable practices…………………………4

a. Social-Cultural………………………………………………………………………………4

b. Economic…………………………………………………………………………………….4

c. Environmental levels………………………………………………………………………4-5

Threats to the destination’s tourism sustainability………………………………………….6

Opportunities that may arise…………………………………………………………………6

References………………………………………………………………………………………7

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SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROJECT

Introduction

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is located at the bottom of the Baja peninsula where the Sea of

Cortes meets the Pacific Ocean. There are many great landmarks to travel to in the area such as

El Arco, which is a haven for world-class sport fishing and snorkeling. The area attracts

shoppers, diners, and there is a lively nightlife. The marina serves as the focal point, housing

sports fishing fleets, luxury yachts, and boats for various tours and cruises. Los Cabos is situated

900 miles south of San Diego, California. Mexico’s tourism development agency, FONATUR,

played a pivotal role in building the infrastructure that transformed Los Cabos into the renowned

resort destination it is today. The local population is approximately 110,000, with over one

million visitors each year. Cabo San Lucas welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year

arriving through air and cruises. Los Cabos tourism is booming as it has grown by 16%, 1.5

times the overall pace of Mexico. With 350 sunny days a year, Cabo continues to sustain an

impressive wave of while sustaining the environment and natural terrain. Cabo boasts some of

the most abundant marine life in the world, making it the perfect place to discover the world

below the waterline. Additionally, whale watching is probably the number one event for which

Cabo is known. When you plan your next trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico you have to remember

that the high season is from October to May and the low season is from July to mid-September.

After July the weather is not as pleasant for travelers.

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The Destination’s Sustainable and Unsustainable Practices

Social/ Cultural:

Is it sustainable? It is sustainable it is through poverty alleviation due to the money that is

coming in from local businesses and tourists alike. This Creates opportunities for people buying

empowering them to create solutions in generate revenue for their families as well as their

communities. Is it sustainable? The city promotes cultural diversity and is filled with Mexican

traditions such as festivals to enjoy local music, food, and art plus the scenic beauty of El Arco,

and the ocean surrounding the Marina make this area a hot tourist destination.

Economic:

Is it sustainable? Los Cabos continues to flourish due to pristine beaches and luxurious

resorts that attract visitors from all over the world. The Marina welcomes cruise ships, fishing

enthusiasts and golfers. This, in return creates employment opportunities and delivers economic

growth. Rural tourism is another incentive that promotes the surrounding communities to take

part in tourism, offering their services to entice travelers with activities such as hiking in the

local mountains, cycling, cooking classes, honey production, etc. This helps to boost the

economy as well as responsible tourism, organic agriculture, and the preservation of natural

resources for the future of the residents and the tourists that visit.

Environmental levels:

Is it sustainable? Blue-flag certified beaches are just the start of what the area has to offer.

The Sea of Cortez has waters that are rich in marine life with tropical fish and coral reefs. In an

effort to reduce pressure on the physical environment including state parks and federal nature

preserves that are protected by ecotourism so the habitat for rare plants and animals is

sustainable to thrive. Luxury beach resorts, restaurants, and other business cater to many tourists

to promote their environmental/ sustainability tourism practices, including farm to table dining at

organic farms, ocean to table dining, cultural diversity, awareness of the environment, and the

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impacts to protect species and promote eco-conscious activities. When I go on cruises and look

at their shore excursions, they always promote biodegradable sunblock, and you can't use any

other because it's not sustainable for the environment. Fabulous weather gives Cabo San Lucas.

The best sustainable resource of all is the sun. This assists with solar energy and farming

purposes. The city produces gave away in the creation of tequila, the national liquor of Mexico,

which assists with generation of revenue for those communities.

Another interesting finding is that sustainable retreats in Los Cabos are committed to

minimizing their ecological footprint and embracing social responsibility to ensure the long-

term preservation the Waldorf Astoria, Los Cabos, Perigeal, Zadun, A Ritz Carlton Reserve and

Hotel El Ganzo, just to name a few are ensuring compliance with social and environmental

responsibility initiatives. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal features innovations in resource

care technology such as plunge pools, high-efficiency variable speed pumps, electric heaters, and

gas heaters to help reduce energy by up to 50%; the hotel restaurant, El Farallon, offers an ocean-

to-table menu with a daily abundance of locally purchased fishing purchased directly while using

farm fish and certified suppliers. Next, the Zadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Jean-Michel

Cousteau’s environmental ambassadors inspire guests to connect with the world around them in

the hopes that they will work to preserve it for future generations. The program highlights

Mexico’s rich native culture and unique ecosystem through immersive experiences designed for

children, adults, and families. Finally, the El Ganzo Hotel is the first hotel in Mexico to be

certified as a B Corp or Company B, ensuring compliance with the highest standards of verified

social and environmental responsibility, public transparency, and legal responsibility for

achieving a long-term balance of profits and purposes: The team’s mission is to reduce inequality

and poverty levels, building a healthier environment, a stronger community and create more

high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose.

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Threats to the Destinations Sustainability and Opportunities

Environmental Destruction through the use of fossil fuels has to be changed.

Unsustainable practices are the unbridled use of fossil fuels, deforestation, and the disposal of

non-biodegradable waste, like plastic straws and bags, which needs to be corrected.

The government's promotion of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar needs to be on

the top of the agenda. Encouraging citizens to buy appliances that are energy efficient such as

refrigerators, washers, and dryers. The city also needs to implement a policy in which sustainable

materials that are recyclable or reusable to improve energy efficiency in buildings can assist and

is good for the community. Waste management systems that optimize waste collection and

recycling measures that the whole community is taking action to do their part. Also, for future

planning the Government needs to set renewable energy goals for the city of Cabo San Lucas,

Mexico to be attained through legislation and implemented throughout the surrounding

communities to increase sustainability for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

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References

Carrilio, T. E. (2007). Utilizing a social work perspective to enhance sustainable development efforts in Loreto, Mexico. International Social Work, 50(4), 528–538. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872807077912

Montaño, A., Angeles, M., & Pérez, J. (2019). Tourist destinations with asymmetrical local development: the ‘integrally planned tourist centres’ of Los Cabos and Loreto, Baja California Sur (Mexico). International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 14(1), 44–61. https://doi.org/10.2495/SDP-V14-N1-44-61

Elizabeth Olmos-Martínez, Juan Pedro Ibarra-Michel, & Mónica Velarde-Valdez. (2020). Perception of the performance of tourism activity towards sustainability in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Pasos (Tenerife (Canary Islands)), 18, 721–736. https://doi.org/10.25145/j.pasos.2020.18.052

Nava, H., & Ramírez-Herrera, M. T. (2011). Government conservation policies on Mexican coastal areas: is “top-down” management working? Revista de Biología Tropical, 59(4), 1487–1501. https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v59i4.3414

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