Politics and sustainable tourism development - Can they co-exist? Voices from North Cyprus

    Authors

    M. Yasarata; L. Altinay; P. Burns;F. Okumus

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Tourism Manage.

    Keywords

    Small island; Sustainable tourism development; Political issues; Agency; theory; Qualitative research; North Cyprus; ECONOMIC-CRISIS; IMPACT; Environmental Studies; Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism; Management

    Abstract

    This paper investigates ways in which political obstacles inhibit the formulation and implementation of sustainable tourism development in small-island developing states through the example of North Cyprus. The methodology draws on in-depth interviews and participant observation of significant actors in the tourism sector. The research findings suggest that understanding the intricate political system and power structure in a society is the key to understanding sustainable tourism policy development, planning and implementation. In the case of North Cyprus, policy development was found to be a product of political influence (referred to as ego-driven politics in the text), specifically the use of public resources as an instrument for political power, retention and that the politicisation of the public sector is the underlying cause of the weakened progress in sustainable tourism development. It is therefore essential to have a clear understanding of political issues, key political actors' interests and how to mitigate personal interests to facilitate and maintain sustainable tourism development in such small states. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Tourism Management

    Volume

    31

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2010

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    345

    Last Page

    356

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000274592000006

    ISSN

    0261-5177

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