1. Responsible travel operations managers should ensure that their companies are sustainable, and do not have a negative impact on their host environments. How can a travel operations company avoid being part of the ‘boom and bust’ vicious circle exemplified by Pederson’s Classic Community Cycle? Stage 1. Communities build small properties for local tourism. Residential properties are upgraded and converted into small hotels and lodges, earning revenue for local residents.

This is very much the honeymoon phase of the relationship, when benefits are enjoyed by all stakeholders.

Stage 2. Land values increase and infrastructure developments, particularly roads, are undertaken. Outsiders buy up spare land and set up tourism-related businesses, often on a larger scale than the locals. Local people still benefit economically, although the revenue is generally spread among a smaller group. Many locals start to see negative impacts (such as higher pricing, and overcrowding on sites of interest), but derive no benefit financially.

Stage 3. Hotel building gathers momentum, with planning regulations being either relaxed or ignored. Degradation of the environment begins due to the haphazard approach to development. Local people benefit as employees in the accommodation, restaurant and transport sectors. Some, however, start to see disadvantages outweighing benefits.

Stage 4. The majority of accommodation owners are outsiders. Money begins to flow out more rapidly. Large developments are undertaken without planning rules being applied.

Large hotels, often part of international chains, promote international tourism, with profits staying in the country of their origin, not locally. Tourists contribute to the local economy mainly by buying souvenirs. Water supplies and the environment start to be at risk and developers start to be concerned for future profits. Local residents often start to resent tourists at this stage.