Tourism Development in Sterling Bay (Research Proposal Sample)

Research proposal about tourism development in Sterling Bay
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Problem statement introduction
Economy diversification is essential to any country’s sustainable economic growth (United Nations, 2001).Numerous factors must however be analysed before major development projects are implemented. Among the major factors for consideration is the project’s impact on the political, social, cultural, environmental as well as economical aspects of a particular region or country. Various projects relating to economic development in an area such as tourism have both negative as well as positive impacts to the socio-economic development of a location. This particular study’s mission is to evaluate potential economic projects viable in sterling Bay, a little settlement holding a population in the region of 5000 people. The region has a potential for tourism due to its location on a peninsular, sea as well as marine life and a community defined by exotic cultures as well as traditions.
The location is characterized by beautiful beaches and easily accessible hills which enhance the location’s view. Surrounded by a beautiful topography, sterling Bay has a wide area covered by a series of rare limestone caves as well as rock pools and the native population only occupy a little portion of land off the beach. Sterling Bay’s current major economic activity is basically fishing due to the area’s climate which is not favourable for agricultural activities. Handed down from previous generations, the activity continues to act as the main livelihood source of the inhabitants despite other activities such as seafood and weaving businesses managed by the female population. Due to the location’s landscape that supports infrastructure development, sterling Bay’s government has commenced various projects aimed at improving accessibility to the area like construction of roads. Based on the area’s potential and the need for economic diversification, tourism is deemed as the best development option by the government.
Before investing in the project however, the government must analyse various economic alternatives by using the logic model, a concept that originates from the programme theory. Programme theory provides insight into logical explanations between activities as well as projected or expected results through the logical concept (Peshin & Dhawan, 2009). This approach would assist the authorities to develop logical models by involving the community to evaluate and decide if tourism is the most viable economic development in sterling Bay, based on the analysed project’s impact on the area as well as its settlers. The study therefore involves the appropriate approach the government must select to analyse tourism as a suitable investment in sterling Bay. The study seeks to address these questions; which social-economic development impacts as a result of tourism must sterling bay’s government consider? Does the host community in sterling Bay support the tourism venture?
Literature review
Tourism developers must realize effective ways of maximizing positive tourism impacts and minimizing the negative impacts. The major contribution of tourism to an area or region is its potential economic benefits. Tourism industry represents one of the world’s most contributors to economic growth (Sharpley, 2004, p.84). Despite the positive aspects to the economy, tourism is also responsible for various negative impacts (Schmitz, 2014). Positive potential economic contributions of tourism in starling Bay include among others; local economy improvement, employment opportunities for sterling Bay natives hence improved living standards, increased tax revenue, creation of new and diverse business opportunities, enhanced investment as well as infrastructure development, increased opportunities in creativity as well as innovation and improved local trade.
Tourism might also affect sterling Bay negatively through among others; increased goods as well as service prices, the land as well as housing costs would increase due to increased activity and population, government might require an extra budget to fund additional infrastructure, natives might be forced to settle for lower paying jobs due to labour importation, non-native owners might export most of the profits from the business and the risk of unemployment or underemployment that might be caused by seasonal tourism.
A region that adopts tourism faces the risk of both negative and positive impacts on its social-cultural activities (Sharma, 2004, p.92). Likewise, the government as well as the community in sterling Bay might face the task of managing the potential effects either negative or positive that would affect their social as well as cultural wellbeing. Positive socio-cultural effects might include among others; quality of life improvement for the natives, positive improvements regarding values as well as customs of the locals, positive educational experience to the locals due to engaging with foreign tourists, increased demand for the local historical as well as cultural exhibits, preservation of the native’s cultural identity and a better understanding of various community differences by the locals due to increased exposure. Negative socio-cultural effects that might affect sterling Bay include; increased social disorders such as gambling as well as alcoholism, increased cases of crime, prostitution as well as drug abuse, various language as well as cultural effects, displacement of locals due to increased tourism development, potential conflicts that might be caused by unequal share of tourism proceeds among the locals and changes in customs as well as values of locals due to external influence.
Theoretical framework
This study builds on previous study work done by various researchers concerning the impact of tourism and the support required from the residents of the location. Exchange theory tries to explain the relationship between resident’s perceptions as well as reactions towards tourism development and the circumstances or reasons that induce their reactions (Nunkoo & Smith, 2014). The theory suggests that residents are motivated to participate and support tourism activities based on their perceptions that the benefits caused by tourism would outweigh the costs incurred (McCool & Moisey, 2008, p.246). Costs in this case imply the negative impacts that might potentially affect the residents of a location and they encompass social, environmental, cultural as well as economic impacts. The theory therefore explains the necessity of ensuaring the host community supports any tourism development activities in a location since if there they believe there are positive benefits to be enjoyed from the activity, they would be willing to support and participate in the activity by engaging with the tourists. The theory also states that in case host communities identify unsubstantial benefits through tourism activities, they would oppose any proposed tourism development activity.
It is therefore essential to engage the locals of sterling Bay to collect information that can interpret their perceptions towards tourism development in the area to assist in giving recommendations to the local government regarding a go-ahead to pursue tourism. Representatives of the tourism developers or professionals from the government of Sterling Bay will also be engaged in the study to offer information regarding impact assessment as well as policy framework. By identifying the factors responsible for influencing the host population’s perception hence leading to their support of tourism development, the study will analyse available research material and evidences that explain the general impact caused by tourism development. The study will relate to available material to compare potential impacts that might affect sterling Bay and those that have been witnessed or documented in other areas or countries. By comparing sterling’s case with previous documented cases, the study will be able to realize appropriate tourism approaches that have been previously used in other regions and the motivations behind these approaches.
Methodology
The study will explore secondary data through documentation review. The secondary data collected will further clarify theories previously used in tourism development and the factor of impact consideration required before a tourism development project. Secondary data will also be helpful in guiding the issues to be addressed during primary data collection in the form of among others, the necessary questions to ask the sample group representing the locals. Qualitative method will then be utilized to collect data relating to the personal views or perceptions of host community, regarding their reaction to tourism development in sterling Bay. Qualitative data will assist the study grasp deeper understandings of the host community’s perceptions and hence conclude if they support the project.
Data collection
Secondary data for documentation review will be collected from interne...