TMC - Tourism Management Certificate Sustainable Tourism Practices Questions and Answers

Question 1

A coastal resort markets itself as an 'eco-lodge' due to its seaside location and use of rustic, natural-looking building materials. However, it sources its food from international suppliers, operates a diesel generator for power, and has not implemented any community outreach programs. This is a clear example of what practice?

Accepted Answer

Greenwashing

Answer

Greenwashing is the practice of deceptively promoting a company or its products/services as environmentally friendly when they are not. [3, 11, 19] The resort is using an 'eco' label for marketing but its core operations (imported food, diesel power, lack of community engagement) are not sustainable.

Question 2

Which of the following best defines the concept of 'economic leakage' in the context of tourism?

Accepted Answer

The portion of tourist spending that does not remain in the local host economy. [5, 12, 24]

Answer

Economic leakage refers to the money spent by tourists that flows out of the destination's economy. [5, 12, 24] This often happens when tourists use foreign-owned airlines and hotels, or when destinations need to import goods and services to meet tourist demands, thereby limiting the financial benefits to the local community.

Question 3

A tourism management plan for a national park sets a limit on the number of visitors allowed on hiking trails each day to prevent soil erosion and preserve the quality of the visitor experience. This limit is primarily an application of which sustainable tourism principle?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of people that can visit a destination at the same time without causing unacceptable degradation of the physical, environmental, and socio-cultural resources, and without an unacceptable decrease in the quality of the visitor's experience. [7, 22, 28] Setting a visitor limit directly addresses this concept.

Question 4

What are the three core, interconnected pillars of sustainable tourism?

Accepted Answer

Environmental, Social, and Economic

Answer

The universally recognized framework for sustainable tourism is built on three pillars: environmental (protecting natural resources), social (respecting host communities and preserving culture), and economic (ensuring long-term financial viability and benefits for locals). [1, 2, 15] A balance between these three is essential for long-term sustainability.

Question 5

A tour operator in a developing country actively works to hire local guides, sources food from nearby farms for tourist meals, and partners with community artisans to sell authentic souvenirs. This approach is most effective at minimizing what negative phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Economic leakage

Answer

By prioritizing local employment, procurement, and partnerships, the tour operator ensures that a larger portion of the money spent by tourists remains within the local community. This directly counteracts economic leakage, where revenue flows out to foreign-owned companies. [5, 30]

TMC - Tourism Management Certificate Practice Test

TMC - Tourism Management Certificate Practice Test

TMC - Tourism Management Certificate Sustainable Tourism Practices Questions and Answers