The Effects of Tourism on the Small State of Monaco - Research Paper Example

The Effects of Tourism on the Small of Monaco A literature review and research design Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Literature Review 4 Background 4 Economic Effects 5 The largest impact that tourism has had on Monaco is the economic impact. The industry began and has continued to grow in the state because of the benefits that it has given. Between 1863 and the beginning of the Second World War in 1939, tourism provided the primary income for the state . The tourism industry was initially developed in the state as in 1861 Monaco sold half of its territory to France in order to gain financial capital and in exchanged for their independence. This exchange left the state lacking in natural resources, so an alternative method of generating income and remaining independent needed to be found . Tourism has allowed the state to flourish economically, resulting in a very high living standard, one of the highest life expectancies in the world and high levels of literacy, sanitation and water provision . As a consequence, tourism is relied on for income for the state, as with many other Mediterranean tourist destinations; there is no alternative source of income. As a consequence, the state is tied into tourism, and must continually work to ensure the attraction of tourists . 5 Ecological Effects 5 Tourism as an industry relies heavily on the environment, both the natural environment and the human one . This is less so in Monaco than in many other tourism spots, as Monaco has little to no natural resources , however, it is still relevant. Firstly, the scenic views of Monaco and the coastline are important, if these are compromised as a consequence of tourism or other activities, then the tourism industry within Monaco suffers significantly. An example of this is the invasion and spread of the marine species Caulerpa taxifolia throughout the Mediterranean. This species substantially altered the biodiversity of species within the Mediterranean, having flow on effects. Tourism has played a significant role in the spread of this species through recreational activities such as fishing and diving . Other island nations have found tourism had strong effects on marine mammals, so this must be taken into consideration . Fear of detrimental ecological and environmental effects from tourism has resulted in the development of policies for sustainability in Monaco, termed sustainable tourism . 5 Social and Cultural Effects 6 Tourism has significant effects on the social environment of the area where it is occurring. It separates those who are involved in the tourism industry from those who are not, and limits the choices that the population can make, as any decisions must take into consideration the effect of the decision on tourism . This is particularly true for Monaco, which has focused on tourism since before the Second World War. Now, tourism and banking are the two major sources of income for the state, and any decisions that the state makes need to carefully take into account their effects on the tourism industry. In addition, there are specific effects that the form of tourism in Monaco has on the people and the community. Gambling is often associated with crime and prostitution, even in expensive casinos, such as those in Monaco . 6 Research Design 7 Problem Statement 7 Tourism in Monaco is a booming industry that is the focus of much of the activities of the state for more than 100 years. While there is significant evidence in the literature of the impact that the industry has had on the state as a whole, such as increasing economic output, allowing the state to be self-sustainable, the creation of many jobs, and a high standard of living. There have also been negative effects, such as tourism aiding in the spread of an invasive species, the financial reliance that the state has on tourism, and the potential alienation of citizens that are not part of the tourism industry. There has not been much discussion in the literature about the reaction of citizens to the industry, whether they feel it is invasive, what role it plays in their lives, in their day to day decisions and what effect they perceive it has on their state. Surveys will be used to collect data, as they produce represent the different types of citizens equally 7 The aim of this research is: 7 To determine how residents perceive the tourism industry. Do they see it as a good thing for the state or do they consider there are better alternatives? 7 To determine how residents feel about the presence of the large amount of tourists almost constantly in their state 7 To determine what proportion of residents are involved in the tourism industry 7 Methodology 8 To address these aims, research will be undertaken using a combination of telephone surveys and written questionnaires aimed at residents both within and exterior to the tourism industry. Residents will be chosen at random from telephone and address directories, and contacted for inclusion in the study. Written questionnaires will be sent to several hundred households in order to ensure that there is enough data to analyze, as the return rate for written questionnaires is often low . As low questionnaire return rate has been associated with respondents having little time , the questionnaire will be kept below ten questions with short answers. Copies in French (the official language) and in English will be given. A sample of questions that may be used is given below: 8 What is your current employment? 8 Do you like the level of tourism in the state? 8 Do you interact with tourists on a regular basis? 8 If so, do you have any difficulties with them? 8 Do you think the casinos have a positive or a negative effect overall? Why? 8 Do you think tourism has affected the culture of Monaco? 8 In addition to written questionnaires, a telephone survey will be done on a smaller dataset, between 20 and 50 respondents. Those who participate in the survey will be asked more detailed questions on the same subject areas. Between the two survey types, a large enough sample should be collected that can be used in analysis. 8 Data Analysis 9 To analyze the data obtained the information will first be broadly categorized based on responses. As most of the questions are descriptive rather than yes or no, these categories will be dependent on the range of responses that are given, but could include categories such as positive effect, no effect, no comment and negative effect for the effect of tourists on Monaco culture. Once data has been categorized it will then be possible to look at it graphically to determine trends, and to test it statistically, using t-tests and ANOVA to determine whether responses vary between groups of people. For example, there could be variation in whether individuals have had problems with tourists depending on whether they are in the tourism industry or not. 9 Advantages and Limitations 9 Collecting and analyzing data in this manner has several advantages. Firstly, it can be collected from a distance rather than having to go to Monaco, which saves on both time and money. In addition, it allows for the collection of data that reflects the opinion of the public. However, there is potential for non-response bias, which is where they people that don’t respond to the survey are similar in some manner, and as a consequence this produces a bias in the results . However, the choice of questions for the survey makes the likelihood of this low. 9 Conclusion 11 There have been a number of studies that consider the effect of tourism. Monaco has been a hub for tourist activity for more than 100 years. As a consequence, it is likely that the effects of tourism in the state are likely to be strong. Literature revealed that there has been a strong economic effect of tourism on Monaco, as well as it having ecological effects, and driving policies towards ecological conservation, and having social and cultural effects. There was relatively little information about what effect tourism has had on the people that live in Monaco. As a consequence I propose a survey-based research project that looks at the opinions of a random selection of citizens. The survey should provide significant information about what effect tourism is having and has had on the lives of the people that live in Monaco, and may give further information about the effect that tourism has had on the state in general. 11 References 12 Introduction Monaco is a state in Europe that borders on France and the Mediterranean Sea. The state is well known as a popular tourist destination due to the mild climate, attractive scenery and wide range of gambling facilities . Tourism can be defined in general as the travelling of a person to, and staying in a place that is distinct from their usual environment for between one night and one year for the purposes of business, leisure or other activities . Tourism is an intrusive activity, which has the potential to dramatically shape and change the way a city or a state. As a social phenomenon tourism has grown significantly during second half of the 20th century, particularly as an economic venture . The report considers the effects that tourism has had on the small state of Monaco, constructing a detailed review of the literature. Following this the report outlines a proposed research plan for gaining a direct determination of the effects of tourism, including the development of research questions and hypothesis and a detailed methodology. Finally, the validity of the research design will be discussed, and the methods justified. Literature Review Background The state experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and wet, mild winters. In is two square kilometers in area, making it the second smallest independent state in the world, with only Vatican City being smaller. It is almost entirely urban, with a high standard of living and currently has the longest life expectancy at birth of the independent states. As well as attracting tourists through its gambling facilities, the state is also a major banking centre, and acts as a tax haven with no income tax and low taxes for business. The country is a constitutional monarchy, having a head of state as well as a head of government and a cabinet . The state has little to no natural resources, which limits its ability to develop sustainably . The rapid growth of tourism worldwide has been a consequence of advances in transportation, with global transportation no longer being a complex venture, as well as being cheaper, safer and more convenient. In addition advances in communication and in technology have played a substantial role as well as other factors, such as the prevalence of people with high disposable incomes that are seeking pleasure, relaxation and comfort . The first real influx of tourism to Monaco was in 1863 when a performer known as the Magician of Monte Carlo began to manage a new gaming company. This provided most of the revenue for the state until World War II began. Currently the state now hosts millions of visitors a year and has many investors . The production of a world famous casino during this period was one of the key methods that the state benefited from tourism. In 1867 the area that is now known as Monte Carlo was made accessible through land and sea links, and the Monte Carlo orchestra was established to aid the developing cultural infrastructure . Economic Effects The largest impact that tourism has had on Monaco is the economic impact. The industry began and has continued to grow in the state because of the benefits that it has given. Between 1863 and the beginning of the Second World War in 1939, tourism provided the primary income for the state . The tourism industry was initially developed in the state as in 1861 Monaco sold half of its territory to France in order to gain financial capital and in exchanged for their independence. This exchange left the state lacking in natural resources, so an alternative method of generating income and remaining independent needed to be found . Tourism has allowed the state to flourish economically, resulting in a very high living standard, one of the highest life expectancies in the world and high levels of literacy, sanitation and water provision . As a consequence, tourism is relied on for income for the state, as with many other Mediterranean tourist destinations; there is no alternative source of income. As a consequence, the state is tied into tourism, and must continually work to ensure the attraction of tourists . Ecological Effects Tourism as an industry relies heavily on the environment, both the natural environment and the human one . This is less so in Monaco than in many other tourism spots, as Monaco has little to no natural resources , however, it is still relevant. Firstly, the scenic views of Monaco and the coastline are important, if these are compromised as a consequence of tourism or other activities, then the tourism industry within Monaco suffers significantly. An example of this is the invasion and spread of the marine species Caulerpa taxifolia throughout the Mediterranean. This species substantially altered the biodiversity of species within the Mediterranean, having flow on effects. Tourism has played a significant role in the spread of this species through recreational activities such as fishing and diving . Other island nations have found tourism had strong effects on marine mammals, so this must be taken into consideration . Fear of detrimental ecological and environmental effects from tourism has resulted in the development of policies for sustainability in Monaco, termed sustainable tourism . Social and Cultural Effects Tourism has significant effects on the social environment of the area where it is occurring. It separates those who are involved in the tourism industry from those who are not, and limits the choices that the population can make, as any decisions must take into consideration the effect of the decision on tourism . This is particularly true for Monaco, which has focused on tourism since before the Second World War. Now, tourism and banking are the two major sources of income for the state, and any decisions that the state makes need to carefully take into account their effects on the tourism industry. In addition, there are specific effects that the form of tourism in Monaco has on the people and the community. Gambling is often associated with crime and prostitution, even in expensive casinos, such as those in Monaco . Research Design Problem Statement Tourism in Monaco is a booming industry that is the focus of much of the activities of the state for more than 100 years. While there is significant evidence in the literature of the impact that the industry has had on the state as a whole, such as increasing economic output, allowing the state to be self-sustainable, the creation of many jobs, and a high standard of living. There have also been negative effects, such as tourism aiding in the spread of an invasive species, the financial reliance that the state has on tourism, and the potential alienation of citizens that are not part of the tourism industry. There has not been much discussion in the literature about the reaction of citizens to the industry, whether they feel it is invasive, what role it plays in their lives, in their day to day decisions and what effect they perceive it has on their state. Surveys will be used to collect data, as they produce represent the different types of citizens equally The aim of this research is: To determine how residents perceive the tourism industry. Do they see it as a good thing for the state or do they consider there are better alternatives? To determine how residents feel about the presence of the large amount of tourists almost constantly in their state To determine what proportion of residents are involved in the tourism industry Methodology To address these aims, research will be undertaken using a combination of telephone surveys and written questionnaires aimed at residents both within and exterior to the tourism industry. Residents will be chosen at random from telephone and address directories, and contacted for inclusion in the study. Written questionnaires will be sent to several hundred households in order to ensure that there is enough data to analyze, as the return rate for written questionnaires is often low . As low questionnaire return rate has been associated with respondents having little time , the questionnaire will be kept below ten questions with short answers. Copies in French (the official language) and in English will be given. A sample of questions that may be used is given below: What is your current employment? Do you like the level of tourism in the state? Do you interact with tourists on a regular basis? If so, do you have any difficulties with them? Do you think the casinos have a positive or a negative effect overall? Why? Do you think tourism has affected the culture of Monaco? In addition to written questionnaires, a telephone survey will be done on a smaller dataset, between 20 and 50 respondents. Those who participate in the survey will be asked more detailed questions on the same subject areas. Between the two survey types, a large enough sample should be collected that can be used in analysis. Data Analysis To analyze the data obtained the information will first be broadly categorized based on responses. As most of the questions are descriptive rather than yes or no, these categories will be dependent on the range of responses that are given, but could include categories such as positive effect, no effect, no comment and negative effect for the effect of tourists on Monaco culture. Once data has been categorized it will then be possible to look at it graphically to determine trends, and to test it statistically, using t-tests and ANOVA to determine whether responses vary between groups of people. For example, there could be variation in whether individuals have had problems with tourists depending on whether they are in the tourism industry or not. Advantages and Limitations Collecting and analyzing data in this manner has several advantages. Firstly, it can be collected from a distance rather than having to go to Monaco, which saves on both time and money. In addition, it allows for the collection of data that reflects the opinion of the public. However, there is potential for non-response bias, which is where they people that don’t respond to the survey are similar in some manner, and as a consequence this produces a bias in the results . However, the choice of questions for the survey makes the likelihood of this low. Conclusion There have been a number of studies that consider the effect of tourism. Monaco has been a hub for tourist activity for more than 100 years. As a consequence, it is likely that the effects of tourism in the state are likely to be strong. Literature revealed that there has been a strong economic effect of tourism on Monaco, as well as it having ecological effects, and driving policies towards ecological conservation, and having social and cultural effects. There was relatively little information about what effect tourism has had on the people that live in Monaco. As a consequence I propose a survey-based research project that looks at the opinions of a random selection of citizens. The survey should provide significant information about what effect tourism is having and has had on the lives of the people that live in Monaco, and may give further information about the effect that tourism has had on the state in general. References Read More