Author: Hana SILOVSKA, Jaroslav MACHACEK
E-mail: ,
Department: Department of Regional Studies
Institution: The University of Economics, Prague, Czech Republic
Title: Sustainable tourism as a key development factor of the biosphere reserves
Abstract:
There are areas in the world, designated within the UNESCO’s intergovernmental scientific programme Man and the Biosphere (MAB), where nature protection meets together with sustainable development principles and where different local stakeholders strive after harmonization of their interests. These areas, known as biosphere reserves, fulfil the mission to reconcile the principles of nature and cultural protection and socio-economic concerns and to test and demonstrate innovative approaches to sustainable development.
Paper examines sustainable tourism as a tool to promote ecological, social, cultural and economic elements of sustainability in these specific areas. It points out main issues emerging in the tourism planning and decision making process in these areas and puts forward selected criteria for sustainable tourism. The contribution briefly introduces the present state of the Czech biosphere reserves, their current challenges, limits and opportunities for the future development and functioning. It deals in more details with the Šumava Biosphere Reserve which represents a very special and valuable area from both the national and international points of view. The key roles of the local stakeholders and authorities and their mutual cooperation and areas of participation will be illuminated in the text. Special attention will be paid to the population development in the respective region, particularly in terms of the impact of amenity migration with regard to the functions and purpose of the above mentioned biosphere reserve.
Author Bio:
Hana Silovská: currently a PhD. student at the department of Regional Studies at the University of Economics in Prague where she graduated also her master studies in 2009. Her main field of interest is represented by the sustainable development of the environmentally valuable regions with special regard to biosphere reserves. Besides her current studies she is experienced in the ICT sector after 5 years work in the multinational ICT corporation.
Jaroslav Macháček: Economist engaged in regional science, spatial and environmental economics, environmental assessment, urban studies, cultural heritage. University professor. Since 1988 employed in the Czech Academy of Sciences - Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies (1990 - 2001,director). From 2001 to date full employment in the University of Economics in Prague, Faculty of National Economy and Public Administration, presently as the head of Regional Studies Department (On the part time basis also working in Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) as the chairman of the Czech National Committee for Impact Assessment , 2005 to date and vice-chairman of CAS Environmental Commission, 2000 to date). Member of the Czech National MaB Committee.