Resource Use and Tourism on a Small Indonesian Island

Small tropical islands may evoke idyllic images of clear waters, coconut palms and thatched huts, but in reality they also tend to possess limited natural resources, and are particularly susceptible to resource over-exploitation. Where tourism development occurs, not all local people benefit, or benefit equally, but they are likely to share the economic, social, and environmental problems tourism can bring. On the Indonesian island of Gili Air, many locals wish to enter the tourism industry, but limited sources of capital and credit have led them to exploit natural resources intensively to obtain capital for their ventures. Because they intend to leave traditional occupations and enter the tourism industry, they are not particularly concerned about the long-term sustainability of these resources. As a consequence, the long-term potential of tourism on Gili Air is threatened by the over-exploitation of marine-based resources, which may then exacerbate pressure on those that remain. Coral destruction from the use of dynamite and cyanide, and over-fishing, quickly make the marine environment less attractive to tourists. However, snorkelling and scuba diving are popular attractions and if the long-term viability of tourism is threatened, residents will need to rely even more heavily on the depleting marine and other resources.