• Similarities of FSM’s current tourist situation with those of Northern Cyprus, now and in the future

Federated States Micronesia is an independent federal nation in the western Pacific Ocean, composed of the 4 states of Kosrae, Pohnpei, where the capital, Palikir, is located, Chuuk, and Yap. With 607 islands, 65 only inhabited. The potential for a tourist industry exists with the exotic nature beauty and underwater adventures, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. In November 2002, the country experienced a further reduction in future revenues from the Compact of Free Association - the agreement with the US in which Micronesia received $1.3 billion in financial and technical assistance over a 15-year period until 2001. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remains major obstacle to long-term growth.
FSM tourism industry has a development potential particularly in relation to diving and eco-tourism. Such development is, however, constrained by the limited availability of infrastructure, including roads, power and water to service the industry, and geographical isolation.
In North Cyprus, the ministry of planning and tourism is responsible for the planning, promotion and marketing of the tourism industry together with the Hoteliers Association which aims to help hoteliers develop accommodation and improve services whilst taking account of surrounding areas in keeping with ones unspoilt natural beauty. Encouragement of foreign investment is among the primary objectives of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus development policy. Consequently those wishing to invest in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus can be sure of a positive government attitude. Moreover, attracting foreign investment to the tourism sector and tourism projects carry top priority in the development policy of the TRNC.
Co-operation between local and foreign firms in the form of joint ventures is actively promoted, and Northern Cyprus offers numerous advantages and incentives to the foreign investor including full protection of his property rights. Nationalization has never been part of government policy nor is it contemplated in the future. The Constitution of the TRNC guarantees the right of private property while it does not discriminate between citizens and aliens.
In Cyprus, both sides have focused and gave importance to the tourism sector as the major economic sector in the country; they both have set policies to encourage foreign investors. Another reason why the South succeeds the North is because of the advanced tourist facilities available and its edge of being recognized with direct flights arriving from the world. We can only say that the North has an advantage than the south that it is not run by crowdness and pollution, its beaches are clean and its sand is golden.
FSM can attract and sell its tourism edge to the biggest number of potential vacationers who seek nature and diving. However, FSM should be careful of the overdevelopment and prevent of negative and undesirable environmental impacts which can be generated by tourism development. It should be carefully planned, developed and efficiently managed.
In general, tourism planning will not be complete if there is no proper implementation. Usually this is supervised by tourism organization. This may be the World Tourism Organization (WTO) which has a province that is world wide or a regional or a national (NTO), or a mechanism at the local level. It is important to say that without a policy and a mechanism for implementing it, tourism will increase or decline at the destination in a haphazard manner.
The use of sustainable tourism is essential where sustainability applies not only to small-scale tourism projects; but it is equally important in areas where there is high-volume tourism, as in the Mediterranean basin countries where environmental pollution is of major concern.
All the parties involved in tourism, tourism guests, organizations, host population and natural environment have a stake in sustainable tourism and their present and future interest is interrelated. The protection of the environment is an essential part of eco-tourism development. Without adequate environmental protection ecotourism development and development prospects are undermined, compromising the present and future prospects of organizations, tourist guest and host destinations alike.
As we have seen, similarities of FMS’s current tourist situation with Northern Cyprus are many. Both countries depend on financial assistance. Tourism has been singled out as the most important sector for the development of the economy. In Cyprus we can find many products to market for tourism. First we have the historical places that are scattered around the island and are considered a very good attraction in a tourism package. Secondly, we have the sea, sun and sandy beaches, which is one of the top characteristics of the island. Similarly North Cyprus is considered one of the islands in the Mediterranean region which have a clean environment. This unpolluted environment is a very good attraction for the potential tourist. This applies on FMS tourism industry which has a development potential particularly in relation to diving and eco-tourism.
Shorcomings of FMS at present are remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. Also the lack of national tourism organization to coordinate the planning, development and marketing of a sustainable tourism industry for the nation. In addition to the lack of cooperation between the public sector and the private sector is missing plus an understanding between government, businesses and resident for a successful tourism development.
Whereas in the future, when Cyprus joins the European Union and the two sides becomes one country. If tourism development will not be controlled, the negative effect of overdevelopment will crawl to the north side and sustainability in tourism will be difficult as it happened with most of the Mediterranean basin countries. In the same time, if sustainable development policy is not implemented in FMS, damage and deterioration of mountain areas and the coral reefs will happen. I think the two countries should learn a lesson from the countries that passed in the same experience and now paying the price of overdevelopment.