Tourism-Skywalk

Context: 

• Grand Canyon, Utah
• Located away from the Grand Canyon Village (a honeypot site)
• Opened March 2004
• 1200m above canyon floor 
• cost £21 million to build (income shared by investor and Hualapai tribe)
• 70ft/20m from edge of canyon
• 4 million/yr tourists ($25 national park fee)

Opportunities:

• Exploitation/Commercialisation of culture
• Tourism
• Sustainable income helping local people (reduces the 50% unemployment rate, alcoholism, poverty)
• Positive multiplier effect
• Reduces overcrowding elsewhere (Grand Canyon Village)
• Profits go to a reconstructed Indian Village
• Better than a casino (causes less social problems)

Challenges:

• Conflicts with indigenous population
• Sacred ground to Hualapai tribe
• Delicate soil crusts 
• Aesthetically unpleasing on a unique landform 
• Water supply (Have to import at a high cost which is unsustainable)
• Not all members of Hualapai tribe benefit equally
• Lacks environmental sustainability
• New access road (air pollution/damage to soil crusts)
• Helicopter rides disturb wildlife/soil crusts impact

Exploitation= can be seen as the opposite of conservation-seeking economic gain usually at the expense of the environment.

Conservation= means keeping the landscape as it is - inhibiting any damage to the natural environment, so no economic development.