Why is tourism one of the fastest growing industries in the world?
Economic:
- easy transportation, more accessible
- flights are cheaper, budget airlines e.g. Jetstar
- more routes
- People have money to spend elsewhere
- greater affluence=wealth
- more money to spend on luxuries like travel
- Special deals from from travel agencies encourages people to travel
- Advertising and marketing makes people more aware of the options
- people would want to visit places where movies were filmed e.g. New Zealand where the Hobbit was filmed
Social:
- Visit friends and family from other places
- more international migration=more people visit friends and family
- Internet allows online reservation, convenient
- people have more free time, longer holidays
- 5 working days a week
- Fashion for wilderness tourism
- safety is increased
- to watch sports events live in that country
Benefits of Tourism
Economic:
- Income and jobs for local people from tourist spending
- increased trades, goods brought in by tourists
- increase in foreign exchange (“hard” currencies)
- infrastructure facilities and development
- government is encouraging tourism in some of the most remote areas
- government encourages local businesses
- increased spending in local restaurants, souvenir shops
Socio-cultural:
- building new facilities such as sewage works for whole communities
- improve lifestyles
- preservation of heritage/culture and local customs
- mixing and meeting of cultures
- new ideas/friendships
- increased empathy/understanding
- increased government stability
- more cultural understanding as people visit historical sites
Environmental:
- conservation of natural habitats
- species may be protected
- more funding goes to places valued by tourists
- incentive to protect the environment and animals
Disadvantages of Tourism
Economic:
- Money earned from tourism is being sent home by foreign workers
- Money goes to payment for goods imported for tourist
- money goes to foreign owners of hotels and other amenities (take profit out of country)
- Travel costs paid to foreign airlines, cruise ships etc.
- Government uses the money to repay loans
- Leakage of tourism receipts
- seasonal unemployment/wages are often low
- under-use of facilities
- shortage of facilities
- prices for local can increase
- low status/low enjoyment from jobs (drudgery jobs)
Socio-cultural:
- tourists destroying cultural/heritage sites
- tourists are insensitive to local people’s customs and religious beliefs
- they see themselves as superior beings just because they are lucky enough to be wealthy
- tourists take photos of local people, disrespecting their privacy
- increased crime
- income gap between local and tourist is increasing
- loss of dignity to get money from tourists
- locals charge tourists for taking pictures with them
- lack of respect/offensive behavior towards locals
- conflict/loss of traditions
- loss of local language because people learn English to communicate with tourists
Environmental:
- destruction of environment by building hotels
- polluting the natural environment
- vandalism
- increased carbon footprint
- flights/planes
- global warming
- increased traffic/congestion
- abuse/overuse of natural resources/not fairly distributed
- e.g. water, hotels take water supply away from locals
- animal cruelty
- circus performances to entertain tourists
Kenya Case study
For a named area you have studied, describe the benefits and problems of tourism for local people.
Tourism bring in US$500 million to Kenya per year. The industry accounts for 20% of Kenya’s income. Over 500,000 Kenyans are working for its tourist industry. Tourism also help preserve traditional culture and values. Money from tourists can help reserve national resources and animal conservation. For example, some money goes to organizations that fight against elephant poaching. As more tourists visit Kenya, it raises profile for national treasures. Fort Jesus museum is on the UNESCO World’s heritage sites list. On the other hand, tourism-related jobs are often low-paid, low skilled and seasonal, e.g. hotel cleaner. Tourists don’t always want local food, so the profit goes out of the country. There is a clash of cultural values, tourists are not very respectful towards swahili Islamic cultures especially on the coast. Maasai tribes are forced off their land to make Masai Myra National Park.
The benefits and disadvantages of tourism for Kenya
Sustainability:
- having long term solutions for resources needs
- Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable development:
Economic:
- ensures that businesses and industries have the potential to grow in the future
- uses technology that is appropriate for the community
- they have the skills and resources to use and maintain it
Environmental:
- Preserves natural resources
- insiders environmental limits and doesn’t exceed them
- uses technology that are eco-friendly
Social:
- government is democratic and open
- ensures that people have the skills to earn a living
- promotes and encourages diversity
Education
Make both tourists and local people aware, e.g. explain why visitors should not touch coral when they are snorkeling.
Resources
Control the use of resources (water, energy) e.g. use fewer, low-energy vehicles, recycle materials, grow organic food. Tourist should be encouraged to eat local, not imported food – this helps the environment, and gives local people an income.
Traditions
Encourage traditional crafts e.g. wood carving, which allow local people to develop their skills and, with dignity, to earn a living.
Money
Caring for the environment costs money. Part of the income from tourism can be used for this. If tour companies are involved in providing money to help support the environment, they are more likely to respect the needs of the environment and local people.
sustainable tourism: tourism which takes into account and tries to minimize any negative environmental or cultural impacts
Sustainable tourism:
- be aware of your destination footprint
- fly less and stay longer
- carbon-offset your flights
- stay in local guesthouses not big hotel chains
- consider a staycation
- find out about the place you visit and learn about their customs in advance
- be environmentally responsible. don’t leave litter and keep to paths to reduce trapping on footpaths.
- order locally produced food in restaurants rather than imported food
- find out about the environment you are visiting and make sure you don’t cause damage
- choose hotels who are committed to reducing their environmental impact. Ask about their policies on energy and water.
- Respect privacy of people. Ask before you take photos.
- be sensitive to local customs, eg. talk quietly in temples, don’t show lots of skin in places where people dress conservatively
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