chap5 (tourism impacts)

Chapter 5

TOURISM IMPACTS

Learning Objectives• Have a basic understanding on various

impacts of tourism;• Be aware that tourism impacts can be

categorized as positive or negative;• Know the range of perspectives of

tourism impacts;• And outline methods (open discussion)

on mitigating the negative impacts of tourism.

Key Perspectives on Tourism Impacts

• Impacts are multi-faceted.• Tourism impacts can be categorized into three:

economic, socio-cultural and environmental.• It can be positive (beneficial) or negative

(detrimental).• The impacts also depends on the value and

judgment of the observer.

Types of Tourism Impacts

ECONOMIC IMPACTS

SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

TOURISM AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Economic Impacts of TourismPOSITIVE

1. Foreign exchange earnings2. Contribution to government

revenues 3. Generation of employment4. Balance of payment / trade

account balance5. Stimulation of infrastructure

investment6. Contribution to local

economies

NEGATIVE

1. Inflation2. Opportunity costs3. Dependency 4. Seasonality5. Leakage6. Enclave tourism7. Seasonal character of jobs8. Prostitution and the

underground economy

Tourism and its Socio-Cultural Impacts

SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM

Introduction to Socio-Cultural Impacts of Tourism

• sociology and culture• the tourist culture• elements of culture

ELEMENTS OF CULTURE

HANDICRAFTS LANGUAGE TRADITION

LOCAL WORK ARCHITECTUR

E RELIGION

GASTRONOMY ART AND

MUSIC HISTORY

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS DRESS

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Relevant Cultural Concepts

ORIENTALISM

NORMS AND RULES

EMOTIONOLOGY

PRIMITIVISM

ETHNOCENTRISM XENOPHOBIA

Socio-cultural Impacts of TourismPOSITIVE/BENEFITS

• Preservation and restoration of cultural heritage

• Revival of traditional arts and crafts

• Cultivation of cultural pride and sense of identity

• Cross-cultural exchange

NEGATIVE/COSTS

• Loss of cultural character• Loss of authenticity and

meaning of traditional arts and crafts

• Commercialization of human relationships

• Potential misunderstandings and conflicts between residents and tourists

TOURISM & ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Three Perspectives: (Relationship of Tourism and Environment)

1. Tourist-environment interactions2. Tourist-host interactions3. Host-environment interactions

TOURISM & ENVIRONMENT

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

1. Environmental awareness.2. Enhancements of local environment.3. Protection and conservation of wildlife.

“Environmental Awareness Raising”

• Tourism has the potential to increase

public appreciation of the environment and to

spread awareness of environmental problems

when it brings people into closer contact with

nature and the environment.

Enhancement of local environments

• Retain and increase visitor numbers by improving the general amenity value of the local environment.

Protection and conservation of wildlife

• Tourism acts as a force of conservation as it offers an alternative economic use.

• Tourism draws attention to issues relating to biodiversity, endangered species and human impact on the environment. (Doswell, 1997)

Grupo Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

- Luxury and conservation combined- The high-end resort was established with the goal of catering to luxury-class tourists while respecting the natural habitat of Punta Cana.

ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS

1. Inappropriate development2. Loss of natural habitat and effects on wildlife3. Pollution4. Loss of spirit5. Overcrowding and traffic congestion6. Activities (affecting the natural environment)

Inappropriate development

• Tourism development may be classed as inappropriate if it fails to be sensitive to the natural environment.

• Long-term planning in environment terms should be done.

• Costa del Sol – had undergone a powerful colonization of modern kind, it had robbed the shore of its natural features, displaced headlands and harbors with badly made structures.

• Resorts in Pattaya, Thailand – considered to be overdeveloped.

Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol

Rabbit Resort – Pattaya, Thailand

Dusit Thani – Pattaya, Thailand

"Sustainable development for mature tourist towns : the Calvià model"

• Javier BUSTAMANTE - Strategic Development Manager, Calvià (Mallorca)

• A few examples.• Firstly the " cleaning up " Plan, with the demolition of

hotels and buildings on the coastline, which aims to reduce the number of buildings. The results are clear for all to see… Another hotel was also replaced by a green area. In total, we have demolished 14 hotels and tourist buildings and replaced them with green areas.

• Awareness campaigns promoting the use and conservation of the natural resources, especially WATER.

CALVIA

Loss of natural habitat and effects on wildlife

• Development of facilities and subsequent tourist use may result in rapid or more gradual effects on habitats.

• Trampling causes disturbance to vegetation and soil.

• Not unlike the Galapagos Island, 600 miles of the coast of Ecuador.

Wildlife can be disturbed. (cheetahs in Amboseli National Park, Kenya)

Golden Toad in Monteverde Cloud Rainforest, Costa Rica

Golden Toad, has declined in numbers at the same time as ecotourism has evolved in the area.

Greek Island of Zakynthos

• The Loggerhead Turtle in the Greek Island of Zakynthos has become endangered. The development threatens the turtles in six ways:

1. Loss of beach nesting areas.2. Nesting females and young turtles disoriented by

artificial illumination.3. Noise4. Traffic5. Pollution6. Activities in water

Deforestation in Nepal

Effects of trampling

Pollution

POLLUTION

Water

Noise

Land (Solid Waste)

Air

Water Pollution

• Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater.

Air PollutionAir pollution is the

introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause

harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages

the natural environment, into the

atmosphere.

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution (or environmental noise) is displeasing human-, animal- or machine-created sound that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life.

Solid Waste

Solid Waste is also referred to as rubbish, trash, garbage, or junk depending upon the type of material and the regional terminology. In living organisms, waste relates to unwanted substances or toxins that are expelled from them. (Caribbean Area)

Overcrowding and traffic congestion

• Happens when the volume of tourists exceeds the capacity of an environment.

• Overcrowding poses an increased risk of environmental damage through erosion and restricts visitor appreciation of the destination.

• Inappropriate parking • Congestion damages vegetation, causes erosion

and adds to localized pollution.

Effects of activities• Skiing/alpine tourism

- mountain ecosystems are generally fragile but many are prone to intensive use.- many view skiing as a damaging activity because it requires associated development, such as lodges, resorts, roads and cause severe erosion and deforestation.

Effects of activities

• Ecotourism- while the premise of ecotourism is to assist in conservation and well-being of local communities, it is often the case that ecotourism-based activities lead to deterioration in environmental quality.- proper planning and management is needed

Tourism, Global Warming and

Climate Change

• By 2050, tourism is expected to see its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions rise from 3 to 7%.

• KYOTO Protocol, adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. (highlights the expected impacts of tourism in the environment)

• Very significant because climate and temperature are important determinants of destination selection.

Tourism, Global Warming and Climate Change

• Some expected effects may be;1. Rising temperature in central European

culture cities in peak season will lead to a decline in visitors.

2. Specific ecosystems s/as coral reefs will be affected.

3. In Alpine areas, shorter skiing seasons may arise.

• Experts begin to understand how climate change may reverse the shape of seasonality with a growing demand for coolness in summer, leading to increased energy consumption for air-conditioning, along with a greater number of extreme weather events which could disrupt tourism, such as flooding, sand storms, droughts and summer fires.

Specific Measures to Minimize

Environmental Damage

Tourism-related companies realized that turning green makes good

business sense. The German tourism industry experience.

Hotel Sector• installing water saving

devices;• Abolishing individually

wrapped food items at the breakfast buffet;

• Using recycled paper and reusable bottles.

• (Atrium Suites Manila)

Tourism-related companies realized that turning green makes good

business sense.

• Resorts- Decreasing automobile

traffic in resorts, clinic and recreational zones by constructing parking areas outside of the central areas and using electric buses.

- (Club Noah Isabelle, El Nido, Palawan)

Tourism-related companies realized that turning green makes good business sense.

• Travel Agencies- Publication of brochure

offering tips and information on species protection and environmentally proper behavior to vacationers.

Tourism-related companies realized that turning green makes good business sense.

• Transportation - Use high capacity

airplanes to reduce noise and emissions of pollutants and fuel consumption.

- “Garbage return initiative” LTU International Airways’ ecobag.

Tourism-related companies realized that turning green makes good business sense.

• Cities and Towns- Use of solar energy- Replacing regular light

bulbs for energy-saving bulbs.

- Promoting bicycles for inner city transport

- Use of rain water